Announced by Representative David Price, both on social media and in a formal press release, Chapel Hill will be granted $5.6 million in federal funding to acquire new “zero-emission” buses and begin to shift toward electric public transportation.

According to the release, the funding comes in the form of a grant from the Federal Transit Administration, and the $5.6 million will be used to purchase zero-emission electric buses and “related charging infrastructure.”

“Chapel Hill Transit is a national leader when it comes to affordable, dependable public transportation that ensures people can conveniently connect to jobs, health care, and educational opportunities,” said Price in the release. “This funding will ensure the bus fleet remains in top shape, while reducing carbon emissions and air pollution.”

The Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program from the FTA makes federal resources available to “replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment” — and includes provisions for technological changes and innovations, such as low or no-emission vehicles.

“Chapel Hill Transit is committed to becoming more sustainable and resilient, while taking steps to further reduce our own emissions. We believe that Battery Electric Buses (BEBs), combined with service improvements and expansions can provide the benefits of reducing emissions by expanding transit use while using vehicles that themselves emit less carbon,” said Brian Litchfield, director of Chapel Hill Transit, in the release. “We appreciate Chairman Price’s leadership in supporting critical funding for systems like Chapel Hill Transit, as we implement and evaluate BEBs as a longer-term strategy of transitioning our fleet to BEBs.”

 

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