Governor Cuomo Announces Addition of 10 Electric Buses to Regional Transit Service Fleet in Rochester
Represents First Step in Transit Service Electrifying 25% of its Fleet by 2025 as Announced in Governor Cuomo's 2020 State of the State Address
Six Electric Buses Now in Service for RTS in the Finger Lakes Region, Remaining Four Buses to go into Service this November
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority has added the first 10 electric buses to its Regional Transit Service fleet, or RTS, which serves more than 1.1 million New Yorkers in eight-counties of the Finger Lakes Region, part of an ongoing effort to reduce carbon emissions produced by traditional diesel-fuel buses. As announced in the Governor's State of the State address earlier this year, RTS and four other transit agencies have committed to having a 25% electric bus fleet by 2025 and a 100% electric fleet by 2035. Today's announcement puts RTS on pace to exceed that goal.
"New York is the nation's leader when it comes to combatting climate change and as part of these efforts we are electrifying transit buses in Rochester and across the state to reduce our carbon footprint," Governor Cuomo said. "Our state will continue to invest in our infrastructure and clean energy to promote sustainability and create a cleaner environment for future generations of New Yorkers."
"New York is leading the nation in our ambitious clean energy goals and efforts to combat climate change," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "The addition of these electric buses to Rochester's regional transit service fleet is part of our overall plans to have a 25% electric bus fleet statewide over the next five years and 100% by 2035. We thank RTS for partnering with us to reach our goals and help ensure a cleaner and greener environment for future generations and the health and safety of our planet."
In April 2017, Governor Cuomo announced funding for RTS to acquire its first electric buses and associated charging equipment. RTS anticipates having 20 electric buses and charging infrastructure in place by the end of 2021 and estimates its fleet will be 35% electric by 2025, exceeding the Governor's goals and on pace to have a fully electric fleet by 2035.
The total cost of the 10 buses and associated charging infrastructure is approximately $12 million:
$7.0 million administered by the New York State Department of Transportation,
$2.3 million of $127.7 million in Volkswagen diesel emissions settlement funds, administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and implemented by NYSERDA and NYPA,
$1.7 million provided by the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority, and
$1.0 million from the Federal Transit Administration
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, New York State continues to make smart, sustainable investments in our transportation systems that will result in a reduced carbon footprint across the Empire State benefiting generations to come. DOT is excited to lead the way in addressing our changing climate and supporting the electrification of public transit systems here in Rochester and across the state."