Representative Adriano Espaillat Touts District Impact of Federal Grant to Fund Bus Facilities in District

NEW YORK, NY –Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), in collaboration with EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and others, announced a combined $77 million in competitive grants made possible through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to accelerate New York City’s transition to zero-emission vehicles and expand the number of electric school buses and trucks throughout the city.   

"I was proud to support the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which made today’s announcement possible," said Rep. Espaillat. "Together, we are revitalizing New York City’s infrastructure and combatting the climate crisis. I commend Mayor Eric Adams, Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan and Regional Administrator Lisa Garcia, and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for their collective efforts to secure this remarkable $77 million investment for New York City. This federal funding will quadruple our city's electric school bus fleet and create the nation's first electric truck charging depot in the Bronx that will serve over 7,000 freight-focused trucks and vehicles annually. Today’s announcement is a testament to the progress we have made under the Biden Administration and our ongoing commitment to safeguarding the environment and enhancing the well-being of our communities.”

“Protecting our kids and tackling the climate crisis is a win-win. Transitioning away from dirty diesel and toward clean electric buses is a smart investment in our children's future,” said Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "Cleaner air and less pollution are a net positive for the community, and thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law this is just the beginning. Beyond the community, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from these bus replacement projects will help to address the outsized role of the transportation sector on climate change.” 

“I have always said that I am a five-borough mayor, and with this funding, we are building an even brighter future for the Bronx and our entire city,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “These grants will help us put more electric school buses on our streets, turn one of the world’s largest food distribution centers into one of the world’s greenest facilities, deliver cleaner air for our children, and help undo a long history of environmental racism in the South Bronx. This is what it looks like when leaders from City Hall to the halls of Congress work together to ‘Get Stuff Done’ for New York City. My thanks to President Biden, the Environmental Protection Agency, and all our federal partners who helped secure this funding and are working to deliver a cleaner, greener city for New Yorkers.”

The awards, which are made possible through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, will help secure clean school buses for the benefit of all New York City school districts. The transportation companies, J.P. Bus and Truck Repair Ltd. and New York City School Bus Umbrella Services (NYCSBUS) will receive $61.1 million grant funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Grant Program to purchase 180 clean school buses.

* J.P. Bus and Truck Repair Ltd. has been selected to receive over $31.5 million to purchase 80 clean school buses and 86 bus chargers.

* NYCSBUS has been selected to receive $29.5 million to purchase 100 clean school buses and 100 bus chargers.

Additionally, a $15 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program will help build a groundbreaking, freight-focused electric truck and vehicle charging depot at the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center, the busiest heavy trucking destination in New York state. Lastly, the city was awarded $1.5 million from the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation’s Ride and Drive Electric Program to support planning and coordination efforts to electrify New York City’s electric school bus fleet.

Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, nearly $2 billion was designated for the Buses and Bus Facilities Program through FY 2026. This program provides funding to state and local authorities to improve bus facilities, buy and modernize buses and support workforce development. As a Member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Espaillat fought to fund this account in the federal government and sent a letter of support urging the U.S. Department of Transportation to fund this significant grant. This funding will allow the New York City Department of Transportation to make critical safety and accessibility improvements to bus stops in the Bronx, making them safer and more comfortable for passengers waiting, as well as help fund six bus stops within New York’s 13th Congressional District: Tremont Ave. and Grand Ave., Tremont Ave. and Harrison Ave., W Tremont Ave. and Sedgwick Ave., Sedgwick Ave. and Undercliff Ave., Sedgwick Ave. and Cedar Ave., and Hall of Fame Terrace and University Ave.
 

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Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his fourth term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities and serves as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the committee during the 118th Congress. He is also a member of the House Budget Committee and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Deputy Chair as well as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI). Rep. Espaillat is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

Media inquiries: Candace Person at Candace.Person@mail.house.gov