AUTHORITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Arrival of NFTA-Metro’s First Battery Electric Bus
Public Transportation in WNY Continues on the Road to Sustainability
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 22, 2022
BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (“NFTA”) introduced its first battery electric bus to the public on Earth Day, Friday, April 22, 2022. The full-size, 40-foot vehicle will be followed by nine more later this year. The buses purchased have been approved for more than $3.8 million in funding from the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program (NYTVIP).
NFTA-Metro’s electric bus was unveiled at the Cold Spring Maintenance Garage, home to the NFTA’s state-of-the-art charging station built with the help of National Grid and the New York Power Authority. Key partners in this project, National Grid and the New York Power Authority provided direct support for the infrastructure concept design, construction, and testing. The Cold Spring Garage has been sized to charge up to 50 buses and can be scaled up to serve 100.
“This is the type of collaboration and partnership we need to achieve our environmental improvement goals,” said Kim Minkel, executive director, NFTA. “We are committed to delivering clean, reliable, transit service to Western New York. Working together, we are building a cleaner, greener future.”
Congressman Brian Higgins said, “This is a historic milestone for the NFTA and public transportation in Western New York. The transition to electric buses improves the experience for riders and drivers, reduces the costs associated with a dependence on gasoline, and contributes to a cleaner and healthier community.”
“Just a few months ago, we were at this same facility with the US Labor Secretary, breaking ground on an $8 million upgrade that will pave the way for state-of-the-art battery electric buses. Today, on Earth Day, we’re thrilled to celebrate the first of those buses hitting Buffalo’s streets," said Senator Tim Kennedy, Chair of the Senate's Transportation Committee. "New York continues to make smart, strategic investments in our transportation networks, and this upcoming fleet is a reflection of how we as a state and region are actively preparing to create new, green opportunities down the road."
The NFTA order of ten New Flyer battery electric buses were all built in the USA in Crookston, Minnesota. In addition to vast reductions in emissions, the battery electric buses are quieter than both diesel and compressed natural gas buses. The new buses also feature an ultraviolet sanitizing system, improving their internal environments as well.
“At National Grid, we know that winning the fight against climate change requires emissions reductions across multiple sectors of the economy, including transportation,” said Melanie Littlejohn, National Grid Vice President of Customer and Community. “We also know that achieving a clean energy future is possible by working together. We look forward to continued conversations with NFTA and other western New York agencies about how EV charging stations can help to shape the future of public transportation. Today, we get a glimpse of that future as NFTA adds its first brand new electric bus to its fleet.”
“The debut of the NFTA’s electric bus and the state-of-the-art infrastructure system that will power it shows that Buffalo is ready to help lead the transition to zero-emission transportation,” said NYPA Interim President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. “The New York Power Authority is pleased to support the construction of the first electric depot overhead bus charging system in New York State – with capacity to charge 50 buses at once. We are building for a future of electrified bus fleets and new more efficient clean energy solutions.”
NYSERDA administers the NYTVIP in partnership with the New York State Department of Transportation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The $58.3 million NYTVIP program, makes it easier for municipal fleets to adopt clean vehicle technologies while removing the oldest, dirtiest diesel engines from New York roads. It is funded by $48.3 million from the state’s federal allocation from the Volkswagen settlement, and approximately $10 million in federal funds allocated to the New York State Department of Transportation.
Doreen M. Harris President and CEO of NYSERDA said, “NYSERDA is proud to support the ten new all-electric buses that will join NFTA’s fleet and provide community members and visitors with clean transportation to get where they need to go. By enhancing its fleet, NFTA is showing true leadership in reducing pollution and emissions in Western New York, helping to build cleaner, healthier communities for the benefit of generations to come.”
“One of the best ways to commemorate and celebrate Earth Day is by highlighting the vitally important transition toward a clean energy economy,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “The transportation sector, including the electrification of public buses, play a critical role in this transition. DEC applauds NFTA-Metro’s quick, and impressive, steps toward electrifying its fleet of buses, which will provide huge benefits for the communities served by NFTA-Metro and to the environment.”
About the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority
The NFTA is a regional multi-modal transportation authority responsible for air and surface transportation in Erie and Niagara Counties. NFTA/NFTM businesses include a bus, rail and paratransit system, the Buffalo Niagara International Airport and the Niagara Falls International Airport. Learn more at www.nfta.com
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