California is investing $202 million in 143 clean transportation projects aimed at expanding public transit, accelerating electric mobility and reducing pollution in communities most affected by poor air quality, state officials said.
The funding is being awarded by Caltrans through the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP), part of the state’s broader California Climate Investments initiative financed by cap-and-trade revenues. The programme focuses on cutting greenhouse-gas emissions by shifting travel away from private vehicles and supporting the transition to zero-emission public transport fleets.
“Partnering with local transportation agencies, we’re building a thriving, more connected California by investing in projects that will improve outcomes for all roadway users and help the state achieve its ambitious climate goals,” said Dina El‑Tawansy. She added that the projects would expand bus and rail services, support free or reduced fare programmes and encourage fewer and shorter car trips.
A significant portion of the funding is directed toward enabling large-scale deployment of zero-emission buses. The San Mateo County Transit District will receive $2.58 million to build a hydrogen fuelling station and related maintenance facilities at its North Base in San Carlos, infrastructure intended to support up to 144 hydrogen fuel cell buses. In Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District has been awarded $1.2 million to help procure four hydrogen fuel cell buses as part of its plan to transition to a fully zero-emission fleet by 2037.
Battery-electric bus infrastructure is also a focus of the awards. The Los Angeles will receive $1.75 million to install 57 electric bus chargers at the Washington Boulevard Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility operated by the city’s Department of Transportation. The Marin County Transit District was awarded just over $700,000 to install solar panels and charging infrastructure for zero-emission buses at its San Rafael depot, while the Roseville will receive $600,000 to complete the next phase of its zero-emission bus facility, including high-power chargers.
The funding also supports direct fleet replacement. Monterey-Salinas Transit will receive $900,000 to purchase at least one zero-emission bus to replace an ageing diesel vehicle, while the Arvin has been awarded about $52,000 to build a renewable microgrid to supply electricity for its electric bus operations.
Smaller grants are aimed at improving service quality and social equity, including bus stop upgrades, fare subsidies for low-income riders and operational support for rural transit services. Since its launch, LCTOP has funded more than 1,500 projects statewide, supporting zero-emission vehicle procurement, depot upgrades and the integration of renewable energy into public transport systems.