New York State will invest nearly $80 million to support seven regional transit agencies in shifting to zero-emission buses and related infrastructure, as part of its broader plan to decarbonize public transport and curb greenhouse gas emissions.
The funding, provided through the state’s Zero-Emission Transit Transition (ZETT) program, will assist in the purchase of battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell buses, as well as charging and refueling stations and facility improvements. The program excludes the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and intercity bus operators, which mainly serve the New York City area.
See also: New York Launches $21 Million Program for Shared Zero-Emission Transport Projects
The Capital District Transportation Authority, Central New York Regional Transportation Authority, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, and Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority will each receive $17.5 million — the largest awards under this round of funding. Their projects include new bus depots, charging systems, and vehicle procurements. Smaller grants will go to Suffolk County Transit, Broome County Transit, and Ulster County Area Transit for fleet purchases, facility design, and site planning.
Launched in December 2024 with an initial budget of $100 million, the ZETT program’s total funding has since been increased to $120 million under the 2026 budget. The initiative is a key component of the state’s climate strategy aimed at achieving long-term emissions reduction targets.
See also: New York Debuts First Hybrid-Electric Ferry on Governors Island
“New York’s push to transition public transit agencies to zero-emission fleets is a crucial step in achieving our clean energy goals,” Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement. “Increasing the number of zero-emission transit vehicles in every corner of our state will deliver cleaner air and healthier communities across New York.”
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez described the initiative as “targeted, smart investments in zero-emission transit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” She added that it “offers local New York transit agencies a unique opportunity to invest in climate-friendly vehicles for their respective fleets, which will help improve the health of local communities while reducing the state’s carbon footprint.”
State Senator Jeremy Cooney said the effort demonstrates how “ambitious climate goals go hand-in-hand with transportation and infrastructure goals,” while Assembly Transportation Committee Chair William Magnarelli emphasized that the funding “will help in this effort, especially Central New York.”
