Montgomery receives $16.9 million for bus system upgrades

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has granted $16,941,377 to the City of Montgomery to upgrade its bus system, said an announcement from Rep. Terri Sewell on Tuesday. 

“Today, 117 communities, including Montgomery, are receiving the good news that their transit buses are being modernized and their commutes improved through President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. 

“The Biden-Harris Administration is helping agencies across 47 states replace old buses running on dirty, expensive fuels by delivering modern and zero-emission buses, manufactured by American workers, that will connect more people to where they need to go.”

The funds will be used to purchase new battery electric buses, charging equipment, and initiate a workforce training program. The funding comes from USDOT’s Bus and Bus Facilities Grant Program from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

“This is great news for the City of Montgomery,” said Sewell. “I was so proud to help secure this $16.9 million investment in the M Public Transit System Electric Bus Program, and I know that it will go a long way toward improving travel for commuters."

"As the only member of Alabama’s Congressional Delegation to vote in favor of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, I am overjoyed to see investments like these coming to our state. I applaud Secretary Buttigieg and the entire Biden-Harris Administration for utilizing transportation as another tool to help us build a more sustainable future.”

Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed applauded the grant, calling it a "milestone" for the city. 

“This grant is a significant milestone for our community and will propel us towards a more sustainable and efficient public transit system,” he said. “This will allow our M Transit System to purchase electric buses, charging equipment, and initiate a workforce training program that will create new jobs. I extend my deepest gratitude to Congresswoman Terri Sewell, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Department of Transportation for supporting Montgomery with this grant.”