Schatz: Hawai‘i Set To Receive More Than $55 Million In Federal Funding For New Electric Buses, Improve Transit Across The State

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced Hawai‘i will receive more than $55 million in new federal funding for new electric public transit buses across the state. The new money, allocated by U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) from the recent infrastructure law, will provide Hawai‘i residents and visitors with more travel options while cutting air pollution.

“This new federal funding will make it easier for people to get to where they need to go while making our roads cleaner and quieter,” said Senator Schatz, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing. “Improving our public transit system with electric buses means that we can provide affordable transportation while reducing our carbon footprint.”

According to DOT, the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation will receive more than $35 million in funding on behalf of Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i, and Maui counties to improve bus stops and facilities and buy a mix of zero-emission buses, battery electric buses, and fuel cell electric buses. The new vehicles will replace diesel buses and retrofitted hydrogen fuel cell cutaways that have exceeded their useful life.

The Honolulu Department of Transportation Services will receive $20 million in new funding to buy battery electric buses. The new vehicles will advance the transition from diesel fuel buses to battery electric buses, support Honolulu's climate goals, advance workforce training, and provide rides in historically disadvantaged communities.

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