New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced nearly $80 million in state funding for sustainability and emissions reduction projects under the Zero-Emission Transit Transition Program (ZETT).
The awards will be distributed to seven different transit providers to expand their use of zero-emission vehicles in existing fleets. The projects will help support the expanded use of and the transition to zero-emission fleets for non-Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) transit providers across the state.
The ZETT program provides $100 million in funding to transit providers across the state to support the transition of transit fleets to zero-emission propulsion (battery-electric and hydrogen-electric). In the FY26 Enacted Budget, $20 million was added to the fund. The program supports the Governor’s nation-leading agenda to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, helps the state achieve its energy goals, and offers local New York transit agencies a unique opportunity to invest in climate-friendly vehicles therefore improving the health of local communities.
Applicants eligible for the award included transit authorities, counties, municipalities, and other entities receiving or eligible to receive New York Statewide Mass Transportation Operating Assistance (STOA). If an eligible entity was affected by Executive Order No. 22, they could request between $500,000 and $17,500,000. All other entities could request between $500,000 and $5,000,000. All parties must have provided a minimum of 10% non-state matching funds towards the total project cost, excluding contributions from other state sources.
The nearly $80 million in state funding was awarded to non-MTA transit authorities which were encouraged to apply for the funding when ZETT was first announced in December 2024. The money could be used to support the acquisition of zero-emission transit vehicles, for the construction of facilities and utility infrastructure for charging and fueling, and for necessary planning and design phases for zero-emission capital projects. The following seven awards were distributed:
- Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) – $17.5 million to fund the planning, design, and construction of a new training and maintenance facility to support a zero-emission fleet that will cover service in Schenectady and Montgomery Counties, and parts of Saratoga County. The project also includes the purchase of two hydrogen-electric/fuel-cell buses.
- Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (Centro) – $17.5 million to consolidate facilities and operations in Oneida County to support the transition to a zero-emission fleet, allowing for potential expansion to Madison and Herkimer Counties. The project also includes the purchase of battery-electric and/or hydrogen-electric/fuel-cell vehicles.
- Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) – $17.5 million to install two lanes of charging infrastructure at the Cold Spring Bus Garage and fund the purchase of 18 battery-electric buses. Additionally, a feasibility study will be conducted to determine the infrastructure requirements and costs of expanding the zero-emission fleet to the Frontier and Babcock Bus Garages.
- Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RTS) – $17.5 million for a facility infrastructure project that will update the operations building with utility and safety improvements to accommodate hydrogen-electric/fuel-cell buses. It will also fund the purchase of 10 hydrogen-electric/fuel-cell buses.
- Suffolk County Transit – $5 million funding part of the purchase of 12 battery-electric buses.
- Broome County Transit – $3.34 million to purchase of three battery-electric buses.
- Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) – $1.35 million to fund site selection and design of a new bus facility equipped with electric vehicle charging capabilities.
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