Strickland Helps Secure Over $3.8 Million for Pierce Transit Battery Electric Buses

Graphic of the county

Congresswoman Strickland is pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Pierce Transit $3,870,800 as part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 22 Low-No Grant Program and Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program. This award allows Pierce Transit to purchase up to three battery electric buses so they can better serve their customers, meet their climate goals, while reducing pollution.

“These battery electric buses will help Pierce Transit meet their fleet electrification goal and improve mobility and access for transit riders. I am pleased to announce that this grant funding was made available to modernize transit fleets and reduce emissions right here in the South Sound,” said Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA10). “I was happy to support this project, and to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand and enhance these grants to serve commuters and the environment.”

“On behalf of Pierce Transit, I want to thank Congresswoman Strickland and her colleagues for their continued support of the agency’s work in realizing a cleaner transportation future for Pierce County,” said Pierce Transit CEO Mike Griffus. “This Low-No award will allow Pierce Transit to offer more zero-emission trips and continue moving us toward our goal of transitioning 20 percent of our fleet to zero-emission vehicles by 2030.”

Pierce Transit applied for FY 2022 Low or No Emission Grant Program and Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program funding. These grants were expanded due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that was signed into law in 2021. Pierce Transit will use this grant award to purchase up to three battery electric buses to replace vehicles that have exceeded their useful life. These new buses will enhance service for an estimated 274,000 riders who live near Pierce Transit’s 19 zero-emission bus routes and help Pierce Transit reduce its carbon emissions.