Monterey-Salinas Transit District

Amount Appropriated?

$3.0M

FFID tracks stages 1–2 — stages 3–5 vary by agency, assistance type, and earmark structure.

Project Description

The purchase of zero emission electric buses instead of diesel will dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, helping to mitigate climate change. \n\nThis is a highly leveraged use of federal funds. The nonfederal share of the project is 40 percent. Instead of funding the typical 80 percent share of bus and bus facilities, MST will use the federal funds to provide the differential funding gap between the budgeted cost for diesel buses and the increased cost for zero emission electric buses, thus supporting purchase of 4-5 electric buses.\n\nAcquiring electric buses and related charging infrastructure will increase the reliability of MST\u2019s bus fleet, directly supporting our mission to provide public transportation to Monterey County, CA. MST\u2019s customers are overwhelmingly seniors, students, and workers in the agricultural and hospitality industries.\n\nThe project will also improve system redundancy and reliability to support MST service and emergency response. The design of solar charging infrastructure and battery backup systems at one of MST\u2019s main operational facilities in Monterey County, and the purchase of new zero emission electric buses with the applicable charging infrastructure will allow MST\u2019s current and future zero emission electric fleet and operations center to continue to operate in an environmentally friendly manner even if the power grid is compromised. This carbon neutral redundancy system will allow MST to operate its regular service and seamlessly provide emergency services to its community when the need arises without placing unnecessary strain on the environment. By installing this infrastructure at its main operations location, MST can provide emergency relief to all residents within its jurisdiction, especially the disadvantaged, low-income, and minority of Seaside, Marina, and the Salinas Valley.