NEWPORT – The R.I. Public Transit Authority is getting a $22.37 million federal grant to purchase 25 new electric buses and recharging infrastructure, enabling all Aquidneck Island-based transit services to be electric, according to the state’s congressional delegation.
The grant is made available through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability & Equity grant program.
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The corridor was one of five goals included in RIPTA’s Transit Master Plan for the next 20 years.
“This federal funding will help accelerate RIPTA’s transition to a clean energy future, curb pollution, and also help pump the brakes on climate change,” said Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I.
With this latest grant, RIPTA has now been awarded over $62 million in federal competitive grants since 2018 for capital investments, such as purchasing electric buses, rehabbing its maintenance facilities and building new bus hubs.
“We are grateful for Sen. Reed and the entire congressional delegation’s steadfast support of public transportation, including their commitment to new battery-powered buses with zero emissions,” said Scott Avedisian, RIPTA CEO. “Their help in securing this most recent funding makes it possible for us to continue to move forward with our plan to electrify bus service on Aquidneck Island and our overall goal to improve air quality in our state.”
