Washington D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) announced over $21 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for clean transit buses in Alabama. $13,654,636 will be awarded to the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority and $7,890,065 will be awarded to the University of Alabama. This funding is part of a $1.66 billion investment by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in 150 bus fleets and facilities across the nation to reduce pollution and meet President Biden’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. This year's funding alone will nearly double the number of no-emission transit buses on America's roadways. In Alabama, this funding will improve safety and reliability of transit services for residents of the Birmingham and Tuscaloosa regions while reducing pollution and advancing environmental justice.

The Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA) will receive $13,654,636 to build a new maintenance facility and buy compressed natural gas, hydrogen fuel-cell and battery electric buses and charging equipment. This project and the new vehicles will improve the safety and reliability of transit service for residents in Jefferson County.

The University of Alabama will receive $7,890,065 to replace diesel buses with new electric buses, buy charging equipment, and train maintenance workers to support the new electric bus fleet. The project will ensure continued service reliability, maintain a state of good repair, improve air quality, and advance environmental justice in the Tuscaloosa community.

“It’s hard to overstate the transformational impact that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is having here in Alabama,” said Rep. Sewell. “Once again, we’re seeing much-needed funding coming to our communities to upgrade our infrastructure, connect our communities, and clean up our environment. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a true testament to what we can achieve when we put people over politics, and I was proud to be the only Member of Congress from Alabama to support it.”

“With this announcement, we’re bringing millions of dollars to Jefferson County for brand new vehicles and a new maintenance facility to keep them running smoothly,” continued Sewell. “That means safer and more reliable bus services for the residents of the Birmingham region. For our University of Alabama campus community, this announcement means better, greener buses and a cleaner, healthier environment.”

These two projects were among 150 to be selected by the FTA out of a pool of more than 530 eligible proposals. The bus grant awards—made under FTA's Buses and Bus Facilitiesand Low- and No-Emission Vehicle programs—are FTA's first competitive grant selections under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The programs support the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to expand our nation's transportation infrastructure, create and maintain good-paying jobs, and fight climate change.

“BJCTA has a lot to look forward to in the coming years,” said BJCTA Executive Director and CEO Charlotte Shaw. “We are excited to be a part of positive change and growth. BJCTA’s Transit on the Grow mission is not only to connect people to places but also to provide life quality in our communities across the region.”

“The transfer to electric Crimson Ride buses will reduce emissions and have an immediate impact on our area, thanks in great part to Rep. Terri Sewell and Sen. Richard Shelby’s strong support," said University of Alabama President Stuart Bell. "This grant will improve air quality and promote well-being on our campus and will build a strong workforce to lead electric vehicle innovation consistent with our vision for the Alabama Mobility and Power Center.”

“With today's awards, we're helping communities across America—in cities, suburbs, and rural areas alike—purchase more than 1,800 new buses, and most of them are zero-emission," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "Funded through President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this announcement means more good jobs for people across the country, cleaner air in our communities, and more affordable and reliable options to help people get to where they need to go."

"When a transit door opens, whether it is a bus, train, or ferry, it is a great equalizer for everyone in our nation," said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. "With this tremendous amount of funding, the President's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law gives more Americans access to the opportunities that transit creates, more often, in more places. These investments also help us meet our goals of cutting transportation emissions, creating good-paying American manufacturing jobs, and helping America's transit workers prepare for new vehicle technology."

Find a link to all projects here. Find more information about today’s announcement here.