Houston Metro has secured more than $21 million to purchase and maintain 20 new electric buses to add to its fleet. It’s the latest development in the transit agency’s ongoing bid to replace its diesel-powered bus fleet with the environmentally conscious electric vehicles. 

The funding will come from a grant awarded by the Federal Transit Administration that Metro applied for back in May. The buses are expected to arrive and be put in service later this year. 

“These essential funds will help our region transition to lower-polluting and more energy-efficient transit vehicles quicker,” said U.S. Congressmember Sylvia Garcia in announcing the grant. “I look forward to watching the positive impact this brings to Houston Metro and residents.”

According to reporting from the Houston Chronicle, half of the buses will operate on Route 28 along Old Spanish Trail and Wayside while the other half will be used on Route 402 in Bellaire. 

Metro’s plans call for the transit agency to continue to purchase electric vehicles through 2030 as it works to convert its entire fleet of 1,200 buses to zero emissions vehicles. 

Houston is working on several fronts to become a more sustainable and resilient city. The city’s Climate Action Plan and Resilient Houston initiatives outline specific goals for the city including attracting new green energy companies, adopting long-range solid waste plans and more. And a report earlier this month touted Houston as a leading low-carbon footprint city on a per capita basis thanks to the growing presence of new energy companies and corporate research and development centers focused on “energy technology and innovation.” 

Learn about the Partnership’s Houston Energy Transition Initiative designed to help Houston lead the global transition to an energy abundant, low-carbon future.