The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded Loudoun County $13.8 million to purchase 37 compressed natural gas buses, construct a fueling station and update its maintenance facility. The purchase of buses for Loudoun County Transit, the county’s bus system, is a key step in the county’s efforts to achieve the goals of the Loudoun County Energy Strategy, which include reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in transportation and leading by example in county government operations.
The new buses will replace the current buses in the county’s fixed-route, local bus service, which are nearing the end of their useful life. These buses provide vital transportation services to many low-income residents who depend on public transportation in order to work, go to school, medical appointments, grocery shopping and accomplish many other activities of daily life.
Officials estimate that the new buses will lead to an annual reduction of 447.55 metric tons of greenhouse gases, which, in terms of emissions benefits, equates to:
- 98 gasoline vehicles taken off the road.
- 180 tons of waste recycled.
- 3.1 acres of US forest preserved.
- 7,459 trees planted.
The new buses and fueling station are expected to be operational by the end of 2024.
The grant awarded to Loudoun County is through the FTA’s Low- and No-Emission (Low-No) Vehicle Program, which is designed to put cleaner buses on the road by supporting the transition of the nation’s transit fleet to the lowest polluting and most energy-efficient transit vehicles. The program makes funding available to help transit agencies buy or lease American-built low- or zero-emission vehicles, including buses and vans and make facility and station upgrades to accommodate low- or zero-emission vehicles.
Loudoun County’s grant application was one of 130 selected by the FTA for funding out of a total of 475 eligible projects. In all, the FTA awarded $1.69 billion in Fiscal Year 2023 funding for projects in 46 states and territories.
More information about Loudoun County’s efforts to increase energy sustainability, as well as other environmental initiatives, is online at loudoun.gov/environment.
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