The Federal Transit Administration has announced nearly $390 million in new transit bus infrastructure funding, supporting 34 projects across 19 states and Puerto Rico. The latest round will help deliver close to 200 new buses and fund the construction or rehabilitation of approximately 11 bus maintenance facilities, continuing a nationwide push to modernize aging fleets and strengthen bus operations.

FTA Administrator Marc Molinaro emphasized that these investments are designed to improve safety, reliability and efficiency for transit riders while ensuring long-term infrastructure resilience. With this announcement, total allocations under the FY2025 and FY2026 bus-related programs now reach approximately $2.4 billion across 199 projects nationwide.

This newest funding builds on a much larger wave of awards announced under Fiscal Year 2025 programs. The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded a total of $2,027,948,082 for 165 projects, including $397,665,476 through the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program for 62 projects and $1,630,282,606 under the Low or No Emission (Low-No) Grants Program for 103 projects. These funds came with detailed implementation guidance to ensure compliance, workforce training alignment and proper project oversight.

Connecticut has steadily positioned itself as a leader in fleet electrification. In FY2023, the Connecticut Department of Transportation received $26,437,120 to purchase battery-electric buses and modernize the CTtransit Stamford Division Depot to support electric service. That project focused on replacing older diesel buses, improving air quality and advancing environmental justice in Stamford. In FY2025, Connecticut secured another $35.7 million to rehabilitate a transit facility in Mansfield to support low-emission vehicles, reinforcing the state’s long-term electrification and infrastructure strategy.

Massachusetts also captured significant funding across multiple programs. Under the FY2025 Bus and Low-No selections, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority received $78,566,512 to purchase new hybrid buses replacing vehicles at the end of their useful life. The Lowell Regional Transit Authority was awarded $7,158,564 for hybrid bus replacements, and the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority received $7,194,360 to expand and modernize its fleet.

Facility upgrades were also a major focus in Massachusetts. The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority received $4,475,955 to rehabilitate its Northampton bus garage and improve equipment and operational capacity. The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority was awarded $3,000,000 to rehabilitate its operations and maintenance facility and support essential equipment upgrades. These facility investments complement fleet replacement efforts by ensuring agencies have the infrastructure needed to maintain modern buses efficiently.

Altogether, Massachusetts’ recent awards exceed $100 million when combining hybrid bus purchases and facility improvements, reflecting a balanced strategy of fleet renewal and infrastructure rehabilitation. Connecticut’s funding pattern similarly shows a phased approach: first electrifying and upgrading a major depot in Stamford, then expanding facility modernization to other regions.

Looking ahead to FY2026, both states appear well positioned for continued support. Connecticut’s investments in electric bus procurement and depot upgrades suggest potential expansion into additional divisions or charging infrastructure enhancements. Because Low-No projects can qualify for higher federal cost shares—up to 85 percent for vehicle purchases and 90 percent for related facilities—the state may pursue larger-scale electric bus rollouts.

Massachusetts, meanwhile, is likely to continue replacing aging diesel buses while gradually integrating more zero-emission vehicles, particularly in high-density urban corridors. Additional garage upgrades, charging depot installations and workforce development funding tied to zero-emission transition plans could emerge as key components of 2026 proposals.

With billions already deployed under FY2025 programs and new competitive funding rounds expected later in 2026, both Connecticut and Massachusetts remain firmly aligned with federal priorities: replacing aging buses, upgrading maintenance facilities and accelerating the transition to cleaner, more reliable public transportation systems.

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