METRO Board of Directors Chair Sanjay Ramabhadran joined other Board members and agency leaders along with local, state, and federal officials to celebrate the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) recent award of $21.6 million to the Authority for the purchase of additional electric buses and related charging infrastructure. U.S. Department of Transportation leaders issued the following statements:

"The awards, funded through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help communities across America," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez added that investments will also give more Americans access to opportunities that transit creates.

“When a transit door opens, whether it is a bus, train, or ferry, it is a great equalizer for everyone in our nation,” said Fernandez.

Moving away from diesel buses to 100 percent zero emissions purchases by 2030 is a key component of METRO's Climate Action Plan, adopted earlier this year. Federal funds, which cover 80 percent of costs, will help the Houston region transition to more energy-efficient transit vehicles quicker.

"This grant of $21.6 million will help METRO double its initial purchase of 20 full-sized electric buses to 40," said METRO Board Chair Sanjay Ramabhadran. "Our move toward environmentally friendly vehicles also supports Mayor Sylvester Turner's Complete Communities initiative and is focused on equity and accessibility."

City of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner acknowledged the award announcement as a collective effort, adding the event marked a great day for the city and transit agencies across the country.

"We are happy to support METRO and I am thrilled with the work that has been done by this agency's Board and its executive team," said Turner. "Coordination is very important. Who would have thought that the city of Houston, the energy capital of the world, known so much for its cars and trucks, would be moving forward with electric buses? The best for this city is yet to come."