The purpose of this funding is to support a vehicle replacement capital project to replace aging diesel- powered heavy-duty buses with zero-emission electric buses related bus chargers equipment and…

The Federal Transit Administration awarded San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority $3.065 million on August 6, 2026, under the Buses and Bus Facilities Formula, Competitive, and Low or No Emissions Programs (CFDA 20.526) to replace aging diesel-powered heavy-duty buses with zero-emission electric buses and related infrastructure.

The recipient will purchase four 2013 diesel-powered heavy-duty buses that have met or exceeded their 12-year useful life and 500,000-mile threshold, procure associated bus charging equipment, and conduct workforce development training to support the transition. The Federal Transit Administration will reimburse the RTA for capital costs at an 85 percent federal share for electric vehicle replacements, 80 percent for bus charging equipment, and 80 percent for workforce development training, with the federal portion of workforce development representing 5 percent of overall project cost. The RTA, which operates fixed-route transit services across San Luis Obispo County, California, will perform all activities through in-house staff; no subrecipients are involved. The period of performance runs through May 30, 2028. The project is expected to maintain critical transit fleet services while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion from single-occupancy vehicle use across the service area.

Activities

The RTA will purchase the replacements of four (4) 2013 diesel-powered heavy duty buses that have met and/or exceed its useful life of 12 years and/or 500000 miles prior to delivery through a third party provider the related bus charging equipment and workforce development activities.

Expected outcomes

This grant award will reimburse the RTA for capital costs necessary to maintain critical transit fleet services for the community. Under the eligibilities of the FTA section 5307 and 5339(B) discretionary funds recipients will be able to utilize these funds at 85% percent federal share for electric vehicle replacements an 80% percent federal share for bus charging equipment and 80% federal share for workforce development training (the federal portion of workforce development is 5% of the overall project cost).

Intended beneficiaries

Community members will directly benefit from the public transit options provided by the RTA which will reduce traffic congestion from single-car use and reduce green-house gas emissions through the use of zero-emission vehicles.

Subrecipient activities

None. There are no subrecipient activities performed as part of this grant request. The fixed-route transit services throughout the county are fully operated by in-house RTA staff.