$2 Billion Boost for Cleaner Buses Nationwide Unveiled
Published Date: 1/15/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Department of Transportation is awarding over $2 billion to fund 165 projects that will improve bus services and support cleaner, low-emission buses in 2025 and 2026. This funding helps cities and transit agencies upgrade their bus fleets and facilities, making public transit greener and better for everyone. If you applied, check your status soon and get ready to start your project!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
$2.03B for Bus Fleet Upgrades
The Federal Transit Administration is awarding $2,027,948,082 to fund 165 projects to improve bus services and support cleaner, low-emission buses in FY2025 and FY2026. This includes $397,665,476 for 62 Bus Competitive Program projects and $1,630,282,606 for 103 Low or No Emission (Low-No) projects.
Bus Program Rural Set-Aside (15%)
At least 15 percent of the amount made available for the FY2025 Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program is set aside for projects located in rural areas. That rural set-aside is reflected in the FTA's selections for the Bus Competitive Program.
Low-No Program Low-Emission Set-Aside (25%)
A minimum of 25 percent of the amount made available for the Low or No Emission (Low-No) Program is set aside for projects related to the acquisition of low-emission buses or bus facilities. The Low-No selections reflect this statutory minimum.
Low-No Prioritizes Low-Emission Over Zero-Emission
Consistent with the Notice of Funding Opportunity, FTA prioritized low-emission projects over zero-emission projects in the Low-No Program. Projects marked with an asterisk in the selection tables had only their low-emission elements selected.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-08144 — Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures
The Department of Transportation is bringing back and improving its rules for making new policies, giving guidance, and enforcing laws. This affects anyone involved in transportation regulations, making the process clearer and more consistent. These changes kick in on May 27, 2026, aiming to save time and avoid confusion without adding extra costs.
2026-11273 — Private Investment Project Procedures
The Federal Transit Administration is making life easier for folks involved in private investment projects by cutting out a pointless reporting step. Starting July 6, 2026, recipients won’t have to send extra reports about project rule changes that no one ever used. This means less paperwork, faster projects, and smoother public-private partnerships in transit investments.
2026-11272 — Project Management Oversight
Starting July 6, 2026, the Federal Transit Administration is raising the cost limits that trigger project management oversight from $300 million to $400 million total, and from $100 million to $150 million in federal funds. This means fewer projects will need extra oversight, cutting down on red tape and saving time and money for transit agencies. If you’re managing big transit projects, these new rules lighten your load while keeping things on track.
2026-11270 — Rail Transit Roadway Worker Protection
The Federal Transit Administration updated rules to make life easier for State Safety Oversight Agencies (SSOAs) that keep rail transit workers safe. Now, SSOAs can submit their safety program reports and do annual audits all at once, saving time and effort. These changes kick in on July 6, 2026, helping agencies stay on track without extra hassle or cost.
2026-11274 — Emergency Relief Program
The Federal Transit Administration is making it easier for public transit agencies to get emergency relief money by doubling the time they have to meet certain rules—from 45 to 90 days. This change helps speed up aid after disasters like floods or storms, starting July 6, 2026. If you run or work with public transit, this means less paperwork and faster access to funds when emergencies hit.
2026-10474 — Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: State of Good Repair Program
The Federal Transit Administration is asking for public feedback on their paperwork for the State of Good Repair Program, which helps keep public transit systems safe and reliable. If you’re involved in public transit, this affects you because the agency wants to make sure the info they collect is useful and not too much work. Comments are due by June 26, 2026, so don’t miss your chance to weigh in!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-00642 — Joint Report to Congressional Committees: Differences in Accounting and Capital Standards Among the Federal Banking Agencies as of September 30, 2025; Report to Congressional Committees
The big banking agencies checked their rules for how banks count money and keep enough cash to stay safe. Good news: they found no big differences in these rules as of September 30, 2025, so banks can keep doing business without confusion. This means no sudden changes or surprises for banks or customers anytime soon!
Next: 2026-00644 — Prevention of Alcohol Misuse and Prohibited Drug Use in Transit Operations
Starting January 1, 2026, transit agencies that get federal money must keep random drug testing at 50% and alcohol testing at 10% for safety-sensitive workers. These rules help keep buses and trains safe by catching misuse early. No changes in testing rates mean agencies can plan their budgets without surprises this year.