New York State’s Largest Electrified Bus Depot Opens in Buffalo

On September 3, 2024, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the opening of the state’s largest electrified bus depot. Located in Buffalo, and operated by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA), the depot is a major step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality in urban areas. The project will serve as a model for other transit agencies around the state to transition from diesel fuel-powered to clean electric transportation.

The depot, equipped with 36 overhead charging systems and a new sub-station to support future expansion, is designed to facilitate the transition from diesel-powered buses to zero-emission electric vehicles (EVs). NFTA’s long-term plan aims for the Cold Spring maintenance garage to exclusively support zero-emission vehicles by 2035, aligning with broader state and national goals for carbon neutrality.

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) has made substantial progress in electrifying its fleet. Since receiving its first battery electric bus in 2022, the NFTA now operates 24 electric buses and plans to introduce an additional 21 over the next two years. The Cold Spring garage, with its current electrical capacity, can support approximately 50 electric buses, half of the depot’s fleet, and is designed to scale up for full electrification.

“We are building a transportation infrastructure that is cleaner, healthier and more sustainable, and the Buffalo bus depot is the newest feature of our efforts,” Governor Hochul said. “Our investment in electrified buses and charging infrastructure not only improves the environmental impact of the fleet itself, but encourages New Yorkers to make public transportation their first choice – resulting in cleaner air and a greener future for everyone.”

NFTA’s commitment to operating a 100 percent zero-emission bus fleet by 2035 is a critical part of New York State’s broader efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve public health, and transition to clean energy, especially in historically under-resourced communities that face greater environmental challenges.

NFTA Executive Director Kim Minkel said, “We are proud to lead the way in sustainable transportation and remain dedicated to creating a cleaner, healthier environment for our community. With each battery electric bus we deploy, we reduce annual carbon emissions and significantly improve the air quality throughout Western New York. We are grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul and the entire Western New York delegation for their unwavering support and commitment to our state’s national-leading climate plan.”

The transition to electric transit buses offers significant environmental and economic benefits, particularly in urban areas where air pollution is a pressing concern. With no tailpipe emissions, electric buses help reduce the harmful pollutants that contribute to poor air quality, benefiting all residents, especially those in disadvantaged, low-income communities that are disproportionately affected by vehicle emissions.

The New York Power Authority (NYPA) Oversaw the Design and Installation of the Overhead Charging Systems

The New York Power Authority (NYPA) played a crucial role in the development of Buffalo’s new electrified bus depot by overseeing the design and installation of the charging infrastructure. Over the past few years, NYPA reconfigured four bus lanes at the Cold Spring garage specifically for electric buses and reinforced the roof structure to support advanced overhead pantograph dispensers. These dispensers allow for efficient, high-speed charging of electric buses via overhead connections.

Additionally, the new NFTA-owned substation was designed with future growth in mind, enabling it to be expanded to accommodate full electrification of the bus fleet. This forward-thinking infrastructure is critical to the NFTA’s long-term goal of operating an entirely zero-emission vehicle fleet by 2035.

New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “Transitioning municipal bus fleets to clean air technologies will lower emissions and improve air quality throughout New York State. The Buffalo depot – now the largest electric bus depot in the state – is an excellent example of new charging infrastructure allowing transit agencies to convert from diesel to electric power. The Power Authority is committed to supporting the transformation of the state’s transportation system and helping the state reach its goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent by 2050.”

National Grid Supported the Electric Grid Upgrade and Helped Fund the Substation

For the NFTA garage, National Grid played a pivotal role in supporting the electric grid upgrade and contributed to funding the substation. The New York Power Authority (NYPA) managed the installation of the charging systems, working closely with several partners. These included National Grid, which assisted with grid enhancements, PlugIn Stations Online, Black & Veatch, Ferguson Electric, ABB, and Heliox, all of whom contributed expertise and resources to ensure the successful deployment of the charging infrastructure for the electric bus fleet.

National Grid Regional Director Ken Kujawa said, “Reducing emissions across multiple sectors of the economy, including transportation, will play a significant role in building New York’s clean energy future. This is why National Grid’s collaborations with fleets and transit agencies like NFTA are important. In recent years, our Transit EV Make-Ready Program provided incentives to NFTA to build electric bus charging infrastructure and add electric buses to their Western New York fleet. This is one important milestone as we work together to create the state’s clean, green transportation infrastructure, and that there are many more to come.”

Electric Bus Fleet Funding Sources

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) is receiving significant financial support for its transition to electric buses, with $67 million from the Federal Transit Administration and over $33 million from the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). The state funding is being used to cover the costs of charging infrastructure at the new Cold Spring facility, as well as the purchase of battery electric buses.

Additionally, through New York State’s allocation of the Volkswagen Settlement, NFTA has received $3.28 million for charging infrastructure under an agreement between the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the New York Power Authority (NYPA). Another $9.24 million has been provided to NFTA for the purchase of 24 battery electric transit buses through NYSERDA’s New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program. The Volkswagen Settlement funding is available to five of the largest public transit operators in New York State—NFTA, the Capital District Transportation Authority, Rochester-Genesee Regional Transit Authority, Suffolk County Transportation, and Westchester County Bee-Line bus system—to support their transition to 100 percent zero-emissions fleets by 2035.

The DEC estimates that these funds will help incentivize the deployment of approximately 100 zero-emission transit buses across the state, benefiting both current and future rounds of funding.

New York State’s Impressive Climate Plan

New York State’s climate agenda is focused on an equitable transition to a green economy, creating sustainable jobs while ensuring that clean energy investments benefit disadvantaged communities, with a target of directing at least 35 percent—and ideally 40 percent—of these benefits to such areas. The state has set ambitious goals, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030 and 85 percent by 2050 from 1990 levels. Additionally, New York is working towards a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, with 70 percent of electricity generation coming from renewable sources by 2030, and achieving economy-wide carbon neutrality by mid-century.

Key initiatives driving this transition include the New York Cap-and-Invest program (NYCI) and complementary policies. These efforts are supported by substantial investments, such as more than $28 billion dedicated to 61 large-scale renewable and transmission projects, $6.8 billion to lower emissions from buildings, and $3.3 billion to expand solar energy. Nearly $3 billion has also been allocated for clean transportation initiatives. Furthermore, the state has recognized 130 Climate Smart Communities and over 500 Clean Energy Communities, and has launched its largest community air monitoring program in 10 disadvantaged communities to address air pollution and fight climate change.