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Transit officials urge FTA, WisDOT intervention as electric-bus project stalls
Summary
Transit staff told the advisory body that a multi-county electric-bus purchase and charger project has been delayed for years, that counties have paid down payments and charger invoices, and that WisDOT is now reaching out to the Federal Transit Administration for options. Staff said they will report back in four weeks.
Transit staff told the July 9 Transit Advisory meeting that a multi-jurisdiction electric-bus and charger procurement coordinated through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has stalled for years, leaving local agencies with down payments and unanswered questions about reimbursement and next steps. "WisDOT is now reaching out to FTA on our options moving forward," a transit staff member said.
The official said the transit agency has paid charger invoices that WisDOT has already reimbursed and that the local authority also has money out for 20% down payments on two buses. The staff member described the project as delayed "close to 5 years," and said the original WisDOT liaison who built the project has retired, creating institutional gaps.
Why this matters: the stalled project affects fleet replacement and long-term operating costs. The staff member said diesel fuel costs have fluctuated but that the transit agency has made large, recurring maintenance payments on aging diesel buses; the electric buses were intended to reduce that exposure.
Discussion focused on possible next steps and pressure points. Staff said WisDOT has begun contacting the Federal Transit Administration and that state and regional partners, including Bay Area Transit, have raised concerns to Phoenix (the bus vendor). Staff also noted federal requirements that have complicated procurement, including Buy America provisions and changes in battery sourcing and vehicle manufacturers.
Staff outlined financial details discussed at the meeting: WisDOT has reimbursed the agency for charger payments; however, local down payments (about 20% for the two buses) remain on the agency's books pending vendor performance and grant closeout. Staff said the vendor earlier indicated the cost of the vehicles had risen by roughly $70,000 and that later model buses now price in the $250,000–$300,000 range per vehicle.
Board members and other meeting participants expressed frustration at the multi-year delay and urged staff to press state and federal partners. One participant suggested that regional elected officials or transportation directors contact federal authorities to apply pressure. The staff member said an update will be provided at the next meeting: "I'll report back 4 weeks."
No formal motion or vote was taken on the electric-bus project at the meeting. The exchange was recorded as direction to monitor and escalate the issue with WisDOT and the FTA, and to return with an update.
The meeting also recorded operational context relevant to the procurement decision: the agency has aging diesel vehicles, some recent one-off maintenance costs, and unpredictable fuel budgets. Staff said those operational costs were part of the rationale for pursuing electrification but did not propose a specific alternative if the grant were to be forfeited.
