START capital plan updated; council and commissioners seek clarity on hybrid bus options and grant tradeoffs

START staff presented an updated FY26 capital request on May 13 that reflects rising vehicle prices and an option to convert four planned diesel buses to hybrid models.

Staff said the Gillig bus price has increased and the latest cost estimates raise the total capital ask. START’s staff and the town’s presentation included an option: buy two hybrid buses through a competitive federal grant program (BUILD/FTA) and convert four additional diesel bus purchases to hybrid models. Converting the four buses to hybrid would raise per‑bus capital costs by roughly $300,000 in staff estimates; those additional dollars would change grant/local match calculations.

Elected officials pressed staff for clarifying the funding consequences before committing to hybrids. Commissioners and council members asked the administration to check with the FTA regional office and state grant administrators about whether the BUILD grant could be amended to allow diesel vehicles or whether the grant cap would require the town to absorb higher local costs for hybrids. Staff said those conversations are already queued with the region and YDOT and that they would report back with a cash‑flow analysis and grant amendment options before the final municipal budget votes.

Several commissioners noted the jurisdiction’s sustainability goals and interest in low‑emission vehicles, but also raised concerns about capital affordability in a tight budget year and the timing of grant reimbursements. START staff said life‑cycle operating cost savings exist for hybrids but that the higher upfront capital cost requires careful grant packaging and timely federal approvals.

Officials asked staff to return with precise numbers on local shares, federal caps and the timeline for any BUILD grant amendment; no formal procurement decision was taken at the joint meeting.