Committee recommends SFMTA contract to buy 30 replacement 32‑ft hybrid buses

The Budget and Finance Committee voted to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve a contract between the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and Creative Bus Sales Inc. to procure 30 32‑foot low‑floor diesel hybrid motor coaches.

Gary Chang, senior program manager for SFMTA's Transit Division, said the existing 32‑foot coaches were purchased beginning in 2007 and exceed Federal Transit Administration service expectations (10 years/350,000 miles); Chang said the vehicles average about 437,000 miles and parts and technical support are increasingly difficult because the original manufacturer, Orion, exited the bus market in 2012. He said the Georgia Department of Administration procurement contract allows SFMTA to leverage larger volume for better pricing and faster delivery; Chang estimated vehicles could arrive 15–18 months after contract award.

Sarah Campbell of the Budget Analyst's Office told the committee the contract amount is $26,100,000 and that the total project cost, including vehicles and soft costs, is about $36,400,000 with funding sources identified (property tax measure/Prop B, regional tolls and sales tax). SFMTA staff estimated that using the Georgia contract could save roughly $7.7 million versus a fresh RFP for the same quantity.

Committee members pressed on the agency's zero‑emission policy and facility readiness for battery‑electric buses (BEBs). Chang said SFMTA is piloting nine e‑buses with multiple manufacturers to learn maintenance and charging needs; he said the first facility able to support a large BEB expansion is currently projected in 2027, though SFMTA will use a coming 6–9 month planning process to engage technical and policy stakeholders on whether a 2025 BEB procurement path is feasible. Committee member Gordon Mar said the replacement need for small coaches is clear but asked whether the planning process could accelerate BEB readiness; Chang said the dialogue is open but did not provide a firm commitment to change the immediate procurement decision.

Deputy City Attorney Pearson confirmed amendments circulated to the committee were non‑substantive language edits to the resolution. Chair Haney moved to accept the amendments and to forward the item to the full Board with a positive recommendation; roll call vote recorded aye votes from the attending members and the item will proceed to the Board.