Charlottesville Area Transit to buy 10 buses, including two battery electric vehicles, under $7.5M package

Garland Williams, director of Charlottesville Area Transit, told the City Council the system has secured a combined $7.5 million package of federal, state and local funds to support transit expansion and capital purchases. Williams described the funding split as primarily formula federal transit dollars (5307) supplemented by a $5.1 million state contribution and a roughly $303,000 local match.

The purchase would acquire 10 buses: two battery‑electric vehicles and eight diesel buses (mix of 35‑foot and 29‑foot vehicles). Williams said the battery‑electric purchase was approved by state partners even before the city's transition study concluded and signaled an upcoming purchase order in January; he also noted that the charging infrastructure funding and NEPA work will be handled separately and that the infrastructure planning starts in January.

Williams said some rolling stock orders already have pre‑award authority and production timing improved, enabling deliveries much sooner than the typical two‑year wait. Councilors asked whether the funds include charger infrastructure (they do not) and which manufacturers might be used; Williams said Gillig was the likely battery‑electric vendor, with a separate process for chargers and potential discretionary grant pursuit for infrastructure support.

What happens next: The public hearing was opened and closed with no public testimony at the Dec. 16 meeting; staff indicated the appropriation will return for formal readings or placement on an upcoming agenda for final appropriation and procurement steps.