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Committee approves FTA grant applications to buy EV buses and charging for UCAT
Summary
Ulster Countycommittee approved resolutions authorizing FTA Section 5307 grant applications to support UCAT purchases of EV buses, charging infrastructure and solar, with staff saying EV bus procurement will absorb the bulk of funds and a green-fleet goal set for 2035.
The Housing & Transportation Committee approved a block of resolutions on Aug. 6 that includes a Federal Transit Administration Section 5307 grant application to benefit Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT). Director Doyle explained the funding flows and said the package will be used for EV buses, chargers and solar panels.
"The EV buses will take up the the the bulk of the funding. They're running over 1000000 dollars apiece," Director Doyle said when members asked how the funds would be allocated. Committee members pressed staff on fleet targets and coverage; an executive representing county transit policy cited a green-fleet policy goal of 2035 and UCAT staff noted that 15 of the county's 47 fleet vehicles (32%) are electric currently.
Why it matters: The grant rounds and block vote cover roughly $9.8 million in total funding across federal, state and county matches for several transit projects, according to a staff summary presented during the meeting. Members said shelter improvements and electrification will have long-term operational and capital implications for transit operations.
Next steps: The committee blocked resolutions 4-12 through 4-15 and then adopted them in a single voice vote; staff said details on vehicle specifications and procurement timing will follow as manufacturer availability and battery range allow.
