BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority announced Friday it has agreed to purchase 10 battery-electric buses from New Flyer of America Inc. as part of its effort to improve air quality for all.
The buses will cost $10.1 million dollars and are expected to be delivered in 2022.
The NFTA says the agreement includes an option to purchase up to 140 additional buses over a five-year period.
“The purchase of the buses will help reduce Western New York’s carbon footprint,” said NFTA Executive Director Kim Minkel. "This is a major step forward for us and a move in alignment with Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s ongoing commitment for statewide clean energy. We are grateful to our elected officials, like Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senator Tim Kennedy, Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes, the entire WNY delegation along with our business and community partners for their help to make this happen.”
According to the NFTA, the New York Power Authority will oversee the installation of state-of-the-art overhead motorized depot pantograph charging inside the Cold Springs garage.
"Drivers will be able to park a bus inside the garage and automatically the ceiling-mounted pantograph arm will electrically connect to the roof of the bus to charge its battery overnight," a release says.
The NFTA says it has committed to having 25% of its buses electric by 2025 and 100% by 2035.
