Rahul Somvanshi
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is taking a major step toward cleaner air in New York City with the purchase of 265 new electric buses. This move, funded by the recently implemented congestion pricing program, marks a significant shift in how New Yorkers will get around their city in the coming years.
Each new electric bus will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90 metric tons per year. To put this in perspective, which will significantly reduce the city‘s carbon footprint. These buses aren’t just better for the environment – they’re smarter too. They can recover up to 90 percent of their energy while braking, making them highly efficient.
“Transit is what makes New York the greenest City and the greenest region of the country,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “And these new buses, along with all the infrastructure upgrades to bus depots across the five boroughs, mean New Yorkers all over will soon be breathing cleaner air.”
The Jamaica Bus Depot in Queens will be at the forefront of this change. The facility is getting a complete makeover to handle these new electric buses, including automated overhead charging systems that will be ready by fall 2027. The depot isn’t just getting charging stations – it’s getting a green roof that will help clean the air, soak up rainwater, and keep the building’s energy use down.
For nearby residents, the changes go beyond cleaner air. The MTA is building sound-blocking walls along 107th Avenue and 165th Street to keep depot noise from reaching homes. The project is also creating jobs – the MTA aims to hire 20% of its workforce from Southeast Queens neighborhoods.
This initiative is part of New York State’s broader plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 85% by 2050. The MTA itself aims to have all its buses running on electricity by 2040. When that happens, the city will avoid pumping out 500,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases each year – a significant reduction in the city’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. emphasized the timing of this investment: “We’ve made so much important progress thus far in electrifying our mass transit system as we move toward leaving fossil fuels behind. The further electrification of the Jamaica Bus Depot is exactly the kind of investment that must define this new year.”
For local residents like Melissa Ponce, these improvements are welcome news in an often-overlooked neighborhood. “We tend to neglect other neighborhoods like this one. We have a lot of needs as well,” she told reporters, hoping this project signals more positive changes ahead.
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The new buses represent more than just a change in how people get around – they’re part of a larger shift toward cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable public transportation. With charging stations being built at multiple depots and power upgrades happening across the system, New York is setting up the infrastructure needed for an electric future.
While the upfront costs are significant, the benefits extend beyond environmental impacts. these zero-emission buses will provide quieter service throughout the neighborhoods they serve. Their deployment across all five boroughs ensures these benefits will reach communities throughout the city.
Representative Gregory Meeks noted that federal support is helping make this possible, with nearly $20 million coming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and $70 million from the Federal Transit Administration. This funding shows how local, state, and federal governments can work together on climate initiatives that benefit communities directly.
As New York City continues this transition, the impact will be felt in cleaner air, quieter streets, and more reliable public transportation. The MTA’s investment in electric buses and supporting infrastructure demonstrates how public transportation can lead the way in addressing climate change while improving daily life for city residents.
