PSTA awarded $18 million for electric buses
PSTA awarded $18 million for electric buses
The funds are from the government’s VW settlement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29th, 2022
St. Petersburg, FL – The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) was awarded $18 million today by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as part of the government’s settlement with Volkswagen (VW) over claims the company violated the Clean Air Act. The money given to PSTA is the second largest amount given to a transit agency in Florida and will be used to purchase electric buses.
“We appreciate that the Department of Environmental Protection has recognized PSTA as a leader in sustainability and that the state is investing in our efforts to get more all-electric buses on the road as soon as possible,’’ said Brad Miller, Chief Executive Officer of PSTA. “We are committed to clean energy, and electric buses also cost less to run and are easier to maintain. Within the next decade, we hope to eliminate all diesel buses from our fleet.’’
Currently, PSTA operates 6 all-electric buses and 88 hybrid buses, which represent more than half of the bus fleet. PSTA will use these funds to purchase 60 Gillig all-electric buses over the next five years, which was approved by the Board of Directors in December 2021.
Picture shows the model of Gillig bus that PSTA will purchase
“I thank DEP for contributing to our efforts to move toward an all-electric fleet as soon as possible,’’ added PSTA board chair and Pinellas County Commissioner Pat Gerard. “This money will help us achieve our goal faster, and it reaffirms PSTA is on the right path with its unwavering commitment to clean energy and sustainability.’’
In 2017, VW settled with the U.S. government, resolving claims that it violated the Clean Air Act by selling diesel vehicles that violated the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s mobile source emission standards. Florida received a total of $166 million as part of the settlement.
ABOUT PSTA: The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority is the public transit provider for Pinellas County, providing more than 12.1 million rides per year. PSTA operates 40 bus and trolley routes with a fleet of 210 vehicles. More information is available at www.psta.net.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Stephanie Weaver
PSTA Communications & Public Relations Manager
O: (727) 540-1853 | C: (727) 249-6542
E: Sweaver@psta.net