St. Petersburg, FL—With the largest grant of its kind ever awarded to the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), the nation’s top transit agency is poised to continue its industry-leading work to reduce costs and increase sustainability. PSTA announced today it will receive $27.8 million in federal grants to add to its growing sustainable fleet. 

The funds, which were confirmed by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA), will cover the cost to purchase at least 16 all-electric and hybrid-electric buses and the necessary charging infrastructure. In addition, the funds support workforce development and training for PSTA’s employees on best practices in maintaining this modern technology. 

“Not only will these electric buses make our community more environmentally friendly, they are a financially smart investment, saving tens of thousands of dollars in diesel fuel and maintenance expenses over their lives. Receiving this good news is just another sign of why PSTA was named the best transit agency in the nation,” said Gina Driscoll, Chair of the PSTA Board of Directors and St. Petersburg City Council member. 

“This is the next chapter in a brand new future of transportation options for the people of Pinellas County, making our community more environmentally friendly and the best place to live, work and play. I am so proud to help lead PSTA because the agency is always looking to the future to innovate and help our community.”  

Currently, PSTA has 12 electric and 92 hybrid electric buses. In the next five years, PSTA will be receiving in total 62 all-electric buses to replace its diesel buses. These new funds will allow PSTA to continue phasing out its oldest diesel buses as it transitions to a fleet of low and no emission all-electric and hybrid-electric buses. All of PSTA’s buses will be manufactured in California by the Gillig Bus Corporation with components that meet all Buy America requirements. 

“We are extremely thankful for the USDOT for their continued support of public transportation and their commitment to a sustainable future,” said Brad Miller, Chief Executive Officer of PSTA. “This investment will replace the oldest diesel buses in our fleet that are 19 years old and far past their useful, reliable life. It will be a total game-changer for not only the riders who rely on PSTA to get them to work, school and medical appointments but the entire Pinellas County community.” 

Federal support for bus projects over the last several years has been instrumental in moving people and helping communities advance their climate goals.   

“I want to congratulate PSTA and CEO Brad Miller. They did a wonderful job in applying for this grant,” said Polly Trottenberg, Deputy Secretary of FTA. “We got a total of around $9 billion in requests, so it was very competitive, and Pinellas County—you had one of the best applications.” 

This announcement is part of approximately $1.5 billion in USDOT funding to support 117 projects nationwide that will improve public transportation in 47 states. PSTA’s award of $27.8 million was the 12th largest award and the largest in the state of Florida. Overall, Florida transit properties received more than $100 million in bus funding. Over the last three years, the Federal Transit Administration has spent nearly $5 billion to replace and modernize transit buses on America’s roadways, building new technology with American workers. As part of this effort, U.S. factories will produce more than 3,650 new buses.