Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar announced $8,447,217 in federal funding for zero-emission buses in San Bernardino.

This funding will help Omnitrans purchase new battery-powered electric buses and charging equipment. The funding will also create job opportunities by supporting apprenticeships that train staff to maintain this new electrified fleet. 

Heavy-duty vehicles disproportionately contribute to air pollution, which causes adverse health effects such as heart disease, stroke, asthma and some cancers. The new electric buses will reduce pollution in the Inland Empire and improve health outcomes within the community. According to the American Lung Association’s 2024 State of the Air study, San Bernardino has amongst the worst ozone pollution in the nation.

“I’m excited to announce that our community is receiving over $8 million in federal funding for zero-emission buses that will also create good-paying local jobs,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “By integrating more zero-emission buses into our fleet, we are making our air cleaner and improving our public transportation system.”  

“Today, 117 communities, including San Bernardino, are receiving the good news that their transit buses are being modernized and their commutes improved through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The Biden-Harris Administration is helping agencies across 47 states replace old buses running on dirty, expensive fuels by delivering modern and zero-emission buses, manufactured by American workers, that will connect more people to where they need to go.”

“Omnitrans has prioritized enhancing air quality in our region since we introduced the nation’s first hybrid-electric transit bus in 2002,” said Omnitrans CEO/General Manager Erin Rogers. “We are grateful for Representative Aguilar’s ongoing support in this effort to improve the quality of life in our community. In addition to furthering our zero emissions fleet goals via electric bus purchases, this funding provides us the opportunity to build the next generation of our workforce through the continued development of our successful apprenticeship program.”

Rep. Pete Aguilar helped pass the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 into law, which included nearly $1 million in federal funding for Omnitrans to acquire three new zero-emission buses.

This grant originates from the Department of Transportation (DOT)’s Low- and No-Emission Program, which provides federal grants for transit agencies to acquire low- to no-emission vehicles, make facility upgrades and buy supporting equipment for low- to no-emission vehicles. In 2021 Rep. Pete Aguilar helped passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocated approximately $1.1 billion in Fiscal Year 2024 for this program.

Rep. Aguilar serves as Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and as a member of the House Committee on Appropriations.