With Earth Day right around the corner, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recognized multiple transit agencies for their work to reduce their environmental footprints.

MTA Receives Champion of the Challenge Award

FTA honored the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for plans to electrify its bus fleet to combat climate change. MTA’s work, part of FTA’s  Sustainable Transit for a Healthy Planet  initiative, garnered the New York metro transit agency an award during FTA’s second annual Earth Day event. 

MTA received a Champion of the Challenge Award for its 2022 Zero-Emission Bus Transition Plan. MTA aims to transition to 100% zero-emission bus service by 2039 while also training workers in the new technology, maintaining service, and prioritizing communities most impacted by poor air quality and climate change. 

“Transit agencies across the country are greening their fleets, hardening critical infrastructure, and transitioning their workforces to reduce the disproportionate impacts of a warming climate on their communities,” said  FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. “MTA’s plan prioritizes environmental justice, demonstrating their commitment to at-risk communities in New York City. I congratulate them on their award-winning plan.”

MVTA Awarded Most Transformative Plan

The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) was also recognized. 

MVTA received the Most Transformative Plan Award for its 2023 Sustainability Plan. The plan provides a road map for expanding agency resources and capabilities to achieve carbon reduction goals throughout every aspect of the transit system. It highlights strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency as part of its commitment to a sustainable and equitable future for residents in the seven communities it serves. 

Everett Transit Earns Honor

Everett Transit received a Champion of the Challenge Award for its Zero Emission Fleet Transition Plan. The plan sets a road map to transition its entire bus fleet by 2028, including worker training. The agency’s electrification efforts thus far – deploying 10 buses – have enabled Everett Transit to reduce approximately 2.2 million pounds of CO2 emissions throughout Snohomish County. 

CTA Awarded for Report

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) received a Champion of the Challenge Award for its Charging Forward: 2022 CTA Bus Electrification Planning Report. CTA drafted a report backed by data to inform the next steps to fully convert its 1,800-vehicle fleet to cleaner and greener electric buses. Among the plan’s goals is to deploy buses and upgrade bus facilities in ways that promote equity and environmental justice throughout the city.  

Created in June 2021 to help advance President Biden’s ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals, FTA's Climate Challenge calls on transit agencies to develop strategies to reduce emissions, such as converting fleets to electric buses, making facilities more energy efficient, and generating power through renewable energy sources.  

A total of 222 transit agencies from Maine to Hawaii participated in the FTA Climate Challenge.