The Honorable Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and TARC celebrated a CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation Air Quality) grant award of $1.75 million to improve the air quality of greater Louisville, according to TARC's news release. 

The grant will help TARC take an additional step toward fulfilling its Zero-Emission Bus Transition Plan, an effort to transition the agency to a fully electric, zero-emission fixed-route bus fleet.

“We are committed to a zero-emission fixed-route fleet and this award is an added step in that direction,” said Carrie Butler, TARC executive director. “With the purchase of these two additional zero-emission buses, over 12% of our diesel fleet is in the process of being taken off the road, and replaced with vehicles more than three times as energy efficient.”

The grant will allow TARC to replace two high-emission diesel buses with two battery-electric extended-range buses, further reducing maintenance costs and saving approximately 22,000 gallons of diesel fuel each year.

“This is a win for TARC and the entire Louisville region,” Coleman said. “For the thousands of TARC riders, it means greater reliability. That’s critically important when you’re depending on the bus to get you to school or work or an appointment on time. And for the Louisville region, it means cleaner air as TARC continues to reduce its greenhouse-gas footprint.”