Dear campus community,
We are thrilled to share that the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently announced that the University of Maryland has been awarded ~$40M in funding for the Shuttle-UM fleet under the FY23 Low-No Grants Program.
This funding will be used to purchase 35 battery-powered electric buses, bus charging stations and the associated infrastructure renovations that will enable onsite electric bus charging. The funding will also support workforce development aimed at training drivers and maintenance staff how to operate and service electric buses.
We would like to thank and recognize everyone who contributed to this successful grant submission: Valerie Goubeau, assistant director and the hardworking staff of the Department of Transportation Services under the leadership of David Allen; the Build America Center led by Director Dr. Quinbin Cui; and student groups including the Student Government Association, Graduate Student Government and Residence Hall Association. We also appreciate the robust support our application received from the Maryland congressional delegation and local government officials in Prince George's and Montgomery counties.
This grant award helps fulfill a key presidential priority announced during Inauguration Week in April 2021—advancing our Climate Action Plan goal to become a Net Zero Carbon Neutral campus by 2025 by accelerating our transition from diesel to electric buses.
Together, we drive the university Fearlessly Forward.
Sincerely,
