Beyond the Bus

By Dustin Hagfors, Director of Planning & Development

A cleaner future with a zero-emission fleet by 2035 was approved by CATA’s Board of Directors on April 21, 2022. This initiative will significantly reduce harmful pollutants from being emitted into the environment and disturbing the climate.

“CATA is acutely aware that the transportation sector accounts for 32 percent of Michigan’s greenhouse gas emissions, the second largest-emitting sector of our economy, and that these emissions are driving the climate crisis,” said CATA Board Chair Nathan Triplett. “We recognize our responsibility to swiftly decarbonize our operations and replace CATA’s current fleet with clean, zero-emission vehicles. This moment demands bold action, and CATA is ready to do our part and help lead our region and Michigan into a cleaner, healthier, more sustainable transportation future.”

The zero-emission fleet plan includes large buses, small buses, minivans, support vehicles and related infrastructure.

“We are exploring next steps that will allow us to achieve a zero-emission fleet, starting with the addition of three electric buses and charging infrastructure this year. We will continue to assess environmental and cost benefits, craft a zero-emission transition plan and a procurement plan, and identify funding opportunities,” said CATA Chief Executive Officer Bradley T. Funkhouser.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was enacted by Congress in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in November 2021, providing new funding to rebuild our nation’s roads, bridges and rails, with a focus on climate-change mitigation, resilience, equity and safety for all users.

Timothy Minotas, Legislative & Political Coordinator at Sierra Club said, “We applaud CATA’s decision to fully transition its fleet by 2035. We encourage other transit agencies across the state to follow CATA’s lead and make similar commitments and investments to a cleaner transportation future.”

This content has been published in the 2022 Community Report.