This project provides for the purchase of replacement and additional buses in the Ride On fleet in accordance with the Division of Transit Services' bus replacement plan and the Federal Transportation Administration's service guidelines.

FY23: 13 large zero-emission; FY24: 16 large zero-emission and 7 microtransit; FY25: 18 large zero-emission; FY26: 20 large zero-emission; FY27: 7 large zero-emission and 28 small zero-emission; FY28: 8 large zero-emission, 30 small zero-emission, and 7 microtransit.

The cost increase is due to the addition of FY27-FY28 and to the purchase of zero-emission buses. Costs in all years reflect the purchase of zero-emission vehicles with the goal of transitioning to a 100% zero-emission fleet.

The full-size transit buses have an expected useful life of twelve years. Smaller buses have an expected useful life of ten years. Microtransit buses have an expected life of four years.

MCDOT will continue to apply for grants to cover the cost of additional zero emission buses and associated infrastructure. By deploying zero emission buses in lieu of clean diesel and CNG buses, Ride On will reduce harmful emissions of greenhouse gases associated with its fleet.
Ride On through its commitment to have all future purchases zero-emission buses, is exceeding standards compared to most other transit agencies. For example, California, considered a leader in zero bus emissions implementation, recently enacted a regulation that will require all large transit agencies to include at least 25 percent zero emission buses in their new bus purchases beginning in 2023.
Planned bus procurements assume that complimentary and required maintenance and charging/fueling infrastructure projects will be in place as needed. Planning for the development and further implementation of these projects will be funded primarily through this CIP. Due to infrastructure constraints, 61 small diesel buses will be refurbished to extend their service lives and delay replacement until zero-emission charging/fueling infrastructure plans are developed for all depots.

State aid in FY24 includes State grants for capital projects in Montgomery County preauthorized during the 2022 State General Assembly Session.

Expenditures will continue indefinitely. The County Executive asserts that this project conforms to the requirement of relevant local plans, as required by the Maryland Economic Growth, Resource Protection and Planning Act.

Department of General Services, Maryland Transit Administration