Congressman Cleaver Highlights Historic Funding from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Modernize Bus Fleets and Facilities

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) highlighted an announcement from the Biden-Harris Administration that approximately $1.47 billion in competitive grant funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will go toward modernizing bus fleets and facilities across the country. Congressman Cleaver voted for this long overdue investment in our transportation infrastructure, which will support good-paying jobs, help reduce carbon emissions, lead to cleaner air and healthier communities, and increase transportation options in communities throughout Missouri.

"The Biden-Harris Administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is the modern-day mailman—it keeps delivering for the American people," said Congressman Cleaver. "Not only will this federal funding create good-paying manufacturing jobs as we build brand new electric buses to deploy across the country, but it will also lower emissions, combat harmful pollution, and ensure we have cleaner, healthier communities for Missourians to enjoy. I was proud to support this desperately needed investment to modernize our transportation system in Western Missouri, and I will continue working with local stakeholders to ensure this funding makes its way to Missouri's Fifth District."

The announcement of the Federal Transportation Administration's (FTA) Low or No Emission (Low-No) Grant Program and Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will make approximately $1.47 billion available in Fiscal Year 2022 to help transit agencies purchase or lease U.S.-built low or no emission vehicles, purchase or rehabilitate buses, vans, and related equipment, and build bus facilities.

As part of the Biden-Harris Administration's priority of advancing environmental justice and spurring economic opportunity for disadvantaged communities, the FTA is encouraging applicants to provide information on how their proposed project will support jobs and increase safety, resiliency, access to transit and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in such communities. Congressman Cleaver believes the administration's focus will make projects like the Bi-State Sustainable Reinvestment Corridor attractive for federal funding.

"When President Biden visited Kansas City just a few short months ago, you better believe I reminded him which Representatives from Missouri and Kansas helped to push his transformative infrastructure bill over the finish line," said Congressman Cleaver. "As the Kansas City Region competes with other localities for this much needed funding to help finance projects like the Bi-State Sustainable Reinvestment Corridor and expand our city's bus fleet with new and improved electric buses, I will make sure that fact is not lost on the administration."

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.