CTA to buy up to 150 hybrid buses with $121 million federal grant

Chicago Transit Authority to Roll Out 150 Hybrid Buses as Part of $121 Million Grant Deal

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) plans to expand its fleet with up to 150 hybrid buses, thanks to a $121 million federal grant. The award is part of the Federal Transit Administration's Low or No Emission Grant Program, aimed at helping transit agencies switch to environmentally friendly vehicles.

The CTA will use the funds to purchase fully-accessible, 40-foot hybrid buses, which are expected to hit the streets after 2026, considering the time needed for delivery and construction. These hybrid buses combine battery and diesel engine power, reducing emissions compared to traditional diesel-powered buses that dominate the CTA's fleet of around 1,900 vehicles.

While this latest grant is a significant step forward, it falls short of the CTA's ambitious goal of fully electrifying its bus fleet by 2040. The agency has previously announced plans to buy 30 electric buses with an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency grant, bringing its total electric fleet to 55 buses. Currently, only two electric lines – the No. 66 Chicago Avenue bus and the No. 63 route between 63rd/Stony Island and Midway Airport – are operational.

The CTA's hybrid bus numbers have dwindled over the years, with approximately 240 in use about a decade ago. The agency has yet to confirm its current fleet size, but the acquisition of up to 150 new hybrid buses marks an important step towards reducing emissions and improving public transportation services.

its about time we see some movement on eco-friendly transport the idea that these hybrid buses will hit the streets after 2026 feels like a bit of a wait, but hey at least its happening, right? i mean, you'd think they'd be doing more to phase out those old diesel-powered buses ASAP, but i guess thats just the way it goes. still, this is a solid step in the right direction, and we can't put a price on cleaner air, especially for people who rely on public transport

so they're getting more eco-friendly buses which is defo a plus for the environment! but I think 150 might be a bit low considering how many buses they have right now? like, if they wanna fully electrify by 2040 they need to start thinking bigger... and faster lol. also, 55 electric buses so far? that's cool, but what about the rest of their fleet? it feels like they're taking baby steps towards a greener Chicago

I think its awesome that Chicago Transit Authority is getting those new hybrid buses! Its about time they reduce their emissions . They gotta do more tho, like get all the buses fully electric by 2040 . Its not just good for the environment, but also for the people who have to deal with bad air quality in the city. The CTA is taking small steps, but we need to see more progress!

I gotta say, I'm stoked that Chicago is getting these hybrid buses ! It's awesome that they're taking steps to reduce their environmental impact, especially since we've been learning about the importance of sustainability in our Environmental Science class . 150 new buses might not seem like a lot, but it's a start, right? Plus, it'll be awesome to see the CTA's fleet go from mostly diesel to more eco-friendly options . I'm hoping they'll keep pushing towards those electric buses by 2040 - that would be totally on point !

I'm glad to see the CTA taking steps towards cleaner transportation . 150 hybrid buses is a decent start, but like you said, it's not quite enough to hit that 2040 electrification goal . Still, every little bit counts and more eco-friendly options will make a difference in reducing emissions . I just hope the CTA can figure out how to get those electric buses on the road faster - it's been too long since we've seen some of that new tech rolling out .

omg u guys, cant believe cta is gettin those hybrid buses !! theyre gonna have like, 150 new ones comin in after 2026! thats lit! i mean, its about time we start reducin our emissions ya know? still a lil disappointed tho that its not fully electrified by 2040, but still progress is progess . cant wait to see those buses on the streets!

omg i'm low-key stoked that chicago is gettin' some major grants for hybrid buses!!! it's about time we see some eco-friendly transport options in the windy city, you know? 150 new buses might not seem like a lot but trust me, every little bit counts. and btw, it's awesome that they're prioritizing accessibility - public transport should be for everyone!

idk why it's taking so long for cta to switch to electric ... i mean 2040 is a ways off still . hybrid buses are cool and all, but they're still not as clean as electric ones. maybe this grant deal will be the push they need to start buying more electric ones? gotta love that they're thinking about accessibility too tho! those 40ft buses sound comfy

Ugh, I'm not sure why they're even bothering ... $121 million for 150 hybrid buses? That's still a lot of money that could be better spent on actual infrastructure improvements or maintenance of the existing fleet. And what's up with the timeline? They expect to hit the streets in 2026, but we all know how long it takes to get stuff done around here... It'll probably take them until at least 2030 before these buses even start showing up. And let's be real, hybrid buses are still just a Band-Aid solution for the environment They're not gonna make a huge difference in reducing emissions or anything. Still, I guess it's something...

ugh man i'm literally so frustrated that cta is taking like 10 years to switch to electric buses it's not like they're trying hard enough or anything, they just need to speed up the process already $121 million is a decent start but it's still peanuts compared to what these companies are making from fossil fuels every year and what about all the emissions we've already released? can't they just make up for lost time by now?!

I don’t usually comment on transit stuff but this is pretty cool... . 150 hybrid buses is a big deal! They're gonna make a huge difference in reducing emissions, especially with the CTA's fleet size being so massive. I'm stoked they got that $121 million grant to help them out. It's not like they'll be fully electrified by 2040 or anything, but it's a step in the right direction . And hey, 55 electric buses is still better than nothing, right? The fact that they're upgrading from diesel-powered buses is a win-win for the environment and commuters alike

Ugh, 150 hybrid buses? That's like, super slow progress if you ask me . I mean, we know the CTA is trying to reduce emissions and all that, but it feels like they're just phasing in these new eco-friendly buses instead of going full-on electric ASAP . And only 55 electric buses out of 2000+ vehicles? Like, what's taking so long?! The $121 million grant is a good start I guess, but we need more funding for this kind of stuff to make a real impact .

I mean, have you seen the emissions from those old diesel-powered buses? It's like, totally brutal . So yeah, let's get some new hybrid buses in and maybe, just maybe, we'll start to see some actual change

It's interesting how our pursuit of progress is often met with incremental steps . On one hand, 150 hybrid buses is a welcome move, acknowledging the importance of sustainability in public transportation. But on another hand, I wonder if we're just delaying the inevitable shift towards a more eco-friendly future . The CTA's goal to electrify its fleet by 2040 seems ambitious, but it might be worth considering what kind of systemic changes need to happen behind the scenes to make that vision a reality . Are we relying too heavily on government grants to drive this change, or is there something more profound at play?

Ugh, I'm loving this retro vibe with these new hybrid buses ! It's like stepping back in time, you know? Like, remember when buses were actually cool? They used to be all about that sleek, modern design, not just bland, cookie-cutter stuff. And now, we're seeing a resurgence of those old-school designs, but with an eco-friendly twist

But, for real though... I'm kinda disappointed it took this long to get on board the hybrid train . I mean, 150 buses is a good start, but what about the rest? We need more of these bad boys on the streets ASAP! And don't even get me started on those electric buses - slow progress, dude... we should be seeing way more of them by now

Still, this is a step in the right direction. The CTA's got a solid plan in place, and it'll be dope to see all these new buses rolling out in 2026 . Maybe I'm just an old-school bus enthusiast, but there's something about these retro-futuristic vibes that gets me...

I'm stoked to see Chicago making progress on becoming more eco-friendly! A 150 bus expansion is a great start, and using hybrid buses that reduce emissions is a solid first step. However, I do wish they'd aim higher, like going fully electric by 2040... that would be a real game-changer for the environment . Still, it's a step in the right direction and shows they're committed to reducing their carbon footprint. We need more cities to follow suit, especially with public transportation, it can make such a big impact on our overall well-being .

omg u guys!!! so the cta is getting $121 million to buy hybrid buses!! thats like, super cool and all but why r they still on diesel????? i mean idk about u but hybrid buses feel like a no-brainer for our planet lol i remember when my friends and i were trying to figure out how to reduce our carbon footprint in college and we ended up buying an electric bike together it was literally life changing !! so yeah lets keep pushing for more eco-friendly options on public transport!!!

I'm stoked to see Chicago's CTA expanding its fleet with more eco-friendly options! Hybrids are a great compromise between performance and emissions reduction. The fact that they're getting a massive grant is awesome too - it shows the government is seriously investing in sustainable transportation . Now, I wish they'd get those electric buses up to speed faster... 2040 feels like ages away . Still, every little bit counts, right? And who knows, maybe this will inspire other cities to follow suit

omg can't believe it's taken this long for them to start getting more eco-friendly buses in chicago like come on 2040 is still a ways off but its better late than never! i've been saying for ages we need to switch to hybrid or electric buses ASAP the air quality in the city is already bad enough and these new hybrid buses are gonna make a big difference. hope they keep up the pace and don't just stop at 150 tho, like what if they want to go bigger? also, those two electric lines gotta be super small considering how many people take public transport in chicago

I gotta say, $121 million is a pretty sweet deal for CTA! They're making moves in the right direction with these hybrid buses. But let's be real, it's about time they started taking action. I mean, 2040 feels like an eternity away from fully electrifying their fleet... what's the plan to get there faster?

I also think it's crazy that only two electric lines are operational right now. That's not exactly setting the world on fire. But hey, progress is progress, right? At least they're trying to reduce emissions and improve services for commuters. I'd love to see more innovative solutions like bus rapid transit systems or bike-share programs in Chicago... that would be a game-changer!