NJ Transit has received $44,677,500 from the Federal Transit Administration to renovate the Union City bus garage as a public terminal that will be able to charge and deploy electric buses.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“The New Jersey Transit Corporation will receive funding to renovate its Union City bus garage, allowing the agency to create a public bus terminal, house administrative services and charge and deploy battery electric buses,” the FTA said in a statement this morning.
The garage is currently decommissioned, ceasing operations in 2011, and the NJ Transit board voted to demolish it for $6 million last month, though part of the space – located at 410 27th St. – had been leased to the Union City DPW to store equipment.
However, the building had recently fallen into such disrepair that all personnel are banned from entering the building, NJ Transit’s capital plan says, also indicating that the total cost of the building is estimated to be $68.9 million.
The funding, which includes 150 grants across the country, will come as part of the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Joe Biden (D) last year.
“When a transit door opens, whether it is a bus, train, or ferry, it is a great equalizer for everyone in our nation. With this tremendous amount of funding, the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law gives more Americans access to the opportunities that transit creates, more often, in more places,” noted FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez.
“These investments also help us meet our goals of cutting transportation emissions, creating good-paying American manufacturing jobs, and helping America’s transit workers prepare for new vehicle technology.”
Once renovated, the facility is expected to be able to store 40 all-electric buses.
