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U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson and John Garamendi continued to present checks in Vallejo this week — this time $2 million to officials from Solano County Transit for the 100 percent Battery Electric Commuter Coaches project.

This funding was secured in the Fiscal Year 2023 government funding bill.

“Climate change is an ever-pressing issue that demands our immediate attention, and any step we can take to reduce emissions is a good one,” said Thompson (D-04) in a news release. “The electrification of public transit is a big step in the right direction that will help SolTrans reduce pollution and provide a cleaner transportation option for the people of Solano County who rely on public transit. I was proud to work with SolTrans to secure this funding and I look forward to seeing these electric buses in action soon.”

Garamendi (D-08) was also “pleased” the new federal funding will be devoted to producing 100 percent clean, battery-powered electric buses.

“This will reduce noise pollution and make the air we breathe cleaner and safer for all,” Garamendi said. “Thanks to new laws like the Inflation Reduction Act, this is just the first of many new opportunities to improve public transportation in the community while also cutting down on pollution.”

SolTrans is in the process of transitioning the existing fleet of diesel, hybrid diesel, and CNG buses to an all-electric fleet and has secured the majority of the funding for the electrical infrastructure to support the new fleet. SolTrans will be among the first operators to bring battery electric commuter buses to the region and will serve as a leader in this pilot for other operators to follow and learn from.

SolTrans provides local and express bus service to the Solano County cities of Vallejo, Benicia, and Fairfield, with express bus service connecting to the Contra Costa County communities of El Cerrito and Walnut Creek, which serve as regional connections to the Bay Area Rapid Transit system.