Detroit’s New Bus Fleet Brings a $35.8 Million Investment for a Cleaner, More Equitable Future

Detroit is taking a big step forward in public transportation by replacing some of its old diesel buses with new hybrid and hydrogen-fueled models. This move is thanks to $30.8 million in new federal funding, making Detroit one of 117 cities to receive grants from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The Michigan Department of Transportation also pitched in $5 million, bringing the total investment to $35.8 million. But how will this investment impact the Black community? Will they see the benefits from these millions of dollars spent? Mayor Mike Duggan announced at a press conference that Detroit will be purchasing 21 new hybrid buses and its first four hydrogen fuel-cell coaches to replace 25 diesel buses in the city’s fleet. The city aims to replace 45 buses next year and has a goal of replacing a quarter of the fleet with hybrids and hydrogen-fueled buses within the next three years. “The Biden administration has supported us from the beginning and again is helping us rebuild this bus system,” Duggan said. “I spoke over the weekend to that proud Michigan resident, [U.S. Transportation] Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and thanked him for his support on this grant. And of course, Governor Gretchen Whitmer...