Deb Pasternak, deb.pasternak@sierraclub.org
Kevin O’Brien, kevin.obrien@sierraclub.org
BOSTON, MA -- On Monday, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) released its final Focus40 Plan, highlighting the process and priorities to get the MBTA’s transportation system to meet the region’s needs by 2040. Unfortunately, the plan makes no commitments to investing in electric buses beyond service testing of five electric buses and a pilot. Through 2023, MBTA will add another 194 hybrid buses with an additional 460 buses scheduled for delivery by 2025. In comparison, California recently committed to all electric transit buses state-wide by 2040, and New York City’s MTA has also committed to all electric buses by 2040.
In response, Sierra Club’s Massachusetts Chapter Director Deb Pasternak released the following statement:
"We are pleased that MBTA is planning for a zero emission electric bus fleet. However, for a plan that is supposed to ensure transportation resilience in the region for decades to come, the Focus40 plan lacks any sense of urgency. The procurement of the five electric buses on the Silverline has been long overdue and another pilot with no timeline will only keep the MBTA fleet tied to fossil fuels for too long. We can’t talk about Massachusetts leading on climate change without taking bold action to invest in a modern clean transportation system that will reduce emissions and provide cleaner air for all Massachusetts residents.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.