N.M. Delegation Delivers $26.2 Million to Modernize Bus Fleets, Improve Public Transit

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) are announcing $26,270,968 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to the City of Albuquerque and North Central Regional Transit District (NCRTD) to enhance public transportation services and accelerate the transition to an American-made clean energy future.  

Through their Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the delegation helped secure $18.2 million to allow the City of Albuquerque to purchase 20 new American-made electric buses. The delegation also delivered over $8 million to NCRTD, including a $5.9 million grant to modernize facilities and expand services in Taos and Española, and a $2 million grant to expand its fleet of new hybrid electric buses. 

“Whether it’s to get to work, the doctor’s office, or anything in between, thousands of New Mexicans rely on public transportation every day. By modernizing and expanding these bus fleets and facilities, this investment from the Infrastructure Law will make our air cleaner, improve public health, and create energy savings for local governments — all while making it easier for New Mexicans to live their lives,” said Heinrich, founder and co-chair of the Electrification Caucus. “This is the type of win-win-win that comes from investing in American families and an American-made clean energy future.” 

“Public transportation keeps our communities connected. That’s why I’m glad this funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will invest more than $26 million to modernize and improve public transportation in New Mexico, ensuring safe and sustainable transit for all riders,” said Luján. “This funding will create new opportunities for our workforce and give our local businesses a much-needed boost, as well as combatting climate change and making our air cleaner by shifting to clean energy alternatives.” 

“This investment of $26.2 million will help New Mexico revitalize our transportation sector. Our own beautiful district will receive $8 million for clean, green buses and to update the transit centers in Taos and Española,” said  Leger Fernández. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided the funding to make this possible. This is what building a sustainable future looks like.” 

“An investment in public transportation is an investment into our communities,” said Stansbury. “This investment will not only be lifechanging for New Mexicans who rely on public transport, but this is a huge victory for a more energy efficient New Mexico. I can’t wait to see the impact this win will have for generations to come!" 

"New Mexico's public transportation system is receiving much-needed investments to improve, modernize and expand the current public bus infrastructure. A reliable public transportation system expands access to education, health care, and jobs for New Mexicans," said Vasquez. "We are paving the way for a clean energy future by investing in these new electric buses which will have an impact for future generations." 

"In Albuquerque, we know we can act with urgency to combat climate change and foster a sustainable future for our community. We appreciate the funding and support of our federal delegation that enables us to make public transportation greener and expand our electric fleet with 20 new buses,” said City of Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller.  

“The NCRTD was pleased to learn about the funding allocated for the Taos Operations and Maintenance Facility Phase II since this will provide funds for construction of the fleet maintenance building which is a critical component for the maintenance of vehicles and to provide safe and efficient transit services to Taos County. Furthermore, the funds received for the Jim West Phase I expansion will allow the district to remodel the existing 2,500 sq feet of space that was originally used for light fleet maintenance and storage. This expansion will provide some relief to its lack of office space; however, the future Phase II expansion will mitigate fully the need to alleviate overcrowding and provide for future space needs,” said Anthony Mortillaro, Executive Director of the North Central Regional Transit District. 

This funding includes: 

• $18.2 million awarded by the federal Low and No Emission (Low-No) Vehicle Grant Program to the City of Albuquerque.The funding will be used to purchase 20 electric city buses. 
• $5.9 million awarded by the federal Buses & Bus Facilities Grant Program to the North Central Regional Transit District.The funding will be used to modernize and expand bus facilities in Española and Taos. Specifically, it will help NCRTD begin Phase One Construction of the Jim West Regional Transit Center Renovation/Expansion and begin Phase Two Construction of the Taos Transit Facility Maintenance Wing. 
• $2 million awarded by the federal Low and No Emission (Low-No) Vehicle Grant Program for the North Central Regional Transit District to purchase new hybrid-electric buses. The funding will be used for the procurement of three replacement diesel-electric transit buses.   

The delegation successfully advocated for NCRTD to receive these grant awards. In March and April, Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández wrote to Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to fund the procurement of hybrid electric buses and approve their grant application to modernize and expand bus facilities in Española and Taos.  

Senator Heinrich, a leading champion for electrification, has been a longtime proponent of the federal Low and No Emission (Low-No) Vehicle Grant Program, which supports transit agencies in purchasing or leasing low or no emission buses and other transit vehicles that use advanced technologies such as battery electric or fuel-cell power to provide cleaner, more energy efficient transit service in communities across the country. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included $5.5 billion for the Low-No Emissions Grant Program, available through Fiscal Year 2026.  

Today's investment is the second bus grant package funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has now invested more than $39.7 million in New Mexican transit buses and the infrastructure that supports them. In 2022, New Mexico received $13.4 million in Bus and Low and No Emission Grant awards through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to the City of Las Cruces and New Mexico Department of Transportation. View those funding allocations here.