Press Release: Thompson, Garamendi Present $2 Million Check to SolTrans for Electric Buses

Congressman Mike Thompson

January 19, 2023

Vallejo – This week,Reps. Mike Thompson (CA-04) and John Garamendi (CA-08)presented a $2 million check to officials from Solano County Transit (SolTrans) 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. “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.”

“I’m pleased that this $2 million in new federal funding will be devoted to producing 100% clean, battery-powered electric busses for the Solano community. This will reduce noise pollution and make the air we breathe cleaner and safer for all. 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,” Garamendi said.

SolTrans is in the process of transitioning the existing fleet of diesel, hybrid diesel, and CNG buses to an all-electric fleet. SolTrans has secured the majority of the funding for the electrical infrastructure to support this new fleet and construction began last year. 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 (BART) system. SolTrans also provides direct service to San Francisco which complements the Vallejo to San Francisco ferry service. SolTrans operates and maintains a fleet of 47 buses for its fixed route service. Nine local fixed routes serve Vallejo, one limited-service route operates in Vallejo on school days, two limited-service routes operate during school open dates within Benicia, and four intercity routes connect to surrounding areas. In addition to fixed route service, SolTrans provides ADA complementary paratransit bus service.

For more information about SolTrans’ Road Map for Zero Emission, Fuel Cell Electric Buses.