MTA board approves purchase of 16 40-foot clean diesel buses at up to $14.47 million

The Metropolitan Transit Authority authorized staff to proceed with a purchase order for 16 40-foot clean diesel buses from Gillig Corporation under MA26026. Patrick Hester presented the item, explaining the purchase includes 4 replacement buses (end-of-life) and 12 expansion buses tied to Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s Choose How You Move program.

Hester provided a detailed cost breakdown: a base bus cost of $692,106, technology and options at $83,680, and tools, travel and training at $12,000 for a subtotal of $787,786 per bus. A contingency of approximately 15 percent and tariff impacts were added, resulting in a total per-bus figure of $904,154 and a maximum aggregate cost of $14,466,462.40 for the 16 vehicles. Hester said the vehicles will be funded through a combination of approved Metro capital spending plan funds for replacements, Choose How You Move funds for expansion buses, Federal Section 5339 Bus and Bus Facilities grant funds and state matching funds.

Board members asked about delivery timing and staging. Hester said buses are on a 24-month delivery schedule with line entry scheduled for February 2028, estimated deliveries around May–June 2028, and the agency hopes to place them into service for the July service change. Staff also said buses that reach end-of-life will be assessed for contingency use or retirement so service coverage is maintained during the transition.

A motion to approve MA26026 was made and seconded; the chair called for the vote and members responded 'Aye.' The transcript records the board's approval by voice vote; the meeting record did not include a roll-call tally in the public transcript.