The Federal Transit Administration has awarded the Cherokee Nation $1.3 million through its Low- or No-Emission Grant Program.
The funding will cover 90 percent of the cost for two new buses — and not just any buses.
"Electric buses that will run from Tahlequah to Catoosa and from Stilwell to West Siloam Springs," said Cherokee Nation Secretary of Natural Resources Sara Hill. "And it will include not only the two electric buses but also infrastructure at all four locations. So, we’ll be able to build some infrastructure to charge the buses."
Hill said a lot of people think electric vehicles aren’t cut out for transit use.
"Some of the best bargains in transportation right now are electric buses because diesel is expensive and diesel vehicles require a lot of maintenance," Hill said. "Electric vehicles run more cleanly, and they’re actually a lot less expensive over the life of the bus because they require much less maintenance."
The buses fall in line with more than the tribe’s commitment to shrinking its carbon footprint.
"Diesel vehicles put out certain kinds of air pollutants that this will also eliminate. So, it’s not just a carbon emission thing, it’s an all-around good thing for the environment," Hill said.
Cherokee Nation is the only Oklahoma entity to get part of the Federal Transit Administration’s more than $84 million in Low-No Grants this year. The buses will supplement currently running diesel buses on the same routes, which help people get to and from work.
