Metro News
The grant funds will specifically support 61% of the cost to replace eight 2013 diesel powered buses.
$4.9 Million Grant Awarded to Cincinnati Metro for New Hybrid-Electric Buses
January 24, 2025

CINCINNATI — On Friday, January 17, 2025, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) announced the award of $4.9 million in grant funds from the Diesel Emission Reduction Grant (DERG) program to Cincinnati Metro for the purchase of eight new hybrid-electric buses. The grant funds will specifically support 61% of the cost to replace eight 2013 diesel powered buses.
This initiative is part of Cincinnati Metro’s ongoing commitment to advance sustainability throughout the organization. Since 2021, Metro has received more than $65 million in funding for hybrid-electric and battery-electric buses. Currently, Metro has 17 hybrid-electric buses in service, with more on order to be placed into service in 2025 and beyond.
“Advancing vehicle technology is a critical piece of our commitment to sustainability” said Brandy Jones, Metro’s Chief Communications and Marketing Officer. “This grant continues to enable us to further modernize our fleet and strengthen our efforts to provide safe, reliable, and sustainable transportation options for our riders while continuing to reduce our carbon footprint.”
The grants are funded from federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) dollars allocated to Ohio by the Federal Highway Administration. The organizations and businesses receiving grants were selected by a committee of Ohio EPA and ODOT representatives.
“It’s exciting to partner with ODOT to help Ohio communities modernize their transit systems, providing better service to their own residents while improving air quality in the state,” Ohio EPA Director Anne Vogel said.
“This grant program is a vital resource for public transit agencies, enabling them to modernize their fleets with cleaner, more efficient technologies as well as better support the travel demands of its riders,” ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn said.
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Established in 1973 as a tax-funded, not-for-profit transportation provider by the Southwest Ohio Transit Authority, Metro is proud to celebrate 50 years of fixed-route, paratransit, and on-demand service to Hamilton County.