TRENTON, NJ – Senator Bob Smith, representing the 17th District of Middlesex and Somerset, has sponsored a pivotal bill, Senate No. 214, which mandates the transition of New Jersey’s public transportation motorbuses to electric power by 2035. This legislation, pre-filed for the 2024 session, underscores New Jersey’s commitment to environmental sustainability and public health.
The bill outlines a phased approach for public entities, including the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit), to adopt electric motorbuses. Starting in the fiscal year 2031, 25% of new motorbuses purchased for regular route services must be electric, escalating to a 100% requirement by fiscal year 2036. This initiative is part of New Jersey’s broader efforts to mitigate environmental impact and transition to cleaner transportation options.
To support this ambitious transition, the bill stipulates an annual appropriation of $82 million from the societal benefits charge and revenues from carbon emission allowance sales through the Transportation and Climate Initiative Program. These funds are designated to assist public entities in preparing for the shift to electric buses, including training staff and retrofitting facilities.
Additionally, the bill mandates NJ Transit and county transportation services to submit a comprehensive report by March 1, 2025. This report will detail their progress in preparing for electric motorbus adoption, including staff training, facility upgrades, transition scheduling, fleet analysis, and financial impacts compared to maintaining a non-electric fleet.
The legislation also revises the Statewide Capital Investment Strategy for NJ Transit. The current requirement for transitioning to lower emission buses will sunset in FY 2030, paving the way for the full electrification of the motorbus fleet starting FY 2031. This move is expected to significantly reduce emissions from public transportation, aligning with New Jersey’s environmental goals.