MTA Seeks Bids for 650 New Buses, Its Largest Order Since 2013; Proposals Due Oct. 19

The MTA has issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking a manufacturer for 650 new buses. It is the largest single order since 2013 and, once all the buses are delivered, would make up more than 10% of the MTA's bus fleet. Proposals are due Oct. 19, and the new buses will run on compressed natural gas (CNG) instead of diesel.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Sept. 10 that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking a manufacturer for 650 new buses. It is the largest single bus order since 2013. Once all 650 are delivered, they will account for more than 10% of the MTA's bus fleet and will serve routes carrying more than 1 million riders a day. Proposals are due Oct. 19.

The new buses will run on compressed natural gas (CNG) instead of diesel. They will replace aging CNG buses already in service, and the MTA cited lower costs than diesel, lower maintenance needs, and reduced noise and emissions. The MTA said the natural gas used as fuel will be fully offset with renewable natural gas (RNG) made from methane captured at landfills and farms.

The purchase will be funded through the MTA's 2025–2029 Capital Program. Under the program, CNG buses will make up 30% of standard bus purchases, and the MTA will separately acquire 500 zero-emission buses and install depot charging equipment. The MTA's policy is to install charging equipment first at depots in areas with poor air quality.

Follow-up to July's "Next Stop" plan

The order follows "Next Stop: Faster Buses, Better Service," a bus improvement plan that Gov. Hochul, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the MTA jointly announced in July. Since the announcement, 41 new buses have been put into service, replacing the oldest vehicles first. The replaced vehicles averaged 18 years old, and the oldest was 21 years old.

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said the electric bus industry is still maturing, so the agency is improving service with CNG buses for now. The solicitation follows the MTA's new vehicle procurement approach, which gives manufacturers more room to propose new designs, and it leaves open the possibility of splitting the order among multiple suppliers.