What RTA can learn from peers transitioning to a zero-emission transit system

Transit is the Answer commits the RTA to accelerating the transition to a zero-emission regional transit system and prioritizing communities burdened by poor air quality. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning's (CMAP) greenhouse gas inventory shows that emissions from public transit vehicles make up less than 2% of total transportation emissions in the region while emissions from passenger cars and trucks account for 59%, so transit plays an instrumental role in advancing sustainability by reducing the need to drive. RTA and the Service Boards are also committed to exploring clean technology and transitioning the regional transit fleet by 2040 to a zero-emission regional transit system.

Earth Day provides an opportunity to reflect on recent progress in this transition, celebrate the wins, and gear up for challenges ahead. One thing is immediately clear: both decreasing the environmental footprint of the transit system and reducing single occupancy vehicle travel are essential in moving toward a more sustainable network and fighting the climate crisis. Looking to the future, RTA is constantly reviewing best practices used by peer transit agencies as they make progress in their own transitions to zero-emissions.

Progress requires stable funding

According to CALSTART, a national nonprofit that tracks and analyzes policies that accelerate clean transportation options, California leads the nation in total zero-emission buses (ZEBs) by state, accounting for nearly a third of all ZEBs in the country. The state got a head start in 2009 when it implemented its Hybrid and Zero-Emission Bus and Truck Voucher Incentive Program (HVIP), which offers point-of-sale discounts for clean fleet vehicles, including transit buses. While the voucher amounts are modest compared to the costs of most ZEBs, the funding is flexible, predictable, and sustainable, with state Cap-and-Trade revenues providing a stable revenue source until at least 2030. Over $286 million has been distributed for the purchase of ZEBs over the life of the program. The state built on its commitment to zero-emission transit when it created the Zero Emission Transit Capital Program, authorizing over $200 million annually in Cap-and-Trade funding for transit fleet conversions through 2028.

In the Chicago region, identifying new, stable funding is critical to meeting our climate goals. Overall, the RTA system currently faces a significant capital backlog for state of good repair projects, which can pit zero-emission upgrades against other investments needed to deliver fast and reliable service. Pace and CTA estimate that more than $3 billion is needed to fully transition their fleets of more than 2,400 buses, while more than $4.1 billion is needed for garage upgrades and related charging and fueling infrastructure. Absent additional revenue dedicated to electrification, the 2040 deadline for a zero-emission regional bus fleet cannot be met.

As one of the first agencies in the nation to pursue battery-electric trainsets, Metra is still developing detailed cost estimates for their transition, but based on the current fleet these costs could be well over $4 billion. Meanwhile, federal funding for ZEBs and related infrastructure is highly competitive, and previously reliable federal funding streams for transit capital projects are now at risk under the Trump Administration, particularly for climate related investments.

With the federal government likely pulling back, increasing state capital funding for transit is critical for the Service Boards to meet state requirements to purchase only zero-emission buses starting July 1, 2026. Many CTA and Pace buses are at the end of their useful life and, if the agencies can’t purchase diesel replacement buses or fund and procure electric vehicles, riders could suffer from less reliable service. Lower transit ridership could cause monumental increases in emissions if the agencies did not have access to diesel, hybrid, or electric fleet. The 2026 state requirement is in line with agency goals to fully electrify their fleets by 2040, but significant funding and policy changes are needed to make rapid progress. Funding from the Rebuild Illinois state capital plan and other investments, such as $58 million in VW settlement money awarded to the RTA and Service Boards from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, are a significant step in the right direction but not enough to meet state and agency goals. RTA will continue to advocate for greater state investment in transit to help Illinois meet its ambitious climate goals.

Protecting service and reliability

The Service Boards have ambitious plans to boost service delivery across the region, which will have a significant impact on emissions and regional air quality. This makes it especially critical that bus fleets are reliable and available for service, but there are some concerns from transit professionals when it comes to the ability of ZEBs to deliver reliable service. Two factors impact ZEBs ability to provide adequate service: range and reliability. Transit agencies like LA Metro and CapMetro in Austin that were early adopters of the technology have experienced challenges with both, leading them to pump the brakes on zero-emission goals as technology evolves. Other agencies like Miami-Dade and Broward County Transit have encountered frequent mechanical issues, leading to breakdowns and buses left out of service. Range and reliability issues can be compounded in cold weather like the Chicago region experiences, and supply chain issues and limited manufacturer capacity can prevent quick fixes.

As these issues have become more prevalent, last year the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) gathered industry leaders to discuss solutions. Former CTA President Dorval Carter, Jr., chaired a Bus Manufacturing Task Force that produced a report of recommendations that CTA and Pace have already begun to implement, putting the agencies in a better position to avoid service disruptions as they continue to take delivery of new ZEBs. Each agency is implementing rigorous testing to assess which routes are most suited for initial deployment given current battery capacity. This includes analysis of Metra’s system to determine where new trainsets can be deployed for testing, given constraints with shared freight railroad infrastructure. On the repair side, mechanics are being trained to address zero-emission vehicle and rolling stock issues so that there is less reliance on manufacturers where possible.

Streamlined procurement helps combat market volatility

CALSTART’s report also notes how some agencies are confronting challenges with volatility in the bus manufacturing sector through procurement practices, including bulk-purchasing orders, using Washington state as an example of success. Washington uses statewide procurement contracts to streamline the process of purchasing ZEBs to put more vehicles in service faster. The state also offers ZEBs on contracts available to transit agencies outside their state. Washington has worked with nearly 200 agencies in 35 states on bus procurements, including a recent hybrid-electric bus order for Pace. Innovative programs like this allow transit agencies to work together to put public funds to their best use in a difficult market.

Even armed with these best practices, procurement challenges are significant. Federal funds, which are the biggest source of capital funds for transit agencies in Chicago and across the country, are subject to Buy America requirements. Metra has managed to secure a Buy America compliant contract for battery electric trainsets even as this technology is relatively rare in the American market. On the bus side, there are only five electric transit bus manufacturers operating in the U.S. market—almost all face a backlog of orders. Reduced competition means higher prices for buses, straining limited public funding. When manufacturers go bankrupt, transit agencies are left with uncertainty and delays. RTA and the Service Boards are working with peers to piggyback off other contracts like in Washington and pursue joint procurements and unified specifications to simplify and speed up delivery.

Major investments in the Chicago region

RTA’s latest regional capital program shows significant momentum in the transition to a zero-emission transit system. Collectively, RTA and the Service Boards have won over $380 million in discretionary grant awards in the last four years for zero-emission projects—and over $860 million is programmed over the next five years. Steady progress is evident across the system. More electric buses will enter service in 2025, upgrades to outdated facilities are advancing, and training and equipment testing continues. Metra is currently developing their first-ever sustainability plan, after committing in their 2023 strategic plan to reduce carbon emissions by pursuing zero-emission locomotives and trainsets. These initiatives will result in the replacement of Metra’s oldest, most-polluting vehicles with new technology while allowing for schedule enhancements, efficiencies, and improved reliability. These historic investments will be transformative in improving air quality, reducing noise pollution, and enhancing the rider experience with new vehicles.

RTA and the Service Boards have regular zero-emission coordination meetings to track progress, discuss the latest issues, and identify opportunities for joint funding applications and procurements. Almost every transit agency faces challenges in this environment, but shared goals across the industry have ignited a spirit of cooperation and collective energy.

Join the Transit is the Answer Coalition

Transit continues to be one of the region’s greatest tools in combating climate change, but the RTA system faces a $771 million operating budget gap that, if not addressed by the end of May, will result in service cuts of up to 40 percent. These cuts would cause traffic congestion and vehicle emissions to surge as hundreds of thousands of people are forced into cars and air quality worsens. This Earth Day, join the Transit is the Answer Coalition to help bring about the legislative changes needed to support transit and the environment at this pivotal moment.