Nassau County Buses Get $42M Upgrade From DOT

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY. — Nassau County buses will get some upgrades in coming years thanks to a $42 million Low Or No Emissions grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation with funds from the Federal Transit Administration, announced by congresswoman Laura Gillen Thursday.

The grant funds will allow Nassau County to replace 28 Nassau Inter-County Express buses that Gillen said in July were at the end of their useful life, and overhaul a Rockville Centre facility housing the county’s bus fleet. Gillen said NICE provides seven-day service to 20 million riders annually with a fleet of 279 buses. The new buses will be compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, part of an effort that the Department of Transportation said would build 2,400 new buses and deliver them to municipalities across the country.

In Nassau County, the grant funding will also ensure a vital service for Long Islanders keeps running while keeping county air clean.

“80 percent of weekday NICE riders come from low-income communities and depend on reliable bus service to go to work, and access health care and essential services,” Gillen said in a July letter to then-acting FTA administrator Tariq Bokari. “Federal investment from the Low-No and the Bus Programs will help reduce the need for maintenance on NICE’s aging fleet, helping prevent route reductions or fare increases that can significantly impact those who rely on NICE as their primary form of transportation, including the elderly, disabled, and low-income residents. Replacing and modernizing NICE’s fleet will also help improve air quality, our environment, and public health in Nassau County.”

In a statement announcing the award, Gillen said the award would benefit businesses and families across the island.

“I am delighted to help deliver $42 million in federal grant funding to Nassau County that will help upgrade the NICE bus fleet and make station improvements to the County facility. Improving transportation options and reliability will directly benefit families, residents and businesses across Long Island’s South Shore,” Gillen said. “I’m proud to advocate for Long Islanders on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and will continue to work with our local partners to bring federal dollars back home to Nassau County.”

NICE was one of five New York applicants awarded money in Thursday’s round of funding, joined by the Capital District Transportation Authority, the New York State Metropolitan Transportation Authority, The Central New York Regional Transportation Authority and the Village of Kiryas Joel.

"Transit buses provide a vital service for millions of Americans every day," FTA Administrator Marc Molinaro said. "These grants will strengthen connections between communities, boost bus safety and reliability, and enhance mobility and quality of life for passengers."