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    Electric and CNG buses; Tier 4 locomotives to be purchased with Illinois EPA funding

    Dec. 5, 2018
    CTA, Pace and Metra will all make investments in cleaner fuel equipment.
    Illinois EPA
    Metra will purchase eight Tier 4 locomotives with funding provided through the Illinois EPA's Driving a Cleaner Illinois Program.
    Metra will purchase eight Tier 4 locomotives with funding provided through the Illinois EPA's Driving a Cleaner Illinois Program.

    Chicago area transit agencies will use $19 million in state funding to invest in electric and alternate fuel buses and new Tier 4 locomotives. The funding is the first round to be distributed under the Driving a Cleaner Illinois Program.

    The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explained that the projects funded by the program "will go toward public transit projects benefiting the most vulnerable populations." The new buses and locomotives will be used within environmental justice areas.

    "Illinois EPA developed the first-round of funding to achieve significant nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission reductions for our most vulnerable residents," said Illinois EPA Director Alec Messina. "Environmental justice areas throughout the Chicago area will see real air quality improvements because of these projects."

    The Illinois EPA anticipates achieving approximately 290 tons of NOx reductions per year from the projects awarded funds. 

    Metra will receive $14 million to replace eight old diesel locomotives with new, Tier 4, cleaner diesel locomotives. Metra will use the new equipment on routes to and from Union Station in downtown Chicago. 

    Pace Suburban Bus Service will receive $2.3 million and the Chicago Transit Authority will receive $1.9 million to purchase new electric and compressed natural gas (CNG) busses. Nine old diesel public transit buses will be replaced with six new CNG and three new all-electric public transit buses. The all-electric public transit buses will transport passengers in the city of Chicago while the CNG buses will primarily operate out of Markham in Southern Cook County reaching job centers in Monee, Joliet, Lombard, Rosemont and Schaumburg.   

    The remaining funds will help purchase new electric school buses that will serve the Chicago Public School District. 

    This funding opportunity is part of the state's allocation of $108 million dollars received from the multi-billion-dollar Volkswagen Settlement after it was discovered Volkswagen installed emissions cheating software in certain diesel vehicles.

    About the Author

    Mischa Wanek-Libman | Editor in Chief

    Mischa Wanek-Libman serves as editor in chief of Mass Transit magazine. She is responsible for developing and maintaining the magazine’s editorial direction and is based in the western suburbs of Chicago.

    Wanek-Libman has spent more than 20 years covering transportation issues including construction projects and engineering challenges for various commuter railroads and transit agencies. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content. 

    She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and serves as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.  

    She is a graduate of Drake University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a major in magazine journalism and a minor in business management.

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