Rockford Mass Transit gets $39.4M for electric buses and charging stations

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford Mass Transit District will receive $39.4 million from the Rebuild Illinois Capital Grant program to expand its capacity for electric and hybrid buses, and the infrastructure to charge them.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Mayor Tom McNamara, Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Acting Secretary Gia Biagi, and Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) were on hand at Friday’s press conference, celebrating the ongoing construction efforts.

The funding for the project was awarded by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Pritzker said $32.6 million will be used to renovate the current vehicle storage and maintenance facility, at 520 Mulberry Street, to accommodate current and future vehicle storage needs, and the charging infrastructure to support battery electric vehicles.

An additional $6.8 million will fund new alternative fuel buses and vehicles.

“The investment in Rockford’s transit infrastructure is a game-changer for our community. Expanding and modernizing RMTD’s facility will not only improve efficiency and service but also position us for a more sustainable future with electric vehicle integration,” said McNamara. “We’re proud to partner with RMTD and the State of Illinois to enhance transportation options for our residents.”

Gov. Pritzker added, “With funding from the Rebuild Illinois Capital Grant Program, these facility upgrades are supporting reliable transit and accelerating sustainable economic growth here in Rockford and across Winnebago County. Our state and local partnership is more important than ever, as the White House is withholding crucial infrastructure dollars and preventing progress on projects across the nation. In Illinois, we are fighting to ensure we get every dime so we can deliver to our people what they’re owed.”