December 8, 2025
Valley Metro awarded $18.6 million federal grant for bus fleet to support increasing ridership
Valley Metro has been awarded $18.6 million through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) competitive Low or No Emission Grant Program to replace up to 24 aging buses with new compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles.
These CNG buses are expected to be delivered in 2028 and will replace vehicles at the East Valley Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility in Tempe. These replacement buses are part of Valley Metro’s long-term fleet replacement plan and five-year capital program.
This investment advances Valley Metro’s Strategic Plan, which prioritizes operational excellence while helping to grow and create a cleaner fleet to meet increasing ridership demand. Valley Metro has seen ridership increases of nearly 7% compared to FY24 and nearly 12% compared to FY23, making a reliable, more sustainable fleet essential to ensuring on-time and productive service across the region.
“Investing in clean and reliable buses is a win for riders across the entire region. This grant strengthens our commitment to sustainable transit while ensuring that the communities we serve continue to have dependable, efficient service,” said Jennifer Adams, Valley Metro RPTA Board Chair and Tempe Councilmember.
Valley Metro currently operates a fleet of nearly 300 hybrid diesel and CNG buses that travel across more than 3,000 miles of service each day, serving over 88,000 riders across the region. Replacing and increasing efficiency of aging fleet supports regional air quality goals and helps deliver safe and effective service.
“I am grateful for the work of the Valley Metro team, and the commitment and collaboration of our local and federal partners for bringing these federal funds to the metro Phoenix region” said Jessica Mefford-Miller, Valley Metro CEO.
The Low or No Emission competitive program provides funding for transit agencies to purchase or lease low- and zero-emission buses and to construct or upgrade supporting infrastructure.