The program was initiated in 2017 as competition between the two (2) OEMs, New Flyer of America and Proterra, to show which of the two (2) has the better and most reliable equipment for the MTA to built a major All-Electric Bus fleet.

The goal was to have these two OEMs provide All-Electric Buses plus charging infrastructure, on the road and in the depot, and have them tested for three (3) years.

After the three (3) years period and dependent on the revenue service results, MTA will decide whenever keeping parts of the equipment or not.

The locations for the on street chargers are:

1. Manhattan East Side, E41st St & 1st Ave

2. Manhattan West Side, W42nd St & 12th Ave

3. Brooklyn Williamsburg Bridge Plaza, Bus Plaza

The locations for the in depot charging are:

1. Manhattan West Side, MJ Quill Depot

2. Queens, Grand Avenue Bus Depot

There have been quite some obstacles, as this project is nothing easy to roll-out in New York City and whenever some construction is required, additional stress and problems occur, which sometimes, quite frankly, seem unsolvable.

Time is not up yet, there is still some testing and data collection taking place. In 2021, the latest, the MTA will communicate their decision to the OEMs.

Official All Electric Bus Pilot Program Announcement by NYS website