Metro Awarded $4.3 Million to Add Electric Buses to Valley’s Orange Line

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority received a $4.3 million federal grant to purchase electric buses for use on the Orange Line busway through the San Fernando Valley. The Federal Transportation Administration grant will go toward five zero-emission buses and eight charging stations, according to Metro and Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks, who advocated on behalf of Metro for the grant. “Commuters in the San Fernando Valley will benefit greatly from an addition to the fleet that can help alleviate crowded buses and waiting times,” Sherman said in a statement. “And with the zero-emission technology, these new buses will help reduce smog and other harmful greenhouse gases.” The Orange Line opened in 2005 and serves stops between North Hollywood, Woodland Hills and Chatsworth. Total boardings in March fell 8 percent to 719,160 from the prior-year period. The supplier of the five busses was not identified in the release. Last year, Metro added five electric buses to its fleet built in Lancaster by BYD Coach & Bus, a division of BYD Co. in Shenzhen, China. The agency has contracted with BYD to buy 20 additional buses.