MARTA and two other Georgia transit agencies will receive $31 million in grants for electric buses and equipment, the Federal Transit Administration announced Tuesday.

MARTA will get $19.3 million to buy battery electric buses and charging equipment to replace older compressed natural gas buses. The FTA says the money will improve air quality in the Atlanta area and support a two-year apprenticeship program with local technical colleges.

Augusta-Richmond County will receive $6.3 million for electric buses and equipment to replace aging diesel buses. The Chatham Area Transit Authority will get $5.5 million for electric buses and equipment.

The Georgia grants were among the $1.7 billion in funding the FTA announced Tuesday for bus fleets and facilities. The money comes from programs included in the infrastructure law Congress passed last year.

Among other things, the money will help pay for more than 1,100 vehicles that use zero-emissions technology. The FTA says the funding will nearly double the number of “clean” buses on American roads.

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In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com