San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) and Representative Josh Harder have announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded $10.3 million in federal funding to RTD to replace nine aging buses with new hybrid-electric vehicles. This federal investment was made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and delivered through the FTA’s Low or No Emission and Buses and Bus Facilities programs to help Stockton and San Joaquin County improve service reliability and reduce emissions in underserved neighborhoods.
San Joaquin County remains a federal non-attainment area for ozone and particulate matter (PM2.5) and consistently ranks among the nation’s most polluted regions. Growing up in the Central Valley, Rep. Harder experienced the challenges of poor air quality firsthand and has advanced policies that address the region’s longstanding public health impacts. The federal funding announcement reflects a shared commitment by RTD and Rep. Harder to invest in cleaner transit solutions that reduce exposure to harmful emissions and expand access to healthier, more reliable transportation for residents who rely on RTD every day.
Harder’s work in Washington has also delivered significant federal investments to Stockton, including $110 million for a zero-emission terminal at the Port of Stockton, $14 million for congestion mitigation at the Stockton Diamond, and $6.9 million to replace diesel school buses at Stockton Unified School District. Harder’s office is also leading efforts to establish nationwide real-time air quality alerts and to restore funding for asthma training programs that have supported more than one thousand community health workers across California.
“These new hybrid-electric buses are real workhorses,” said RTD CEO Alex Clifford. “They will be cleaner, quieter, and far more dependable than the vehicles they replace. This funding strengthens the daily experience for our riders and contributes to healthier air in the communities we serve.”
RTD’s current hybrid-electric buses have exceeded their useful life and now require extensive maintenance, which increases operating costs and creates the potential for more frequent service delays for riders.
“Growing up with childhood asthma, I remember being more worried about having my inhaler than catching the bus or finishing my homework, and it makes me sick that kids today are still facing that same struggle,” said Rep. Harder. “This investment will be a gamechanger for Valley families by cutting emissions, bringing new, long-lasting transportation improvements to our community, and creating good-paying jobs. I look forward to continuing to work with RTD and our regional partners to keep our families healthy and safe wherever they’re going.”
The new buses, built by Gillig in Livermore, California, support in-state manufacturing jobs and allow RTD to purchase buses without any Buy America waivers or special approvals. This flexibility enables RTD to move forward more quickly with its fleet modernization efforts. The new hybrid-electric models also provide better fuel efficiency, reduced noise, and quieter, smoother operation on residential streets and school-area routes, reinforcing RTD’s commitment to reliable service and long-term fleet sustainability.
RTD and Harder plan to continue working together to expand mobility options, reduce emissions, and advance critical infrastructure improvements throughout Stockton and San Joaquin County.
