TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
SUBJECT: ACTC 2026 Comprehensive Investment Program Funding Application
ACTION ITEM
AGENDA PLANNING REQUEST: ☐
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider adoption of Resolution No. 24-033, authorizing the General Manager or his designee to file and execute an application and funding agreement for the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC) administered funds for the East Oakland Facility Battery Electric Bus Infrastructure Project and committing any necessary matching funds and stating assurances to complete the project.
Staff Contact:
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Financial Stability and Resiliency
Initiative - Financial Efficiency and Revenue Maximization
The award of grant funds for the project will assist the District in meeting its zero emission transition program goals.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
Staff recommends applying for up to $2 million for the East Oakland Battery Electric Bus Infrastructure Project.
The 2026 ACTC Comprehensive Investment Program (ACTC CIP) Funds require a concurrent local match of 25%. Matching funds are available from Caltrans, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Staff intends to provide a local match of 50% ($1,000,000) for this application due to available funding for the project and a higher score on the application.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
On July 26, 2024, ACTC announced the availability of $100 million in Fiscal Year 2026 funding to support initiatives and projects listed in its Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP). Each eligible applicant may submit up to three applications, and a maximum of $2 million per application. The CTP is Alameda’s countywide transportation improvement plan. The CTP is updated every four years. The purpose of the ACTC CIP is to realize the listed projects and goals outlined in the CTP.
The Battery Electric Bus Infrastructure Project will provide self-generation of power and corresponding Battery Electric Bus chargers at AC Transit’s East Oakland facility (Division 4). This project is included in AC Transit’s FY24-28 Capital Investment Program. In 2022, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) informed AC Transit that it cannot provide the necessary power for Battery Electric Bus chargers at this facility due to insufficient grid capacity. Staff has since re-scoped this project to include the self-generation of power elements. The proposed project meets ACTC’s goals and moves the District closer to the goal of transitioning to zero emission buses by 2040.
Staff is engaging with partnering agencies on support for this grant application including Caltrans, the City of Oakland, and the City of San Leandro.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
ACTC CIP funding will allow the District to use grant funding instead of District funds to complete the Project.
The application requires local match; however, the Project has sufficient match committed. In addition, successful project delivery requires District staff time.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
This is a competitive grant program.
Staff considered several potential AC Transit projects to submit for funding through this program. To determine what projects should be selected, staff evaluated the funding programs requirements, past successful and unsuccessful applications in prior cycles, and communicated with ACTC staff about potential projects.
This project is one of three selected (the other two are detailed in separate reports) as both the most competitive and ready for implementation.
Other than selecting a different project to submit for funding through this program, the main alternative is to not apply for the ACTC funding, which would result in the project requiring alternative funding to proceed.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
SR 23-557 Funding Agreements with the Alameda County Transportation Commission
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution 24-033 of Local Support: East Oakland Facility Battery Electric Bus Infrastructure Project
Prepared by:
Jesse Rosemoore, Senior Capital Planning Specialist
In Collaboration with:
Emily Heard, Manager of Capital Planning and Grants
Approved/Reviewed by:
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer
Richard Oslund, Director of Management & Budget
Robert del Rosario, Director of Service Development and Planning
Aimee Steele, General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer