BIDDEFORD, Maine – December 3, 2025 – Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit (BSOOB Transit) today announced it has been awarded $1,537,650 through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Fiscal Year 2025 Low or No Emission (Low-No) Grant Program. This award is part of a national investment by the U.S. Department of Transportation to support transit agencies in purchasing modern, clean-energy buses.
The grant funding will address a critical need for the growing Greater Portland region: the acquisition of new hybrid-electric buses to replace aging, high-mileage vehicles.
Modernizing the Fleet for Reliability and Sustainability. The new hybrid-electric buses will replace two of the agency’s oldest vehicles. These modern replacements will immediately improve service reliability and reduce fuel consumption while ensuring the operational flexibility needed to serve the tri-town area. These vehicles serve as a crucial step in BSOOB Transit’s long-term fleet modernization plan, balancing immediate service needs with environmental goals.
Congressional Support for the application received strong support from Maine’s congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Susan M. Collins and Angus S. King, Jr., and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. In a letter of support to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the delegation noted that replacing these buses “will immediately improve service reliability and decrease fuel consumption without the operational constraints of a fully electric vehicle”.
Quote from Leadership “This funding is a major win for our communities,” said John Savage, Executive Director of BSOOB Transit. “By securing the resources to update our fleet with resilient hybrid technology, we are ensuring that BSOOB Transit remains a safe, reliable, and sustainable connector for the people of Biddeford, Saco, and Old Orchard Beach.”
BSOOB Transit is the public transportation provider for the tri-town area, connecting communities with safe, affordable, and reliable transit services.