Westchester County has been awarded $3 million in competitive funding through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Clean Mobility Program to launch a zero-emission micro transit pilot serving Peekskill and surrounding communities. The program supports projects that improve connections to public transportation and expand access to affordable, sustainable transportation options.
The pilot service, starting later this year, will operate for three years using 100% zero-emission vehicles and is expected to serve a zone extending beyond the city of Peekskill into portions of Cortlandt, Buchanan, Verplanck and Montrose, including the veterans’ hospital. The program is designed to help residents connect to transit, jobs, health care and other essential services while addressing long-standing transportation gaps in underserved communities.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said, “Westchester County is proud to partner with NYSERDA to advance innovative transportation solutions that make it easier for residents to get where they need to go. This funding will allow us to launch a zero-emission micro transit service that expands connections to public transportation while improving mobility for communities in and around Peekskill. Investing in cleaner vehicles and flexible transit options will help ensure that transportation in Westchester is more accessible, sustainable and responsive to the needs of our residents.”
Westchester County Department of Planning Commissioner Blanca Lopez said, “This project reflects Westchester County’s commitment to expanding mobility while advancing our sustainability goals. Introducing flexible zero-emission transportation options can help close critical gaps in service and ensure more residents have access to reliable connections to transit, employment and essential services. We are pleased to launch this pilot micro transit program in the northwestern part of the County, an area where the need for expanded public transit options has long been recognized.”
The $3 million award is part of the Clean Mobility Program administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, which supports planning and demonstration projects that improve zero-emission connections to public transportation. The county’s proposal was selected through a competitive process that prioritized projects addressing transportation challenges in underserved communities and improving access to affordable, sustainable travel.
The program requires a 20% local match, which will be provided through the New York State Department of Transportation Innovative Mobility Initiative Program. These funds were previously designated to support a micro transit pilot in Peekskill and will now help expand the project into a broader zero-emission mobility initiative serving communities across northern Westchester.
