San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is set to enhance its transit services with the approval of a significant contract for the purchase of up to 50 electric buses. During a recent government meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved a resolution authorizing an agreement with Gillig LLC for a total not to exceed amount of approximately $68.8 million. This contract will span four years, from December 1, 2024, to November 30, 2028, and aims to replace SFO's aging fleet of transit buses, many of which are over 15 years old.

The decision to procure these electric buses is part of SFO's capital improvement plan, which mandates the replacement of its outdated fleet to ensure reliable transportation for employees and passengers. The new buses will also support the expansion of the Go SFO shuttle program, connecting various regional destinations, including Oakland and Balboa Park.

The contract was awarded following a competitive bidding process, where Gillig was selected as the lowest responsive bidder among two submissions. The initial unit price for each bus is set at approximately $1.14 million, with potential annual price adjustments based on the producer price index. The airport plans to leverage federal and state grant funding to cover a significant portion of the costs, with an estimated 75% of each additional bus purchase expected to be funded through grants.

In addition to the bus procurement, the meeting also addressed an amendment to an existing agreement between the city and the San Francisco Public Health Foundation. This amendment extends the term of the agreement by 18 months and increases the total funding to approximately $21.3 million, aimed at enhancing community health engagement initiatives.

These developments reflect the city's commitment to modernizing its transportation infrastructure and improving public health services, ultimately benefiting the San Francisco community and its visitors.