Ky.'s TARC adds 6 more Proterra all-electric buses

Louisville, Ky.’s Transit Authority of River City (TARC) began adding six new all-electric, zero-emission Proterra buses along its Fourth Street corridor, stopping at some of the city’s most popular destinations. With the new buses, TARC will have a total of 15 all-electric buses on the road, making it one of the largest electric bus operators in the country.

“We know passengers enjoy a quiet, clean ride and it doesn’t get better than this,” said TARC Executive Director J. Barry Barker. “We encourage everyone — visitors and residents alike — to take a ride on one of these zero-emissions, modern buses and have fun visiting top city attractions.”

Rt. #4 -Fourth Street -> #AllElectric buses with #ZeroEmissions! @louisvillemayor @Downtown_Lou pic.twitter.com/uVD9DkXqNo

— TARC (@ridetarc) August 1, 2016

The new buses, which feature a bike rack for up to three bikes, stop at or near Museum Row downtown, the University of Louisville, Speed Museum, Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Derby Museum, Old Louisville, restaurants, hotels and much more.

The buses provide cleaner air, fuel conservation and maintenance cost savings. They replace buses that are 16 years old and have traveled more than 600,000 miles. The harmful emissions from the old buses — more than 30,000 pounds each year into the air — will be eliminated with the electric buses. About 60,000 gallons of diesel fuel a year will also be spared.