PSTA to Purchase 60 All-Electric Buses Over 5-Year Span

Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) officials announced the purchase of 60 electric buses over the next five years, the latest step in PSTA’s ongoing mission to transform the fleet clean and green by 2050.

PSTA’s electric buses will operate systemwide with the first of the 60 new buses expected to hit the road in 2024. PSTA already operates six all-electric, green buses. The agency’s announcement comes after PSTA unveiled four electric depot bus chargers in June of 2021. Last month, the PSTA board approved electric bus purchasing contracts with the four leading electric bus manufacturers in the country. It is the first all-electric bus consortium in the State of Florida.

“PSTA is determined to deliver on the promise of a zero-emissions fleet by 2050,” said CEO Brad Miller. “Last month, the Biden administration signed into law the largest investment public transit has realized in US history to improve transportation options and reduce greenhouse emissions for millions of Americans. PSTA is leading the way for our region to meet our green goal.”

Each electric bus is recharged one of three ways: overnight charging, regenerative braking, and on-route charging stations. The battery range averages 200 miles or about 14 hours of operating time on a single charge. PSTA will save about $20,000 a year in diesel fuel costs with each electric bus.

“PSTA is taking major steps toward fulfilling its aspiration of a fully green fleet by 2050,” said Miller. “More zero-emission buses, as well as charging infrastructure, will reduce emissions and improve air quality that impacts public health locally, while contributing to an overall effort to combat climate change and sea level rise.”