IndyGo's all-electric buses, provided by Complete Coach Works, are now on the roads of Indianapolis, operating at a fourth of the cost of a traditional diesel bus, according to the agency.
"Electric buses provide our passengers with a quieter, smoother ride, raising the bar for transit in the central Indiana region" says Mike Terry, president/CEO of IndyGo. "We will have 21 electric buses by the end of 2015, the largest electric bus fleet in the country."
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The electric buses, funded by a 2013 competitive federal TIGER grant, are remanufactured and rely on a zero-emissions drive system. Since the rollout of the buses in early June, performance has exceeded 130 miles on a single four-hour charge of the 12 Lithium-Ion batteries. The highly efficient, environmentally-friendly vehicles feature lightweight flooring and seats, low resistance tires and energy-efficient heating and cooling.
"Standard diesel buses cost approximately 65 cents per mile in fuel" said Vicki Learn, director, maintenance, at IndyGo. "The new all-electric buses cost IndyGo about 15 cents per mile driven, resulting in a bus that is four times more efficient than a traditional diesel bus."
In addition to the electric buses, IndyGo is currently installing a one megawatt solar panel system on its garage roof, thanks to a $3 million State of Good Repair Grant. Once installed, the solar panels will help offset the cost to charge the electric buses, further reducing operating cost.
Menard discusses how data-driven signal prioritization is improving efficiency, reliability, and ridership, while offering insight into the innovations driving the next generation of smart mobility. Together, they explore how technology and collaboration are paving the way for a more connected, sustainable future in transit.
The pilot program showcases two companies’ technology at eight bus stops. The companies submitted their ideas through the Transit Tech Lab, which is backed by the Partnership Fund for New York City and provides an accelerated pathway for early to growth-stage companies to solve public transportation challenges for the largest transit agencies in North America.
To accomplish this work, the MBTA announced that four phases of temporary evening service changes will begin on February 28 and continue through April.
In this edition of Biz Briefs, we highlight the latest developments shaping the future of mobility — from manufacturers and technology providers to transit agencies and motorcoach service operators.
RTD aims to have 15% of all fare payments by individual customers made via Tap-n-Ride by the end of 2026, as awareness of this contactless payment option grows.
The configuration uses Ster Seating's Gemini seat platform to create a family-friendly floor layout specifically engineered to accommodate parents traveling with young children.