Transit agency is testing vehicles on four routes with complete rollout planned for fall 2023
VIA News – On Monday, VIA launched its new fleet of electric buses, eight in total, with two starting operating routes.
VIA Metropolitan Transit will launch service with its new fleet of electric buses beginning Monday as part of its ongoing commitment to cleaner, greener transit options for San Antonio. The addition of eight new 40-foot Gillig buses expands VIA’s sustainable vehicle profile that includes nearly 500 buses fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG) from VIA’s CNG fueling station, one of the largest in North America.
The electric vehicles, designed and manufactured in California, were procured through a federal grant award and delivered in December 2022. They will be charged at a new charging facility in VIA’s bus yard and maintenance facility. Since receiving the vehicles, VIA has been preparing to roll them out into service. Beginning Monday, customers will see two electric buses in service. VIA will monitor the vehicles’ performance as they operate on four routes.
MORE INFORMATION ON GILLIG ALL-ELECTRIC BUSES:
- 40-foot vehicles with 38-passenger capacity
- Onboard full-function telematics that allow for real-time performance monitoring
- Amenities include dimmable LED lighting and USB charging ports at every seat
- The Arc buses use regenerative braking, which converts kinetic energy into electrical power that charges the battery
- Charge time expected to be four hours or less
- Range expected to be 150 miles
- Six electric buses will be in use at any given time beginning in fall 2023
