13 stories tagged public-transit on EV Digest.
The capital of Lithuania is set to add up to 161 zero-emission buses and accompanying charging equipment to its public transit system. The fleet transition is backed by a €110-million loan package from the European Investment Bank and the Council of Europe Development Bank. The initiative aims to cut urban emissions and modernize municipal transport across Vilnius.
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority board of directors has unanimously voted to acquire 10 new battery-powered passenger trains. The purchase marks a major milestone in the agency's efforts to decarbonize regional transit and phase out aging diesel locomotives. The zero-emission trains are slated to enter service on key regional commuter routes, reducing localized emissions and cutting operational noise.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has exercised an option to purchase 100 additional low- and zero-emission buses from New Flyer of America. The order represents the second year of a five-year contract to replace aging fleet vehicles across the nation's capital with hybrid-electric and battery-electric models. The procurement continues the agency's phased transition toward a fully zero-emission transit network.
Hyundai Motor has partnered with local coachbuilder Laksana to deliver 11 County EV electric minibuses for a public transit demonstration program in Bali, Indonesia. Delivered to the Global Green Growth Institute, the vehicles mark the island's first zero-emission mass transit trial. Hyundai intends to provide ongoing operational support and performance monitoring as part of a broader push into the Indonesian commercial EV sector.
Austin-area transit agency CapMetro has converted two bus routes to zero-emission service while opening a pair of new park-and-ride facilities. The sites are outfitted with overhead pantograph charging systems provided and supported by Camber Charging. The dedicated fast-charging equipment allows the municipal fleet to recharge quickly in the field and sustain electrified route schedules.
A Swiss company is developing an innovative wireless charging system that can power electric buses directly through their tires. This novel approach aims to extend battery life and allow for smaller, more efficient battery packs, boosting the operational flexibility of urban transit fleets.
LA Metro has announced one of the largest battery-electric transit bus purchases in the nation, securing 220 new BEV buses. This significant acquisition more than doubles the agency's current electric bus fleet and represents a major stride toward its commitment to a 100% zero-emission future.
Autonomous ride-hailing service Waymo is rolling out new incentives designed to encourage commuters to integrate its driverless vehicles with public transportation. The program offers discounts for trips that begin or end at transit hubs, aiming to bridge the 'last-mile' gap for users in Waymo's operating areas.
Waymo is rolling out a new rewards program in the San Francisco Bay Area, encouraging riders to integrate its autonomous vehicle service with public transportation. Users can earn Waymo Cash by linking their rides with local transit options and paying with a Visa card. This initiative aims to foster multimodal travel, potentially reducing single-occupancy vehicle trips.
Waymo is broadening a pilot program that rewards customers who combine their autonomous ride with public transportation, offering a $2.85 credit for such trips. This initiative aims to integrate autonomous vehicle services more seamlessly with existing transit networks, though the credit is currently limited to Visa cardholders. The expansion follows successful trials in two cities, pointing towards wider adoption of multimodal transit solutions.
Waymo is once again partnering with public transit, this time collaborating with Visa to offer discounts on its robotaxi rides. This initiative aims to encourage riders to use Waymo's autonomous vehicles for first and last-mile connections to trains and buses, integrating robotaxis more deeply into urban transportation networks.
Santa Monica's public transit agency, Big Blue Bus, is significantly expanding its charging infrastructure with the addition of 130 new DC fast-charging ports. This major buildout supports the city's ambitious goal of converting its entire bus fleet to zero-emission electric vehicles by 2032, streamlining the transition and ensuring reliable service.
New data from Prague's trolleybus operations challenge the notion that demanding urban bus routes necessitate hydrogen fuel cell technology. The operational daily profiles demonstrate that battery-electric systems can effectively manage hills, long operating hours, and heavy passenger loads, offering a viable alternative to hydrogen for difficult applications. This insight could help transit agencies worldwide optimize their electrification strategies by focusing on battery solutions.
