By: Benyamin Davidsons
On Sunday December 15th, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority unveiled its first all-electric articulated bus. The step is part of a plan to modernize New York City’s transit agency to a zero-emissions fleet by the year 2040.
As reported by the Associated Press, the revolutionary bus was placed on one of Manhattan’s busiest crosstown routes, the 14th Street busway. By March, the route is slated to be equipped with 15 electric-articulated buses, which are 60-foot-long vehicles connected with a joint in the middle.
As the largest public bus system in the country, the MTA plans to spend $1.1 billion to adapt depots for electric operations, and to buy roughly 500 electric buses for all five boroughs, as stated in its 2020-2024 Capital Plan. The goal is to buy only electric buses by the year 2029.
“Today is a milestone in our Fast Forward Plan,” said Andy Byford, the NYC Transit president and CEO. “It’s the right thing to do, and it’s our demonstration, our commitment to the environment and to New Yorkers across all five boroughs with state-of-the-art vehicles to cut our carbon footprint still further,” Byford said. “This shows that we are deadly serious about moving to an all-electric fleet,” he added.
As of 2018, the MTA already runs 10 electric standard buses, leased under a three-year pilot program to test out the technology. The buses are less noisy than conventional buses, and of course they let out no tailpipe emissions.
The agency says each bus costs $1.4 million, but will save roughly 8,000 gallons of fuel annually. It is estimated that the buses’ batteries can run for 50 to 90 miles, or half a day, with a three-hour charge. They can be plugged in for a recharge at Michael J. Quill Bus Depot or at any of the previously installed charging stations in Maspeth, Queens, Williamsburg Bridge Plaza in Brooklyn, or in Manhattan on East 41st or West 43rd Streets. “We are working closer to Con Ed, NY Power Authority, and others to learn about charging strategies and providing charging infrastructure throughout the city,” said Craig Cirpriano, the acting president of MTA Bus Company.
As per Spectrum NY1 News, since the 14th Street Truck and Transit Priority lanes were implemented limiting access to private vehicles, the MTA says bus travel has been quicker and more commuters have opted to ride even during peak times.
One regular passenger on the M14 route, says he’s impressed with the improved bus service and also anticipates improved air quality. “It’s better for a lot of people’s health, too,” says Frank Plumari, a passenger. “Because you’re smelling the smoke from the gas, and it’s much better for people’s quality of living in the environment especially in New York City.”
