SEPTA Pushing Sustainability Forward With Battery Charged Buses
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - SEPTA unveiled a new battery charged bus this past week, which will be on city streets next Spring.
The sleek green bus was parked at the curb in front of SEPTA headquarters on Market Street.
"All electric, zero emission, battery-electric bus," says Mike Hennessy, who is with Proterra, the company which makes it.
SEPTA has ordered 25 buses which will be tried out on Routes 29 and 79 in South Philadelphia.
"We're always looking for new emerging technology.," says Jerry Guaracino, SEPTA's assistant chief engineer. "And this is certainly the latest and greatest technology. First it's been our hybrid fleet, then trackless trolley and now it's full electric bus fleet."
The buses will be able to operate 24/7 on a five-to-ten minute battery charge.
Overhead battery charging stations will allow drivers to get charged up without leaving their seats.