LA Announces First 100% Electric Bus Line
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — After five years and $80 million, the Metro G (Orange) Line became the first zero-emission Metro bus line.
Running from North Hollywood to Chatsworth, the G Line now boasts 40, 60-foot electric busses after receiving its first in July 2020. Produced by Canadian manufacturer New Flyer, each bus costs $1.15 million, includes public Wi-Fi and USB ports embedded in the seats.
"If we're going to act this decade to save our planet, we need to see solutions on our streets today — and watching these zero-emission buses roll down our roads brings us one step closer to turning the tides of the climate crisis,'' said Mayor Eric Garcetti, who also serves on the Metro Board of Directors.
With half of the $80 million going towards the deployment of the new buses, the rest of the money covers the cost of charging stations and other infrastructure changes along the route.
The buses have a max range of 150 miles with charging stations along the 18-mile route in North Hollywood, Canoga and Chatsworth.
"Five years ago, the Metro Board supported my motion for a plan to use electric buses on the Orange Line,'' City Councilman and Metro Board Member Paul Krekorian said. "At that time, there were still many questions about the feasibility of electrification of the fleet. The success of the transformation of the Orange Line has answered those questions."
Metro hopes to completely replace its natural gas fleet with its "whisper-quiet" electric buses by 2030.
In June, the Metro Board approved a $50 million plan to construct a charging infrastructure for the Metro J (Silver) Line.
"Our zero-emission bus goals are an important part of our overall strategy to reduce our agency's carbon footprint and become carbon neutral," said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins.
"We continue as a transit leader in our march towards a more sustainable and resilient transportation system that will benefit our customers, our industry and our planet.''
(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)
