Twin Cities plan to power buses by electricity
Metro Transit plans to buy more electric buses in the next few years and eventually phase out diesel buses, the Star Tribune reports. The plan has drawn support from environmentalists, labor unions and transit advocacy groups.
“It’s an aspirational goal, but we think this plan is set up to be fully successful,” Metro Transit official Brian Funk said during a meeting of the Metropolitan Council Transportation Committee.
The agency has already purchased eight 60-foot articulated electric buses for the C Line rapid bus service, which will link downtown Minneapolis with Brooklyn Center, Minn., through the city’s north side. The C Line is expected to begin service next summer.
Metro Transit struck a $12.5 million deal in July with a transit bus manufacturer to assemble battery-powered buses and related charging equipment for the C Line.
Metro Transit also plans to install protective shields on 150 buses in January to protect its drivers following recent assaults. Funk said the acrylic shield can be opened or closed at the driver’s discretion, enabling drivers to protect themselves without compromising their customer service.