So, in the long run, we really plan on leveraging a variety of sources to continue transitioning our Metrobus fleet.”Ĭleckley explains that while the procurement for 100 60-foot buses is specifically set for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), the 40-foot Proterra vehicles will provide service in areas where the Department sees its highest ridership. “We also do contribute local funds as well to purchase these vehicles.

“We are excited and appreciative for those additional funds, and we also continue to go after federal grant programs to try to receive additional monies to purchase more electric vehicles,” says Cleckley. That facility will be brand new and state-of-the-art, so we are very excited about that project.”įunding for part of the Proterra procurement came from a grant of $19.8 million from the Volkswagen Clean Air Act Civil settlement, with the DTPW planning on continuing to pursue other funding opportunities to continue its path to a more sustainable future. “Shortly, we are also going to be moving forward with a new bus maintenance facility that will be in the south portion of the county to help maintain, as well as charge, the additional buses we are procuring at this time. “We just completed that project recently, so we will have the appropriate infrastructure to help support the charging of these buses long term,” added Cleckley. To charge the buses, the DTPW has already retrofitted three of its bus garages with 25 chargers each for a total of 75 Proterra chargers. Miami’s buses can be fully charged in 20 to 40 minutes and feature power outlets for each passenger and onboard Wi-Fi for customer convenience, according to Cleckley. The design of the ZX5 stores the batteries underneath and outside of the passenger compartment, creating a lower center of gravity for the greatest stability and safety. The ZX5, Proterra’s fifth-generation vehicle, features faster acceleration, “industry-leading” gradeability, up to 738 kilowatts hours of energy, and more than 300 miles of range per charge. Once that procurement is completed and the buses are delivered, 10 percent of our fleet will be electric.” “We are excited to add the Proterra buses to our fleet and have another 100 60-foot battery-electric buses under procurement now. “We are moving forward to implement the County's climate action strategy, which is focusing on ways to reduce emissions and ultimately building a resilient and sustainable community,” says Cleckley.

Miami transit bus