The city is taking steps toward a cleaner and more sustainable way of traveling throughout Fayetteville by introducing two battery electric buses (BEB) and three newly installed electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to charge the buses. City officials hosted a celebration of this milestone with a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 10 at the Transit and Solid Waste Administrative Building, 455 Grove Street.
This first rollout of buses is part of the Fayetteville Area System of Transit’s (FAST) Zero Emission Bus Deployment Project initiative. The addition of BEBs will significantly improve air quality, reduce noise pollution and enhance the reliability of Fayetteville’s public transportation system.
The two electric buses are set to begin serving passengers in May. Passengers will be able to enjoy a quieter ride and USB chargers for mobile devices. Two more electric buses are expected to arrive at the end of May, providing FAST with a total of four electric buses this year.
Each of the 40-foot electric buses have an estimated cost of $1.2 million.
“This is a game changer, and we are thrilled to celebrate our first electric buses for FAST,” FAST Director Tyffany Neal stated in a press release. “While electric buses may have a higher price tag, this investment has the potential to lower operating costs.”
To assist with covering the cost of the vehicles and charging stations, the city received a Low or No Emission Grant from the Federal Transit Administration, along with North Carolina's Volkswagen Grant Program.
The estimated charging time for the electric bus is approximately 4-5 hours, allowing it to travel up to 150 miles on a single charge.
As part of the city’s ongoing commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and move Fayetteville toward a greener city, a Sustainability Action Plan is currently being created.
“This is just the beginning of our journey that our City Council is taking toward a more sustainable and energy-efficient city,” said City Manager Douglas J. Hewett in a press release. “We are actively evaluating sustainable practices and working on ways to invest in a more eco-friendly environment for the generations to come.”
A part of that plan incorporates a transportation and mobility category aiming to lower environmental impact by promoting public transit, walking, cycling and the adoption of low-emission vehicles.
Four more electric buses are expected to arrive in 2027.
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