FOR CTA BUSES, GREEN MEANS GO
Passengers can now ride electric prototypes as part of environmentally friendly plan
Passengers now have the opportunity to take a ride on the future of the Chicago Transit Authority.
The CTA announced Friday that six prototype electric buses are officially out on the roads, carrying passengers between the Austin neighborhood and Navy Pier on the #66 Chicago route. If the buses perform well on the road, the CTA said it will approve an additional 17 electric buses for use along various routes.
A CTA spokesperson said the test period will likely last a few months, and the agency plans to have all 23 electric buses by early 2022.
The CTA aims to have an all-electric bus fleet by 2040. The agency has more than 1,800 buses on the road.
Proterra is contracted to provide 23 electric buses for about $900,000 each. The manufacturing company has built electric buses for more than 60 U.S. transit agencies.
The buses can travel between 75 and 120 miles on a full charge, the CTA said. Five quick-charging stations have been installed at the Navy Pier and Chicago/Austin bus turnarounds, as well as the Chicago Avenue garage to power the buses. The overhead chargers allow buses to charge and return to service.
Some perks of the electric buses include lower carbon emissions, lower fuel and maintenance costs for the transit agency, a more smooth and quiet ride, and new overhead screens that display real-time travel information and other service information.