Louisville, Kentucky – Mayor Greg Fischer joined the Transport Authority of the River City (TARC) and other local officials today at the Louisville Slugger Museum to kick off the start of ZeroBus service in downtown Louisville.
ZeroBus, TARC’s all-electric fleet, is now providing fare-free rides for passengers along Main, Market, and Fourth streets. The zero-emissions all-electric buses replace diesel-powered trolleys, the highest polluting TARC vehicles.
“ZeroBus changes the game for public transportation in downtown and represents the type of progress and forward-thinking focus we are embracing to improve our city,” said Fischer, who joined TARC Executive Director J. Barry Barker and others on a maiden ZeroBus trip.
“Louisville is the first city in this part of the country to have a fleet of all-electric buses in operation, putting us at the leading edge of high-technology, cleaner, greener transportation,” Barker said.
The vehicles, with free wi-fi onboard, arrive at stops frequently - from every 10-18 minutes depending on the time of day - and offer a quiet ride. With expansive windows, an oval shape and a colorful blue and green design, they’re a distinctive addition to downtown.
The all-electric system – 10 buses and two charging stations – is an $11 million investment, with the bulk of funding from federal and state grants. Louisville Metro contributed $500,000.
Since 2010, Proterra Inc., of Greenville, South Carolina, has produced 38 of these type of vehicles which are operating in eight other states, mostly on the east and west coasts.
Ryan Popple, president and CEO of Proterra Inc., says “As an American technology company, and the U.S. market leader in electric buses for public transit, we’re especially proud to see this newest fleet of Proterra vehicles providing high performance, zero-emission service in Louisville. We are pleased that Proterra could share in your city’s vision to promote a sustainable, cost effective transit solution protecting the environment for generations to come. “
Source: City of Louisville