2 new electric buses coming to Suffolk with $565K grant
Suffolk will add two electric buses to its fleet after receiving a grant from the Department of Transportation 2022 Low or No Emissions Vehicle Program.
Suffolk and the Greater Richmond Transit Company were the only two recipients in Virginia. Suffolk received more than $565,000 to add the buses and a charging station for each.
According to a news release, the transit system plans to have one bus on the road while the other charges. It takes about two hours for the buses to fully charge and they can run for about 125 miles between charges.
The new buses are expected to save up to 83% of the money spent on the current ones because of lower fuel and maintenance costs.
The buses can fit 19 people and will have two spaces for wheelchairs. It will also have bike racks.
According to Maria Ptakowski, Suffolk’s transit manager, older buses will be turned into backups. Ptakowski stated she does not know when the buses will hit the streets, but the transit department is excited about lowering the transit system’s emissions.
Everett Eaton, 262-902-7896, everett.eaton@virginimedia.com
