Metro RTA adds first two electric buses to fleet

Akron Metro RTA has its first two electric buses.

Summit County’s public transportation provider launched the county’s first two electric buses, nicknamed “Jolt” and “Volt,” at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday at the Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center in downtown Akron.

Minutes before the event, Metro’s Board of Trustees approved a resolution to purchase two additional electric buses at its monthly meeting. That means that by the end of 2023, Metro will have four electric buses in its fleet.

The buses have been on the road throughout March for operator training, and both will officially be in service Monday. But “Volt” was charged early and launched Thursday, a few days ahead of schedule.

The first two buses are almost fully funded through the 2020 Ohio VW Diesel Mitigation Trust Fund grant awarded through the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency ($590,500) and federal funding ($1,240,438), for a total of $1,830,938, Metro said.

The two additional buses will be 80% federally funded by the Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emissions program ($616,000), federal funding ($851,518) and a 20% local match from Metro’s capital funds, the agency said.

There will be no fare changes related to the electric buses.

What features are available on Metro's electric buses?

There are USB power outlets at every seat for passengers to charge electronic devices while riding.

There’s also a contactless, independent mobility device securement system that operates with the touch of a button and an electric air purifier that improves indoor air quality by suppressing dust and controlling odors and bacteria throughout the air space.

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All Metro operators and maintenance team members were trained on the buses, with operators undergoing a 1½-hour training that included a 10-minute driving course to get a feel for the buses.

The 40-foot buses, which run silently, won’t be assigned to a specific route.

Metro has two chargers in its bus garage at 416 Kenmore Blvd. capable of charging up to four electric buses at a time. Metro said that with a full charge, buses have a range of about 150 miles per charge and 440 kilowatt hours of battery storage. The braking system will also generate more electricity to charge the battery, possibly extending their range and efficiency, Metro said.

“This is an important milestone in our history as we unite with our transit peers to be nationally recognized leaders in the use of alternative fuels,” Metro CEO Dawn Distler said in a statement. “We are committed to making Summit County a better place to work and live by exploring and implementing sustainable technology and practices.”

Electric buses replacing diesel buses

Metro’s fleet includes 231 vehicles: 140 large buses and 91 smaller paratransit vehicles, with 85% of its fixed-route fleet fueled by compressed natural gas. Thirty-one fixed-route buses run on diesel, four of which are hybrid-diesel buses, the agency said.

There aren’t currently any long-term plans to convert Metro's entire fleet to electric vehicles, but the new electric buses will replace four diesel buses in the fleet.

Metro said that diesel buses cost roughly $700 per week in fuel, while the estimate for the electric buses is around $200 a week. But if the agency can charge the bus during a sunny day, it will use its existing solar array of more than 2,000 panels to fully charge the bus.

Metro will be tracking the CO2 being produced to charge the bus, CO2 savings by using electricity, miles per kilowatt hour, power recovered from regeneration while driving and renewable energy used to charge the buses.

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The buses produce zero emissions, with the cleaner air potentially leading to avoided health care expenses, Metro said. The agency also said that having no transmission and being lighter in weight simplifies maintenance issues, with fewer moving parts meaning fewer mechanical issues.

“I am proud to govern an organization that is dedicated to improving the sustainability of its operations and the community,” Metro Board President Robert DeJournett said in a statement. “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank our appointing authorities for their support as we continue to lead Metro into the future.”

For the current bus schedule, visit akronmetro.org/bus-schedules.aspx. For the route map, visit akronmetro.org/metro-maps-schedules.aspx.

Contact Beacon Journal reporter Emily Mills at emills@thebeaconjournal.com and on Twitter @EmilyMills818.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Metro RTA adds first two electric buses to fleet