Pittsburgh Regional Transit announces plans to convert to an all-electric fleet
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Pittsburgh Regional Transit's major announcement on Wednesday morning could be summed up in three words: They're going electric.
The transit authority announced they're going environmentally friendly and unveiled their newest bus lineup for the future.
They plan to have a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2045 and they will begin replacing diesel buses in the next three years. Also, they will only purchase zero-emission buses after 2032.
PRT said they expect to spend an estimated $1 billion over the next 20 years on the transition.
With six electric buses already in the fleet and 15 more on the way, just approved by the PRT board, all the groups involved said this will greatly improve the region's air quality report by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The life of electric buses is about 12 years and the garages will need retrofitted, also drivers will need to be trained.
However, PRT leaders say it's taken a group effort to get to this point and while there's still plenty of work to do, it's a start.
"Reducing our carbon emissions through the use of alternative fuel of busses will improve air quality across Allegheny County and the entire region," said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. "Replacing just one diesel bus can eliminate over 300,000 pounds of greenhouse gasses a year."
Since electric buses are considerably more expensive than diesel, PRT said federal funding will make up the difference in cost for the vehicles, employee training, and infrastructure.