Residents of Middlesex county and the surrounding region have been getting a glimpse of the future of public transportation, and they are enjoying the quiet ride. River Valley Transit (RVT) rolled out two new all-electric buses in the spring, and in just a few months, these vehicles have already made a significant impact.
As of August 31, the electric buses have traveled over 18,700 miles in 97 days of service. But the real story is how they’ve saved the equivalent of over 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel and prevented the release of more than 26,000 pounds of CO2 into our neighborhoods.
The shift from diesel to electric is most noticeable to the people who ride the buses every day. The number one comment from passengers is about how quiet the electric buses—in service since April 14—are to ride.
The lack of a roaring engine has even changed the atmosphere inside the bus—drivers have noticed that passengers are speaking in much quieter tones now that they don’t have to talk over the sound of the engine. Riders also appreciate the smoother ride, as the electric buses have no transmission and thus no shifting.
Beyond the quieter ride, the new buses are a hub of modern amenities. Riders have praised the comfort of the passenger-selected seating, and the in-seat USB chargers are a favorite for commuters. RVT’s commitment to improving the rider experience also includes a real-time tracking app for its entire fleet, which has seen impressive adoption, with more than 1,000 unique users opening the app in August more than 30,000 times.
While RVT anticipated that air conditioning usage in warmer weather would decrease the buses’ range, the opposite has been true. On a single charge, the vehicles are easily able to operate for 10.5 hours—significantly longer than the 6-8 hours that were initially expected. They are also charging quicker than anticipated.
“The ability and willingness of our operations and maintenance staff to take on and embrace this new technology make me most proud,” said Joseph Comerford, Executive Director of River Valley Transit. “It is always easy to stick with the things you know and fear the new, but our people were excited to have the chance to learn and experiment with this new technology.”
While RVT currently has a facility that can only charge two vehicles, the success of this pilot program is a stepping stone toward a broader vision. A statewide initiative is now underway to upgrade transit facilities to accommodate the full conversion of bus fleets to electric.
A testament to River Valley Transit’s commitment to the community, the new “quiet, clean, and efficient” buses are already paying dividends for the environment and providing a better daily commute for residents.