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Release Date: July 22, 2021
Media Hot Line: 713.739.4040

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METRO Adding Electric Buses to Fleet

Battery electric buses will be added to METRO's fleet as the Authority moves forward with the purchase of 20 full-size electric buses and 10 paratransit vans. The buses will operate on the 402 Bellaire Quickline and the 28 OST/ Wayside routes. The vans, meanwhile, will be used for METROLift and Community Connector services.

The introduction of the electric buses and vehicles is part of a larger Climate Action Plan that is currently being developed. The proposed plan has a series of environmentally sustainable initiatives including a zero-emissions vehicle program. METRO will also explore the use of vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology.

"We are thrilled to be developing these sustainability initiatives at METRO. This is about the agency moving forward and taking action to build a more environmentally friendly service for our workforce and community," said METRO President & CEO Tom Lambert. 

The project also has an equity and access focus with the initial routes serving three of the communities in the city of Houston’s Complete Communities program. These communities are disproportionately affected by carbon emissions.

"We look forward to running these buses in service to evaluate their performance and make sure they meet the needs of our customers," said METRO Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Andy Skabowski.

METRO has applied for federal grants to fund the $25 million dollar purchase of the buses and supporting infrastructure. The procurement process will begin next to select a vendor.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) is the region’s largest public transit provider, offering safe, clean, reliable, accessible and friendly transportation services. METRO’s transit network includes local bus, METRORail which includes the Red Line (Main Street and Northline), the Green Line (East End) and the Purple Line (Southeast), Park & Ride commuter buses, METROLift paratransit service, HOV/HOT lanes, Community Connector microtransit and Star Vanpool. In 2020, the Authority introduced the METRORapid Silver Line, the region’s first bus rapid transit service.  Bike & Ride programs and road improvement projects are also part of METRO’s commitment to the region.  Focused on investing in the region’s future mobility needs, the Authority developed the  METRONext Moving Forward Plan. METRO is also the first transit provider in the region to pilot autonomous vehicle shuttle technology. Learn more about METRO services at ridemetro.org where you will also find useful tools like the RideMETRO app where you can plan your trip and even pay your fare from your phone.