EIGHT BATTERY POWERED ELECTRIC BUSES HAVE JOINED THE RANKS OF THE RFTA FLEET!
These buses are the result of a partnership involving RFTA and the City of Aspen with help in funding from the Federal Transit Administration, Colorado Department of Transportation, and the Elected Officials Transportation Committee.
THE ELECTRIC BUSES ARE IN SERVICE AND CURRENTLY OPERATING ON CITY OF ASPEN ROUTES.
In Partnership With:
HERE’S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THESE BUSES
THEY’RE QUIETER.
Electric motors emit very little external noise, making for a greater rider experience. The amount of noise they make idling is generally quieter than the ambient noise surrounding them.
THEY’RE CLEANER.
These new battery-electric buses produce zero emissions at the tail-pipe, which means cleaner air and a more livable environment.
THEY’RE EASIER TO MAINTAIN.
A lot of work goes into keeping the RFTA bus fleet in top shape. These new battery-electric buses will be easier — and cheaper — to maintain. They have fewer moving parts than our current buses, which means fewer parts to maintain and fluids to replace.
FEATURES
OUR USA-BUILT NEW FLYER XCELSIOR CHARGE™ BUSES DIFFER FROM THE BUSES YOU’RE LIKELY USED TO. HERE ARE THE FEATURES THEY HAVE… AND A FEW THINGS THEY’RE MISSING:
✔ REGENERATIVE BRAKING
While decelerating, the bus recharges it’s batteries, reducing energy consumption and extending the range.
✔ BATTERIES
These buses are powered by on-board batteries and are recharged by four depot charging stations at the Aspen Maintenance Facility.
✔ RANGE
✔ CAPACITY
❌ TRANSMISSION
These buses have an electric drive system; no transmission required. This saves weight and simplifies maintenance.
❌ OIL CHANGES
Change the oil every 3,000 miles? Not with our electric buses. They’ll never require an oil change.
❌ TAILPIPES
With no emissions, there’s no need for a tailpipe.
❌ FUEL COSTS
It is estimated they will save up to $400,000 in fuel costs over 12 years.
RFTA and Holy Cross Electric have worked to install sufficient bus charging infrastructure, establish a cheaper utility rate for strategic time-of-day charging and assess renewable energy offset options.
THEY’RE IN-SERVICE
“THEY’RE QUIET, THEY’RE CLEAN, THEY’RE THE NEW FUTURE.” – GEORGE NEWMAN, RFTA BOARD MEMBER AND PITKIN COUNTY COMMISSIONER.
RFTA has placed the buses into full service on December 3, 2019.
Our goal is to convert 30% of our total fleet to electric buses over the next 20 years.
These electric buses are part of a pilot program that will likely pave the way for more to come.
⚡ They are currently running on City of Aspen Routes
⚡ RFTA drivers and maintenance have received extensive special training on the buses and infrastructure
⚡ IN-SERVICE DATE: DECEMBER 3, 2019
THE FUNDING
FEDERAL AND STATE GRANTS FUNDED ROUGHLY HALF OF THE COSTS, AND THE REMAINING FUNDS WERE PROVIDED BY RFTA AND THE CITY OF ASPEN.
• Eight buses cost roughly $1 million each
• Four depot charging stations, infrastructure and installation cost $1 million
• Federal and State funding: $4.2 million
• EOTC Funding: $500,000
• Remaining Funding: RFTA and City of Aspen
THE INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIP
Our focus on innovation and sustainability is helping set new standards for the transit industry.
There are currently only 300 Battery Electric Buses in service in the U.S. and we are adding eight!
RFTA and the City of Aspen were awarded the 2019 Colorado Association of Transit Agencies Transit Team of the Year Award in recognition of the incredible team effort required to secure funding and community support for this project!
