Arlington Transit (ART) has purchased four battery-electric buses manufactured by GILLIG.
This order consists of three buses equipped with a 588kWh battery configuration and one with a higher capacity of 686kWh.
These vehicles will be the first battery-electric buses to commence service in ART’s fleet. They are scheduled to start operations following the completion of the ART Operations and Maintenance Facility on Shirlington Road in autumn 2024.
Christian Dorsey, Chair of the Arlington County Board said:Delivering transit service is at the core of who we are and what we do, when it comes to realising our vision of smart growth that is environmentally conscious and sustainable.
The ordered buses will operate as part of a pilot to evaluate the feasibility of deploying new technologies while maintaining reliable levels of service.
This purchase is part of a proposed larger contract for a total of 19 buses to replace aging vehicles in the ART fleet.
The American-made GILLIG buses were chosen following a period of testing and operations by ART in 2022.
Lynn Rivers, Transit Bureau chief for Arlington County said:This purchase is the second step of the County Board’s focus on a greener, healthier future for Arlington Transit. The first step began with our public vehicle demonstrations of BEB technology. The partnership with GILLIG points us in the right direction for a reliable and resilient zero-emission transit fleet that contributes to a cleaner, healthier County.
ART’s current fleet is comprised of 78 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses that operate on 16 routes throughout Arlington, Texas.
By purchasing electric buses, the operator is now advancing Arlington’s mission of becoming a carbon-neutral community by 2050.
