King County Metro has celebrated the launch of a new fleet of GILLIG battery-electric buses which aim to enhance operator safety, reduce harmful emissions and prioritise deployment in south King County communities currently disproportionately affected by air pollution.
The new vehicles, which entered service in south King County on Monday 2 February, have been decked in electric yellow and seafoam blue livery, with initial service operating periodically on routes 105, 128, 161, 165, 184, and RapidRide F Line as Metro evaluates performance and ramps up deployment.
Deployment of the zero-emission buses is intended to support healthier air quality whilst simultaneously expanding access to cleaner transit alternatives in pollution-heavy-areas, as well as honour commitments made following the death of Metro operator Shawn Yim.
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay said:Public transit is one of the most powerful ways we connect people to opportunity. Every day, our operators show up to help people get to work, get to school, and get where they need to go.
For decades, King County Metro has been a leader in clean transit. And while cleaner technology and cleaner air matter, progress is only possible if the people behind the wheel are safe and supported. As our operators show up for our communities, it’s our responsibility to show up for them by prioritising safety improvements.
We continue to honour the memory of Shawn Yim by taking operator safety seriously and ensuring our commitments show up in real, tangible ways. With this new fleet, we are doing exactly that.
Each of the new buses have been fitted with operator safety partitions, which consist of a reinforced lower metal panel extending to the operator’s platform, along with a two-part sliding glass system. They also include a larger, extendable glass panel provides increased coverage and visibility, whilst an additional polycarbonate panel extends to the ceiling for added protection.
This partition will remain closed at all times, except for when transit operators may be asked to assist customers with mobility devices.
The new 40-foot buses have been equipped with larger batteries than those currently in use on Metro’s existing battery-electric fleet, and are capable of travelling an estimated 240-280 miles on a single charge. They can carry up to 69 passengers, including the transit operator, and will join Metro’s fleet of 40 battery-electric buses, with charging set to be handled at Tukwila Base once it has been completed this coming Spring.
