The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) has commenced construction on a new electric bus facility at its Bladensburg Garage.
This will be its second facility for electric buses, following work to reconstruct its Northern Bus Garage.
Bladensburg Garage was initially built in 1962 and will now be reconstructed to support Metro’s transition away from diesel buses.
Once complete, the new facility will open with 150 electric buses, and will have capacity for 300 vehicles. The transit agency’s remaining older vehicles will then be phased out in subsequent years.
Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke said:Our investment in new, modern electric-ready bus garages is the future of public transportation. Zero-emission buses are a game changer for Metro and for the surrounding communities by providing clean transportation that will help improve the region’s air quality and make the environment healthier for everyone.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Metro also announced contracts with New Flyer and Nova Bus to each supply five battery-electric buses by 2024.
As part of these contracts, Metro will also evaluate an option to purchase up to 100 additional electric buses.
Ultimately, the agency aims to transition its entire fleet of more than 1500 buses to electric vehicles by 2045.
