The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) has broken ground on a new Northern Bus Garage that will be home to a 100% electric bus fleet.
The transit agency is rebuilding the 14th Street garage to provide a modern, environmentally friendly facility that will support an all-electric fleet.
Construction is expected to be complete by 2027.
Metro GM and CEO Randy Clarke said;We are focused on providing a Better Bus experience for our customers, one that is environmentally friendly, more efficient, and better serves the region’s needs. This is just the start of our investment to bring zero-emission technology to #YourMetro as we replace fossil fuels with clean technology that will power our fleet of 1600 buses.
In addition to procuring new vehicles, the conversion of the Northern Bus Garage is key to achieving Metro’s goal of operating a zero-direct-emission bus fleet by 2045.
Once complete, it will be able to house up to 150 electric buses.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said:WMATA is an important partner not just in our work to connect DC and the region, but in our work to build a more sustainable and resilient DC. Ensuring we have a public transportation system that is safe, reliable, and efficient also means ensuring we have a system that keeps up with our environmental goals. And this new bus garage is helping us build a greener and cleaner DC.
Metro’s new Bladensburg and Western bus garages are also being planned and designed to support the transition away from an ICE fleet.
