The CTA unveiled Wednesday morning one of two new electric-powered buses--which will be on Chicago streets later in the day--that the agency promises will provide a cleaner, quieter ride that reduces fuel costs and vehicle emissions.
The buses, made by New Flyer Industries and green on the outside, can travel 80 to 120 miles on one five-hour lithium battery charge at a charging station set up at the CTA's Kedzie Avenue bus garage, the CTA said. The agency said it is the first of any major U.S. transit agency to use all electric-powered buses as part of regular service.
Starting rush hour Wednesday night, the two buses will be put into service on the following routes: No. 7-Harrison, No. 120-Ogilvie/Streeterville Express, No. 121-Union/Streeterville Express, No. 124-Navy Pier, No. 125-Water Tower Express and No. 157-Streeterville/Taylor.
Each bus costs about $1 million; back in 2011, the transit agency announced the buses would be purchased with a $2.2 million federal grant.
CTA spokeswoman Catherine Hosinski said Wednesday the two bus program will not exceed $2.5 million, paid for with a federal transportation grant and part of a grant from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement federal program for local transit agencies to improve air quality and reduce congestion.
George Cavelle, vice president of CTA's vehicle and facility maintenance, said during a morning news conference that the CTA could save more than $25,000 annually in net fuel costs per bus compared to the Nova 6400-series buses they'll replace. The agency expects to save $300,000 over the expected 12-year bus lifespan.
The agency is "looking into" getting more electric-powered buses, Cavelle said. "We'll be able to evaulate their performances and make a determination."
The buses were tested at a New Flyer facility in Winnepeg, Ontario to simulate Chicago weather conditions, Cavelle said.
The CTA has more than 1,800 buses in its fleet. And 308 of those buses are hybrid buses that achieve at least 20 percent greater fuel efficiency than standard diesel buses, according to Cavalle.
Since 2012, the agency has added 300 buses to replace buses more than a decade old and performed maintenance on more than 1,000 buses to extend their lives.
Don Winston, a bus instructor with the CTA more than 30 years, said riders will notice the difference in their ride with the new electric-powered buses.
"It's a nice bus. Nice, quiet, smooth," said Winston, adding that he has been driving the electric buses for a few weeks. The riders "will love it."