Capital Metro in Austin, Texas announced Thursday that as of 2021, all of its facilities, including administrative, maintenance, and public, and its electric buses, staff electric vehicles, and MetroBike Ebikes are now powered by Texas wind energy through Austin Energy’s GreenChoice program.
The move to enroll in GreenChoice, the transit agency said, was an investment toward Austin’s community goal of transitioning to 100 percent carbon free energy by 2035.
“From electric buses to investing in renewable energy, we value our partnership with Capital Metro,” Austin Energy General Manager Jackie Sargent said. “Austin Energy is honored to work together to make the future of transportation more sustainable.”
Additionally, through its agreement to purchase GreenChoice energy, Capital Metro reduces its carbon footprint and offsets nearly 7.2 metric tons of carbon dioxide. The program will ensure Austin Energy can supply enough wind energy to meet 100 percent of the Capital Metro’s electric energy needs.
Currently, the transit agency has 12 electric buses in use on Austin’s streets. Over the next five years, Capital Metro plans on purchasing an additional 200-plus electric buses to transform its fleet to 100 percent all-electric vehicles. The North Ops Electric Bus Depot opened in Oct. 2020 and will eventually have the capacity to charge about half of Capital Metro’s electric buses.
Between 2016 and 2019, Capital Metro reduced air pollution from vehicles by more than 52 percent, translating to 154 fewer metric tons per year.
“One of the main tenets of Project Connect is its plan for sustainable public transit,” said Dottie Watkins Capital Metro Chief Customer Officer. “We are committed to the use of innovative technology to create a more efficient and sustainable transit system, and that technology doesn’t stop with our buses and trains. By launching MetroBike and subscribing to Austin Energy’s GreenChoice program, Capital Metro is keeping its promise to work towards a cleaner environment for generations to come.”
The transit agency plans to expand MetroBike, having integrated 200 electric-assist bikes into its fleet and adding more e-bikes and stations outside of the downtown core.