N.J. Transit said it will continue to aggressively advance its zero-emissions bus program as it released its roadmap to a 100 percent zero-emission bus fleet by 2040.
The roadmap includes several key efforts in recent weeks, including releasing a request for proposals (RFP) for the Bus Garage Modernization Program and applying for federal funding to acquire additional battery electric buses. NJ Transit is on track for the launch of eight electric buses in Camden by the end of 2021.
“The roadmap to achieving a 100% zero-emissions bus fleet by 2040 is establishing the foundation that will ultimately create NJ TRANSIT’s environmentally friendly fleet of the future,” said NJ TRANSIT Board Vice-Chair Cedrick T. Fulton. “Advancing the modernization of NJ TRANSIT’s bus garages and applying for additional federal funding for electric buses are critical steps to meeting this very ambitious and important goal.”
As part of the roadmap, the Camden electric bus roll-out started in Sept. 2020 with a $3.235 million contract to Scalfo Electric of Vineland to renovate the Newton Avenue Bus Garage with electric charging stations and other infrastructure modifications. In February 2021, a Request for Proposal was released for the purchase of the eight battery-powered buses that will be deployed as a limited demonstration of the unique benefits and challenges of using zero-emissions vehicles in real-world settings, providing data and information on the effects of weather, passenger volume, road conditions and other factors on electric bus performance.
“NJ TRANSIT remains wholly committed to transitioning to a 100% zero-emissions bus fleet by 2040, aligned with Governor Murphy’s Energy Master Plan,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett. “While we have laid out aggressive plans to achieve this milestone, we are moving forward deliberatively by leveraging relationships with our peer agencies, both nationally and internationally, to learn from their experiences and ensure our success.”