The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), operator of one of the nation’s largest bus systems, recently released details of a multiyear study that it will use as a guide for full-electrification of the agency’s bus fleet, facilities, and supporting infrastructure by 2040.
The study, Charging Forward: CTA Bus Electrification Planning Report, summarizes the findings of key analyses, provides strategic recommendations, and establishes a practical framework for full electrification.
Recommendations include where to install charging infrastructure; how to sequence the electrification of garages and routes; which technologies to invest in; how to ensure that facility upgrades are coordinated with other modernization needs to maximize cost-effectiveness and overall system reliability; and an achievable transition timeline for meeting the agency’s 2040 conversion goal.
CTA would need to replace its current fleet of more than 1,800 buses. Upgrades and capital investments to facilities and other supporting infrastructure also would be necessary, including the purchase of charging equipment.
Currently, CTA has 11 electric buses in service, with 14 more scheduled to enter service later this year. The agency also has more than $130 million in grant funding to help reach its electrification goals.
The agency plans to prioritize routes serving neighborhoods historically overburdened by air quality issues.