Greenlink holds ribbon cutting for new electric buses

The Greenville Transit Authority board celebrated the addition of four new 40-foot Proterra Catalyst E2 buses to the Greenlink fleet.

At the ribbon cutting, the board was joined by:

• former U.S. Representative Trey Gowdy
• Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette
• DHEC Bureau of Air Quality Assistant Chief Keith Frost
• Greenville County Council Chair Butch Kirven
• Greenville Mayor Knox White and
• Proterra President/CEO Ryan Popple

In 2017, the Federal Transit Administration awarded Greenville Transit Authority $1.45 million through its Low or No Emission (Low-No) Vehicle Program.  These are funds the development of transit buses and infrastructure that use advanced fuel technologies. Greenville Transit Authority used the grant award to purchase two zero-emission, battery-electric buses and charging equipment from local bus manufacturer Proterra.

This initial purchase was matched by an appropriation from the S.C. Department of Health & Environmental Control and local contributions from Hughes Development Corporation and Human Technologies, Inc. The original order was then expanded to include two more Catalyst E2 buses, with a $1 million capital infusion appropriated by the City of Greenville and leveraged with existing federal appropriations.

Greenville Transit Authority received 57 letters of support for its 2017 Low-No grant application.  According to Gary Shepard, Greenlink’s public transportation director, the introduction of new bus technology would not be possible without the support of the Greenville community. “The public is excited to see Greenlink partner with Proterra and deploy buses that were built here in Greenville,” said Shepard. “Our customers are looking forward to a more reliable experience as the buses will replace outdated, undependable vehicles.”

All of the buses are electric and feature free wi-fi, infotainment screens and bike racks. All are ADA compliant with wheelchair ramps, automatic voice annunciation systems, destination and route signs and priority seating with wheelchair securing systems.