All-Electric ZeroBus To Take Place of Trolleys in Downtown Louisville

[TheDeuce]

TARC

 

TARC’s new ZeroBus is a fast-charging, all-electric bus that produces zero emissions. It’s a sleek, clean, and quiet way to get around. And with 10 new ZeroBus vehicles, our city has one of the largest fleets of this kind in the country. These vehicles are in the spotlight as they travel around downtown, stopping frequently near work sites and popular destinations including concerts, museums, and big-time college sports events.

How do they work?

The ZeroBus is powered by batteries located under the bus floor. The ZeroBus can travel for up to two hours and fully recharge on route in less than 10 minutes. It recharges automatically by connecting to an overhead system that links to a high-capacity charger.

[HOMELESS CAMEL]

The buses cost about $990,000 each and are being provided by Proterra Inc., of Greenville, S.C. Porterra to date has produced fewer that 40 of the ZeroBuses.

 

Barker said a combination of federal and state grants is covering about 80 percent of the cost of the 10 coaches, with local matching money to cover the rest. Barker said TARC hopes to make up some of the local share through advertising on the ZeroBuses.

 

As was the case with the trolleys, the operation of the ZeroBuses on the trolley circuit will be underwritten by funds from the Louisville Downtown Partnership, the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Kentucky State Fair Board and TARC, officials said.

 

The diesel-fuel-powered trolleys are the highest-polluting vehicles in TARC's fleet. Barker said most of the current 20-passenger trolleys in use are nearly 10 years old and have about 450,000 miles on them.

 

 

 

TARC replacing trolleys, going electric

 

 

 

While I'm all for helping the environment, do they have ridership that can justify that cost??

[TheDeuce]

While I'm all for helping the environment, do they have ridership that can justify that cost??

 

I would say absolutely yes. There are a lot of people downtown these days. Approximately TARC 47,000 riders daily, according to 2013 statistics.

[HOMELESS CAMEL]

I would say absolutely yes. There are a lot of people downtown these days. Approximately TARC 47,000 riders daily, according to 2013 statistics.

 

Oh okay, not living in the area, wasn't sure just how many people were/are using that service.

[TheDeuce]

Oh okay, not living in the area, wasn't sure just how many people were/are using that service.

 

The Downtown area has really flourished in recent years, and more people are spending more time down there.

[Bert]

The buses cost about $990,000 each and are being provided by Proterra Inc., of Greenville, S.C. Porterra to date has produced fewer that 40 of the ZeroBuses.

 

Is there any chance that cost is a misprint? that seems a little out of whack.

[NEERFAN]

40 total have been made. I think of one word, recalled.

[tcjkbt]

I would say absolutely yes. There are a lot of people downtown these days. Approximately TARC 47,000 riders daily, according to 2013 statistics.

I believe there is a big football coaches convention downtown this week.

[rockmom]

The buses cost about $990,000 each and are being provided by Proterra Inc., of Greenville, S.C. Porterra to date has produced fewer that 40 of the ZeroBuses.

 

Barker said a combination of federal and state grants is covering about 80 percent of the cost of the 10 coaches, with local matching money to cover the rest. Barker said TARC hopes to make up some of the local share through advertising on the ZeroBuses.

 

As was the case with the trolleys, the operation of the ZeroBuses on the trolley circuit will be underwritten by funds from the Louisville Downtown Partnership, the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Kentucky State Fair Board and TARC, officials said.

 

The diesel-fuel-powered trolleys are the highest-polluting vehicles in TARC's fleet. Barker said most of the current 20-passenger trolleys in use are nearly 10 years old and have about 450,000 miles on them.

 

 

 

TARC replacing trolleys, going electric

 

 

 

While I'm all for helping the environment, do they have ridership that can justify that cost??

 

Absolutely! The Trolley service has been key in landing numerous downtown conventions, and is heavily utilized by casual tourists as well as a healthy number of downtown workers.