Metropolitan Transportation Authority 0016-0020
Metropolitan Transportation Authority 0016-0020 were 2017 Proterra Catalyst E2 (BE40) buses. They are among MTA's first all-electric buses.
These buses are presented in a unique wave livery in blue, gold and white with "ELECTRICBUS" and "clean-energy bus" markings. They also include the latest passenger amenities of onboard Wi-Fi and USB charging ports.
| Motor | Transmission | Batteries | Seating | Destination Sign |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UQM HD220 | Eaton EEV-7202 | Proterra E2 | 33 American Seating Metropolitan |
Luminator Spectrum (front) Luminator Smart Series III (side and rear) |
History
On April 26, 2017, the MTA Board had made an approval to lease these five all-electric buses built to their specfications, along with the inclusion of six in-depot charging stations and one en-route charging station, at an estimated cost of US$4 million.[1] They are part of a three-year pilot program to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions as well as modernizing their bus fleet.
All 5 buses were delivered to the Grand Avenue Depot in December 2017, along with an unmarked all-white demo numbered 0021 (External markings "24" and "R1") which served as a temporary training bus to allow Grand Avenue staff to get used their electric buses. 0021 was returned to Proterra not long after arrival.
On January 9, 2018, the MTA had deployed the first of five buses to passenger service on route B32. All five were scheduled to be tested and evaluated on their performance from the beginning of 2018 to the end of 2020 and to serve as pilots for an proposed contract order of 45 all-electric buses planned for approval by the MTA in the fourth quarter of 2019.[2][3] The 45-bus order was ultimately delayed by 2 years to 2021, and it was expanded to 60 buses.
Originally, they were intended to be used only on the short B32 and B39 routes, but ultimately they were originally used only on the B32, before spreading out to the rest of Grand Avenue's routes months later. Plans to swap the Proterras for XE40s between the Grand Avenue and Michael J Quill Depots at the 1.5 year mark of the 3 year lease were scuttled.
Following the conclusion of the 3-year lease agreement, an extra year was added, allowing the Proterras to operate well into 2021. These buses last operated on December 10th, 2021, with the last active unit being 0018 finishing a northbound B47 trip in the evening. 0016 and 0019 also operated on December 10th, though they finished service earlier (0016 on the B47, 0019 on the B60).
After being returned to Proterra, they were sent to Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in February 2023.
Details
| Fleet Number |
Thumbnail | Build Date |
VIN | License Plate | Livery | Status/Disposal | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0016 | 2017 | 1M9TH16J7HS816194 | AZ9462 | 
|
Retired December 2021 To the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as 775 in February 2023 |
Entered service on January 9, 2018. | |
| 0017 | 2017 | 1M9TH16J0HS816196 | AZ9463 |
|
Retired December 2021 To the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as 771 in February 2023 |
||
| 0018 | 
|
2017 | 1M9TH16J2HS816197 | AZ9464 |
|
Retired December 2021 To the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as 773 in February 2023 |
Last bus in service |
| 0019 | 2017 | 1M9TH16J4HS816198 | AZ9467 |
|
Retired December 2021 To the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as 769 in February 2023 |
||
| 0020 | 2017 | 1M9TH16J6HS816199 | AZ9468 |
|
Retired December 2021 To the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as 767 in February 2023 |
External Links
References
- ↑ MTA Board Meeting - April 2017 (pgs. 57-58), Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Retrieved on April 24, 2017.
- ↑ MTA Testing 10 New, All-Electric Buses to Reduce Emissions & Modernize Public Transit Fleet, Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Dated and retrieved on January 8, 2018.
- ↑ Capital Program Oversight Committee Meeting - January 2018 (pg. 15), Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Retrieved on January 19, 2018.
