LOS ANGELES - On Thursday, the Metro Board of Directors unanimously voted to transition the agency's system to zero-emission electric buses on all its routes by 2030, starting with the deployment of 35 electric buses to electrify the Orange Line by 2020. Over the next 13 years, the ambitious plan will replace the nation's second largest fleet of 2,200 buses, currently powered by compressed natural gas, with zero-emission vehicles.
Earlier this year, Metro ordered five 60-foot articulated electric buses as part of a pilot program to test on the Orange Line.
Councilmember Krekorian, in partnership with Mayor Eric Garcetti, has led the acceleration of the Orange Line electrification, asking the agency last year to use all-electric buses for the Orange Line by 2020, and seeking a report on the total cost of electrification, eligible funding sources to address the cost of the project, federal and state grant opportunities, and a schedule and transition plan.
"The Orange Line is such an incredible success, carrying tens of thousands of Valley residents to work, school and home every day," said Krekorian. "It makes sense to test fully electric buses on it to push us toward our zero-emissions goal. I'm proud we're moving forward with this project in the heart of the San Fernando Valley. This is the first big step in Metro's conversion to a fully electric bus system by 2030."