Governor Wes Moore (D), the Maryland Department of Transportation, and the Maryland Transit Administration (MDTA) recently launched a “Zero-Emission Bus Pilot Program” at the MDTA’s Kirk Bus division in Baltimore, MD.
[Above photo by the Maryland Governor’s Office]
The pilot program is part of the MDTA’s broader effort to covert its transit bus fleet to zero-emission units – a program that is part of the governor’s commitment to reduce Maryland’s greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent by 2031 and having the state rely on 100 percent clean energy by 2035.
Almost three years ago, the MDTA – which is a division of the Maryland DOT – kicked off its plan to transition to zero-emissions buses, with a goal of having them comprise 50 percent of its transit bus fleet by 2030 as outlined by the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act Plan.
The first seven zero-emission battery electric buses underwent commissioning and road testing before being deployed to regular service as a pilot to inform the transformation of the 750-bus fleet, the agency said.
“We continue our work to make Maryland the cleanest, greenest, and most sustainable state in the nation – and we are going to do it in a way that creates new pathways to prosperity for all, and not just some,” said Gov. Moore in a statement.
“I am proud that [this pilot program] launch is a step forward in our state’s environmental goals, and allows us to work alongside the Maryland Department of Labor to create new apprenticeship programs in bus maintenance,” he noted. “This is what partnership looks like as we work to make Marylander safer and more competitive. We don’t have to choose between tackling climate change and growing our economy – we can, and we will, do both.”
“MTA’s zero-emission electric buses are the next step in electrifying our transportation network to reach Maryland’s climate goals and invest in new training opportunities,” added Paul Wiedefeld, Maryland DOT secretary. “[This] new apprenticeship program with our union partners is specifically designed to train zero-emission bus maintenance mechanics and ensure our workforce has the tools and training needed to maintain the new fleet of zero-emission buses.”
“Transit is an essential part of reducing our carbon footprint and improving our environment,” said noted Holly Arnold, MDTA’s administrator. “Our Zero-Emission Pilot program is just one of the many ways we’re focused on creating a more sustainable future.”