CapMetro to Open Electric Bus Charging Yard
WHAT: The opening of a charging yard for CapMetro’s electric buses at the North Operations facility. The on-time, on-budget opening of the yard marks another milestone in the agency’s transition to an all-electric fleet. The charging yard will be showcased during a virtual, live event on CapMetro’s Facebook page.
WHO:
- Randy Clarke, CapMetro President/CEO
- Dottie Watkins, CapMetro Chief Customer Officer/Chief Operating Officer
- Delia Garza, CapMetro Vice Chair and Austin Mayor Pro Tem
- Ann Kitchen, CapMetro Board Member and Austin City Council Member
- Brigid Shea, Travis County Commissioner
- Sarah Eckhardt, Texas Senator
WHEN: Friday, Oct.16, 10:15 a.m.
WHERE: This will be a virtual, live event, hosted on CapMetro’s Facebook page. Media representatives can submit questions to the media contact until 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15. In addition to providing a live feed on Facebook, CapMetro will share b-roll and photos with media representatives after the virtual media availability.
Details: The location of the charging yard was previously a Serta Mattress warehouse. Since 2017, the agency has been working on the design engineering, demolition and environmental remediation of the location. CapMetro began its construction on the new yard in October 2019. CapMetro was able to add 50 percent more to the space and restripe the larger lot in a more efficient layout. The agency plans to eventually add shade canopies with solar panels.
As CapMetro replaces its diesel fleet with electric buses over the next years, the agency will eventually transition all 175 spaces at North Operations facility to electric charging spaces. The yard is designed for maximum flexibility to accommodate both diesel and electric buses.
Austin Energy serves as the primary electric service provider for the charging yard and worked with CapMetro on the design and long-term plan for electric service to the site.
Over the next five years, CapMetro plans to purchase 71 electric buses.