Park City Transit recently deployed six all-electric Proterra Catalyst FC+ buses, which will be used to serve transit riders in the ski resort communities in Park City and Summit County. The electric bus deployment is part of Park City’s overall renewable energy and carbon-footprint-reduction plan, that is currently aimed at the area achieving a net-zero carbon footprint for its municipal operations by the year 2022 and a Summit County area-wide net-zero carbon footprint by the year 2032, the city said in a release.
The electric bus deployment means that the Park City region is now the first mountain resort community in the country to be home to an all-electric bus fleet.
Nicknamed the “Electric Xpress,” the free transit service will provide transportation to residents and tourists throughout several neighborhoods, including Park City Resort, Canyons Village, Silver Springs, Silver Lake Village, Empire Pass and Park Meadows.
“Park City and Summit County have set some of the most ambitious carbon reduction and renewable energy targets in the country,” said Destry Pollard, Park City Transit operations team leader. “Not only will our new battery-electric Proterra buses help us achieve these targets, they will provide our thousands of annual riders with a sustainable, state-of-the-art transit experience. Protecting the environmental well-being of our mountain community is paramount, and Proterra will play an instrumental role in our ongoing conservation efforts.”
“We are proud to be leaders in the implementation of Utah’s first fully-electric mass transit fleet,” said Park City Mayor Jack Thomas. “The Electric Xpress service supports our ambitious climate goals, and marks the first phase of the city and county’s Transportation Demand Management Program, which will provide enhanced transit service and reduce traffic congestion throughout the greater Park City community.”
“The introduction of the Electric Xpress transit service is a milestone in Summit County’s commitment to environmentally responsible transportation,” County Council Chairman Chris Robinson said. “This initiative immediately improves transit services in the greater Park City area and will serve as a model as we work to expand public transit throughout Summit County.”
The Park City deployment represents the first implementation of Proterra”s battery-lease financing model. To address some of the cost barriers that have previously deterred transit agencies from transitioning to battery-electric vehicles, the financing enables agencies to purchase electric buses at approximately the same price or less than fossil fuel-based alternatives. Park City Transit received financing for the six Proterra buses through a Low-No Emissions Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration.
“While Proterra buses are operating in innovative cities throughout the country, it’s especially exciting to see our battery-electric transit technology improving the air quality and overall rider experience in an iconic mountain community like Park City,” said Ryan Popple, CEO of Burlingame, California-based Proterra. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Park City and Summit County in the coming months and encourage other resort communities to follow its lead by implementing battery-electric, zero-emission transit systems.”