The public and news media representatives are invited to celebrate as TCAT launches its first-ever electric buses starting at 10:30am on Thursday, April 22nd, from the Ithaca Commons. Please note: masks must be worn, social distancing of at least 6 feet maintained.
TCAT General Manager Scot Vanderpool along with state and local representatives will provide brief comments for the first half of the event, until about 11:00am when TCAT will offer free rides on the new buses from neighboring Seneca St. Station around the Commons Due to the pandemic, each bus is limited to 25 passengers.
Last month, California-based Proterra delivered seven of their fifth-generation 40-foot ZX5+ buses to TCAT. The buses (estimated at about $1 million each) were funded by several sources to include federal, state and local funders, to include the City of Ithaca, Tompkins County and Cornell University. At the event, TCAT will provide more details about funding sources and publicly recognize the many agencies and organizations that made the purchase of the buses possible.
“Earth Day is a fitting day for us to celebrate this important TCAT milestone and marks our community’s long-standing commitment toward lowering carbon emissions, and we have many people to thank for that,” Vanderpool said. “TCAT’s aim is to transform what is now a mostly diesel-powered fleet to all electric by 2035 and this day represents our first steps toward meeting that goal, thanks to the help of many of our stakeholders and supporters.”
What: TCAT Earth Day Electric Bus Launch
When: Thursday, April 22, 2021
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Bernie Milton Pavilion, Ithaca Commons
Want a sneak peek of the new Proterras? Check out this video.
TCAT, Inc. (Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit, Inc.) is a not-for-profit corporation that provides public transportation for Tompkins County. TCAT also offers complementary ADA Paratransit through a contract with Gadabout Transportation Services, Inc. For more information about TCAT, please visit the TCAT website or call (607)277-RIDE. Twitter: TCATrides. Facebook: EverythingTCAT. TCAT is a Tompkins County Certified Living Wage and an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Passengers are advised to look for service information and updates at TCAT’s Bus Tracker.
