There's something new rolling through Fairfax County this summer. The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is adding 19 hybrid-electric buses to the Fairfax Connector fleet, bringing more environmentally friendly transportation options to riders across the county.
“Hybrid-electric buses are expected to provide approximately 25% fuel savings and a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with traditional diesel buses,” said FCDOT Transit Division Chief Dwayne Pelfrey, “helping Fairfax Connector move toward a more environmentally sustainable fleet.”
The new buses are equipped with next generation technology that allows them to operate using only battery power in designated areas identified through geofencing. The buses always operate as hybrid vehicles and will be programmed to use only electric battery energy within predefined zones further reducing vehicle emissions. Operating conditions and the battery’s state of charge determine how long and how far a bus can operate in full electric mode before transitioning to standard diesel-hybrid operation.
The buses were manufactured by New Flyer Industries and purchased with state funding support. Each bus represents an investment of approximately $1.1 million. These buses are part of Fairfax County's ongoing efforts to modernize its transit fleet, improve efficiency and provide dependable transportation options for the community while helping the county reach environmental goals. Riders can expect to see the new buses on routes across the county throughout the summer.
Later this year, FCDOT anticipates receiving an additional 36 hybrid-electric buses through a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Low or No Emission (Low-No) Grant. Manufactured by Gillig Corporation in California, these buses are expected to begin entering service toward the end of the year. All new hybrid-electric buses will replace traditional buses as they are retired in coordination with Fairfax Connector’s fleet replacement program.
Learn more about Fairfax Connector services, routes and trip-planning tools at fairfaxconnector.com.
###