New York's Bus Electrification Progresses With 53 Overhead Bus Chargers

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【Summary】Construction is underway on 53 overhead electric bus chargers at Metropolitan Transportation Authority depots in New York City. The project, managed by the New York Power Authority, is part of the state's plan to transition to a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2040. The chargers will support the MTA's growing electric bus fleet and help reduce carbon emissions. The first phase of the project will include a total of 67 overhead and cabled dispensers across five locations.

FutureCar Staff Sep 24, 2023 6:15 AM PT

New York's Bus Electrification Progresses With 53 Overhead Bus Chargers

Construction is underway on 53 state-of-the-art overhead electric bus chargers at Metropolitan Transportation Authority depots in Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, and Brooklyn, according to Governor Kathy Hochul. The project, managed by the New York Power Authority (NYPA), is part of the first phase of a multi-year initiative to prepare for the arrival of 60 new electric buses in early 2023. The modernized electric infrastructure will support the MTA's growing zero-emissions bus fleet, reducing carbon emissions and serving as a model for other bus fleet operators. NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll and Frank Annicaro, Senior Vice President of the New York City Transit Department of Buses and MTA Bus Company, toured the Grand Avenue Bus Depot and Central Maintenance Facility in Queens to witness the progress.

Governor Hochul expressed her excitement about electrifying the metropolitan bus fleets, stating that it showcases New York's leadership in climate action. She emphasized that the transformation of the bus fleet will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, benefiting communities that have been impacted by a fossil-fuel economy. The goal is to achieve a zero-emission bus fleet by 2040.

The NYPA contractors have mounted the first of 17 pantographs on an overhead gantry at the Grand Avenue Bus Depot and Central Maintenance Facility in Queens. The project involves restructuring the bus depot to accommodate the overhead pantograph dispensers and specific lanes for electric buses to charge. Similar installations are taking place in Brooklyn, and additional dispensers will be installed in Manhattan and Staten Island within the next month. The project is expected to be completed by mid-2024.

Janno Lieber, MTA Chair and CEO, expressed gratitude to Governor Hochul for her leadership in ensuring the MTA becomes a model transit system in the fight against climate change. Frank Annicaro, Senior Vice President of Buses at New York City Transit, highlighted the importance of the pantograph dispensers in delivering on the promise of a zero-emissions fleet by 2040.

The NYPA is overseeing the design, permitting, and procurement processes for these transformative projects. NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll emphasized the significance of working with the MTA to transition public buses to electric, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality for vulnerable communities. He believes that this work will inspire other municipalities to follow suit.

The MTA's plan is to upgrade its facilities to support the transition to a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2040. Currently, the MTA operates about 15 electric buses, with 60 more expected to arrive in 2024. Additionally, procurement is underway for an additional 470 zero-emission and standard buses. Supporting infrastructure for these buses will be installed at 11 depots across all five boroughs.

The pantographs being installed are devices mounted on overhead structures and connected to direct current fast chargers. They allow buses to recharge their onboard batteries. The pantograph dispensers will work with buses from different manufacturers.

In addition to the MTA project, NYPA has been working with other transit operators in the state to develop plans for converting to all-electric transit buses. These operators include Suffolk County, Westchester County, CDTA (Albany), RTS (Rochester), and NFTA (Buffalo).

New York State has a comprehensive climate plan that aims to achieve a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040 and economy-wide carbon neutrality by mid-century. The state has made significant investments in clean energy projects, clean transportation initiatives, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. New York is also implementing regulations that require all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold in the state to be zero-emission by 2035.

Source: Office of the Governor