CTE is a proud project partner on the recent deployment of Greater Bridgeport Transit's (GBT) first two battery electric buses. These are the first zero-emission buses to enter public service in Connecticut under the Connecticut Department of Transportation's (CTDOT) electric bus initiative. The two-phased project includes the purchase of up to five forty-foot battery electric buses and the associated charging infrastructure.

The buses and chargers are housed at GBT's maintenance facility in Bridgeport, and the buses will be placed in service throughout the Bridgeport region. This project also includes the installation of an upgraded switchgear, which will allow for charging infrastructure suitable for up to 11 battery electric buses in the future - 19% of the current fleet.

As part of CTE's Smart Deployment services, we provide technical support and project management to ensure success and mitigate risk. CTE partnered with GBT and the CTDOT from the inception of the project as the primary authors of the FTA Low or No Emission grant application, which was submitted June 2017 and awarded September 2017. Before the vehicles entered production, our engineering team conducted route, rate, and charge modeling -helping GBT finalize the bus specifications and which routes would be best suited for the Proterra buses.

After the buses were built, CTE conducted final inspections to ensure the buses were correctly fabricated to the agreed-upon specifications. The first two buses were delivered in the last week of June 2020. Once the buses officially enter revenue service, CTE will monitor them and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) for one year. These indicators will assist GBT in their future zero-emission bus procurements and service planning.

The two electric buses are expected to reduce GBT's annual diesel fuel consumption by approximately 24,000 gallons,which translates to an approximate 560,000-pound yearly reduction in tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions. GBT also expects to realize an annual fuel cost savings of $22,000 (38%). The agency anticipates electricity costs for the two electric buses of approximately $36,000 annually, compared to $58,000 in annual diesel fuel costs for the same number of miles.

The Proterra Catalyst bus is 100% electric, with no tailpipe emissions - and no tailpipe! Each time an electric bus replaces a diesel bus, about 230,000 pounds of CO2 are avoided each year, equivalent to planting 5,000 trees. With approximately 30% fewer parts than a combustion engine, Proterra electric drivetrains simplify maintenance and lower operating costs.This is the first step towards a cleaner, healthier transportation future for the Bridgeport community, and CTE is proud to support GBT on the road to zero-emission.

Project Partners

This project was made possible thanks to the following partners:

‍The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) - Funding and Technical Support

‍Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) - Funding, Technical Support, and Project Management

‍The Connecticut Department of Transportation e-Bus Project - Funding, Technical Support, and Project Management

‍CT Transit Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) - Technical Support

‍Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) - Technical Support and Project Management

‍Proterra - Manufacturer of Battery Electric BusesProterra is a leader in the design and manufacture of zero-emission electric transit vehicles, and Proterra Powered electric vehicle technology solutions for heavy-duty applications. Since 2004, Proterra technology has been proven through more than 13 million miles on the road in our purpose-built electric transit buses. Proterra has sold more than 950 electric buses to 120 communities across 43 U.S. states and Canadian provinces. Learn more about Proterra: https://www.proterra.com/company/

‍Wendel - Technical Support, Infrastructure Design ServicesWendel provided engineering feasibility and design support to GBT on their fleet conversion to battery electric buses, including electric rate analysis, charger sizing, electric utility design coordination, and detailed design for electric upgrades and charger installations as well as upgrades to fire protection and other mechanical systems.

Wendel is a national Architectural, Engineering, Construction Management, and Energy Efficiency firm that delivers customized solutions and turnkey projects in innovative ways.Learn more about Wendel: https://wendelcompanies.com