King County Metro releases first battery-electric bus with eco-friendly inspired design
King County Metro revealed a new battery-electric bus wrapped in the new colors of the fleet Metro’s South Base. The New Energy design is a mix of electric yellow and seafoam blue and stands as a visual representation of King County Metro’s movement to a cleaner and more eco-friendly climate initiative. The design will be outfitted on all the new vehicles joining the fleet.
“For 50 years, King County Metro has kept this region moving forward, and as we head into the next 50 years, every new King County Metro bus will carry with it the New Energy, a bold new look for our mobility network,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “With each bright new bus rolling down the street, we’re one step closer to that zero-emission fleet. It’s an exciting symbol of our progress and I can’t wait for everyone to experience the New Energy.”
The new design is the first major change for the look of King County Metro’s fleet since 2004 and is intended to be a visual reminder of the transition away from King County Metro’s hybrid (diesel-electric) buses to the zero-emission fleet. There will be two separate designs: A color mix of blues, yellows and greens across the top of King County Metro’s standard fleet and the color purple joining the familiar red that represents King County Metro’s RapidRide fleet across the top of those buses. King County Metro’s original zero-emission fleet, the electric trolleys, will continue sporting purple.
The familiar red will be joined by purple with the new livery for RapidRide buses. The rendering of the new livery shows that the familiar red will be joined by purple on the new RapidRide buses
“These colors are a dramatic and exciting change and we want to celebrate their arrival,” said King County Metro General Manager Michelle Allison. “A representation of the green and yellow leaves on the trees we pass every day to a red and purple that looks suspiciously like the colors of a couple of competing state universities, these colors are both familiar and new. I look forward to seeing them on the street.”
“These new colors signal a new era for our beloved Metro Transit System,” said King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski, chair of the Council’s Transit, Economy and Environment Committee. “They mean brighter futures from cleaner, quieter, sustainable coaches that will deliver healthier mobility for our riders and the communities we serve. I’m so proud of King County Metro and its team members who are bringing the future of cleaner, quieter transit service to King County and for their leadership in advancing King County’s climate goals.”
The new liveries will be phased in as the new battery-electric buses start going into service, which is scheduled to begin in 2025. The new design will be painted at the factory for new vehicles as they replace the hybrid fleet.
