Proterra has announced that Park City Transit has deployed Utah's first zero-emission, battery-electric mass transit fleet, which will include six Proterra Catalyst FC+ buses. Selected to serve the region's renowned ski resort community, the Proterra fleet supports Park City's and Summit County's transition toward renewable energy and the reduction of its overall carbon footprint. With one of the nation's most ambitious climate targets, Park City is laying a path for a net-zero carbon footprint for its municipal operations by 2022 and a Summit County area-wide net-zero carbon footprint by 2032 by implementing Proterra's proven transit technology.
"Park City and Summit County have set some of the most ambitious carbon reduction and renewable energy targets in the country. Not only will our new battery-electric Proterra buses help us achieve these targets, they will provide our thousands of annual riders with a sustainable, state-of-the-art transit experience," said Destry Pollard, Park City Transit operations team leader. "Protecting the environmental well-being of our mountain community is paramount, and Proterra will play an instrumental role in our ongoing conservation efforts."
With its deployment of Proterra vehicles, the Park City region will become the first mountain resort community in the United States to operate a highly efficient, battery-electric transit service. Nicknamed the "Electric Xpress," the free transit service will provide clean, quiet, and efficient transportation to residents and tourists throughout several neighborhoods, including Park City Resort, Canyons Village, Silver Springs, Silver Lake Village, Empire Pass and Park Meadows. To commemorate the deployment, Park City, Summit County, and Proterra will be hosting a launch event today at the Kimball Junction Transit Center (KJTC), where Proterra CEO Ryan Popple and members of both the Park City Council and the Summit County Council will gather to celebrate the community's commitment to sustainability and clean transportation.
"We are proud to be leaders in the implementation of Utah's first fully-electric mass transit fleet," said Park City Mayor Jack Thomas. "The Electric Xpress service supports our ambitious climate goals, and marks the first phase of the City and County's Transportation Demand Management Program, which will provide enhanced transitservice and reduce traffic congestion throughout the greater Park City community."
"The introduction of the Electric Xpress transit service is a milestone in Summit County's commitment to environmentally responsible transportation," County Council Chairman Chris Robinson, said. "This initiative immediately improves transit services in the greater Park City area and will serve as a model as we work to expand public transit throughout Summit County."
The Park City region deployment not only marks the first battery-electric transit fleet for Utah and the nationwide mountain resort industry, it also represents the first implementation of Proterra's innovative battery-lease financing model. To address some of the cost barriers that have previously deterred transit agencies from transitioning to battery-electric vehicles, this new financing model enables agencies to purchase electric buses at approximately the same price or less than fossil fuel-based alternatives. Park City Transit received financing for the six Proterra buses through an extremely competitive Low-No Emissions Grant with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
"While Proterra buses are operating in innovative cities throughout the country, it's especially exciting to see our battery-electric transittechnology improving the air quality and overall rider experience in an iconic mountain community like Park City," said Ryan Popple, CEO of Proterra. "We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Park City and Summit County in the coming months and encourage other resort communities to follow its lead by implementing battery-electric, zero-emission transit systems."
