Foothill Transit First to Launch Long-Range Proterra Electric Bus into Revenue Service

On November 3, 2017, Foothill Transit will roll out bus #2600 into revenue service, marking the nation’s first ever launch of Proterra’s new long-range electric bus. The bus will launch on Foothill Transit’s Line 280, which runs between Azusa and Puente Hills Mall, a 22-mile round trip. 

The bus, a Proterra Catalyst E2, will charge in-route at a special docking station at the Azusa Intermodal Transit Center, allowing for continuous service all day long. At a full charge, the Catalyst E2 can travel a nominal distance of 254 miles. That extended range is vital for Foothill Transit to achieve its all-electric commitment by 2030.  The agency serves a geographic area more than 300 square miles with 39 fixed-route bus lines, some of which have a round trip distance of more than 70 miles.

“Going all-electric means we need vehicles that can literally go the distance,” said Doran Barnes, executive director of Foothill Transit. “We’re still leading the charge, and we can because of the constant evolution of electric bus technology, and because of the dedication of incredible engineers who believe that providing zero-emissions vehicles ultimately improve our environment."

Foothill Transit was the first in the nation to launch the fast-charge all-electric bus back in 2010. Those three initial vehicles were funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Since then the electric fleet has expanded to 32, with another 13 expected by early 2018, of which #2600 is the first to be delivered. The agency intends to keep pushing the innovation envelope as it successfully converts its 330-bus fleet over to all-electric vehicles. 

Bus #2600 will be launched into revenue service around 8:30 a.m. on Friday, November 3, 2017.