BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Transit Administration is set to launch a pilot program that will see seven new zero-emission buses join the agency’s fleet as part of a broader plan to transition to a carbon-neutral bus fleet by 2035.

The new buses will be operated out of the agency’s Kirk Bus Division in Baltimore and will be powered by state-of-the-art electric motors and batteries. They will produce no tailpipe emissions, making them quieter than traditional gas and diesel engines.

The pilot program is part of the agency’s wider plans to decarbonize its bus fleet by 50% by 2030, as set out in the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act plan. The first seven zero-emission battery electric buses have already been commissioned and have undergone road testing.

“Today, we continue our work to make Maryland the cleanest, greenest, and most sustainable state in the nation – and we are going to do it in a way that creates new pathways to prosperity for all, and not just some,” said Governor Moore. “I am proud that today’s launch is a step forward in our state’s environmental goals, and allows us to work alongside the Maryland Department of Labor to create new apprenticeship programs in bus maintenance. This is what partnership looks like as we work to make Marylander safer and more competitive. We don’t have to choose between tackling climate change and growing our economy – we can, and we will, do both.”

The Maryland Transit Administration is also committed to supporting job creation opportunities in the new bus maintenance sector. As part of the pilot program, the MTA will work with local bus maintenance companies to develop training programs for bus maintenance mechanics.

“MTA’s zero-emission electric buses are the next step in electrifying our transportation network to reach Maryland’s climate goals and invest in new training opportunities,” said Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “Thanks to Governor Moore’s leadership, MDOT is launching a new apprenticeship program with our union partners specifically designed to train zero-emission bus maintenance mechanics and ensure our workforce has the tools and training needed to maintain the new fleet of zero-emission buses.”

The pilot program will provide valuable data on the operation and maintenance of the zero-emission buses, which will be used to inform future bus operations, scheduling, maintenance, and procurement decisions.

“Transit is an essential part of reducing our carbon footprint and improving our environment,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “Our Zero-Emission Pilot program is just one of the many ways we’re focused on creating a more sustainable future.”

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Photo via The Office of Governor Wes Moore