Broome County Transit hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at BAE Systems’ Endicott, N.Y., facility in celebration of the county continuing to go green.
The county deployed three new buses powered by BAE Systems’ electric–hybrid technology.
BAE Systems’ technology will help Broome County reduce fuel usage and carbon emissions. The new buses are equipped with BAE Systems’ Series-ER power and propulsion system, which is electrically driven. It saves fuel, emissions and decreases maintenance of mechanical parts, according to BAE Systems.
The Series-ER systems are produced at the company’s manufacturing facility in Endicott, which supports more than 1,300 high-tech jobs in New York.
“These environmentally friendly buses are a great example of what is possible through local collaboration and partnership,” said Steve Trichka, vice president and general manager for Power and Propulsion Solutions (PPS) at BAE Systems. “The result is significant for our local environment and community and proves that we can deliver the world’s best technology to the place we all call home.”
Broome County purchased the buses using grant funds from the Department of Transportation’s Bus and Bus Facilities Program. Broome County Department of Public Transportation was awarded the $2 million grant in 2018. The grant program provides funding to state and direct recipients to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities.
“We are excited to announce the implementation of these new electric-hybrid buses which are the most sophisticated, cleanest and fuel efficient in our fleet,” said Greg Kilmer, Broome County Transit commissioner. “BAE Systems’ technology will allow us to operate in full-electric, zero-emission mode when driving through the most densely populated areas in Broome County. I offer many thanks to our local, state and federal representatives for their continued support for public transportation.”
The addition of these three buses will continue Broome County’s goal to significantly reduce emissions and create a more sustainable future for the community.
“This is great news for Broome County and we are pleased to make this announcement today,” said Jason Garnar, Broome County executive. “This is another step in moving Broome County forward and thank you to all of our partners for their hard work in making this happen.”
