C-TRAN awards GILLIG contract to bring first electric buses into fleet

July 23, 2021

The contract is for eight 40-foot buses and associated charging equipment.

Clark County Public Transit (C-TRAN) in Vancouver, Wash., has awarded GILLIG a $9.74-million order for eight 40-foot battery electric buses and associated charging equipment.

More than half of C-TRAN’s current fixed-route fleet consists of hybrid buses and the agency has adopted a 50-year vision that has an emphasis on sustainability. The new buses, which are estimated to arrive in the fall of 2022, will replace eight older diesel buses.

C-TRAN used the commonwealth of Virginia contract to make the purchase rather than the state of Washington contract, citing limitations with its home state’s contract options.

The ordered charging equipment will be for overnight in-depot charging, but C-TRAN is leaving the option open for future on route charging.

GILLIG debuted its battery electric bus in May 2019 and its second-generation battery electric bus recently completed Altoona Testing. GILLIG electric buses are built on the company’s Low Floor Platform and have Cummins propulsion systems.

“C-Tran has been a long-time customer of ours since 1998, and we’re proud to continue providing Clark County with the best heavy-duty transit buses on the market,” said GILLIG Vice President of Sales Bill Fay. “These new electric buses are reliable, durable, safe, comfortable and very quiet in operation. They’ll help ensure these Washington communities have cleaner air through their zero-emission operation.”

About the Author

Mischa Wanek-Libman | Editor in Chief

Mischa Wanek-Libman serves as editor in chief of Mass Transit magazine. She is responsible for developing and maintaining the magazine’s editorial direction and is based in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Wanek-Libman has spent more than 20 years covering transportation issues including construction projects and engineering challenges for various commuter railroads and transit agencies. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.

She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and serves as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.

She is a graduate of Drake University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a major in magazine journalism and a minor in business management.