By Sean Copeland
NORMAL – Central Illinois Congressmen Rodney Davis and Darin Lahood have awarded almost $1.5 million in federal grant funds to Bloomington-Normal’s public transportation system,
Connect Transit. The funding, authorized under the FAST Act will be used to buy zero-emission battery-operated electric buses, and to install solar panels at Connect Transit’s maintenance building.
Davis says modernization is key, but getting people reliable transportation is even more important.
“Our goal is to make sure we use new technology, to use environmentally friendly technology, but in the end it’s about making sure that the people of our districts, the people you serve in your community with connect transit; get where they need to go,” said Davis.
Connect Transit General Manager Isaac Thorne said the electric buses Connect Transit purchased will save over 300,000 gallons of fuel over the next 12 years.
“The three proterra electric buses will arrive in early 2019 and replace a bus fleet that averages over 14 years old and has over 600,000 miles,” said Thorne.
The buses will be completely charged within three to four hours and will have an operating range of just over 250 miles.
Thorne went on to say that the installation of the solar panels will also be instrumental both in reducing energy and saving money.
“The installation of solar panels will take place in 2018 and allow us to produce 75 percent of our energy demands in the summer and offset the cost of the electric buses,” said Thorne.
Davis’ visit to Connect Transit last October was part of his 13th district tour including stops in: Springfield, Bloomington-Normal, and Champaign-Urbana.
Sean Copeland can be reached at [email protected]
