By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – The Connect Transit Board is moving ahead with plans to buy electric buses despite calls to hold off on the purchases.

The transit service is using state and federal dollars to replace its aging bus fleet with 12 battery-powered buses. The board on Tuesday awarded a five-year contract to California-based bus maker Proterra to start a long-term shift to zero-emission vehicles.

Connect plans to order the first four buses in the first quarter of next year, but they won’t be ready until the following year.

Bloomington City Council member Donna Boelen told the board she thought there wouldn’t be major changes until the Connect to the Future working group makes its recommendations, especially since the group was formed to prevent local governments from holding back their subsidies.

Boelen said working group members she’s talked to wonder if they’re being heard.

“The agenda item about the purchasing of the electric buses would reinforce that you’re not goiung to accept, or you’re not valuing the work that they’re doing,” said Boelen.

Trustee and Working Group Chair Judy Buchanan is confident the working group’s efforts won’t be ignored.

“When we are before both of our city councils, the work that’s been done will be valued, and I’m optimistic there will be some action taken,” Buchanan said.

“We’re looking at action in the short-term, and action in the long-term,” Buchanan also said.

Transit Board Vice Chair Ryan Whitehouse said it’s a great day for Connect Transit to be able to buy the electric fleet without local tax money.

“We’re going to be able to leverage $21 million to buy these buses that takes off the backs of asking Bloomington and Normal to pony up some more cash to buy these buses,” said Whitehouse.

“This is a no-brainer,” he added.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]