Riders on several Augusta bus routes will be treated to a free ride for three days this week.
The rides are provided by Gillig, a California-based company, that is the fourth, and final, electric bus manufacturer to visit the Garden City as part of the selection process for a vendor to supply electric buses to Augusta. Gillig buses will be in operation from Sept. 21 through Sept. 23.
New Flyer, based in Canada, and Build Your Dreams/BYD and Proterra, both of California, made earlier presentations.
Three routes were selected for the demonstration: Route 6/Gordon Highway on Sept. 21 from 11:53 a.m. to 7:30 p.m, and Sept. 22 on Route 7/Augusta Mall from 6:33 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The final chance to test ride the electric bus will be Sept. 23 on Route 5/Washington Rd. from 6:33 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
MORE: Another Electric Bus Tested in Augusta
Oliver Page, deputy director of Augusta Transit, said electric buses are more expensive that diesel. Prices for electric buses range $800,000 to $1 million compared to the $450,000 to $500,000 for a diesel bus. However, with fewer moving parts than a traditional diesel bus, an electric bus has lower maintenance costs. The break-even point, where lower maintenance costs offset the high purchase price, is reached in about five years.
Page said bus drivers have enjoyed testing the electric buses. Riders are also being asked for their opinion.
So far, Page said, “The passengers do like it. It’s clean; it’s modern; it’s attractive to look at. “They want more buses and better reliability.”
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
[adrotate banner=”15″]
