Photos: New Electric Buses Arrive In Bermuda
Brand new electric buses have arrived in Bermuda, with the Government saying the buses — which are scheduled to enter into service between March and April 2022 — will “significantly reduce costs” and “improve air quality.”
Premier David Burt’s remarks:
Premier Burt said, “Good Morning Minister, Director of the Department of Transportation, Officers from the Department of Transportation and members of the media here this morning.
“Within the Government’s Economic Recovery plan we committed to ensuring a sustainable transportation infrastructure that is safe for the environment.
“Additionally in the Economic Recovery Plan as well as our 2020 Election Platform we committed to introducing an electric charging infrastructure to Bermuda beginning with the installation of an Electric Bus Charging Facility at the Department of Public Transportation’s Fort Langton, Devonshire Facility to support the operation of new electric buses.
“I am delighted that with the arrival of these 30 new electric buses we have taken a further step toward cleaner and more environmentally friendly transportation for Bermuda. With temporary charging stations in place throughout the island, as the work to complete the long-term charging at Fort Langton progresses.
“These cleaner and quieter additions to our fleet will provide easier access with lower flooring, and life-cycle costs to maintain them 50% lower than traditional buses. Ultimately the new buses will improve the passenger experience for locals and visitors, and will provide a safer work environment for the Department of Public Transportation staff thanks to improved air quality.
“I thank the dedication and hard work of the Minister of Transport, the Hon. Lawrence Scott; the Director of the Department of Transportation, Roger Todd; and the entire management team and staff for their hard work in delivering on this important initiative for the country.
“And, I certainly thank our union partners at the Bermudian Industrial Union bus workers division who have worked alongside us during this task. It is not easy when we have change, but change is necessary for our country to advance.
“I look forward to the arrival of further electric buses in the coming weeks, and for cleaner and more sustainable transport for Bermuda now and into the future. Now I will yield the floor to the Minister of Transport who will speak about the buses in depth.”
Minister of Transport Lawrence Scott’s remarks:
Minister Scott said, “Good morning members of the media, and thank you for coming.
“Today marks a huge step forward to steering Bermuda toward a cleaner, more resilient future.
“The electrification of the public bus fleet represents a transformational change that will go a long way in developing an environmentally friendly and sustainable future for Bermuda.
“The new buses are appropriately sized for our roads with low floors and kneeling suspension for ease of access. We know that these buses will significantly reduce cost by 50% as compared to our existing diesel buses. In addition, the electric buses will improve air quality and even eliminate roadside emissions associated with diesel buses.
“With this delivery, Bermuda is now one of the leaders in the Caribbean’s transition to electric public transportation.
“The additional 20 buses will arrive in two shipments on 28 March and 4 April 2022. Over the coming weeks the buses will be licensed and outfitted with equipment in preparation for service. Representatives from the manufacturer, Golden Dragon Bus Company will be on the island for three months, from March through May 2022, to support the commissioning of the buses and staff training. The new buses will enter into service between March and April 2022.
“I take this opportunity to acknowledge previous Transport Ministers, Roban, DeSilva and Tyrrell who initiated and progressed this initiative. I would also like to thank the Director of the Department of Public Transportation, Roger Todd and the entire management and staff. Special thanks to the electric bus project team, including Adrian Dill from the Department of Energy and Chris Bulley from the Department of Planning. The Ministry also extends our thanks to EJ Klock McCook and the team at Rocky Mountain Institute that served as technical advisors, analysis and research partners throughout the three-year development process of our bus electrification project.
“In the coming months, we will hold additional events and opportunities to celebrate going greener through the electrification of our public bus service. I invite the media to join the DPT Director to get a first-hand look at the buses.”
good stuff!
Sorry Lawrence, Bermuda is not in the Caribbean unless you want to arrange for it to be moved. Looking at the pictures has DPT done away with cash containers as there don’t seem to be any there. Have we gone cashless or are the buses free for everyone? No wonder the buses are cheap if they only have a 12 year life span, and how many batteries will they use in that period? Better start ordering replacements of batteries and buses so we don’t have a repeat of Tynes Bay.
The busses look nice. Practical for Bermuda’s roads.
I will be watching to see how they perform over the next 2 years, starting from 30 April 2022 when all these busses should be in service. How will electric hold up to wind driven salt and humidity along with all day use? The batteries I buy from the store do not take long to corrode here compared to extended shelf life in the US (dryer weather). We shall see…. Bermuda climate does not quit.
#Bermuda Climate.
How about we just use them as buses and not waste time and money on holding events for photo opportunities. Madness when buses are driven up to parliament. No mentioned of bus runs not being cancelled.
“In the coming months, we will hold additional events and opportunities to celebrate going greener through the electrification of our public bus service. I invite the media to join the DPT Director to get a first-hand look at the buses.”
Good at spending money. Not good at making it.
Let’s see what happens if they plug them in all at the same time ! Better put Belco on standby for d extra power needed!