The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors has approved a 19-space electric bus charging facility at Sonoma County Transit. This move supports sustainable transportation and contributes towards state efforts to combat climate change. According to the County of Sonoma, the recently approved facility will amplify the County's progress towards greener transit.
The facility will be located on West Robles Avenue, Santa Rosa. It caters to 30-foot, 35-foot, and 40-foot battery-electric transit buses, aligning with state regulations that mandate transit fleets to transition to zero-emission vehicles by 2040. Currently, Sonoma County Transit is operating nine electric buses within its fleet of 49 buses.
"This project is a direct investment in the health and well-being of our communities, now and in the future," said Chris Coursey, Chair of the Board of Supervisors, to illustrate the significance of the project's direct investment. In his view, this project is an important representation of the commitment of local government to zero-emission public transportation.
The charging facility will be able to charge up to 32 buses overnight. In case of power disruptions, a generator powered by natural gas can charge 10 buses. Additionally, the Board of Supervisors in an earlier decision in January, authorized the purchase of 10 additional 40-foot electric buses along with their charging equipment.
Funded by a blend of local Transportation Development Act funds and state Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program funds, the total cost for this project is estimated to be around $4.8 million. After the competitive bidding process, Anvil Builders, a contracting firm from Emeryville, has been selected for the project. It's expected that this construction will be finished by June 2024.
