Ocean City’s transportation department is seeking funds for a study that will explore the transition to a zero-emission bus fleet.
During a budget work session April 8, Transit Manager Rob Shearman presented the Mayor and Council his department’s spending plan for the coming fiscal year. He said the budget includes $149,000 in capital spending for a zero-emission transition plan, which will guide the potential implementation of an electric bus fleet.
“That is a study that we must undertake if we are to begin purchasing, with grant funds, zero-emission buses,” he said. “We’re not planning to do that yet, but we just continue to see on the horizon that it may come to a point where we are mandated to do that rather than purchase diesel or hybrid buses. When that time comes, we need to have this study in our pocket.”
Last year, the town’s transportation committee began discussing the transportation department’s plans to convert its diesel fleet to electric after receiving a statewide zero-emissions bus study. While no specific mandates have been placed on local transit systems, city officials at the time agreed to begin working with a consultant to create a transition plan, which could lead to federal grants.
“I don’t want to get to a point where we’re not able to purchase buses for several years,” Shearman told the council. “That’s why I think it’s important that we fund this study this coming year.”
Oh please DON”T. Look around to the other cities that have done that-massively expensive, they break down and can’t be repaired…one city has 4 of 5 broken down and no money to fix them
I believe one of those cities is Asheville, N.C.
The city of Asheville, North Carolina, shelled out millions of dollars in 2018 to add five electric buses to its fleet. Now, three of the five sit idle, and city employees are telling the cautionary tale.
Grant money again but not going to the right places.
Tell the visiting fatties to walk
Save OC money
No bus travel
Zero cameras on the buses !!