WASHINGTON — Two new 60-foot electric buses made their debut Monday morning on D.C. streets. The two Metro buses ran on the W4 route from Anacostia to Deanwood. It's the first step in making Metro's bus fleet entirely zero-emission by 2042.
"These new buses will help improve air quality for our communities,” Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke said. “One of the most underrated aspects of the electric bus is the reduction in sound pollution in our cities. All of this goes toward our sustainability goals of combating climate change and ensuring DMV residents have healthy, livable neighborhoods."
The Flyer Xcelsior buses have zero tailpipe emissions, which means better air quality. WMATA says the buses are much quieter and have a smoother ride, since the electric buses don't have an internal combustion engine.
The buses also include digital passenger information screens, USB charging ports and new fare boxes.
The new buses mostly look the same from the outside, but it’s a greener ride for the environment. Look for the green electric plug logo and “Zero-Emission Electric Bus” on the side.
Metro has already placed orders for 10 more electric buses, with deliveries expected to begin next year.
For more information on Metro's Zero-Emissions buses, click here.