(09.19.12) Wednesday Mayor Greg Fischer and Barry Barker, Executive Director of TARC, announced that Louisville's public transit fleet will add five new all-electric buses thanks to a grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The federal grant of $4.4 Million was awarded to TARC for the replacement of the trolleys now circulating in downtown Louisville. These trolleys are not only the oldest transit vehicles in the city, but they also have the highest amount of emissions of all of Louisville's public transit fleet. Now they will be replaced by the zero emissions vehicles.

Barry Barker stated, "This puts TARC at the leading edge of high-technology, cleaner, greener buses. We can't wait to get them on the road and we think passengers will love the ride."

Congressman John Yarmuth said he was proud to support the grant application and thrilled that TARC was successful in a highly competitive selection. Out of 146 grant applications, the FTA only selected 27 projects to receive grants.

The new buses will serve to improve air quality and decrease TARC operating costs. In fuel costs alone, each electric bus will save TARC an estimated $10,000 per year. The electric buses are also significantly less expensive to maintain than trolleys.

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said all-electric buses "represent a game change for public transportation in downtown Louisville and the type of progress and forward-thinking focus we are embracing to improve our city."

Chris Herman, LG&E and Geoffrey Hobin celebrating the announcement that five, fully electric, 30 passenger buses are on order for Louisville!

The electric buses are expected to be in operation in about a year. Under previous federal grants, TARC also will add 39 new buses to replace old buses now operating throughout TARC's five-county service area. The new buses will include 28 diesel buses with the latest air quality and fuel conserving technology and 11 hybrid-electric buses. The buses are scheduled to begin arriving this spring.