The Johnson County SEATS department — which provides rides to older citizens, people with disabilities, and those who may otherwise find it difficult to travel and commute — has added the first fully electric bus to its fleet.
Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the new 158-inch wheelbase electric bus will serve Johnson County residents with a more environmentally friendly option. The vehicle is one of the first fully electric paratransit buses in Iowa, with seating for eight passengers, including two spaces for wheelchair users. The bus has a range of 150 miles and can fully charge in approximately two hours.
The addition comes after the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced that Iowa City would receive nearly $23.3 million to buy four electric buses to replace older diesel vehicles in 2023. These funds are separate from the ARPA funds dedicated to SEATS.
Dawn Alam, Johnson County’s Transportation and Fleet Director, noted in the release that public transit is always seeking to be more sustainable and efficient.
“We are excited to be an industry leader in adding this vehicle to our fleet,” Ms. Alam said in the release. “The purchase reinforces Johnson County’s commitment to sustainability and reducing barriers to transportation in our community.”
For more information, interested Johnson County residents can visit the SEATS website.
