Electric Bus Program
On the steps of City Hall, Dec. 12, 2022, City staff members were joined by state and local elected officials, and transportation agency and sustainability partners, to celebrate the rollout and ribbon cutting of CityBus’ four new all electric buses. This is the first phase in achieving the City’s transition to an all-electric fleet by 2040. The new buses are powered by Sonoma Clean Power’s EverGreen, providing 100% locally generated, renewable clean energy. Sonoma Clean Power’s EverGreen Program provides local, renewable power from the Geysers geothermal power plant and local solar projects. This power source eliminates nearly all greenhouse gases from operation of the buses.
Next Steps
CityBus will develop a Zero Emissions Fleet Plan before July 2023 for the entire fleet that meets the Innovative Clean Transit rule for City Council consideration. Additionally the City has received a third competitive grant awards from the Federal Transit Administration’s 5339 Bus and Bus Facilities Program to be used to deploy 10-12 additional BEB’s and charging equipment.
Background
In 2023
- CityBus develop a Zero Emissions Bus Rollout Plan that was approved by City Council and subsequently filed with the CARB (California Air Resources Board). The Plan meets the Innovative Clean Transit rule to transition to an all-electric fleet by 2040.
- The City has received a third competitive grant awards from the Federal Transit Administration’s 5339 Bus and Bus Facilities Program to be used to deploy 10-12 additional BEB’s and charging equipment.
In 2022
- In December the City of Santa Rosa launched its first four electric buses, thereby removing four older model diesel buses from the Santa Rosa CityBus fleet
- The City and PG&E completed construction of the first phase charging infrastructure in the City yard.
In 2020
- City Council, by resolution, approved the purchase of four Proterra battery electric transit buses.
In 2019
- CityBus staff coordinated with Sonoma Clean Power, the Regional Climate Protection Authority (RCPA), and Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) to determine the infrastructure upgrades necessary to support the electric fleet.
In 2018
- In December 2018, the California Air Resources Board adopted the Innovative Clean Transit rule, which requires all public transit agencies in the state to adopt and implement a plan to transition their fleets to zero-emissions buses by 2040. Transit staff are developing the City of Santa Rosa Zero Emissions Fleet Plan for City Council consideration in 2023.
- City of Santa Rosa received two competitive grant awards from the Federal Transit Administration’s 5339 Buses and Bus Facilities Program. Combined with federal formula funding, various State and local awards and funding allocations, these funds allowed the City to purchase our first four battery-electric buses and charging equipment.
In 2012
- City of Santa Rosa developed the Community-wide Climate Action plan (CCAP) and the Municipal Climate Action Plan (MCAP) in order to reach the ambitious GHG reduction targets. In the MCAP, the goal of upgrading buses to lower emissions models was established.
In 2005
- City of Santa Rosa adopted a resolution setting a GHG emission reduction target for City operations of 20% below 2000 levels by 2010, and a community wide GHG emissions reduction target of 25% below 1990 levels by 2015.