Edmonton Transit System (ETS), the public transportation agency in Edmonton, Alberta, has begun testing two low-floor, 40-foot electric buses, known as ETS Stealth buses, that are on lease from BYD Co. Ltd.
‘Public feedback is essential to determining the success of the ETS Stealth pilot project,’ says Linda Kadatz, ETS' bus operations divisional supervisor. ‘We hope to hear from every ETS Stealth passenger so that we can make an informed decision later this year about pursuing electric bus technology in our long-term fleet replacement plans.’
The ETS Stealth buses will run on various ETS routes across the city, traveling with regularly scheduled buses in service and for special events. Passengers can board free of charge. Instead of paying a fare, passengers will be asked to complete a survey describing their experience riding an electric bus.
The four-month pilot initiative will run through October. During that time, ETS will evaluate the suitability of the Stealth bus based on several factors, including passenger load capacity, passenger comfort, reliability and how well the buses navigate Edmonton's roadway network.
