GILLIG, a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses in the United States (US), announced a substantial milestone has been reached in their decades-long partnership with King County Metro.
Under a new five-year contract, the firm will supply the agency with an initial order of 89 Low Floor Battery Electric units as well as the option to additionally purchase up to 306 of the zero-emission vehicles.
The order marks the first procurement of GILLIG Battery Electric Buses for King County Metro, which operates in and around the greater Seattle area in Washington state and is known for its strong commitment to adopting innovative sustainable transit solutions.
The agency has long been at the forefront of sustainable transit, introducing electric-powered trolleys in 1932 and incorporating the first articulated Hybrid-Electric buses in America into their fleet in 2004.
In keeping with their history of choosing reliable, sustainable transit solutions, King County Metro’s latest contract with GILLIG represents an investment in the best of zero-emission technology and performance.
Dow Constantine, King County Executive, highlighted the reasons behind selecting GILLIG for this pivotal transition: “Acquiring these next-generation battery-electric buses moves us closer to our goal of being the first large transit agency in North America that is 100 percent zero-emission.”
“With these new additions to our fleet, our community members, customers, and operators will benefit from cleaner air as we continue to combat climate change,” he adds.
These units will advance King County’s public transit system’s environmental stewardship and will empower a more sustainable and equitable future for the greater Seattle area.
The initial deployment of these buses will equip King County Metro’s first fully electrified bus base in Tukwila, Washington, currently under construction.
By design, the zero-emission buses operating out of this base will serve surrounding south King County communities, where air pollution is higher than other parts of the region.
Built on GILLIG’s highly proven Low-Floor platform, the Battery Electric Bus is engineered for maximum durability, safety, and ease of maintenance.
Each unit features 686 kWh of onboard ultra-high-density energy storage, giving the vehicles extended range for King County’s challenging and varied routes.
The buses are equipped with opportunity charging capabilities in addition to plug-in charging, allowing for greater operational flexibility and maximizing service uptime.
Standing out not only for its technological advancements but also for its exceptional safety, reliability, and performance, GILLIG Battery Electric bus achieved the highest performing score of any zero-emission bus tested at the Altoona Bus Research and Testing Center, setting a new standard of excellence for the industry.
Bill Fay, Vice President of Sales for GILLIG, expressed his enthusiasm for the project: “This order is not just a significant achievement for GILLIG; it is a testament to the strength of this long-standing customer partnership.”
“We continue to proudly design, build, and support the best performing, safest, and most reliable transit buses as we work hard to achieve the shared vision for both GILLIG and King County Metro for a more sustainable, accessible, and equitable future,” he adds.
