Metro is introducing zero-emission buses (ZEBs) to modernize its bus fleet. ZEBs improve air quality and reduce noise. We're also modernizing our bus garages to support zero-emission operations and training our workforce to prepare for this transition.

Zero-Emission Bus Transition

Metro has taken major steps towards transitioning our Metrobus fleet including:

• Released our first ZEB Transition Plan in 2023.
• In August 2024, introduced two additional zero-emission buses and prepared them for service, bringing the total to four buses operating from Shepherd Parkway Bus Division.
• In November 2024, awarded a contract to purchase up to 275 zero-emission buses over the next five years.
• Trained more than 800 employees through the end of 2024.
• Designing Northern, Bladensburg, and Cinder Bed Road Bus Divisions to support zero-emission buses.

ZEB Deployment: Phase 1

The zero-emission bus technology is fairly new to the industry and is continuously evolving. Metro launched Phase 1 of ZEB deployments at our Shepherd Parkway Bus Division in the District of Columbia. This project includes the installation of overhead pantograph chargers at Shepherd Parkway. We put the first two 60-foot zero-emission buses into service in November 2023 and two 40-foot buses into service in August 2024. We expect to take delivery of the remaining 8 buses in 2025. This initial deployment allows Metro to gain hands-on experience operating zero-emission buses and charging equipment to continue to provide safe and reliable service to our customers as we scale up this technology.

This graphic demonstrates the method of charging buses using an overhead pantograph charging system.

Metro has begun to make its facilities ready to support zero-emission buses. Construction is underway at Northern and Bladensburg Bus Garages, and design is underway for Cinder Bed Road Bus Garage. In June 2023, Metro received a $104 million FTA Low or No Emissions Vehicle Grant to support the conversion of Cinder Bed to a fully zero-emission bus facility.

Partnerships

Metro is working with regional partners to support the transition to zero-emission vehicles and in 2023 launched a regional zero-emission bus working group. This group aims to improve coordination and collaboration to ensure efficient delivery of zero-emission bus services across the region.

As part of the Transition Plan, Metro coordinated with the local electric utilities that serve our garages to explore the anticipated utility improvements needed to support the new fleets at each facility and has continued to work with the utilities to ensure power is provided to support bus charging.