| July 2022 |
Check out more photos from the unveiling.
By Ryan Hidden, Sierra Club Beyond Coal
CityLink’s fully electric buses roll onto Peoria streets, and solar panels go on the new CityLink Transit Center roof.
CityLink is an early innovator as one of the first transit systems in Illinois to deploy electric or hybrid buses. Last year, CityLink purchased three fully electric buses to add to their four hybrid electric buses. In an interview with WCBU, CityLink spokesperson Emily Watson said, “one thing that we try to do is be innovative and try new things. We’re definitely looking into the future. And I’m hoping to get more of these types of buses.”
CityLink received two grants to purchase the electric buses. The first grant Citylink received was $1.23 million from the Edwards Coal Plant settlement to fund the purchase of a 35-foot electric transit bus, battery lease, and charging equipment. Federal grant funds provided $2.3 million for purchasing two battery-electric buses and a charging station.
Emily Watson, “We’re just really excited that they’re finally out there transporting passengers. They’re so much quieter and have zero emissions. So they are 100% more environmentally friendly.” The electric buses look completely different inside and out, according to Emily, and she hopes people are noticing.
CityLink’s commitment to innovation and the environment does not stop at the street; they are also taking it to the rooftops. CityLink is installing 641 panels over three arrays on the CityLink Transit Center. In September 2020, the CityLink Transit Center was the only project selected in the Peoria area by the Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) Program. In CityLink’s newsletter, CityLink GM Doug Roelfs had this to say:
“This project will provide us with long-term energy savings for a facility that is the hub of our bus routes and serves an annual ridership of over 2.2 million.”
Doug Roelfs
The Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) program provides incentives to make solar installations affordable to low-income households, non-profit organizations, and public facilities. The ILSFA Non-Profit and Public Facilities sub-program provides incentives for properties occupied by non-profit organizations and public facilities in low-income or Environmental Justice Communities.
CityLink partnered on this project with Hawk-Attollo, LLC, a local solar development partner, and Central Road Energy, LLC, the approved vendor. Since being selected, CityLink made repairs and prepared the canopy roof to install the solar panels. In April 2022, Roy Keith Electric began racking installation. They completed the racking in May, wiring started, and modules were getting set on the arrays. The estimated completion date of this project is August.
CityLink’s new bus maintenance and administration buildings will also feature solar panels and energy-efficient construction and equipment.
CityLink is doing excellent work. Please support public transportation, ride the bus and support public transportation funding.
