City to add three zero-emission electric buses to HOP route; and Arts in the Park to begin in May
Here’s some need-to-know information for the week
City to add three zero-emission electric buses to HOP route
The City of Boulder, in partnership with Via Mobility Services, will soon introduce three new, zero-emission electric buses for use on the local HOP route, helping the city make progress toward its clean energy and climate goals. The buses are currently being tested and are slated to be put into service in early April.
The new buses, designed and manufactured in the U.S. by Proterra, are 100% electric and emission-free and will be charged with renewable, solar energy. They feature quieter operation, can travel more than 200 miles on a single charge, and are five times more fuel efficient than standard diesel buses, with a fuel efficiency of 22.2 miles per gallon equivalent (mpg-e) compared to 3.5 mpg for the current diesel buses. The electric buses also have lower operating costs than diesel buses since they do not require maintenance of an engine or exhaust system.
The city and Via, which operates the HOP through a contract with the City of Boulder, have the goal of electrifying the entire HOP fleet by 2030. The three new buses will join an existing electric HOP bus that was repowered from diesel to electric in 2018.
With transportation now the number one source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in Colorado, and the sector representing 29% of all GHGs in Boulder, the City of Boulder adopted the GoEV City resolution last year, declaring support for transportation electrification across the community. The city aims to convert all transit and municipal vehicles to 100% electric by 2030 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050. The State of Colorado also has the goal to reduce GHGs by 50% by 2030.
Community partnerships are key to reaching these goals, and the electric HOP buses join other local transportation electrification efforts underway. Boulder Valley School District recently introduced an electric school bus, which is the first of its kind in the state.
Community members are invited to join a virtual Transit Talk event hosted by Via on March 25 from 5 to 6 p.m. to learn more about community transit electrification efforts and hear from panelists from the City of Boulder, Via and BVSD.
Funding for the three new HOP buses is made possible through Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Volkswagen Settlement grants administered by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and partnership contributions from the Regional Transportation District (RTD), Via and the city. The city and Via continue to pursue grant funding opportunities for additional electric buses for the HOP fleet.
For more information, contact Natalie Stiffler, Transportation & Mobility Department Deputy Director, at stifflern@bouldercolorado.gov or 303-549-0093.
Arts in the Park to begin in May
In response to COVID-19's significant impact on local arts and culture, and in alignment with Boulder’s Civic Area Master Plan, the City of Boulder has developed Arts in the Park - a new program providing a vibrant blend of arts and cultural performances to be held at the historic Glenn Huntington Bandshell in Central Park.
The program will run from May to September and provide a venue and event infrastructure for performing arts groups to put on socially-distanced outdoor performances, helping create a safe and welcoming activation within the downtown park.
There will be a mix of free and ticketed events with part of the program sponsorship criteria includes creating an “accessibility plan” aimed at keeping these ticketed programs welcoming and accessible to all members of the community. Most groups applying for dates have committed to providing free or discounted tickets, and discussions are underway with the PLAY Boulder Foundation to assist in distribution for under-resourced community members. Each performing arts group will administer the sales.
A call for artists was put out to design a poster and logo for the Arts in the Park program. An honorarium for creating the design project was given for two components: a logo for the program and a poster design for the program.
Looking ahead, department staff will work with partners in the Office of Arts & Culture, and the Office of Special Events to select performing arts groups, schedule the performances, and offer sponsorships and stipends (in the form of “Arts to the Rescue” support for audio/visual equipment) to qualified organizations.
For more information, contact Justin Greenstein at greensteinj@bouldercolorado.gov.
Regards,
Chris