ATL Announces Electric Vehicle (EV) Partnership & Hosts Exclusive First Look at the Future of Xpress Transit

Media Advisory

The Atlanta-Region Transit Authority Link Announces Electric Vehicle (EV) Partnership & Hosts Exclusive First Look at the Future of Xpress Transit

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ATLANTA – On December 15, 2021, the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL) will be joined by leadership from the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Georgia Power, Heliox and special guests for an exclusive first look at the future of Xpress transit. The ATL was awarded $5.47 million in federal funding for 10 battery-electric commuter coaches and 11 chargers (which includes one maintenance facility charger) for the region’s Xpress Commuter Service. The coaches are expected to initially operate on routes connecting Clayton, Coweta, Fulton, and Henry Counties to Downtown and Midtown Atlanta. Attendees for the event are invited to tour a demo electric coach bus presented by MCI, its manufacturer. It will be the first opportunity to view and learn more about the only federally tested and approved electric commuter coach on the market.

Who:

Chris Tomlinson, Executive Director, Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority

Pat Wilson, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Economic Development

Nicole Faulk, Senior Vice President Customer Strategy and Solutions, Georgia Power

David Aspinwall, CEO, Heliox

When:

December 15, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.

Where:

In front of the Paul D. Coverdell Building,18 Capitol Square SW, Atlanta, GA 30334.

There is paid public parking in the area and attendees are encouraged to take MARTA.

RSVP:

Tiffany McCall, Communications & Media Relations Director (470) 249-7531

About Xpress Electric Commuter Coaches

Funding for the Xpress Electric Commuter Coaches was received through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) highly competitive Low-No Program which supports transit agencies in purchasing or leasing low- or no-emission buses and other transit vehicles that use technologies such as battery-electric and fuel-cell power to provide cleaner, more efficient transit service.

The ATL partnered with MCI, the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE), and Atkins on the application. MCI manufactures the D45 CRT LE Charge (the only Federally tested/approved electric commuter coach currently on the market). CTE, the Atlanta based nonprofit will provide project management, modeling, performance validation, and technical assistance. Atkins will provide engineering services for infrastructure installation. The D45 CRT LE Charge is a low-floor model bus that allows easier boarding and enhanced ADA accessibility for riders. The EV coaches are significantly quieter than their conventionally powered counterparts, offering a more comfortable and enjoyable rider experience.  Furthermore, Heliox, who provides smart energy management and fast charging solutions and recently established its North American headquarters in Georgia, will provide the charging infrastructure for the project.

In addition to this FTA Low-No award, the ATL has also partnered with Georgia Power through the company’s EV Make Ready Program to upgrade electrical infrastructure at Xpress’s South Ops facility. Infrastructure upgrades supported by the Make Ready Program are expected to support this initial 10 bus deployment while also facilitating future EV bus fleet expansions.

Xpress has 29 routes in 12 metro Atlanta counties that carry more than 1.8 million passenger trips annually to and from major employment centers in Downtown, Midtown, and Perimeter Center.

About the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority

The ATL was created by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session to provide coordinated transit planning and funding for the metro Atlanta region. The ATL is responsible for developing the ATL Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. The ATL is also charged with creating a unified regional transit system brand. Effective July 1, 2020, the ATL was legislatively authorized to oversee the state’s Xpress regional commuter transit system and the Atlanta region’s vanpool system. The population of metro Atlanta is growing rapidly and projected to add an additional 2.5 million residents by 2040. The ATL is a critical step towards more efficient and effective transit and mobility in the region. For more information on Xpress and the ATL, visit https://atltransit.wpengine.com/ and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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