Battery-Electric Proterra Buses Usher Illinois Quad Cities Closer to Zero-Emission Future

MOLINE, Ill., Aug. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Proterra, the leading innovator in heavy-duty electric transportation, today announced that the Illinois Quad Cities' MetroLINK transit organization, is going forward with the purchase of two 40-foot Proterra XR electric buses this fall, with the potential to significantly expand their zero emission vehicle (ZEV) fleet over the next four years. With 312 zero-emission buses sold to 35 different municipal, university and commercial customers across the country, Proterra continues to solidify its status as the premier North American provider of clean, quiet, emission-free mass transit vehicles. This new procurement represents a joint effort by MetroLINK and Proterra to minimize emissions, reduce traffic congestion and accelerate sustainable infrastructure development throughout the Illinois Quad Cities.

"At MetroLINK, we offer our riders the opportunity to make sustainable choices through public transit. These new battery-electric Proterra buses will not only provide an environmentally friendly service to our customers, they'll also exemplify MetroLINK's longstanding commitment to eco-conscious infrastructure adoption," said Jeff Nelson, general manager at MetroLINK. "Sustainability is at the core of every decision we make at MetroLINK, and we're more than excited to officially deploy our new electric buses in 2017."

With an annual total ridership of 3.5 million, MetroLINK provides mass transit services to Illinois citizens throughout the Illinois Quad Cities region, including Rock Island, Milan and Moline school children and Augustana, Black Hawk College and Western Illinois University students. Now, with access to Proterra's battery-electric buses, all of these riders will be able to enjoy the myriad of benefits of zero-emission mass transit technology, including improved community air quality and a modern, quiet rider experience.

"The Illinois Department of Transportation is proud to be a partner in sustainable transit options throughout the Quad Cities. We look forward to growing service throughout Illinois to improve the quality of life and make our state even better place to raise a family, work and do business," Beth McCluskey, director, Office of Intermodal Project Implementation, Illinois Department of Transportation.

MetroLink's announcement also coincides with the Illinois Public Transit Association (IPTA) Fall Conference, which is taking place Aug. 24-26 in Moline, Ill. and feature presentations on how next-gen mass transit solutions are bettering communities nationwide.

"Increasingly, transit agencies, commercial organizations and communities throughout Illinois and the Midwest are turning to electric infrastructure solutions that cut back on emission levels and lay the foundation for sustainable urban ecosystems," said Laura Calderon, executive director of the Illinois Public Transit Association. "We hope that sustainability will play a key role in the discussion at our Fall Conference next week, and that it will continue to influence transit operators' decision-making in the future."

"MetroLINK and the Illinois Quad Cities already have an outstanding reputation for pursuing and implementing forward-looking transportation technologies.  We're proud to help them further solidify this reputation by providing them with our battery-electric transit vehicles," said Ryan Popple, CEO of Proterra. "With MetroLINK and other progressive agencies serving as models, the Midwest is quickly pivoting away from diesel and committing to sustainable mobility solutions that simply make economic and environmental sense, and Proterra is excited to help this region—and the country as a whole—speed into a clean energy future."

About Proterra:
Proterra is a leader in the design and manufacture of zero-emission vehicles that enable bus fleet operators to eliminate the dependency on fossil fuels and to significantly reduce operating costs while delivering clean, quiet transportation to the community. Proterra has sold more than 312 vehicles to 35 different municipal, university, and commercial transit agencies throughout North America. Proterra's configurable EV platform, battery and charging options make its buses well suited for a wide range of transit and campus routes. With unmatched durability and energy efficiency based on rigorous U.S. certification testing, Proterra products are proudly designed, engineered and manufactured in America, with offices in Silicon Valley, South Carolina, and Los Angeles. For more information, visit: http://www.proterra.com and follow us on Twitter @Proterra_Inc. 

About MetroLINK:
MetroLINK is the Illinois public transit provider offering the "Metro" fixed route bus service, the "Channel Cat Water Taxi", and ADA Paratransit. The 3.5 million rides a year taken on MetroLINK services provide a vital connection to jobs, education, healthcare, and retail, supporting our local economy and creating a vibrant quality of life. Find out more about your commuting options at gogreenmetro.com.

SOURCE Proterra

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