Summary:
King County Metro has introduced a new fleet of battery-electric buses to reduce harmful emissions and improve transit operator safety. The buses will begin service on February 2, and will prioritize service in south King County neighborhoods most impacted by air pollution. The new fleet features enhanced operator safety partitions, and will eventually support up to 120 battery-electric buses at Metro's Tukwila Base. The buses are expected to travel between 240 and 280 miles on a single charge, and will carry up to 69 passengers, including the operator.
On Thursday, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay and King County Metro unveiled a new fleet of battery-electric buses designed to reduce harmful emissions, improve transit operator safety, and prioritize service in south King County neighborhoods most impacted by air pollution.
The new buses, painted in electric yellow and seafoam blue, are Metro’s first battery-electric vehicles purchased from GILLIG and will begin service on Monday, Feb. 2. Riders in south King County will see the buses operating periodically on routes 105, 128, 161, 165, 184, and the RapidRide F Line as Metro evaluates performance and gradually expands deployment.
“Public transit is one of the most powerful ways we connect people to opportunity. Every day, our operators show up to help people get to work, get to school, and get where they need to go,” said King County Executive Girmay Zahilay. “For decades, King County Metro has been a leader in clean transit. And while cleaner technology and cleaner air matter, progress is only possible if the people behind the wheel are safe and supported. As our operators show up for our communities, it’s our responsibility to show up for them by prioritizing safety improvements. We continue to honor the memory of Shawn Yim by taking operator safety seriously and ensuring our commitments show up in real, tangible ways. With this new fleet, we are doing exactly that.”
Metro is prioritizing deployment in south King County, where communities face higher-than-average levels of traffic-related air pollution. Rolling out zero-emission buses in these areas supports improved air quality and provides residents with access to cleaner, more sustainable transportation.
The buses are also the first in Metro’s fleet to feature newly installed operator safety partitions. Designed to enhance security, the partitions include a reinforced lower metal panel, a two-part sliding glass system with a larger, extendable panel for increased visibility, and a polycarbonate panel extending to the ceiling. The partitions will remain closed at all times except when operators are assisting customers with mobility devices and meet industry safety standards for vehicle windows and operator compartments.
“Safety is our top priority, and these new buses are designed with enhanced steel and glass operator safety partitions to better protect our drivers while they serve the public every day,” said Metro General Manager Michelle Allison. “Our investment in these buses also reflects our values: protecting the people who operate our system and transitioning to clean transportation. Enhanced safety partitions improve operator security, while zero-emission technology helps build healthier communities now and for future generations.”
The new 40-foot buses are equipped with larger batteries than Metro’s current electric fleet and are expected to travel between 240 and 280 miles on a single charge, according to the manufacturer. Each vehicle can carry up to 69 passengers, including the operator. Metro will closely monitor the fleet’s performance as it scales up operations.
Charging will begin at Metro’s Tukwila Base this spring, which will eventually support up to 120 battery-electric buses. As the new fleet grows, service will expand to tens of thousands of riders across south King County.
The GILLIG buses also feature Metro’s updated exterior design, “The New Energy,” a bright and modern look symbolizing the agency’s commitment to a zero-emission future and more sustainable public transportation.
“I’m proud to help launch Metro’s newest electric bus fleet, which strengthens safety for our operators while improving air quality in the communities we serve,” said King County Councilmember Steffanie Fain, Chair of the Council’s Transportation, Economy, and Environment Committee. “Investing in reliable, clean transit improves quality of life across King County, and I look forward to continuing our work with Executive Zahilay and the King County Metro team to deliver a system that is safer, more resilient, and more sustainable.”