Capital Metro, the public transport operator in Austin, Texas, has decided to store 46 newly delivered ZX5 electric buses from Proterra for at least a year, citing unresolved technical issues and warranty concerns following Proterra’s bankruptcy and the acquisition of its bus division by Phoenix Motor.
The decision reflects ongoing challenges for Proterra’s customers even after Phoenix Motor acquired its bus operations late last year. According to local reports, CapMetro will keep the buses off the road until Phoenix can address outstanding issues. Proterra, once a prominent name in electric buses, filed for insolvency, leaving several customers in uncertainty over vehicle maintenance and operational guarantees.
CapMetro is also facing delays in installing charging infrastructure at bus routes, further complicating its transition to battery-electric buses. Despite these setbacks, the operator has begun deploying 40 out of 58 buses purchased from another supplier, New Flyer. However, these buses are operating on limited schedules of eight hours a day until more charging stations are completed at route endpoints, as reported by Kult News.
The agency had initially planned to deploy a fleet of 104 electric buses as part of its expansion, aiming to enhance sustainable urban mobility in Austin. The storage of the Proterra buses and charging infrastructure delays highlight ongoing hurdles in the broader push for electrifying public transportation.
Source: fox7austin.com
