ABQ RIDE’s microtransit service is the agency’s latest division to go electric.
City officials and transit staff announced the addition of five electric vans to its fleet on Tuesday. The 2023 Ford E-Transit units will be the main rolling stock of the ABQ RIDE Connect pilot program.
“ABQ RIDE is committed to zero emissions to lower our greenhouse gas emissions and is thrilled to launch these electric vans as a welcome addition to our five electric buses,” transit Director Leslie Keener said. “We are actively working on transitioning ABQ RIDE to be powered by alternative energy sources in the most cost-effective and strategic manner possible.”
Microtransit — also known as demand-responsive transit — picks up and drops off passengers at individual locations according to their needs, unlike fixed-route service, which runs according to timetables. ABQ RIDE Connect, launched in March, allows passengers in the Rio Grande and Southwest Mesa service zones to hail rides through an app.
“The ABQ RIDE Connect microtransit pilot program represents a customized transit solution essential for enhancing accessibility alongside our fixed-route bus system,” said City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn. “The introduction of electric vans further enhances this initiative. It marks a significant stride towards achieving our climate objectives by reducing vehicle usage and ensuring zero emissions from these new transit vehicles.”
The cost of the vans is $537,735, or $107,547 per vehicle. The city paid for them with capital and grant dollars.
Among the benefits of electric vans versus traditional gasoline-powered vans are lower maintenance and operating costs, quieter running and lower susceptibility to damage, Mayor Tim Keller said at the event at the Ken Sanchez Transit Facility. He said they also have environmental and social benefits.
“The electric vans will literally meet you at your doorstep to take you where you need to go,” Keller said.
Each of the vans includes six regular seats plus space for a wheelchair, along with a wheelchair lift and three-point harness seatbelts for children.
The addition of the vans is part of a larger effort by the city to increase the number of zero-emission vehicles in its fleet.
“The integration of electric vans into our fleet not only aligns with the city’s sustainability goals, the service they provide is a great fit for our comprehensive transit operation,” city Chief Financial Officer Kevin Sourisseau said. “They allow us to improve access and equity for our transit users while creating a greener future for us all.”
The van purchase further distances the city from a setback in 2019 when it rejected some electric buses intended for Albuquerque Rapid Transit due to quality control issues that led it and the manufacturer to sue each other. The service was then initiated with diesel buses.
Nonprofit journalism like this depends on readers like you. This story is supported by City Desk ABQ, a nonprofit newsroom project of Citizen Media Group supporting news and politics coverage that inspires readers to participate in local democracy. Become a supporter to keep City Desk free and support nonprofit, independent journalists covering politics and policy f0r New Mexico newsrooms.