Transportation ranks among the biggest challenges growing city governments face when trying to reduce their carbon footprints. A starting point for many has been replacing municipal fleets — gas-guzzling cars and, in particular, smoke-belching buses — with cleaner, green alternatives.
Now, one city has proclaimed itself the first in South Florida go with a 100% electric bus fleet: Hallandale Beach. The city sees multiple benefits from the swap.
“Electric transportation means cleaner air and better quality of life for our residents,” said assistant city manager Noemy Sandoval. “The reduced wait time is a huge milestone and this was a huge project in the making for five years.”
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The nine electric buses Hallandale Beach unveiled last week also will cut wait times in half and - maybe the best part for residents — the rides are still free.
The buses and charging infrastructure were purchased with a $3.4 million Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) grant and an additional $2.5 million contribution from the City of Hallandale Beach. The nine buses replaced the City’s five 16-seat, gas-fueled shuttle buses.
The buses are the start of the city’s switch to an all-encompassing electric transportation system they’re calling “The Cloud.” The City plans to add e-bikes, scooters and vehicles too.
The Cloud buses offers a quiet, zero emissions ride with WiFi and more seating and standing room than the City’s last buses. The new buses don’t only cut the wait time in half from an hour, but expand the routes. There are now two new stops added at the Walmart and Aventura Mall.
The city’s police department already has 13 all-electric vehicles, along with 49 hybrid Police Interceptor vehicles, which the city says is the largest hybrid police fleet in the nation.
Other cities in South Florida have larger bus fleets that will take more time to retire to electric, including in Miami-Dade. Miami-Dade recently ran into trouble with parts and maintenance issues with their busses, leaving 15 of the 69 electric buses undrivable after the company they agreed to buy from, Proterra, filed for bankruptcy. Hallandale Beach bought their buses from BYD.
Transportation is the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, making up slightly less than 30%, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Hallandale’s electric and hybrid vehicles will reduce transportation-related emissions by more than 600 metric tons annually, which is equivalent to the savings of more than 117 homes’ annual electricity usage.
“We’re always looking for additional funding and partnerships with the state, and federal government to enhance our fleet,” Sandoval said. “We are looking for funding for three additional buses to enhance the routes.”
Hallandale Beach’s green buses will offer four different routes that run Monday to Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or 7:54 p.m. More route information can be found by calling (954) 457-2220 and selecting Option 6 or by going to www.thecloudhb.com.
Ashley Miznazi is a climate change reporter for the Miami Herald funded by the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Family Foundation in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners.
This story was produced in partnership with the Florida Climate Reporting Network, a multi-newsroom initiative founded by the Miami Herald, the South Florida Sun Sentinel, The Palm Beach Post, the Orlando Sentinel, WLRN Public Media and the Tampa Bay Times.
