A graph from CDM Smith showing projected local costs (excluding federal contributions) over the 12-year lifespan of two buses including capital costs up front, infrastructure, fuel and maintenance costs. Diesel buses are cheaper up front but cost more over time. Hybrid diesel-electric buses break even at five years, while battery-powered electric buses break even at about 10.5 years.
The Carson Area Metropolitan Planning Organization pumped the brakes on electrification of Jump Around Carson buses at its meeting Wednesday but left the option of electrification — and hybrid buses — on the table.
CAMPO members voted 5-1, with Lyon County Commissioner Wes Henderson voting nay and Douglas County representative Jon Erb absent, to accept a Zero Emission Transportation Plan but not approve implementation until concerns about electrification are addressed.
The zero-emission plan was funded with a $225,000 grant through NV Energy as part of the power company’s electrification initiative. CDM Smith Inc. was the contractor hired in December 2023 to complete the plan and presented findings Wednesday. The plan is necessary to pursue Federal Transit Administration dollars for low- or no-emission vehicles and infrastructure.
Henderson said electric buses, heavier from batteries, would cause more wear and tear on streets. He also had safety concerns.
“A couple of our meetings ago, we had our fire protection districts in to talk about lithium-ion battery fires,” he said. “It scares the hell out of me. I think this is a technology that is evolving, but it’s not there yet. Putting fire suppression systems in the maintenance facility is one thing, but what if the bus catches on fire in the street? Which it really could. Disposal of batteries is another big issue. There is not a procedure in place now to safely dispose of these batteries.”
CAMPO members shared Henderson’s concerns not just about more fire suppression infrastructure and training needed, but about the possibility electric bus manufacturers go out of business, leaving local authorities scrambling. Proterra was one example brought up Wednesday. According to the Associated Press, the electric bus company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last year.
Carson City Mayor Lori Bagwell, who chairs CAMPO, said she didn’t want to put JAC on the cutting edge of a new technology versus a “tried and true” technology. She maintained eliminating diesel buses and associated emissions is a good goal, but she didn’t want to see any gaps in service for JAC riders due to electrification challenges.
“I think the first thing to consider is the market is not quite as cutting edge as it used to be,” said Jermery Gilbride of CDM Smith.
Gilbride described how transit agencies suffered under the Proterra collapse, but he argued the market is stronger and more open now. He pointed to a phased approach in the zero-emission plan.
“Say in phase one, there is an issue with the supply chain for one of the buses, well, in phase two – that’s part of what the data gathering in phase one is about – you then have the option to look at other manufacturers under phase two and still be able to use that open-standard charging infrastructure that is recommended for phase one.”
The plan recommends ordering two electric buses in 2026 and upgrading infrastructure for the buses the following year. However, it calls for an evaluation period in 2029 before any more electric buses are pursued in phase two.
The JAC fleet currently has 17 vehicles including five diesel “pusher” buses, according to the plan, and one thing CAMPO members liked is phase one recommends replacing other diesel buses with non-plug-in diesel-electric hybrids.
According CDM Smith’s analysis, such hybrids break even around five years, and total costs including fuel costs stay below those of conventional diesel buses. Up front, they’re slightly more expensive than conventional buses but still significantly cheaper than full electric buses.
Carson City Supervisor Lisa Schuette, who sits on CAMPO, thought hybrids could be “a potential middle ground.”
“They don’t reduce emissions as much,” Gilbride responded, “and there’s no real opportunity for infrastructure sharing with other transit agencies in the region, but they do make a lot of economic sense, and they’re a really effective stopgap measure — or not even stopgap, but first-step measures… if the concerns over battery electrics are too great to overlook at this point.”
Bagwell maintained that accepting the plan means it becomes CAMPO’s and can be modified before specific implementation.
“This is your plan. You manage it,” avowed CDM Smith’s Brian Stewart.
Following the CAMPO meeting, the Regional Transportation Commission convened and unanimously approved pedestrian safety improvements at College Parkway and Imperial Drive; College Parkway and Northgate Lane; Fairview Drive and Gordon Street; Fairview Drive and Desatoya Drive; and Fairview Drive and Edmonds Drive.
Improvements may include “bulb-out” platforms, pedestrian islands, more lighting and intersection control. Specific project costs are unknown at this point, but the city is pursuing Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds that require a 5 percent local match.
Pedestrian fatalities have occurred in the last decade at two of the targeted intersections. The recommended projects stem from CAMPO’s Local Road Safety Plan approved in April. Using that plan, transportation staff evaluated factors like crashes, speed and crosswalk exposure. Other priority intersections, such as Nye Lane and North Carson Street where a young pedestrian died in January, have been incorporated into existing planned projects, according to staff.
RTC member Gregory Novak lauded the LRSP and taking specific steps.
“I think most of us are familiar with these intersections, and we go, ‘Yeah, they do need some attention,’” he said.
“It’s really actually exciting to see that we plan, and then the next year, we’re executing on the plan,” added Bagwell.
Bagwell also brought up the intersection of Robinson Street and Saliman Road near Carson High School. Carson City Transportation Manager Chris Martinovich said developers of the Lompa Ranch area will be responsible for a signal at the intersection in the future, according to agreements with the city. He added the Western Nevada Safe Routes to School program is working to make that intersection safer for students.
The LRSP is online: www.carson.org/home/showpublisheddocument/89078/638517882664470000.