CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Chillicothe Transit has added three new electric vans to its fleet, the city said, part of a push to modernize the system’s vehicles and cut emissions.
The vans and the charging infrastructure needed to keep them running were purchased with a Low or No Emission Grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation, according to the city. The federal Low or No Emission Grant Program, administered through state transportation departments including ODOT, helps transit systems across the country replace aging diesel buses and vans with battery-electric and other low-emission vehicles, with the stated goals of improving local air quality, lowering long-term maintenance costs and supporting the construction of charging and fueling facilities.
The new vans are ADA compliant and equipped with wheelchair lifts, the city said. They will be put to work in Chillicothe Transit’s Demand Response program, which provides curb-to-curb rides for riders who schedule trips in advance rather than following a fixed route.
Chillicothe Transit operates the city’s public bus and demand-response services, including the Chillicothe Trolley and fixed-route buses that serve stops throughout the city. The system has rolled out other service changes this year, including added stops on its Western Avenue route and seasonal trolley schedule adjustments.
City officials said the addition of the electric vans and their charging equipment represents a step toward more reliable and more sustainable transportation options for riders.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the City of Chillicothe.
