El Dorado

BWATC operates two styles of Eldorado busses. They are the 30-foot model called the E-Z Rider II and the 40-foot model called the Axcess. The 30-foot model is used in both demand response service and on fixed routes where demand is lighter. The 40-foot model is used almost exclusively on the fixed routes and are our prime people movers. In total BWATC operates 23 Eldorado buses.

E-Z Rider II

Chassis Manufacturer: ENC Division, REV group, Riverside CA (formerly Eldorado National)

Body Manufacturer: ENC Division, REV group, Riverside CA (formerly Eldorado National)

Engine: 5.9L Cummins, currently testing 6.2 liter engines for Cummins in three units

Fuel type: Compressed Natural Gas

Transmission: Allison B300R

Range: 350 miles

Seating capacity: 28 with no wheel chairs, 19 with 1 wheel chairs and 13 with2 or 3 wheelchairs

Climate control: Thermoking AC and heating systems

Special equipment: Two low floor entry doors, fold out wheel chair ramp at each door, electronic destination sign, two-way radio, air suspension, AM/FM/PA system, video surveillance system, two position bike rack, kneeling entry.

Axcess

Chassis Manufacturer: ENC Division, REV group, Riverside CA (formerly Eldorado National)

Body Manufacturer: ENC Division, REV group, Riverside CA (formerly Eldorado National)

Engine: 8.9 L Cummins

Fuel type: Compressed Natural Gas

Transmission: Allison B400R

Range: 350 miles

Seating capacity: 37 with no wheel chairs, 25 with 1 wheel chairs and 23 with 2 and 21 with 3 wheelchairs

Climate control: Thermoking AC and heating systems

Special equipment: Two low floor entry doors, fold out wheel chair ramp at each door, electronic destination sign, two-way radio, air suspension, AM/FM/PA system, video surveillance system, three position bike rack, kneeling entry.

Arboc

ARBOC Spirit of Liberty

Blue Water Area Transit operates a fleet of 28 ARBOC Spirit of Liberty small buses. These vehicles are built on a Chevrolet chassis and are constructed in Middlebury, Indiana. They have a service life of seven years and are rapidly approaching their replacement times. The vehicles are primarily used for demand response and senior/mobility impaired service.

Chassis Manufacturer: Chevrolet

Body Manufacturer: ARBOC Mobility, Inc, Middlebury, IN

Engine: 6.0 liter Chevrolet

Fuel type: Compressed Natural Gas

Range: 250 miles

Seating capacity: 17 with no wheel chairs, 13 with 2 wheel chairs and 9 with 3 wheelchairs

Climate control: OEM and aftermarket AC and heating systems

Special equipment: Low floor entry, fold out wheel chair ramp, electronic destination sign, two-way radio, air suspension, AM/FM/PA system, video surveillance system, two position bike rack, kneeling entry.

PROTERRA

Proterra  ZX5+ battery-electric transit bus 

BWATC selected the 40-foot Proterra ZX5+ battery-electric transit bus with 450 kilowatt-hours of onboard energy and a ProDrive™ drivetrain.

BWATC is the first public transit agency in Michigan to operate electric transit buses in its transportation fleet.

The buses and charging equipment were predominantly funded via a 2018 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) $1.5 million Low or No Emission Program award and the Michigan Department of Transportation. BWATC partnered with Proterra, the leading manufacturer of electric transit buses in North America and DTE Energy – Michigan’s largest producer of renewable energy – on the award and project.

“Adding electric powered buses to our existing fleet of compressed natural gas buses continues our local tradition of providing state-of-the-art, eco-friendly service,” said Dave McElroy, BWATC’s General Manager. “Pursuing cleaner technology for our riders and community has been a priority of the Commission for decades.”

To charge the new electric transit buses, BWATC constructed an overnight charging station at its Admin/Maintenance facility and an in-route charging station at its Downtown Port Huron Transfer Center on McMorran Blvd.

Linda Bruckner, BWATC Board Chair said, “BWATC is always committed to our environment, clean air and quality transit service.  Our natural gas fleet of buses reflects this mission.  In continuation of this, BWATC was proud to announce the addition of two electric buses and their charging stations.  BWATC was the first transit organization in the State of Michigan to put 100% battery electric buses into service. We would like to thank our staff for their efforts. We would like to thank our partners, Proterra, the manufacturer and DTE, the energy supplier for their commitment to clean energy and BWATC.  These new buses will have far reaching positive rewards for the people we serve and our environment in the Blue Water area.”

“Proterra is delighted to partner with Blue Water Transit to bring the first 100% battery-electric transit buses to Michigan and deliver clean, quiet transportation to local riders,” said John Walsh, Proterra Senior Vice President. “Michigan has long been a leader in transportation innovation and we are excited to help drive the transition to zero-emission, battery-electric vehicles with our industry-leading ZX5+ electric transit bus and charging solutions.”

DTE contributed to this mass transit sustainability initiative by managing the logistics associated with ensuring the power needs of the planned in-route charging unit. “We are pleased to partner with BWATC as they integrate more sustainable mass transit vehicles into their fleet,” said Lynn Felcyn, electrification program manager at DTE. “We recognize the important role we play in helping to provide a reliable charging infrastructure for Michigan’s expanding electric vehicle market.”