JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Public transportation in Jacksonville could soon go electric.
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration that will go toward research and implementation of electric buses and solar-powered charging stations throughout Northeast Florida.
Recommended Videos
The first to try out the fleet of electric buses will be the shuttle service to the new Amazon Fulfillment Center on the Northside. It could take a little more than a year before Jacksonville residents start seeing the electric buses rolling out.
“You get the benefits from the emissions standpoint, so there's sustainability benefits,” said Brad Thoburn, vice president of planning, development and innovation for JTA. “While the vehicles will cost more on the front end, you are going to save in operations. The maintenance requirements are a lot less, easier to maintain."
JTA officials said electric buses will not affect fare costs.