Santa Barbara Metro Transit District votes to switch to an all-electric, clean fleet by 2030

November 20, 2018

Southern California Edison's Public Affairs Manager Rondi Guthrie speaks in favor of the electric bus goal

The Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) Board of Directors voted unanimously today to set a goal of 100% clean, quiet zero emission buses by 2030.

The District decided to join Los Angeles Metro - with one quarter of the state's buses - along with five other California transit agencies in setting a 2030 goal, 10 years earlier than the 2040 goal expected to be set this January by California’s Air Resources Board. 

"We salute the MTD board for setting a 100% electric bus goal. Diesel pollution causes cancer, asthma and it also contributes to climate change,” said Katie Davis, Chair of the Sierra Club Santa Barbara Group. “It is particularly important to show a commitment to carbon-free transportation now as California grapples with a year-round fire season driven by climate change.”

Environmental Advocates photo

“Community Environmental Council congratulates Santa Barbara MTD for continuing their electric bus leadership with this 100% electric bus goal,” said Michael Chiacos, Director of Energy and Climate Programs at Community Environmental Council. “Zero emission electric buses powered by renewable energy will be cleaner for our air, quieter for our neighborhoods, and show the world we can lead on climate change solutions.”

The groups were among 20 local organizations that signed on to a letter supporting the goal, including the UC Santa Barbara's Chancellor's Sustainability Committee, Santa Barbara City College, CAUSE, the League of Women Voters, Food and Water Watch, 350 Santa Barbara, Climate Reality Santa Barbara and the Environmental Defense Center. The move was also backed in a letter by the American Lung Association.Santa Barbara MTD General Manager Jerry Estrada (R) and CEC's Michael Chicacos (L)

Santa Barbara MTD operated the first electric bus fleet in the U.S. in 1991. The transit district currently operates 14 all-electric buses with no tailpipes, making it the second largest active electric bus fleet in California. In a little more than a decade, all 112 buses serving Santa Barbara, Goleta, Montecito and Carpinteria are now slated to be quiet, clean, comfortable, and most importantly, carbon free. 

"It will keep MTD in that leadership position in the state as well as the nation," said Santa Barbara MTD Board Chair Dave Davis.

 

Sierra Club Santa Barbara Group Chair Katie Davis speaks in support of 2030 goal:

 

Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District Board Chair Dave Davis speaks before the unanimous vote.