With gas prices surging nation-wide, and increased environmental concerns being raised by many, there has been a push to use more public transportation to both save money and ease our carbon footprint.
The Nassau County Legislature held a press conference today at the NICE bus yard on Commercial Avenue in East Garden City to announce the purchase of six new battery electric powered NICE Buses.
“Nassau County has a reputation for being one of the most environmentally responsible counties in the State,” Presiding Officer Richard Nicolello said. “By adding zero-emission buses to our fleet, we will immediately reduce emissions and improve air quality here in Nassau County, while saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in maintenance and fuel.”
The six vehicles purchased are New Flyer Xcelsior CHARGE NG™ 40-foot transit buses, model XE40. They come with 525KWh Lithium-Ion batteries and have a range of approximately 180 to 200 miles on a single charge. The cost is approximately $1.1 million per vehicle. The County’s funding has been supplemented by funding from New York State and the Federal Government for greener transportation. It is estimated that each electric bus will save up to $125,000 in maintenance and up to $400,000 in fuel savings over its 12-year lifespan.
These six buses will initially service the Nassau County HUB area with service originating from the Rosa Parks Bus Depot in the Village of Hempstead and serving the greater Hempstead, Nassau Community College, Hofstra University and Roosevelt Field areas. Usage will then expand throughout the county.
“Nassau Inter-County Express has selected New Flyer as our new battery-electric bus vendor,” said Jack Khzouz, Chief Executive Officer, NICE. “We plan on deploying these energy-efficient vehicles for the launch of our new bus rapid transit (BRT) system, which will provide Nassau County with zero emissions travel between Rosa Parks Hempstead Transit Center to the Nassau Hub/NCC locations. They will help NICE improve accessibility and connectivity within Nassau County.”
The charging equipment that will be purchased for the buses include ABB HVC Power cabinets and depot charge boxes. The primary charging station site will be the decommissioned water purification plant on the corner of Oak Street and Commercial Avenue in East Garden City.
Later today, the legislation for the purchase of this new fleet as well as the construction of the charging stations, will pass through the full legislature. It had previously passed through Committees on March 7th.
The buses are expected in Fall of 2022. They will be the first electric public transport buses in use on Long Island.
Shown in photo above, left to right in front of demo electric bus: Legislator Steve Rhoads; Legislator John Giuffré; Legislator Tom McKevitt; Jack Khzouz, Chief Executive Officer, NICE; Presiding Officer Richard Nicolello; Legislator Rose Marie Walker; Legislator John Ferretti; Legislator Laura Schaefer and Legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip.