Big Blue Bus selects Stantec to lead transition to zero-emission bus fleet

Top 10 global design firm Stantec has been selected by Big Blue Bus— which serves Santa Monica and the Westside of Los Angeles, one of the most densely populated areas in L.A. County— to help the transit agency transition to a zero-emission bus (ZEB) fleet. Stantec will assist the municipal bus operator to devise an electric vehicle charging strategy as it switches its fleet of 195 buses by 2030. The Big Blue Bus implementation date is a decade ahead of a statewide mandate.

The charging infrastructure project, set for completion in March 2021, starts with an in-depth review of route modeling for Big Blue Bus to determine if battery electric buses or hydrogen fuel cell electric buses are the best fit for the community.

The Stantec Team will work with the West Los Angeles bus operator on a block-by-block analysis to understand power requirements throughout the 58-square-mile service area. During the transition to 100 percent ZEB operations, the Big Blue Bus fleet composition will evolve over time, and both natural gas-powered buses and electric buses will be in service simultaneously. The phased approach provides flexibility for the transit agency as it reduces its environmental footprint. The infrastructure plan will accommodate the shifting fleet composition and the ultimate decommissioning and removal of the existing fueling system in place.

“The Big Blue Bus zero-emission goals are the next step in the agency’s long history as an industry leader in sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices,” says Patrick M. McKelvey, Stantec senior principal. “We are excited to continue working with Big Blue Bus to provide exceptional—and clean energy—service to transit riders in western L.A. County.”

Big Blue Bus is the latest of several projects where Stantec is assisting transit agencies plan their ZEB fleet needs. Elsewhere in California, Stantec is working with Riverside Transit Agency, Antelope Valley Transit Authority, Napa Valley Transit, San Luis Obispo RTA, Fresno Area Express, Anaheim Transportation Network and Orange County Transit Authority to assist with electric bus charging infrastructure and smart power technology planning and design. Additionally, Stantec is assisting TriMet in Portland, Oregon; Minneapolis Metro; the Toronto Transit Commission; and private companies with similar plans. Stantec also is working with the State of California Department of General Services on their zero emissions vehicle plans.

In mid-2019, Big Blue Bus received its first prototype battery electric bus from GILLIG, a California-based bus manufacturer. The new bus is powered by six onboard batteries and can be fully charged in less than four hours.

“We’ve been partnering with Big Blue Bus on facility improvements to their Santa Monica campus more than 25 years,” said Will Todd, Stantec’s project manager. “This charging infrastructure project is the latest in a long string of largescale collaborative projects aimed at improving public transit options for Los Angeles County residents, with an eye toward sustainability. We’re thrilled to get underway.”

About Stantec
Communities are fundamental. Whether around the corner or across the globe, they provide a foundation, a sense of place and of belonging. That’s why at Stantec, we always design with community in mind. We care about the communities we serve—because they’re our communities too. This allows us to assess what’s needed and connect our expertise, to appreciate nuances and envision what's never been considered, to bring together diverse perspectives so we can collaborate toward a shared success. We’re designers, engineers, scientists, and project managers, innovating together at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships. Balancing these priorities results in projects that advance the quality of life in communities across the globe.

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Media Contact
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Stantec Media Relations
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