Hybrid Electric Transit Bus Program

Please Note: The last day of service for the BEE routes was Friday, October 14, 2005.

Background

The City of Santa Clara began to investigate the feasibility of an intermodal, alternative fuel shuttle program in 1999. This decision was based on surveys and feedback from corporate customers located in Santa Clara, who were concerned with the heavy traffic levels and lack of connecting shuttles (from ACE and CalTrain) for their employees. The City, through its electric utility Silicon Valley Power (SVP), formed an Advisory Committee with members from local businesses, transit district and City staff to develop the program.

The committee determined that the vehicles should be either all electric or electric-hybrid. An RFP to bus manufacturers was issued in early 2000. Based on response from the RFP and concerns regarding range and reliability of all electric vehicles, SVP purchased hybrid electric buses. These buses were delivered in late 2001, and the Breathe Easy Express (BEE) program was launched on November 13, 2001. The buses have remained in operation since that date.

Two buses have been in daily operation on two separate routes serving industrial areas in Santa Clara from November 2001 through October 14, 2005. Daily ridership averaged about 120 people for both routes; about 60% of these were ACE passengers and 40% were from CalTrain.

Current Situation
The City of Santa Clara is not a transit operator. This project has been run and operated by the municipal electric utility, Silicon Valley Power, as a demonstration of a new energy technology. During the course of this project, many major systems have been updated and/or redesigned, resulting in buses and systems that operate much better than originally provided by the manufacturer. This program has been run since 2001 and, since the buses are operating well, can no longer be considered a demonstration project. In 2004, the City, burdened by the ongoing cost of operating transit services, which are outside its standard functions, decided to phase out the operation of the vehicles.

A public awareness campaign was begun in mid-September, alerting passengers of the impending service stoppage. Representatives of the program rode the routes and talked to riders explaining the rationale behind the City's decision. Additionally, riders were made aware of other mass transit options, including VTA buses serving the ACE and CalTrain schedules. The overall response from riders has been acceptance mixed with disappointment; the BEE program has, over the years, developed a very loyal ridership base. Passengers have expressed appreciation for the service and its assistance to their commute, but also have enjoyed participating in a cutting edge, pilot program.

On a positive note, the City has entered into relationship with an electric bus manufacturer (Ebus in Downey, Ca) to purchase the two operating vehicles. Ebus is working with a manufacturer of ultra capacitors on a new Research and Development program focusing on capacitors in mass transit vehicle applications; the BEE buses will be used as part of this R&D project. Ebus is working with several large transit providers in Southern California, so the buses may still be used to advance alternative fuel applications in transit districts (an original goal of the project).

In addition to providing a reliable, convenient and clean commute option to thousands of Santa Clara residents and employees over the years, the BEE program has helped to relieve congestion throughout the City and advanced the concept of hybrid and alternative fuel mass transit buses. It also was a high profile and popular program for the City, providing shuttle services at City functions and to visiting dignitaries. Over the years of the program, it has received numerous compliments from private and public sector representatives, largely from the Santa Clara companies that it served. Overall, the BEE project has been an asset to the City of Santa Clara, its electric utility, Silicon Valley Power, and the Public Benefits Program.