Latest news with #electricbuses
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Cause of massive fire at SEPTA bus depot found: officials
The Brief SEPTA says a battery on one of the electric buses sparked the huge blaze at the SEPTA bus depot in Nicetown. A massive fire erupted at SEPTA's largest bus depot on Thursday, damaging 40 decommissioned buses. NICETOWN - After a huge fire broke out at SEPTA's largest bus depot in Nicetown on Thursday, officials have determined a cause for the fire. What we know A spokesperson for SEPTA stated that the Philadelphia Fire Department said a battery in one of the electric buses set off the massive fire Thursday at their largest bus depot, in Philly's Nicetown neighborhood. Residents living near the bus depot were urged to stay indoors while firefighters fought the blaze, due to air quality concerns. Philly's Health Department gave the all-clear for air quality on Friday. The backstory Firefighters were called to the Midvale SEPTA Bus Depot around 6 a.m. after employees reported a fire in the decommissioned bus lot. Investigators said the fire reached 3-alarms and torched about 40 buses, many that haven't been used in years, including former electric buses. SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer said the lot is used to store 100 buses that have been or are in the process of being decommissioned. He provided some insight into the decommission process, saying the buses' batteries are disconnected, and the mechanical fluid is drained. 16 of the burned buses are electric, made by the Proterra Company. SEPTA is battling in court in part over an earlier fire. SEPTA said the nine remaining electric buses at the depot are going away. Big picture view Meanwhile, the Health Dept. said the fire caused a rise in the amount of particulate matter, both PM 2.5 and PM 10, and released benzene, ethylbenzene, and carbon monoxide into the air. The levels of those pollutants were recorded at their highest point in the early morning on Thursday, June 5, while the fire was still burning. Those levels were reduced once the fire was brought under control, though residents were not advised to resume normal activities until Friday afternoon. No other details were released about the battery.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
New Bristol electric buses to cut 'thousands of tonnes' of carbon
A new fleet of electric buses is set to hit the roads in the West of England following a £59m project to upgrade two key bus depots.A total of 98 new buses will soon be operating across nine services in Bristol and North Somerset following the installation of rapid chargers at depots in Hengrove and buses can travel up to 230 miles on one charge, and can be fully charged in just one hour and 15 West of England Mayor Helen Godwin said: "It's better for the environment, and a reliable way to travel, which is what people are asking us for." The first 24 new electric buses are already operating from the Weston-super-Mayor depot, while the Hengrove depot in Bristol is set to get the next year, 258 new electric buses are set to be delivered across the West, with Bath routes being electrified in West of England Combined Authority (Weca) estimates each electric bus will save an average of 75 tonnes of carbon per bus a year, equivalent to taking 54 cars off the whole fleet will reduce global warming gas emissions by the same amount as 14,000 cars produce, it Bus, one of the UK's largest bus operators, provided £50m of the funding, while the remaining £9m came from central government. Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood officially opened the Hengrove depot on said the government was bringing "cleaner, quieter and smoother bus journeys to Bristol and beyond".Mr Lightwood added: "Better buses help deliver our Plan for Change - creating green jobs, boosting the local economy, and building a more sustainable future."Mayor Godwin was among the guests at the launch. She told the BBC that the buses will provide an overall better experience for passengers."They're better for the environment, they're cleaner in terms of emissions, they're new, they're comfortable, have a lot of passenger capacity and they're more reliable."They're less likely to break down and I'm hopeful that the more of this fleet that we get, we can start to see the difference in the performances of buses in the region." Rob Pymm, acting managing director for First Bus in the West of England, said that as well as being good news for the environment, the buses are also a lot more reliable than diesel-powered vehicles."They have many fewer moving parts, and we have just found they break down less often," he said that by 2026, roughly half the company's bus fleet in the region would be electric. "Having three quarters of a million passengers every day travelling by electric bus - that's pretty exciting news," he added.
Zawya
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Egypt launches trial operation of Cairo Ring Road BRT first phase
Egypt's Ministry of Transport announced the start of trial operations for the first phase of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project on Cairo's Ring Road on Sunday, 1 June 2025. This initial phase, now open to passengers, extends 35 kilometres from the intersection of the Ring Road with the Alexandria Agricultural Road to the Police Academy station. The ministry stated this initiative aligns with directives from President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to expand sustainable, environmentally friendly mass transit systems and to operate this first phase to serve users of the Ring Road. The BRT is described as an environmentally friendly mass transit system designed to offer high service levels. All buses deployed are locally manufactured, air-conditioned electric vehicles, a move consistent with presidential directives to localise various industries in Egypt, including bus manufacturing. The frequency of buses is planned at every three minutes, equivalent to 20 buses per hour, and is set to increase to every one and a half minutes during peak times. This project is envisioned as a key artery connecting eastern and western Cairo, with a link to the New Administrative Capital, offering a fast, modern, clean, and safe transport option. It integrates with other transport modes, interchanging with Metro Line 1 at El Zahraa and El Marg stations, Metro Line 3 at Adly Mansour and Imbaba stations, and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) at Adly Mansour station. The first phase includes 14 stations: Adly Mansour (a non-standard station); two surface stations with pedestrian bridge access (Bahtim and Police Academy); and eleven surface stations with pedestrian tunnel access. These tunnel-access stations are Alexandria Agricultural Road, Colonel Ahmed Abdel Rahim, Shubra Banha, Mostorod, El Khasous, El Marg, El Qalag, Zakat Foundation, Field Marshal Ibrahim Orabi, El Salam, and Suez Road. The ministry provided details on the areas served by each station: Alexandria Agricultural Road station: Accessed via a pedestrian tunnel, serving the Alexandria Agricultural Road and commuters from Banha, Toukh, Qalyub, and their surrounding areas, as well as those from Shubra El Kheima using the Ring Road. Colonel Ahmed Abdel Rahim station (Sharqawiya area): A surface station with pedestrian tunnel access, serving the Sharqawiya area and nearby villages such as Mit Halfa and Mit Nama. Shubra Banha station: A surface station with pedestrian tunnel access, serving those heading to the Shubra Banha Freeway and the Al-Assar Axis. Bahtim station: A surface station with pedestrian bridge access, serving the Bahtim area, West Shubra El Kheima, and Eskoo Club Street with its surrounding villages. Mostorod station: A surface station with pedestrian tunnel access, serving the Mostorod area, Ismailia Canal, Ismailia Agricultural Road, Belbeis Road, and commuters heading to Amiriya and Matareya. El Khasous station: A surface station with pedestrian tunnel access, serving the El Khasous area and its affiliated hamlets. El Marg station: A surface station with pedestrian tunnel access, serving the New El Marg area, the Marg-Khanka axis, and interchanging with Metro Line 1 via El Marg station. El Qalag station: A surface station with pedestrian tunnel access, serving the El Qalag area, Mohamed Naguib Road, and their surroundings. Zakat Foundation station: A surface station with pedestrian tunnel access, serving the Zakat Foundation area and commuters from Ain Shams and surr © 2024 Daily News Egypt. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Entrepreneur
29-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Nitin Gadkari Unveils Road Safety Innovations at Utkarsh India's 'YATRA KAVACH'
Addressing the gathering, Gadkari unveiled several forward-looking initiatives, most notably the introduction of revolutionary 130-seater electric buses currently under trial in Nagpur. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Nitin Gadkari, Hon'ble Minister of Road Transport and Highways, graced the 'YATRA KAVACH' event in Delhi, a significant initiative by Utkarsh India Ltd aimed at promoting road safety through innovation and technological advancement. The event witnessed the participation of key policymakers, industry leaders, infrastructure experts, and stakeholders, who came together to deliberate on the future of road safety in India. Addressing the gathering, Gadkari unveiled several forward-looking initiatives, most notably the introduction of revolutionary 130-seater electric buses currently under trial in Nagpur. "These buses will transform public transport by making travel faster, greener, and more comfortable. Once rolled out nationally, they will help decongest roads and encourage public commuting," he stated. The minister also stressed on standardising crash barrier specifications and the government's focus on sustainability, mentioning the use of alternative materials like bamboo. "Standardised, cost-effective crash barriers made with innovative materials can save lives. We're committed to world-class infrastructure that supports India's growing economy," Gadkari added. Highlighting the importance of waste management and technology, he pointed out that toll booths are gradually being replaced by automated camera systems that calculate and deduct toll charges directly from commuters' bank accounts based on entry and exit points. He also cited the introduction of e-rickshaws as a landmark initiative that has not only reduced manual exploitation but also created employment opportunities, especially in rural areas. Sunil Bansal, Chairman and Managing Director of Utkarsh India Ltd, emphasised the importance of intelligent infrastructure in reducing accidents. "Our goal is to save lives through smarter, safer roads. YATRA KAVACH is a step towards building safer transportation ecosystems," he said. Utkarsh Bansal, Executive Director, reaffirmed the company's commitment to nation-building through high-end engineering and manufacturing. "With YATRA KAVACH, we hope to lead the way in global-standard road infrastructure," he remarked. The event also featured an engaging panel discussion on innovation in road safety. Eminent speakers included Dr Sudhir R Hoshing of IRB Infrastructure, Ajay Sabharwal, former GM at NHAI, Sunil Kumar Nirmal from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and Suresh Kumar from REC Kurukshetra. Utkarsh India Ltd, a market leader in crash barriers and infrastructure solutions, showcased its innovative approach to safety systems. Their use of cutting-edge technology and commitment to sustainable practices underscore their role in shaping the future of India's infrastructure.
Zawya
29-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt, Sweden discuss advancing local electric bus manufacturing, sustainable transport
Egypt - Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel Al-Wazir, met with Johan Forssell, Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in the transport and industrial sectors. Swedish Ambassador to Cairo, Håkan Emsgård, also attended the meeting. Al-Wazir underscored the longstanding and robust relations between Egypt and Sweden, expressing a strong desire to deepen collaboration, particularly in enhancing road safety—an effort aligned with Egypt's extensive national infrastructure projects in roads and bridges. Minister Forssell, leading a delegation of Swedish institutions and companies, expressed Sweden's keen interest in investing in Egypt's industrial development. He affirmed Sweden's readiness to support Egypt through technology transfer, expertise sharing, and cooperation across various transport sectors, recognizing Egypt's strategic position as a gateway to Africa. A key focus of the meeting was Egypt's initiative to localize the manufacturing of electric buses as part of its broader environmental and industrial strategy. Al-Wazir noted that Swedish company Volvo already manufactures electric buses in Egypt for export to the UK and several European markets. The ministers also discussed collaboration on Egypt's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. Plans include the joint production of 100 electric buses, the development of electric charging infrastructure for upcoming BRT phases, and the implementation of advanced control and monitoring systems. Al-Wazir welcomed Swedish support in rolling out BRT services in Alexandria and emphasized opportunities for collaboration with other Swedish companies in the fields of renewable energy and pharmaceutical innovation, such as AstraZeneca. During the meeting, Al-Wazir and Forssell, along with Ambassador Emsgård, witnessed the signing of a Letter of Intent between Egypt's Land Transport Regulatory Authority and the International Swedish Industry Council. The agreement outlines cooperation in public transport planning, capacity building, technical evaluations, and knowledge transfer—particularly for BRT projects. Both sides concluded the meeting by agreeing to establish a series of expert-level follow-up sessions to monitor the implementation of joint projects and explore additional opportunities for Swedish companies in Egypt's growing market.
