Good Day and thank you for joining us today
With increased environmental awareness, the world isturning to electric vehicles in an attempt to help reduce roadside emissions, noise pollution and improve air quality; all of which lend to an improved quality of life for Bermuda residents.
There is a global acceptance that there are several benefits to transitioning to electric vehicles including lower cost, energy efficiency and lower environmental impact.
Today’s rollout of the new fleet of electric buses is a result of feedback that the Ministry received during the 2019 Transport Green Paper consultation.
I believe we have used the consultation to develop environmentally favourable options that will benefit Bermuda, not just today but in the future.
We have taken delivery of all 30 electric buses, of which, the first 10 buses are now in service and the remaining 20 buses will be operational in the coming weeks. Charging stations at the Fort Langton and Dockyard bus depots are operational, and the St. George depot will come online later this month.
The Ministry of Transport is pleased to have partnered with RMI and Golden Dragon Bus Company and the Department of Energy. I want to extend my thanks to the project team that led this initiative including Roger Todd, DPT; Adrian Dill, Department of Energy; Christopher Bulley, Department of Planning; Mannard Packwood, Ministry of Transport; EJ Klock McCook, RMI; and Xiao (Alex) Kunrui, Golden Dragon Bus Company.
The Ministry of Transport looks forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure that the transport sector is “EV-ready” in regulation, policy, capital improvements, and planning for public and private infrastructure to adequately sustain electrification.
Thank you