This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Federal Transit Administration awarded Park City a $3.9 million grant this week to start adding zero-emissions electric buses to its transit fleet.
Ann Ober, Park City's regional policy and energy director, said that will help City Hall's goal to reach zero net carbon emissions by 2022 to help fight global warming.
"We run our own transit department. So in order to make that goal, we have to switch our vehicles onto renewable energy. This is our first step," Ober said.
She said the city plans to buy six electric buses with the grant. An FTA news release said the new vehicles will replace aging diesel buses and expand the fleet.
Ober said the city plans to use them "as sort of a test run for a BRT [bus rapid transit] program in the future." BRT routes have limited stops, often feature bus-only lanes in roads, have priority at traffic signals and extra doors to speed trips.
"Basically they will be on a set route. It will go between a few stations, and will give people quick and efficient ways to maneuver between Kimball Junction, Park City and our resorts," she said.