Eight electric buses that are part of Metro Transit's C Line rapid bus service have been temporarily removed from service this week due to issues with their chargers.
Metro Transit's first electric buses temporarily removed from service
Other buses are being used to provide C Line service.
July 20, 2019 at 1:04AM
![After the ceremony, people were invited to take a ride on the bus. Metro Transit unveiled its first electric bus at a ceremony including Gov. Tim Walz. The bus will be part of a fleet serving the C Line rapid bus, which will connect north Minneapolis to downtown. ] GLEN STUBBE • glen.stubbe@startribune.com Thursday, February 21, 2019 Metro Transit unveiled its first electric bus at a ceremony including Gov. Tim Walz. The bus will be part of a fleet serving the C Line rapid bus, which will](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/VI2MUQZPPKCJQ7CKHFRKUM5FC4.jpg?&w=712)
The vehicles are the first electric buses to be added to the transit agency's overall fleet. Metro Transit tweeted Friday that the 60-foot buses were removed from service "because the equipment needed to recharge their batteries is not operating as intended." Other buses are being used to provide C Line service.
The $37 million C Line, which connects downtown Minneapolis to the Brooklyn Center Transit Center through north Minneapolis, began service in June. Rapid bus service features passengers paying before boarding, heated stations and schedules posted in real time. Although the buses operate in traffic, they have signal priority to smooth the way, and fewer stops mean the service is 20 to 25% faster than local buses, according to Metro Transit.
Spokesman Drew Kerr said Metro Transit hopes to have the buses back in service as soon as possible.
Walz will campaign in Wisconsin and Michigan on Monday before heading to Pennsylvania. Trump’s running mate, Ohio U.S. Sen. JD Vance, held his own rally in La Crosse on Monday.
