BSOOB Transit receives federal money for electric charging equipment

BIDDEFORD — The Biddeford-Saco-Old Orchard Beach Transit has received $1.2 million in federal funding to purchase on-route chargers for their two electric buses.

The money was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Low and No Emission Vehicle Grant Program.

U.S. Senator Susan Collins said in a written statement that as the ranking member of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, she strongly advocated for the funding that will allow BSOOB to take two diesel buses off the road and replace them with battery powered, carbon-neutral vehicles.

“BSOOB Transit has been serving Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, and Scarborough for more than 40 years. Meeting the transportation needs of these communities’ residents as well as their significant influx of summer visitors requires a public transit system that is safe, reliable, and eco-friendly,” she said.

Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach Transit, or BSOOB, received a federal grant two years ago to replace two diesel buses with two electric buses and purchase charging stations at the bus depot and on-route charging infrastructure, according to a press release from Collins. However, due to an increase in cost, BSOOB did not have the money to purchase on-route charging equipment. Without this equipment, the new electric buses would not be able to remain on the road for a full 16-hour day, according to Collins. This recently awarded funding will allow BSOOB Transit to purchase the equipment needed to keep the electric buses on the road.

“This award along with Maine DOT funding will complete the necessary infrastructure enhancement by adding two fast charging stations at the Saco Transportation Center and will be the final piece of our initial start-up of the transition to electric buses,” said Rod Carpenter, Interim Executive Director of Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit in a written statement.

BSOOB Transit provides daily bus service within the communities of Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach and to Scarborough, Portland and South Portland.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.