Lane Transit District Hosts Sen. Merkley

LANE TRANSIT DISTRICT (EUGENE, OR) hosted Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) recently at its Glenwood Campus in Springfield, where the senator was briefed on the operation and maintenance of the agency’s 30 battery-electric buses.

“We are flattered Senator Merkley came to LTD to learn more about how zero-emission electric buses are serving our communities,” said Jameson T. Auten, Lane Transit District chief executive officer. “LTD is committed to identifying innovative mobility management technologies that align with our Climate Action Policy and Fleet Procurement goals.”

Following a technical briefing, Sen. Merkley drove one of the agency’s 40-foot New Flyer buses. The electric buses, including chargers, were funded by FTA’s Low or No-Emission program and LTD general funds.

“Curbing air pollution from transportation is key in our fight against climate chaos, and LTD’s electric fleet is charging Lane County communities forward to a clean energy future,” said Sen. Merkley. “It was great to test drive one of these cutting-edge new buses, and I’ll keep working to support sustainable mass transit that improves public health while getting Oregonians to where they’re going.”

Zero-emission electric buses and the adoption of other environmentally conscious measures has helped LTD to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 77 percent, while continuing to fulfill its mission to provide safe, clean, reliable, convenient transportation options for the Eugene-Springfield, OR, metro area and surrounding communities.