Although CTtransit’s electric buses launched in early September, it took me a full two months before getting to ride on one. I don’t know if they have a strategy for which buses get used on which routes, though I know the electric buses have been rotating.
Aside from the rattling windows (why do bus windows rattle so damn much?!) this was a significantly quieter ride. I can’t be sure if it was the driver, but the bus seemed to move faster too, and that’s not because of fewer riders. I snapped the pic below as a group was boarding who would take these seats seconds later.
If the story is that the electric battery buses are cool, why show the seats? If you ride, you know. The standard, probably chosen by people who don’t ride or have to maintain cleanliness, had been fabric seats. On the popular local buses, it isn’t unusual for every third or fourth seat to have a mystery stain. Coffee? Beer? Urine? All of the above? Or, worse, the soiling would be fresh. These new seats can be quickly washed and dried. They’re not as cushiony, but I think you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who would rather have more padding than a clean seat on local buses.
Have you gotten to ride on one of CTtransit‘s electric buses yet? Tell me in the comments.
