Austin Transit: New Overhead Chargers Extend Electric Bus Service to 22 Hours

CapMetro has activated two new park-and-ride facilities in Austin that use overhead pantograph charging systems for electric buses. The Goodnight Ranch and Expo Center terminals began operating this week alongside the Rapid 800 and Rapid 837 routes. These stations allow vehicles to recharge their batteries at the end of a run, enabling them to complete return trips without range limitations.

The transit agency previously announced the facilities in June. They now provide passenger amenities and charging infrastructure at the termini of the two electric bus lines. The system connects to a central charging network located at CapMetro's main bus depot.

Infrastructure partner Camber Charging installed two 1,440 kW systems at the depot. These units connect to 48 industrial dispensers, creating a total charging capacity of 2.9 MW. The setup is designed to charge up to 48 electric buses simultaneously during overnight hours.

Andy Skabowski, CapMetro Chief Operations Officer and Executive VP, stated that on-route charging significantly extends bus service hours. He noted that a standard bus holds eight hours of charging, but the new system extends that window to 20 or 22 hours. Skabowski explained that every time the pantograph drops, the bus receives a charge. This process supports service intervals as frequent as every 10 to 15 minutes.

The vehicles operate on the Xcelsior battery-electric transit platform manufactured by New Flyer. The company reports that the platform can offer up to 660 kWh of available battery capacity. The buses produce up to 320 all-electric horsepower, with full torque available at 0 rpm, a feature suited to stop-and-go traffic patterns.

Camber Charging provides preventive maintenance and software for energy management across all three charging locations. The firm also handles remote diagnostics for the equipment installed at the depot and the two new terminals.