An electric bus will be buzzing around State College in two weeks when CATA hosts the Xcelsior bus — a specifically designed no-emissions vehicle.

CATA’s PR Manager Jackie Sheader announced that the Xcelsior will be active as either a White or Blue Loop March 13-17. Each day, CATA will announce on Twitter and Facebook which route the bus will take.

Xcelsior is a product of the Winnipeg-based company, New Flyer. According to New Flyer, up to 160 tons of greenhouse gases can be saved in a year with the Xcelsior in use compared to an average bus.

The Xcelsior can be charged on the move and is linked to CATA’s headquarters, where monitors can track the bus’ location, fuel efficiency, and safety.

Passengers riding the Xcelsior will be asked for feedback and in return, will be entered into a raffle for an undisclosed prize.

Most of CATA’s current buses are run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), according to Sheader. The company completely switched to CNG in 2005 to reduce their carbon footprint. CNG produces fewer emissions than traditional diesel.

Sheader added that a lot of transportation companies are trying to become more green. As technology continues to improve and become cheaper, the electric bus might be the norm one day.

About the Author

James Turchick

James is a senior majoring in digital and print journalism, James enjoys writing about anything weird and is deadly allergic to bees. Onward State people are very nice to him.

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