RI Starts Building State's First Electric Bus Charging Station

CRANSTON, RI — Gov. Dan McKee and other state lawmakers joined the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) to break ground on the construction of Rhode Island's first electric bus in-line charging station.

The charging station will be located at 350 Montgomery Ave., in Cranston, along the R-Line, RIPTA's busiest bus route, connecting Providence and Pawtucket. The station, which can charge up to three electric buses simultaneously, will also feature driver restrooms and various site improvements including an on-site snow-melt system.

State officials said the charging station will allow a fully electric bus fleet to operate, lowering emissions in an area with many low-income communities and communities of color, that have been affected by air pollution.

"The new electric charging station furthers our administration's commitment to cleaner air quality and zero-emission, sustainable energy," McKee said in a statement. "Projects like this also build on our momentum in ensuring Rhode Island is at the forefront of the green economy. It is also critical that we ensure easier access to public transportation for riders, who rely on RIPTA’s services to get to school, work, or the doctor’s office."

BOND Civil & Utility Construction, Inc. is constructing the $6.7 million project. State officials said they expect the station to be complete by Fall 2022.

The project was paid for mostly by a Volkswagen settlement fund. The remaining funds are coming from federal transit funding, state officials said.