Livermore, California, USA – Jan 4, 2024: GILLIG, America’s leading manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses, celebrates the start of a new and greener year alongside the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) as they introduce the first six of 62 GILLIG Battery Electric buses. PSTA, recognized as the American Public Transit Association’s Outstanding Agency of the Year in 2023, will start the new year with this rollout, marking a meaningful milestone in PSTA’s dedicated journey toward creating a more sustainable, equitable, and environmentally friendly public transportation system for Pinellas County. 

PSTA’s 5-year contract with GILLIG for 62 Battery Electric buses, awarded in late 2022, reflects PSTA’s ongoing dedication to modernizing and enhancing public transit, a vital initiative in their region, which is the most densely populated region in Florida. 

Brad Miller, CEO of PSTA, commented on this milestone: “For over three decades, our collaboration with GILLIG has been instrumental in offering safe, reliable, and now zero-emissions sustainable transit options to our community. With the launch of GILLIG’s Battery Electric buses, we’re taking a major step in our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship. These buses represent a key move towards an even more sustainable and equitable future for PSTA, and we are excited to start the new year with these new zero-emission buses!”

This first wave of buses and the additional 56 to be built and delivered over the next four years will replace older diesel-fueled models that are aging out of the PSTA fleet. PSTA estimates they will save approximately 11 million gallons of diesel fuel over the lifetime of the buses by replacing them with these battery-powered counterparts, significantly reducing emissions and improving air quality throughout Pinellas County. 

With PSTA already operating 88 GILLIG Hybrid buses in Florida’s largest fleet of hybrids, adding GILLIG Battery Electric zero-emission buses is a natural progression in their ongoing efforts to foster sustainable public transportation in Pinellas County. Built on GILLIG’s same proven Low-Floor platform as the GILLIG Hybrids, the new buses will seamlessly integrate into PSTA’s existing fleet, maintaining the durability and quality PSTA has come to expect from their GILLIG buses.

However, these new 40′ buses are solely powered by ultra-high-capacity batteries, boasting a substantial 686 kWh of onboard energy storage for extended range on a single charge. Having earned the industry’s top performance, safety, and reliability testing scores, these new Battery Electric buses will provide reliable, quiet, and zero-emission service for PSTA’s daily operations. PSTA’s investment also includes 15 ChargePoint chargers, purchased through GILLIG’s Charging Solutions team which provides wraparound support to ensure a smooth

The enduring partnership between PSTA and GILLIG, and this newest collaboration, underscores how transit agencies trust GILLIG to be an adaptable leader, building transit solutions that are the right fit for the communities they will serve. With their aggressive goal of eliminating all diesel buses from their fleet in the next decade, PSTA’s dedication to sustainability and their investment in GILLIG’s Battery Electric buses as their zero-emission solution will be a model for the growing change towards electrifying public transportation in the United States. GILLIG is dedicated to partnering with transit agencies like PSTA as they drive America forward while keeping their communities connected with sustainable, effective, and reliable public transit solutions.

About GILLIG

GILLIG is a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses in the United States and has been family-owned since 1890. In steadfast commitment to their mission of building buses that connect communities, eliminate congestion, and contribute to a greener environment, GILLIG offers a diverse range of clean energy transit solutions, including zero-emission Battery Electric, and low-emissions Hybrid and CNG, as well as Diesel solutions. Known for safety, reliability, and unparalleled customer service, GILLIG is committed to providing high-quality transit solutions that meet the unique needs of communities nationwide. 

About PSTA

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), operational since 1903, is the public transit provider for Pinellas County, providing more than 10.4 million rides per year. PSTA operates 42 bus and trolley routes with a fleet of 210 vehicles. Awarded American Public Transit Association’s Outstanding Agency of the Year in 2023, PSTA continues to lead the charge in creating equitable, innovative, and sustainable transit initiatives. Its commitment to public service and environmental stewardship has earned PSTA national acclaim as an exemplary transit system and model for other cities around the country.