HYANNIS – The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority unveiled its recently completed bus facility redesign and solar project Wednesday at the Hyannis Transportation Center.
The $1.6 million project includes 900 solar panels on three canopy structures.
“There is a 93 percent reduction in energy demand for us now,” said Tom Cahir, the CCRTA administrator.
The construction project involved a public/private partnership that included funding from the state’s Department of Transportation and Department of Energy Resources, along with the Federal Transit Administration.
The solar component of the project relating to engineering, materials, and installation costs were fully covered by solar vendor SOLECT to be offset by future energy savings.
The bus bay reconfiguration includes two bus canopies and expanded the total number of bus bays from 12 to 18.
A vehicle parking canopy will cover 20 sheltered parking spaces.
Benefits of the redesign include bus flow efficiency and improved passenger safety.
Sixty vehicle parking spaces were added and ADA parking was relocated to within 25 feet of the Hyannis Transportation building.
The camera system was also upgraded to provide a view of all buses, vehicle and customer traffic.
Lighting was also increased along customer walkways to buses.
Five information monitors were also added under the bus bays.
The movement of the bus bays and the reconfiguration of bus movement and vehicle parking contributes to site aesthetics in support of future Transit Oriented Development.
“The whole project was great and I think most people are enjoying benefits of it,” Cahir said.
The project also included the addition of 20 electric vehicle charging stations fully funded through an Eversource grant program.
“I’m on a number of committees that work on sustainability issues and that is the buzz phrase of the future – where electric vehicles and other things are going to reduce our carbon footprint,” Cahir said.
The charging stations were also strategically placed on the property for ease of access.
“It’s a model of where the transportation industry is going,” Cahir said.
Cahir said the savings that will result from the solar installation will provide increased quality and service provided by the transportation agency.
The CCRTA is developing an app to make it easier for people to get onto public transportation.
“One of our services requires a call 24 hours prior to when a ride is needed so we can come and get you,” Cahir said. “This app will allow you to do it instantaneously.”
Cahir said those are the types of initiatives the CCRTA is undertaking due to the resources being saved from these types of projects.
About CapeCod.com NewsCenter
