MCTS briefly suspends use of battery electrical buses

Milwaukee County Transit System electrical buses have been pulled from the streets as the results of a producer recall of the buses’ batteries.

“Resulting from a producer’s recall, and out of an abundance of warning, the Milwaukee County Transit System will take away all Nova Bus LFSe+ battery electrical buses from the CONNECT 1 Bus Speedy Transit (BRT) line briefly, beginning at present,” MCTS mentioned in a press release.

The CONNECT 1 BRT debuted in June. It runs from downtown Milwaukee to the Milwaukee Regional Medical Heart in Wauwatosa alongside Wisconsin Avenue and Bluemound Street.

The road makes use of each diesel and electrical buses on the road, however solely diesel buses will likely be in service till the difficulty with the electrical buses is resolved.

MCTS mentioned Nova Bus, the producer, notified MCTS a few “potential concern” on Thursday. Nova Bus mentioned the buses have been nonetheless secure to drive, however MCTS determined to maintain them parked at its upkeep facility as a “precautionary step.”

“We’re assured that Nova Bus’s proactive recall exhibits their dedication to security and product high quality,” MCTS president and managing director Denise Wandke mentioned.

Battery replacements beneath this recall will likely be carried out on all 11 electrical buses for free of charge to MCTS, in accordance with the assertion.