By Summer, Princeton U. Will Operate Only Electric Buses Around Town

PRINCETON, NJ —During Monday’s Council meeting, Princeton University provided the community with an update on its campus mobility plan, highlighting how it fit perfectly with the town’s sustainable priorities.

Charles Tennyson, director of Transport and Parking Services, and Kristin Appleget, assistant vice president of Communications and Regional Affairs represented the University in its presentation to Council.

The University said it has done away with motorized vehicles, with electric buses and bikes taking center stage.

On Jan. 30, the University added new routes to its transit system and upgraded its fleet to 17 electric buses. The vehicles are expected to arrive in the next three months and the Princeton community will be able to use them.

“We’re really excited about the electrification of the system,” Tennyson said. “Throughout the course of this semester, we are planning to decommission the entire diesel fleet. So, by summer only electric vehicles will be operating around town and on campus.”

When this work is complete, Princeton University will be among the very few institutions in the country with a fully electric fleet, Tennyson said.

The 17-vehicle fleet will have images of campus on them and will be marked as a free shuttle service for all “so there’s no mistaking who can ride it.”

The buses will have zero emissions and offer the latest technology for accessibility with a self-assisted, automated wheelchair position.

The vehicles will be charged at two sites. The smaller charging facility is located on campus and five vehicles can be charged there at one time. Once the site is fully up and running, which officials expect to be as soon as next week, the University will begin operating the first seven buses.

The larger charging facility will be located at a university-owned property in West Windsor. At least 16 buses will be able to charge at the same time. The facility is expected to come online in May, Tennyson told Council.

The University also has a 15-vehicle car share fleet that provides 700 trips a month for the university community.

“We also have a contract with Zipcar for two vehicles that are located at Princeton station. Those cars are available to anyone with a Zipcar membership,” Tennyson said. “We hope we can find more ways to help promote those vehicles to the residents of Princeton so that they realize they’re there.”

Princeton University is also in contract with local bike shops to repurpose 130 bikes as rentals. Since last year, the bikes are being rented to students at a low cost.

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