15 hours Ago By Daily Republic Staff
VALLEJO — A ribbon-cutting event is scheduled for Friday to mark the completion of Solano County’s first Electrification Infrastructure, designed to charge the growing SolTrans fleet of zero-emission local buses. “SolTrans has already reached the limit of its onsite charging capacity with the five all-electric buses currently in service,” Beth Kranda, SolTrans executive director, said in a statement. “This project is imperative to fully electrify the rest of our local fleet.
It lays the groundwork for cleaner air, healthier communities, and a transit system that Solano County can be proud of.” The project cost was $13.35 million, paid for with Federal Transit Administration, Bay Area Air Quality Management District and local funds.
It is designed to charge up to 30 buses. The SolTrans local fleet will have 23 electric buses – 96% of the local fleet – by 2026, with a potential annual savings of $280,000 in fuel costs, SolTrans reported. The Solano County Transit directors as well as Rep.
John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, state Sen. Christopher Cabaldon, D-Yolo, and representatives from project partners Transdev, PG&E, WSP, Patriot Construction and the Solano Transportation Authority are scheduled to attend. The event is from 10:30 a.
m. to 1 p.m.
at the SolTrans Operations and Maintenance Facility, located on Broadway Street between Sereno Drive and Tuolumne Street, in Vallejo. "The journey began in 2020, when the SolTrans board authorized work with engineering firm WSP to design an advanced depot charging system capable of powering an all-electric fleet. Construction officially broke ground in April 2023 and reached completion in April 2025, with Patriot Construction leading the build and PG&E delivering the energy infrastructure needed to make it a reality," SolTrans said in its statement.
The infrastructure also features original artwork by local artist Lorenzo Crockett and his team. "The installation highlights the unique identities of Benicia and Vallejo, showcasing local culture, transit history, and neighborhood spirit," the statement said..
