CapMetro's on-route chargers boost Austin bus uptime to 22 hours

A total of 2.9 megawatts of power now flows through the main bus depot in Austin, Texas. This capacity supports 48 industrial dispensers that can charge the entire electric fleet simultaneously during the night. The infrastructure was installed by Camber Charging, which supplied two 1,440 kW systems to create this central charging hub.

CapMetro, the city's transit agency, recently opened two new park-and-ride facilities named Goodnight Ranch and Expo Center. These sites began operating alongside the Rapid 800 and Rapid 837 electric bus routes, which were announced in June. The new terminals feature overhead, pantograph-style charging equipment that allows vehicles to replenish their batteries at the end of each route.

Andy Skabowski, CapMetro's Chief Operations Officer and Executive Vice President, explained that this on-route charging strategy extends the time a bus can remain in service. He noted that a typical bus holds eight hours of charge, whereas the new system extends that to 20 or 22 hours. Skabowski stated that every time the pantograph drops, the bus charges, which enables the agency to commit to 10 to 15 minute service intervals.

The electric vehicles on these routes are built on the Xcelsior battery-electric transit platform manufactured by New Flyer, a Canadian company. New Flyer indicates that the platform can offer up to 660 kilowatt-hours of available battery capacity. The buses produce up to 320 horsepower of all-electric power, with full torque available at zero revolutions per minute, a feature designed to handle frequent stops in traffic.

Camber Charging also manages preventive maintenance, charger software, and remote diagnostics for the network. The company provides these services across all three charging locations, including the main depot and the two new terminals. This integrated approach allows the agency to monitor energy use and equipment health in real time.

The expansion supports the growing number of electric buses serving the city. The new amenities at the Goodnight Ranch and Expo Center facilities improve passenger experience while providing the necessary power infrastructure to sustain daily operations on the Rapid routes.

The two facilities were first announced in June and are now fully open. They serve as the endpoints for the Rapid 800 and Rapid 837 lines, ensuring that vehicles can top up their batteries before making the return trip without range limitations.