Circuit Transit, an electric shuttle service that serves three East End hamlets, was awarded $7 million through the New York Clean Transportation Prizes program.
The company, which ran electric micro buses in East Hampton, Southampton and Montauk during the summer season, was one of 10 grand prize winners as part of the $85 million state program that aims to promote clean transportation, improve mobility options, and reduce harmful emissions through innovative transportation solutions, according to a statement from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office.
The program is administered by the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority, in partnership with the New York State Department of Public Service and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
“Improving access to clean mobility options, electrifying trucks and buses, and supporting projects that reduce air pollution modernizes the way residents and visitors access community services, recreation, and work opportunities while creating jobs, improving health, and reducing the impacts of climate change,” Hochul said in the statement.
Circuit Transit entered the state’s Electric Truck & Bus Challenge that awarded up to three grand prizes of $8 million each to accelerate the electrification of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and reduce air pollution and emissions in disadvantaged and other impacted communities in the state.
Founded by James Mirras and Alex Esposito in 2011, Circuit is an affordable and sometimes free, electric micro-transit solution. Circuit’s fleets are aimed at fulfilling the first-mile last mile gap that’s experienced by municipalities. The service is made possible by collaborating with municipal agencies and employing advertising campaigns with recognizable brands. Since starting the company as a pet-project, the business is now operating in cities across eight states.
“The Long Island Power Authority is proud to support Governor Hochul’s agenda to combat climate change by addressing clean transportation in underserved communities throughout the state,” Thomas Falcone, CEO of the Long Island Power Authority said in the statement. “By investing in these initiatives, we will continue to promote sustainable transportation, drive carbon reductions in a sector that contributes almost a third of carbon emissions in New York and create healthier communities for families across Long Island and our state.”
David Winzelberg
Source link
