Princeton Council Approves New Electric Bus Purchase
The municipality plans to acquire two electric shuttles to reduce emissions and lower annual operating expenses.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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The Princeton Council voted 5-1 to authorize the purchase of two new electric buses. The move is designed to modernize the municipal transit system while cutting long-term operational costs.
Why it matters
By switching to electric shuttles, the municipality aims to reduce transit-related emissions and save an estimated $100,000 annually. The transition also marks a move toward municipal ownership of transit assets rather than relying on current private operating models.
The two new electric buses feature 12 seats each, compared to the 19 seats in the current gas-powered fleet. The municipality estimates that owning the fleet will result in annual savings of $100,000.
The players
Princeton Council
This local governing body is responsible for making legislative decisions and managing municipal budget and infrastructure projects for the city.
WeDriveU
This private company provides managed transportation services and currently operates bus routes for the municipality.
The details
Princeton will use a $434,000 grant from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to help cover the $704,335 price tag for the new vehicles. While the council moves forward with the purchase, the current contract with operator WeDriveU is scheduled to conclude in December.
Timeline
The state grant was awarded to the municipality in 2023.
The current contract with WeDriveU ends on December 16, 2026.
The new electric buses are expected to arrive in approximately eight months.
Roadmap
This move signals a broader transition toward electrification in local transit, mirroring efforts by municipalities to divest from fossil-fuel-powered bus fleets. By shifting to municipal ownership, Princeton is repositioning itself to better manage long-term maintenance costs and sustainability goals.
Commuters should prepare for potential changes in service capacity given that the new buses seat 12 passengers compared to the current 19-seat vehicles. Residents may also see changes in transit service management once the city selects a new operator to replace WeDriveU.
The takeaway
The move demonstrates how cities are leveraging state environmental grants to modernize aging public infrastructure. Residents can expect ongoing changes to local bus service logistics as the municipality transitions to a new operating model in the coming months.
Further reading
Learn more about the local shift to sustainable transportation on the Princeton Electric Vehicles section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Princetonian.
Live Poll
Should your local government prioritize purchasing electric buses even if it reduces passenger seating capacity?
