As part of its push for electrification of the Chilean public transport system, on Saturday June 27, 150 new BYD electric buses were introduced on the RED network operated by the transit company Metbus in Santiago. These buses will be used on services that run through Avenida Bernardo O’Higgins, known as the Alameda, the historic central avenue in the Chilean capital. BYD now has 455 buses in operation in the country.
RED Mobility is the standard implemented by Chile’s Ministry of Transportation in late 2018, which seeks to establish a new level of quality for city transport, which began with the launching of the first 100 BYD buses in Chile. Its objective is the total electrification of public transportation by the year 2040.
The renewal of the fleet will enable it to cover Santiago’s most important bus route and also marks a change of operator, the new BYD buses replacing those of Colombian operator Express, which did not win a renewal of its contract.
“This process of continuously improving public transportation is a direct benefit for the people. Since last year, the gradual increase in the circulation of high-standard buses in Greater Santiago has improved the service quality as well as feedback from users of the city’s public transit system. We will continue to incorporate more changes in this direction with the next tenders and with the extension of the network to other cities”, highlighted the Chilean Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Gloria Hutt.
“This new fleet of 150 BYD electric buses will bring citizens more quality trips while improving Santiago’s air quality,” said Tamara Berríos, Country Manager of BYD Chile. “The Alameda project is of great importance due to its visibility as the transformation of the capital’s central avenue. We are convinced that it is necessary to continue promoting the transformation of public transport through electromobility, and BYD will continue to advance in this way.”
