Electric buses arrive in Rancagua: New public transport fleet unveiled
Modern machines have RED public transport system standards and begin operating today.
Electromobility continues to make ground in Chile. The city of Rancagua has now signed up to this strategy, with the incorporation of new electric buses that will renew the current public transport fleet.
While on a visit to the O’Higgins Region, President Gabriel Boric participated in the unveiling of these modern machines that have RED public transport system standards.
A total of 10 electric buses will replace the same number of older vehicles, thanks to the Renew Your Micro (Renueva Tu Micro, RTM) Program. The Manzanal company applied for the program in 2022, which provided a subsidy of over $1.1 billion Chilean pesos (US$1.2 million) to renew the fleet. The figure is part of a $3 billion-peso (US$3.2 million) fund allocated by the program for the O’Higgins Region.
The company operates Line 500 of the Rancagua Urban System, with three services that connect southwest and northeast Rancagua (Santa Julia and Avenida Circunvalación Norte sectors). The electric buses will operate on any of these routes, benefiting approximately 266,470 people.
Characteristics of the new electric buses in Rancagua
The new electric buses are made by Zhongtong. They are 8.7 meters long, with a range of 229 kilometers and RED standards, universal access, space for wheelchairs and an access ramp, air conditioning, LED interior lighting, USB ports, Wi-Fi connection and a semi-open driver’s cabin.
The maximum fare for Line 500 is $470 pesos (US$0.50) for adults, $230 (US$0.25) for seniors and $150 (US$0.15) for schoolchildren. There is also a fare of $380 pesos (US$0.40) for women between 60 and 64 years old.
EnelX has built a charging center with three charging ports at the bus terminal for the buses to operate.