Zero-Emission Buses Put into Service as the Yountville Bee Line, St. Helena Shuttle
The Bee and the Shuttle will offer on-demand bus service anywhere within Town and City Limits.
When traveling around town, Yountville and St. Helena residents and visitors can now reduce their carbon footprint by taking zero-emission buses.
- The Yountville Bee Line is a brand new, zero-emission bus featuring a bee design. The bus provides free and on-demand service within the Town of Yountville. It will maintain the same service area as the old Yountville Trolley.
- The new St. Helena Shuttle is a brand new, zero-emission bus featuring a monarch butterfly. This bus replaces the old Shuttle and will provide on-demand service within the City of St. Helena for $1.00.
Local transportation leaders from the Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA) are holding ribbon cutting ceremonies this week to officially welcome the zero-emission buses into service. These ceremonies coincide with Zero Emissions Week.
“NVTA is dedicated to reducing harmful greenhouse gases and using alternatives to fossil fuels, and today marks an important milestone in NVTA’s commitment to the environment,” said NVTA Chair Liz Alessio. “For running errands, going to lunch, or meeting friends by using the zero-emission bus rather than a gas-powered car, Yountville and St. Helena residents and visitors can double down on their own commitments to the environment. Zero-emission vehicles are better for the environment, and great for the rich agricultural land the world knows us for.”
“While our community has enjoyed free public transit for many years, I’m excited to welcome a more environmentally friendly electric vehicle to Yountville,” said Yountville Mayor John F. Dunbar. “The Bee represents our commitment to climate action, while bringing a fun, attractive bus to town to help locals and visitors get around town.”
“The new electric butterfly shuttle highlights the environmental priorities of the City and mirrors the natural beauty of the City’s surrounding vineyards and greenspace,” said St. Helena Mayor Geoff Ellsworth. “This vehicle will encourage community members and visitors to use the shuttle for work, shopping, dining and errands in addition to providing affordable service for community members on a tight budget and for our kids to go to school.”
These zero-emission buses take four hours to fully charge, can travel 180 miles, and will save $0.30 per mile in maintenance. Each bus will eliminate 1,690 tons of CO2 in a 12-year lifespan, which is the equivalent to taking 27 cars off the road.
These buses are two of five buses currently in service that NVTA secured with funding from the Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emission Vehicle competitive grant program. NVTA also just received $14.8 million in competitive grants from the Federal Transit Administration for 14 more zero-emission buses. When all of these buses have been developed, tested, and put into service, nearly half of NVTA’s bus fleet will be zero-emission.
NVTA has installed bus charging infrastructure at the Yountville Corporation Yard and St. Helena Corporation Yard where the vehicles will be charged.
The Yountville Bee Line is provided free-of-charge, thanks to the generosity of the Town of Yountville.
No reservations are required for the Bee and the Shuttle. To request a pickup download the Ride the Vine App from the Apple Store or Google Play Store or call:
Yountville Bee
Call: (707) 944-1234
St. Helena Shuttle
Call: (707) 963-3007