October 16, 2025
The Lift will celebrate the arrival of its first electric bus with a ribbon-cutting event on Tuesday, November 5, from 12:00–1:00 PM at the Winter Park Transit Center, 50 Vasquez Road.
This milestone marks the beginning of The Lift’s transition to a fully zero-emission fleet by 2035. The first two buses set to arrive were funded through a combination of the 2023 FTA-5339c grant and the 2022 FASTER Electric Bus Replacement grant, totaling $2.1 million. Local utility Mountain Parks Electric has also pledged $100,000 toward future electric vehicle purchases.
The new electric bus added to the fleet will help reduce emissions in the community, aligns with statewide sustainability goals, and provide residents and visitors with quieter, cleaner, and more efficient service. The electric bus marks an important first step towards reducing emissions from the Town of Winter Park, which is a part of both the Town of Winter Park’s Climate Action Program and The Lift’s 5-Year Transit Development Plan.
The 5-Year Transit Development Plan outlines the organization's approach to electrification, ensuring vehicles are used for their full lifespan while strategically introducing new electric models that meet the unique performance demands of mountain routes. The plan estimates a $19.3 million investment to complete the transition across the 24-bus fleet.
“We are excited to have this first electric bus added to our fleet and serving our community,” says Town of Winter Park Transit Manager Charles McCarthy. “The Town is committed to both our global and local connectivity and creating a healthy and thriving environment for residents and visitors. This is a great step in achieving the goals we’ve set for ourselves as an organization.”
Community members, media, and local partners are invited to join in the celebration and be part of this historic step toward enhancing local transportation options and preserving the natural environment.
