Lobbyists from a diesel bus manufacturer, New Flyer, reached out to Miami's mayor after the company lost a bid for new buses in the city to electric bus company Proterra.
Miami-Dade County administrators have made steps to modernize the bus fleet with a purchase of new electric buses, but diesel bus manufacturer New Flyer is hoping the purchase won't go through. "With the estimated $23 million deal awaiting a final sign-off from Mayor Carlos Gimenez, a losing bidder is urging Miami-Dade to throw out the recommendation and buy its vehicles instead," Douglas Hanks writes for the Miami Herald.
New Flyer argues that the electric buses from Proterra could pose a risk to the county if they are delivered late or if the technology isn't as dependable as advertised. For his part Proterra's CEO,Ryan Popple, has countered that his competitor has spent its money on lobbying over innovation.
Meanwhile, Miami commuters are suffering. The city's public transit has been rated the least reliable in the country, partly because of frequent breakdowns.
FULL STORY: Miami-Dade is almost ready to buy its first electric buses. Enter the lobbyists
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