Macon-Bibb County, the Macon-Bibb Transit Authority, and area leaders will have the chance to learn more about electric bus technology and ride one through Downtown Macon. New Flyer of America will have its new Xcelsior zero-emission heavy-duty XE40 transit bus on display for the public at the Terminal Station throughout the day. At 3:00 p.m., they will host representatives from Macon-Bibb, MTA, partner organizations interested in improving Downtown, and the media for a demonstration of the new technology and a tour. 

In 2011, Macon began a planning for the redevelopment and revitalization of the Second Street Corridor as a “multi-modal spine” from East Macon and I-16, through Downtown, past Mercer University, and to I-75. It would connect residential areas, businesses, universities, medical facilities, and government facilities to each other while linking two regionally significant facilities, I-16 and I-75.

Part of that plan is for Second Street to become a “complete street” which would include a transit alternative for connecting east and west Macon needed to be identified that could serve as a backbone to a larger regional system. It was originally discussed that a fixed light rail system would connect the different areas, but the electric bus system is currently being explored due to its cost and efficiency, as well as its success in other cities. 

“An electric bus system could provide us a way to bring a fixed transit system to the Second Street Corridor sooner than anticipated and allow us to begin exploring how to expand to other areas of Macon-Bibb,” says Macon-Bibb Mayor Robert Reichert.