Letters From Our Readers

Skoda Letter to RTA

Mr. Reiss and Mr. Deville,

SKODA ELECTRIC USA is very interested in working with the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority and other interested parties to reintroduce Electric Trolley Buses to your transit system. This letter and it’s comments are offered as a statement of interest.

Hurricane Katrina caused major destruction to New Orleans’ infrastructure.. While this event has brought hardship to the citizens and commerce, it has also afforded New Orleans the opportunity to rethink many of the assumptions used to design the existing infrastructure and to improve the city as it is rebuilt.

One of these opportunities is public transportation. RTA was nearing a major bus fleet renewal before Katrina, which flooded half of the fleet. More streetcars are an obvious choice, but each line requires years of planning and building. Electric trolley buses and their infrastructure can be more quickly built and may recieve preferential funding from the FTA.

Skoda, the largest manufacturing company of transit equipment in the Czech Republic, proposes another direction for bus fleet renewal that compliments streetcars; electric trolley buses. Skoda has built 13,000 trolley buses already, a majority of the world fleet. Currently Skoda has approximately 440 trolleys running in the US in three cities, Dayton, Ohio, San Francisco, and Boston.

In broad outline, Skoda is interested in a three-prong deal.

One, RTA places a large order for electric trolley buses (each bus with an optional diesel backup). The larger the order, the more economical the purchase, of course. Skoda is sensitive to design needs and requirements of transit vehicles in the United States and is willing to work with New Orleans on a design which compliments the city.

Two, Skoda establishes a factory in Orleans Parish to assemble these trolley buses for New Orleans and other cities. The degree of local fabrication is a matter of discussion and further study. New Orleans RTA is unique among transit agencies in being the prime contractor for building the Riverfront and Canal streetcars. Skoda is very open to a similar arrangement and may prefer this option.

Three, Skoda will build the local infrastructure (DC rectifiers, overhead wires, and perhaps the electric trolley bus barn) on a turnkey basis for RTA. Skoda views the quality of the electric installation as essential to the proper operation of ETBs and wants to maintain control over this essential element. However, we recognize the expertise that RTA developed in redesigning the electric supply for the St. Charles Streetcar Line and would like to make use of this local expertise and experience.

This proposal has several advantages for the future of the New Orleans region.

A new “signature” high performance transportation mode that is smooth, silent and pollution-free would be added to the fabric of the city and region.

RTA would substantially reduce their exposure to diesel fuel and the associated financial risks. Even at $1/gallon for diesel, electric trolley buses cost less per mile or hour to operate and they last longer than diesels.

Streetcars and electric trolley buses can share the same wires (if properly designed) so some electric trolley bus lines can be the first step for later streetcar lines.

Unlike an order for conventional buses, New Orleans would enjoy economic benefits by ordering electric trolley buses from Skoda New Orleans.

Widespread use of electric trolley buses and streetcars would reinforce an image of New Orleans as a progressive city that respects and honors past traditions.

Skoda sees a potential market for electric trolley buses in the United States and beyond with the recent increases in diesel prices. A widespread system built in New Orleans would be a very potent marketing tool, with substantial amounts of free publicity. Furthermore, Skoda, as a local manufacturer, expects to enjoy help in marketing from New Orleanians and all Louisianians.
Skoda looks forward to further practical discussions with RTA and broad conceptual discussions with the Bring New Orleans Back Commission and Louisiana Recovery Authority as appropriate.

Charlie Hahn

Manager of US Operations
SKODA ELECTRIC USA