Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), Zero-Emission Bus Depot Infrastructure

Burns is leading the design of major infrastructure improvements at three SEPTA bus garages, supporting the agency’s zero-emission bus (ZEB) transition.

SEPTA plans to achieve a 100-percent ZEB fleet by 2040. To lay the groundwork for this transition, SEPTA is undertaking a phased renovation strategy across garages where SEPTA stores and maintains its fleet of more than 1,400 buses.

Burns is consulting SEPTA with engineering services to modify critical infrastructure at SEPTA’s Allegheny, Callowhill and Comly depots. Burns’ futureproofed designs will support SEPTA to build out the infrastructure necessary to accommodate battery electric buses, hydrogen fuel cell electric buses, or both.

Each depot overhaul will include resilience and safety improvements such as:

• Redundant electric utility feeds
• Electrical distribution upgrades
• Fire suppression system modifications
• New flame and gas detection systems
• Upgraded facility ventilation systems

The facility improvements are funded with support of a $23-million Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Low or No Emission Program (Low-No) grant.

Burns is proud to partner with SEPTA throughout the agency’s ZEB transition — from planning and feasibility phases to facility design and construction. Previous tasks include evaluating the Midvale garage’s capacity to install new charging infrastructure and supporting development of SEPTA’s Zero-Emission Bus Master Plan.