University of Virginia

As part of its long-term commitment to reduce emissions and modernize mobility, UVA’s Transit Service has introduced a new fleet of Karsan eJEST electric minibuses supplied by Damera.

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For UVA, the eJEST addresses two key challenges:

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‍(1) improving mid-day mobility to hard-to-reach areas around campus (“grounds”),

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(2) supporting the replacement of aging vehicles during longer intervals between full-sized bus procurements.

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According to Allison Day from the University Transit Service, the fleet has been experiencing five- to six-year gaps between larger bus orders, creating pressure on older buses and reducing fleet efficiency. The addition of electric minibuses helps bridge this gap while providing a reliable, right-sized solution for routes where a 40-ft bus is not required.

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The new eJEST minibuses are being deployed during mid-day service hours, covering areas with consistent student demand but limited accessibility. Their compact, fully electric design makes them particularly effective on internal campus roads, enabling UVA to maintain service quality while aligning with its broader sustainability goals.

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‍Scott Silsdorf, PTMP

Executive Director of Parking and Transportation at UVA

Here’s one of our five “cute little buses” making its debut on the UVA Lawn in an April video that our amazing UTS student interns posted to Instagram.

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Right-sized electric minibuses add flexibility, optimize capacity, and reduce operating costs. They also make electrification easier: the Karsan eJEST requires less charging power, fits existing depot layouts, and integrates quickly into operations without major infrastructure changes. This creates a balanced approach to electrification that improves service reliability today while preparing for tomorrow’s mobility needs.

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University of Virginia is moving closer to a cleaner, quieter, and more efficient campus transit network — and the eJEST is helping make that transition possible.