Santa Maria Expands Transit Fleet with eJEST

The City of Santa Maria recently expanded its fleet with 15 eJEST buses, a versatile zero-emission vehicle designed to address key transit challenges. This addition supports the city’s sustainability goals while enhancing transit system efficiency.

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Data-Driven Decisions for Smarter Transit

By leveraging telematics and tracking devices, Santa Maria continuously analyzes its transit operations to ensure well-informed, data-driven decisions. Santa Maria sought a transit solution that balances budget planning with community needs, addressing key expectations from riders:

• Good Coverage: Buses reaching all areas, especially underserved neighborhoods.
• Speed: Reduced travel times with efficient routes.
• Frequency: Shorter wait times between buses.
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Benefits of the eJEST

Gamaliel A., transit manager of Santa Maria Regional Transit, highlighted the key benefits of expanding the city’s fleet with eJEST services. It all started with the price point. Traditional buses cost half a million dollars or more—twice as much as the eJEST—making it challenging to deploy enough vehicles to meet citywide transit needs effectively.
As transit demand varies across different parts of the city, and key locations such as schools and major work or commercial sites are not evenly distributed, smaller buses offer a more practical solution. They are more cost-effective to purchase, enabling transit agencies to deploy a greater number of vehicles and enhance coverage in areas with lower ridership, where traditional buses are not so effective. Furthermore, smaller buses are easier to integrate into fleets and boast lower maintenance and operational costs, especially for electric eJEST.  

This strategy supports better frequency, improved coverage, and more efficient service, effectively meeting the diverse needs of the community, addressing different demand levels without straining budgets.

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Addressing the Driver Shortage

Like many transit agencies, Santa Maria also faced a shortage of drivers. Drivers are more than just vehicle operators—they enhance the transit experience, ensure safety, and represent the system to the public.

With the eJEST, transit agencies can employ drivers without a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), as the bus has 10 fixed seats (a total passenger capacity is 19, including foldable seats). This opens up a larger pool of potential drivers. The eJEST is also incredibly easy to drive. Simply push "D" button for drive, and you’re ready to go. It's very intuitive, just like a car. It has rear-view camera and ergonomic dashboard, heated windows and windshield, sun visor, comfortable driver’s seat, climate control for passengers and a driver. It's quiet.

Great vehicle for Both Drivers and Passengers

The eJEST is designed with passengers in mind. 4-wheel suspension and comfortable seats provide a smooth ride. This low-floor vehicle is equipped with a ramp and is accessible therefore - it easily accommodates a wheelchair or a stroller. Modern Amenities will make the journey better - it has Wi-Fi connectivity and USB chargers.

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Performance and Versatility

Despite its compact size, the eJEST is a powerful and reliable bus, featuring Proven BMW batteries and components, 135 kW max power engine with 25% gradeability and 290 Nm Torque.

The eJEST is built to last, with a durable and robust monocoque construction featuring cataphoresis protection, allowing it to handle frequent stops and heavy use for over 12 years. These design advantages set the eJEST apart from traditional cutaway buses, making it the ideal choice for transit agencies seeking a reliable solution for frequent stops and demanding routes.

The eJEST's compact size, allows it to navigate narrow streets and tight urban spaces where larger buses would struggle. This makes it ideal for areas with limited road space or complex layouts. Additionally, its fast-charging capability ensures minimal downtime, enabling Santa Maria to deploy the eJEST efficiently across different transit services.

For example, it is used on fixed routes during regular transit hours, providing reliable service along predetermined paths. Beyond this, the eJEST supports flexible operations like paratransit, which offers door-to-door transportation for passengers with specific needs, and night transit, which provides on-demand rides after regular bus hours. This versatility ensures that the eJEST can adapt to various transit requirements, maximizing its utility and effectiveness.

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Innovation, Leadership, and the Future of Autonomous Transit

Karsan Automotive dedicated two years to designing the eJEST, as shared by Karsan CEO Okan Baş, tailoring it to address the evolving needs of modern public transit. This commitment has propelled the eJEST to become the number one choice in numerous countries. Demonstrating its leadership in innovation, Karsan has also announced plans to launch a self-driving version of the eJEST in the near future, setting a new benchmark in autonomous urban transportation.

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Damera: Supporting Transit Needs in North America

The eJEST is a truly versatile, high-performance option that meets a variety of transit needs. As a trusted distributor with extensive expertise in transit vehicles and repairs through our affiliate, Mississauga Bus Coach and Truck Repairs, Damera understands what makes a dependable workhorse for transit agencies.

The eJEST isn’t just another bus; it’s the ultimate solution to enhance ridership, improve efficiency, and address the evolving demands of modern transit systems. Reach out to our team today to discover more about how we can support your transit needs - click here.

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