Shreveport Unveils Eye-Catching Electric Bus to Assist Residents with Utility Costs

Shreveport Welcomes a Bright New Electric Bus

Shreveport is buzzing with excitement as a brand-new electric bus sporting a dazzling red wrap hits the streets! In partnership with SporTran and the City of Shreveport, SWEPCO has unveiled this vibrant addition to the public transportation fleet, designed to improve visibility and promote community support for managing utility bills.

A Vibrant Design for a Positive Message

The new electric bus, a shiny Proterra ZX5, is not just about good looks. The bold red wrap has a purpose: to draw attention to the helpful resources available for residents struggling with utility bills. Along with its eye-catching appearance, the bus proudly displays a QR code and a user-friendly URL to swepco.com/billhelp. This makes it super easy for customers to log into their accounts and fill out a quick survey that can lead to tailored assistance.

State-of-the-Art Features

As for the bus itself, it’s brimming with cutting-edge technology. The Proterra ZX5 boasts four high-capacity batteries, and its automatic regenerative braking system helps capture energy while slowing down, extending the driving range—how cool is that? Comfort is another priority, with room for 38 passengers, accommodations for two mobility devices, and an automatic wheelchair ramp. On top of that, it is equipped with essential safety features like a fire extinguisher and two emergency hatches to ensure passenger safety.

A Mission to Help the Community

In a friendly statement, William Bradford, Jr., the VP of External Affairs at SWEPCO, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are excited to visibly promote our message of help for our customers. At SWEPCO, ‘We’re Here to Help’ with tools and resources, and that’s a message we’re happy to have rolling through the streets of our community!”

Partnerships for a Greener Future

The electric bus initiative continues SWEPCO’s commitment to sustainable transportation. Dinero Washington, SporTran’s Chief Executive Officer, also emphasized the importance of clean energy vehicles, saying, “At SporTran, we take pride in powering our fleet with clean energy vehicles like our Proterra EV buses. We believe in promoting cost-efficient, sustainable public transportation solutions through our commitment to No/Low emissions standards.”

Support for Winter Heating Costs

This bright new initiative comes at a critical time, as Louisiana has recently opened applications for residents needing assistance with winter heating costs. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, is available to help, and it’s crucial that residents act quickly—this is a first-come, first-serve program.

Bradford encourages residents to apply soon, as funds are limited and can go quickly. “A helpful place to start is by logging into your account and completing the survey at swepco.com/billhelp,” he explained, highlighting just how easy it is to get started.

Valuable Resources at Your Fingertips

As the holiday season approaches, many households may face tighter budgets, making it even more important to have resources available. Brett Mattison, SWEPCO’s president, reassured customers, “We are committed to providing our customers with valuable resources to help them manage their utility bills. We encourage anyone who may need assistance to explore our various programs designed to support them through seasonal billing challenges.”

Simple Access to Assistance

To benefit from SWEPCO’s affordability tools, customers can simply scan the QR code displayed on the bus or visit swepco.com/billhelp. A few simple questions can lead to personalized assistance tailored to meet individual needs.

In Conclusion

The introduction of Shreveport’s new electric bus is more than just a step towards cleaner transportation; it’s a community-focused endeavor aimed at helping residents manage their utility costs. With this eye-catching bus rolling through the streets, it’s a friendly reminder that help is available, and ultimately, everyone is in this together.