The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is planning to get

rid of the fully electric trolleybuses (buses that use power from

overhead catenary wires) that run routes 71, 73, 77A, and formerly 72.

These buses will be replaced temporarily with diesel buses starting

March 13th, 2022, before eventually being replaced with battery electric

buses (BEBs).

Batteries for BEBs are extremely harmful for the

environment to produce, and often include child labor in production. In

addition, the BEBs that the MBTA plans to use require diesel heating,

making them significantly less environmentally efficient than today’s

trolleybuses.

We suggest that the MBTA halt the replacement of

the trolleybuses, and reconsider electrification strategies, including

first starting to replace diesel buses before the electric ones, as well

as get a newer, more efficient trolleybus fleet, and replace older

sections of catenary wires that limit speeds on the line 71 and 73,

potentially using battery-assisted trolleybus technology that charges

on-the-move, which combines the flexibility of BEBs with the efficiency

of trolleybuses that don’t have to stop and charge, and don’t require

polluting diesel motors.

Sign below and spread the word to help create a cleaner environment for you and the generations to come!