Modern substation powers electric bus rides in St. Louis region

The first of 18 electric buses just rolled into St. Louis. The buses will begin serving riders next year thanks to a partnership between Metro Transit and Ameren Missouri which provided the infrastructure needed to power the buses. They are part of the overall electric vehicle project, which represents just one example of Ameren Missouri's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Through the partnership, Ameren Missouri has built a new substation in Brentwood next to the Brentwood MetroBus facility to serve the growing electric needs of Metro Transit and the surrounding communities. The $11.3 million investment upgrades the power supply to triple capacity and modernizes the energy system for the area. The substation also features smart technology, including new automated sensors, switches and self-healing equipment to more rapidly detect and isolate damage in order to restore power quicker. 

“Ameren Missouri has made a commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and we’re eager to help our customers as they also transition to cleaner energy. We have incentives available to help local businesses install electric vehicle chargers through the Charge Ahead program,” says Marty Lyons, chairman and president, Ameren Missouri. “Metro Transit is moving St. Louis forward on a path to cleaner energy and a cleaner environment, and we are proud to partner with them in this effort."   

Ameren supports electrification in many ways including infrastructure upgrades, business incentives and a commitment to electrify its fleet. The Company's focus on clean transportation includes all kinds of vehicles from passenger cars and small trucks to forklifts and heavy-duty vehicles. By 2030, all light-duty vehicles purchased by Ameren will be electric vehicles. By that time, 35% of the overall Ameren fleet, from light-to heavy-duty vehicles, forklifts and ATV/UTV, will be electrified.