FlixBus Pilots Electric Bus From Seattle To Vancouver

SEATTLE — Seattle's newest bus service is testing out its new electric fleet this week, offering riders a zero-emission route from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C., Friday and Saturday. The two-day pilot offers fares for just $19.99 and arrives as FlixBus and its partners work to deploy the double-deck electric buses nationally.

In a news release, Germany-based FlixBus said the "Van Hool" coach is the largest electric passenger vehicle currently on the roads, with space for 69 passengers and a range of more than 260 miles on a charge. The weekend pilot is the company's first to cross the border, following earlier pilot programs in seven other cities, including a route between Seattle and Eugene, Ore., in 2021.

The two-day pilot is part of ABC Companies' "Zero Emissions Tour," which has showcased the vehicles in several major U.S. cities. More trips could be added if demand is high, and the company scheduled a press event next week at the Space Needle.

FlixBus' cross-border service arrived in Seattle in May, looking to fill a gap left by the departure of Grayhound's BoltBus service and the suspension of Amtrak service between Seattle and British Columbia. Its Pacific Northwest fleets are operated by MTRWestern, which also provides transportation for employers, sports teams and other organizations around the region.

Tickets for the special trips and regular service are available online.