Steamship Authority welcomes two hybrid buses into service
HYANNIS (July 24, 2025) – The Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority welcomed two hybrid transit buses into service with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday at its Hyannis Terminal. The buses will be used to transport customers from the Authority’s off-site parking lots to the Hyannis Terminal, which serves the Nantucket route.
Robert Jones (center), the Barnstable representative to the Steamship Authority Board, cuts a ceremonial green ribbon to commemorate the Authority’s new hybrid buses. Also pictured are (at left) Communications Director Sean F. Driscoll and (at right) General Manager Robert B. Davis.
General Manager Robert B. Davis was joined by Board Member Robert R. Jones, who represents Barnstable, at the brief ceremony. Jones cut a green ribbon to welcome the bus into service, after which a ceremonial “first ride” was taken through Hyannis.
“Welcoming more alternative fuel buses into service are important steps of our region’s journey into cleaner transportation options,” Davis said. “We are excited to be one of the agencies and municipalities making these investments.”
The two 35-foot long, low-floor hybrid buses were purchased from Gillig following approval by the Authority Board to spend up to $2,400,000 on the purchase in February 2024. The buses were delivered to the Authority in July, and its bus drivers have spent several weeks familiarizing themselves with their operation.
With the addition of the hybrid buses, nine of the Authority’s 28 buses are now either electric or gas-electric hybrid vehicles.
For more information on the Authority’s environmental initiatives, including an upcoming solar panel project at its largest parking lot, please visit www.steamshipauthority.com/green.
Gillig Bus Specifications:
Length: 35 feet
Total seats: 23
Maximum passenger capacity: 33 passengers (including standees) plus one driver
Operating Information: The vehicle’s electric mode will offer 10 miles or 50 minutes of electric-only travel, depending on conditions.
Since 1960, the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority has served as the transportation lifeline to the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard year round. The Steamship Authority is the largest ferry service to the islands and offers the most frequent daily departures for passengers, automobiles, groups and trucks. In 2024, more than 2.9 million passengers and nearly 674,000 vehicles of all sizes were transported to and from the islands. Our U.S. Coast Guard-certified crews are committed to the highest level of safety at sea while our vessels offer comfort and convenience with spacious seating, free Wi-Fi and TV on board.