Northwestern, WeDriveU mark year of hybrid-electric campus buses

Northwestern University and WeDriveU are marking the first anniversary of 12 hybrid-electric Gillig buses serving the Evanston and Chicago campuses. The fleet has carried 520,000 passengers, cut 201 metric tons of carbon dioxide and saved nearly 20,000 gallons of diesel as the university pushes toward lower emissions.

Why it matters: - Northwestern’s hybrid-electric bus fleet is part of a longer-term effort to cut campus transportation emissions and improve the rider experience. - The project supports sustainNU, Northwestern’s program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2050. - The buses are also designed to reduce noise and diesel exhaust in residential areas near campus.

What happened: - Northwestern University and WeDriveU are celebrating the one-year anniversary of a sustainable transit bus fleet serving the Evanston and Chicago campuses. - The fleet includes 12 hybrid-electric Gillig buses. - Northwestern introduced the buses in September 2025. - The project launched under Northwestern’s 2024 extension of WeDriveU’s operations and management contract, which began in 2019.

The details: - Northwestern says each hybrid-electric bus is equivalent to removing three traditional diesel buses from the road. - In the first year, the fleet served 520,000 passengers. - The fleet reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 201 metric tons. - The fleet saved nearly 20,000 gallons of diesel. - Northwestern and WeDriveU use geofencing, GPS, artificial intelligence and analytics to manage the system. - Buses automatically switch to battery power in designated battery-power zones. - The battery-power zones lower noise and emissions in residential neighborhoods. - WeDriveU uses AI-powered onboard telematics and video through its partner Samsara. - The platform helps identify opportunities to improve operator safety and efficiency through coaching, training and recognition programs.

Between the lines: - The project combines equipment upgrades with data tools, which suggests Northwestern is treating transit decarbonization as an operations and safety initiative, not only an environmental one. - The campus response appears positive, with riders describing a smoother and quieter experience. - Paul Merkey, associate director of Transportation and Parking, said the buses reflect Northwestern’s values of sustainability, innovation and care for the communities it serves. - David Goshen, regional vice president of operations at WeDriveU, said the project shows public and private stakeholders can work together to drive value from sustainability projects. - Northwestern student and WeDriveU WINtern program graduate Max Nakano said the hybrid shuttles have improved the rider experience and show a commitment to safe, efficient and clean transportation.

What’s next: - Northwestern and WeDriveU will showcase the bus project at Bus Day at the Illinois Railway Museum on Sept. 26. - The display is part of a WeDriveU volunteer project at the museum. - Northwestern and WeDriveU representatives will also discuss the project at APTA TRANSform & Expo in Chicago from Oct. 4-7. - WeDriveU will host the project at booth #3020 and is taking advance meeting requests. - More information about Bus Day is available at Bus Day details. - More information about WeDriveU at APTA 2026 is available at APTA 2026 information. - More about WeDriveU is available at WeDriveU’s website.