Green Mountain Transit's Electric Buses Out of Commission

Battery recall and winter weather leave Vermont transit agency scrambling to maintain service

Jan. 30, 2026 at 3:55am

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Green Mountain Transit (GMT) in Burlington, Vermont is facing challenges with its new electric bus fleet, as the buses' batteries have been recalled due to a fire hazard. With the buses unable to be charged in the cold winter weather, GMT is having to rely on sharing buses with other agencies across the state to maintain limited service.

Why it matters

The issues with GMT's electric buses highlight the challenges transit agencies can face when transitioning to new technologies, especially in regions with harsh winter climates. The inability to operate the electric buses could impact ridership and GMT's ability to provide reliable public transportation services in the area.

The details

GMT's five new electric 'New Flyer' buses, which are less than a year old, were recalled in November due to a fire hazard with the batteries. This means the buses cannot be stored in the GMT garage. Additionally, the buses require 41 degree temperatures to charge, which is not possible given the current winter weather in Vermont. As a result, GMT is down to its 'last bus' and has had to cancel some routes due to the lack of available vehicles.

  • The electric buses were recalled in November 2025.
  • The buses require 41 degree temperatures to charge, which is not possible given the current winter weather in Vermont.

The players

Green Mountain Transit

The public transit agency serving the Burlington, Vermont area.

New Flyer

The manufacturer of the electric buses that were recalled by Green Mountain Transit.

Clayton Clark

The General Manager of Green Mountain Transit.

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What they’re saying

“It's been literally down to our last bus, where if we have another bus that breaks or some other accident that happens, you know, we would have to start canceling service. There have been a couple of runs that we've had to cut because we didn't have a bus available, but so far it's just been limited to a few runs.”

— Clayton Clark, General Manager, Green Mountain Transit

What’s next

Green Mountain Transit is working with other Vermont agencies to share buses and maintain limited service while they wait for a solution to the battery recall and cold weather charging issues.

The takeaway

The challenges faced by Green Mountain Transit with its new electric bus fleet underscore the importance of careful planning and preparation when transitioning to new transportation technologies, especially in regions with harsh winter climates. Transit agencies must be prepared to address potential issues like equipment recalls and weather-related charging problems to ensure reliable service for riders.