Federal regulators request details from SEPTA regarding the recent electric bus fire.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has initiated a safety inquiry focused on the storage protocols for decommissioned Proterra electric transit buses. This investigation comes on the heels of a notable fire incident at SEPTA’s Roberts bus yard in June, which officials have traced back to a lithium-ion battery belonging to one of the stowed Proterra buses.

In a formal communication to SEPTA, FTA Administrator Marc Molinaro expressed concerns regarding the security of the decommissioned Proterra vehicles and called for accountability regarding potential safety hazards linked to electric transit initiatives. The inquiry is part of a broader examination as Proterra buses have allegedly been involved in at least five fire incidents between 2015 and 2025, including the recent three-alarm fire at SEPTA’s storage facility located in the Tioga-Nicetown neighborhood.

The FTA has requested detailed explanations from SEPTA concerning the measures in place for the safe storage and handling of buses equipped with lithium-ion batteries. The agency is also seeking clarity on any additional safety protocols the transit authority has adopted to mitigate risks associated with these high-energy storage systems.

In response, SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer has assured the FTA that the agency will provide all necessary information to support the investigation. The June fire resulted in significant damage, affecting 40 decommissioned buses, including 16 electric models manufactured by Proterra.

This incident is not an isolated occurrence. A prior incident in November 2022 at SEPTA’s Southern Bus Depot involved a similar situation where an electric bus’s battery ignited, leading to prolonged firefighting efforts that hindered the agency’s ambition of transitioning to a greener fleet.

SEPTA initially procured 25 battery-electric buses from Proterra in 2016, investing million in what was intended to be a cutting-edge solution for urban transportation. However, the buses have been out of operation since 2020 due to structural deficiencies and performance inadequacies, raising questions about their viability for public transit.

As a result of growing concerns over reliability and safety, several transit agencies have pulled back from utilizing Proterra’s electric buses, which has significantly delayed the broader adoption of electric fleets. Compounding these challenges, Proterra filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in August 2023, facing legal claims from transit agencies related to performance issues and safety compliance.

Currently, SEPTA is collaborating with a contractor to safely remove the impacted buses from its premises and dispose of the hazardous materials contained in their batteries. At the time of the storage-yard fire, the batteries were disconnected per Proterra’s safety guidance, although SEPTA had retained the buses as possible evidence in ongoing litigation against the company. As SEPTA seeks financial recourse from Proterra’s bankruptcy, the outcome of this investigation may have far-reaching implications for the agency’s future operations and its commitment to electrifying its bus fleet.

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