Shreveport shows off new bus terminal

Jeff Gauger
Shreveport Times

SporTran opened its bus terminal Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the edge of downtown with fanfare, including congratulations from Gov. John Bel Edwards.

The terminal at the corner of Murphy Street and Texas Avenue has been in the works for years.

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and Shreveport Mayor Ollie Tyler in the center with other city officials at the grand opening of the new SporTran Intermodal Terminal Wednesday afternoon.

When the terminal opens for operation Sunday, Nov. 12, the city busing agency will leave its long-time, tent-covered terminal in the downtown city center.

"This changes the way we do public transportation in Shreveport," SporTran CEO Dinero Washington said during a ribbon-cutting event at the new terminal.

The terminal, formally called the SporTran Intermodal Terminal, was funded by the Federal Transit Administration at a cost of $5.8 million.

Also celebrated Wednesday: the introduction of five new, all-electric buses to SporTran's fleet, paid for with $3.9 million from the Federal Transit Administration.

Additionally, SporTran celebrated the opening of a new Southwest Transfer Hub near Cedar Grove Park.

The new downtown terminal has an enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, customer information center, sales kiosk, bicycle repair station, food truck court and real-time information screens.

People gather at the grand opening of the new SporTran Intermodal Terminal Wednesday afternoon.

"This is a visionary accomplishment," the governor said before he and Mayor Ollie Tyler cut a wide ribbon.

Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson said at Wednesday's event that the new Shreveport terminal is nicer than those he has seen in other cities, including Portland, Ore., and Seattle.

The new battery-electric, zero-emission buses were manufactured by Proterra of Burlingame, California. Unlike conventional buses, which have steel frames, the new buses are made of lightweight carbon-fiber-reinforced bodies that simplify maintenance, according to the manufacturer.

Proterra said SporTran will avoid more than 18 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions over the buses' 12-year lifespan. The company also said SporTran would save more than $2.2 million on maintenance and fuel by operating the five buses.

SporTran and the city intend to sell the property at the corner of Marshall and Crockett streets.