Staff photo by Fritz Busch A gas-powered Hermann Express bus waits for passengers on 3rd North St. in downtown New Ulm last summer. New Ulm and Brown County transit bus riders will continue to ride gas-powered buses for the near future after electric buses approved for purchase with grants did not pass necessary tests for successful cold weather operation.

NEW ULM — The long and winding road to Hermann Express Transit receiving two electric buses via state grants has been detoured.

Brown County Human Services Anne Broskoff told Brown County commissioners Tuesday that the electric buses approved for purchase did not pass necessary tests for successful operation because in the cold weather, they could not operate for the duration needed.

“The project has sadly fallen through. It is something we won’t look to do at this time. We are exploring other grant alternatives. Part of the grant was to provide infrastructure improvements at the Elixir building (2100 North Broadway ) for indoor bus storage space,” said Broskoff.

The grant allowed Herman Express to access funding for buses, infrastructure improvements, chargers, staff training, EMTs, mechanics and install solar power in the Elixir building.

She said there were no other electric bus options from other vendors.

“The transit group tried to amend the grant to purchase buses that run on propane, but it was recently learned that the grant does not allow such a change to be made.

Other clean energy mass transit options for Hermann Express will be explored,” said Broskoff.

Brown County Heartland Express Operations Director Pat LaCourse told The Journal on Monday that hopes for a propane bus grant from the Minnesota Department of Transportation remain.

“I expect we’ll know later this year or early next year if a grant would be available for propane-powered buses,” said LaCourse.

A public transit service provided by Brown County Human Services, Hermann Express buses travel a set route, stopping at marked bus stops hourly from 7 a.m. to noon and 1-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Buses may go off route one or two blocks upon request.

Fares are free to U.S. military veterans showing identification from the Veterans Service Office. Fares are $1 cash for adults and children grades K-12; and .50 cash for Pre-K and younger, capped at a maximum of two younger than school-age riders per adult.

For more information, call 507-359-2717. Visit https://www.newulmmn.gov/553/Hermann-Express-City-Bus-Service.