<div>Princeton Council has canceled a $480,060 contract for two electric shuttle vehicles that were ordered nearly three years ago but never delivered, as the Municipality approaches a December 1 deadline to decide whether to pursue state funding for replacement vehicles for its Loop bus service.The October 26 resolution formally terminates a contract with National Auto Fleet Group for two Phoenix Motorcars shuttles originally authorized in November 2023. The cancellation follows repeated production delays, requests for advance payment, and a proposed price increase that ultimately left the Municipality without the vehicles it had expected to receive in 2024.Municipal Administrator Deanna Stockton said the original agreement called for delivery during the second or third quarter of 2024, with payment due in full upon delivery. When that deadline passed, Phoenix Motorcars cited supply issues and indicated that production could be completed later that year.The manufacturer also suggested that a partial payment could move Princeton’s order forward in the production schedule, but the Municipality declined.“Princeton declined the partial payment request in accordance with its purchasing practices and New Jersey public contracting law,” Stockton said, quoting from a memorandum prepared for Council.The delays continued throughout 2025. According to Stockton, Phoenix Motorcars informed Princeton during the second quarter that production of the shuttle model had been relocated, with delivery then anticipated toward the end of the year.By the third quarter, the manufacturer again advised that orders accompanied by deposits were receiving priority. The company attributed the continuing delays to tariffs and a redesign of its production process, subsequently indicating that production would begin in 2026, with a June delivery deadline.The Municipality’s last correspondence with Phoenix Motorcars came in January 2026, when the company advised that the purchase price would increase and asked whether Princeton wanted an updated quote. The manufacturer also indicated that it was considering a joint business venture to expedite production.The vehicles were never delivered.Stockton confirmed that Princeton had not paid any funds toward the original contract, since payment was required only upon delivery.The cancellation comes as Princeton continues efforts to modernize its municipal shuttle service, which includes the free Loop Local and Loop Express routes connecting residential neighborhoods, downtown destinations, and transportation facilities.Council previously considered purchasing two replacement electric shuttles from Micro Bird, with approximately $434,000 in funding available through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).Stockton said NJDEP has given Princeton until December 1 to advise whether the Municipality intends to pursue the grant, with another discussion of the vehicle purchase anticipated at Council’s November 23 meeting.Christine Symington, executive director of Sustainable Princeton, confirmed that the change in vehicle procurement does not affect the availability of the state funding, provided the Municipality makes its decision by the December 1 deadline.The Municipality is also preparing for a transition in the operation of the Loop service.The current operator, WeDriveU, is reportedly ending its contract in December, raising questions about the availability of vehicles and the continuation of service while Princeton considers its longer-term fleet arrangements.Stockton said Princeton received bids earlier this month for a new operating contract covering the remainder of 2026 through the end of 2027.“We anticipate having a bid award at the November 23rd Council meeting,” she said.The anticipated Council discussion will address two separate components of the Loop program: the potential acquisition of electric shuttles using state grant funding and the selection of an operator to provide service through the end of 2027.</div>

Block Source: towntopics.com

Misinformation

Clickbait

Old or repetitive news

Explicit content

Location not relevant

Princeton Council has canceled a $480,060 contract for two electric shuttle vehicles that were ordered nearly three years ago but never delivered, as the Municipality approaches a December 1 deadline to decide whether to pursue state funding for replacement vehicles for its Loop bus service. The October 26 resolution formally...

Princeton Cancels Electric Shuttle Purchase; Loop Bus Service Continues Uninterrupted

NewsBreak

Princeton Council has canceled a $480,060 contract for two electric shuttle vehicles that were ordered nearly three years ago but never delivered, as the M

Princeton Cancels Electric Shuttle Purchase; Loop Bus Service Continues Uninterrupted

Comments