CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden visitors are now able to enjoy the zoo’s new electric train while taking in the light tunnel that’s part of the PNC Festival of Lights.
The new train will save the zoo about $35,000 on fuel and maintenance costs annually and is bringing the zoo closer to achieving its goal of being NetZero by 2025.
“While we are sad (for sentimental reasons) to say goodbye to our classic, diesel-fueled train, we are excited to make the switch to a sustainable, lower maintenance, electric train,” said Cincinnati Zoo director Thane Maynard in a news release. “The solar panels that visitors park under are basically powering the train. It charges overnight and during loading and unloading, so it’s always ready to take passengers for a fun ride.”
The green train has slightly wider cars and more leg room for visitors.
“As the Greenest Zoo in America®, we thought it would be fitting to have a green train,” said Maynard. “The change makes it more obvious that it’s new and different and brings more attention to the Zoo’s sustainability efforts.”
The zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays during the PNC Festival of Lights. The North Polar Express Train begins running at 2:30 p.m. daily.
