Diesel-hybrid Transit Buses Cleaning the Air in California
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) recently accepted the first of 56 Orion Vll diesel-electric hybrid buses from DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses North America.
“We are confident that adding these buses to our fleet is a step in the right direction for our citizens’ health and our environment,” said San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.
The selection of new diesel-electric hybrid buses capped an effort that began with Muni’s Alternative Fuel Pilot Program of 2001-2003. “This clean air bus will bring us one step closer to reaching the SFMTA goal of being emissions-free in San Francisco by 2020,” said MTA Executive Director and CEO Nathaniel Ford.
The 35-seat Orion Vll diesel-hybrid bus operates with BAE Systems’ HybriDrive series propulsion technology. The National Renewable Energy laboratory has shown that this vehicle achieves 35 percent better fuel economy compared to conventional diesel buses, while greatly reducing emissions.
Elsewhere in California…
The San Joaquin Regional Transit District (SJRTD) in Stockton, California welcomed its first diesel-electric hybrid buses on August 2nd. The Gillig Coroporation and General Motors manufactured the buses and the hybrid-propulsion systems.
SJRTD said its diesel-hybrid buses are the first to be delivered in a bus purchasing consortium established earlier this year, consisting of transit agencies throughout California, Nevada and New Mexico. THe consortium plans to purchase up to 157 of the diesel-hybrid buses.
"These hybrid buses will help San Joaquin RTD fulfill its commitment to significantly minimize air emissions, which in turn reduces the environmental impact to our region's land and water," said Donna Kelsay, general manager. "They also will help RTD and the other consortium members realize significant fuel cost savings by using GM's diesel-electric hybrid buses."
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