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Lousville Kentucky hybrid Electric Buses Hit The Streets Tomorrow September 2004The five hybrid-electric buses that the Transit Authority of River City will start rolling out tomorrow promise greater fuel economy and fewer emissions than the rest of the fleet.But the biggest potential environmental gain will be if the hybrids' cleaner, quieter ride makes buses more attractive, resulting in more people leaving their cars at home, said Barry Barker, TARC's executive director. The agency also hopes that the new, full-sized buses, which cost a total of nearly $2.5million, will need fewer repairs and less maintenance. "We want, in essence, to kick the tires and see how these work," Barker said. The new buses arrive more than four years after TARC announced in May 2000 that it was going to spend up to $5million on as many as 16 hybrid-electric buses to be on the streets by 2002. Originally the agency was going to buy a larger number of smaller, less expensive buses manufactured with a different type of hybrid technology. "We just tried to be really diligent to see that we got the best technology out there," said Nina Walfoort, community and government relations manager for TARC. In addition, Barker said that a federal grant that is paying for the buses didn't turn out to be as large as officials originally requested. Passengers will notice that the 40-foot buses are quieter because electric motors accelerate them and assist a smaller-than-normal diesel engine at cruising speeds. They'll also look different they have a distinctive hump on the top of the bus, toward the rear, where batteries and related equipment are kept. Each bus uses two electric motors built into the transmissions to get up to speed, then blends power from the electric motors with the diesel engine to keep the bus moving and charge its batteries. The buses also convert the energy from braking into electrical power for the batteries. They never need to be plugged in, TARC officials said. TARC plans to roll out the new buses on some of its busiest routes, including some that move people through downtown. If the buses turn out to be dependable, the agency may buy more assuming it has the money. Barker said the buses cost nearly 80 percent more than a standard diesel bus $470,000, compared to $265,000. Barker said he plans to join Louisville Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson, U.S. Rep. Anne Northup, Lt. Gov. Steve Pence and others at a news conference today, announcing the buses' arrival. Barker credits Northup, R-3rd District, with obtaining the federal grant for the buses. State officials, he said, also plan to talk today about the agency's switch to the newest, cleaner-burning low-sulfur diesel fuel for the district's entire fleet of 268 buses, and $305,000 from the state to offset the higher fuel costs. Art Williams, director of the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District, praised TARC's purchase of the new buses and switch to the new fuel. "Diesel emissions are a major risk factor in public health," Williams said. "Reducing diesel emissions is very, very important." According to TARC, each new bus emits up to 50 percent less nitrogen oxides, which contribute to ground-level ozone, and up to 70 percent less particle pollution. Barker said his agency has worked hard in recent years to reduce sooty emissions from bus exhaust. None of the agency's buses should emit plumes of black smoke anymore, he said. | ||
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