METRO Orders Next Generation Hybrid Buses
Friday, December 14, 2007 4:32 PM
Bus riders, take note: Our fleet of buses will soon become greener, cleaner and quieter.
METRO continues its lead in being a transit agency committed to reducing pollution with its two recent orders. Last month, we ordered 52 diesel-electric hybrid buses from Motor Coach Industries (MCI), and we ordered 48 Orion VII Next Generation diesel-electric hybrid buses from DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses North America. (DDCBNA).
"Riding public transit is an important way to reduce air pollution," said Andy Skabowski, senior director of operations maintenance. "By selecting hybrid technology, it not only saves in fuel and maintenance costs, it helps METRO to do even more to make Houston's air cleaner."
Skabowski said right now hybrids are the ideal technology, but that may change over time. "It's the technology of choice now as we buy 100 buses per year. The 100 buses per year are meant to normalize the fleet," he explained.
But our goal is not to necessarily become 100 percent hybrid since technology is always improving and changing.
MCI's next generation, diesel-electric hybrids sport a 45-foot model with a new look and are designed with the most recent low-emission, clean-diesel engine technology, says the company.
An electric-power management system produces performance similar to a large diesel engine but with better fuel economy and lower carbon emissions.
"This marks yet another milestone for Houston METRO and MCI, " said Michael Melaniphy, MCI vice president public sector, in a news release. "Houston METRO is committed to cleaning up the environment and already has hybrid transit buses in operation, but this is the first time this agency will fully utilize the technology in its long-distance commuter application. We're honored to be part of the agency's solution to a cleaner tomorrow."
Our new coaches will use a type of power that activates the air conditioning unit and cools the cabin before departing, thus making it unnecessary to keep the engine idling.
Since 2001, we have been using a fleet of MCI commuter coaches from our Park & Ride lots, driving them in HOV lanes.
The 48 Orion VII Next Generation hybrids we ordered from DCCBNA represent cutting-edge technology, David Feeley, METRO's senior vice president of operations said in a statement. "Our passengers will be riding in style on the newly designed Orion VII Next Generation while also helping the environment through the hybrid technology."
These buses are powered by a propulsion system that, for the first time, uses a lithium-ion energy storage system. They offer up to 30 percent better fuel economy, while cutting emissions with 90 percent less particulate matter, 40 percent less nitrogen oxide, and 30 percent fewer greenhouse gases, according to DCCBNA.
"The technology achieves peak efficiency in urban environments, so we expect these buses to provide outstanding value to Houston," said Hank McGlynn, vice president of vehicle systems for BAE Systems, in a statement.
What this means for our riders: a quiet ride knowing you are doing your part to cut your carbon footprint by taking a METRO bus.