METRO Goes Green with Hybrid Buses

re: METRO Goes Green with Hybrid Buses

PubliusTX — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 17:30:05 GMT

>>Since hydrocarbons are inherently low in diesel engines, the emission test results show up higher for that.<<

The first part of your sentence is logically nonsensical, and I'm not sure what you're trying to convey in the second part of your sentence, which is worded awkwardly.

Back to the first -- Diesel IS a hydrocarbon. Hydrocarbons aren't "inherently low in diesel" engines -- they FUEL those engines!

If this blog is going to continue to be a repository for such press-release type postings, maybe someone needs to do some tighter fact-checking and editing before the press releases go live.

re: METRO Goes Green with Hybrid Buses

Henry Ramsey — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:10:36 GMT

All I can say is It's about time you got some new busses on the road. The current ones are literally falling apart at times.

The question I have though is about the acceleration and decelleration curves: The few hybrids that you currently have have WICKED acceleration curves in that when the driver steps on the 'gas' pedal the bus takes off in a hurry. Many drivers when running behind will board a passenger then immediatly take off as soon as the passenger clears the door.

With these hybrid busses, if a passenger is not holding onto something that person is more than likely to end up on the floor, or in another passenger's lap! I'm NOT kidding(It happened to me at least once already!)

Are drivers going to be given any new training to prevent them throwing passengers about when they step on the gas the same as they normally 'need' to do with a regular bus? The same question goes for breaking too. The hybrid busses also stop faster, in my experience with your current hybrids, so again passengers might be thrown about on crowded busses because a driver might tend to press harder on the break than s/he needs to, to get the same stopping power.

re: METRO Goes Green with Hybrid Buses

Rorschach — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 23:11:56 GMT

Oh you scientific types! Oh! Wait! A Poli-Sci PhD and A Real Estate Appraiser... Hmm... So even a non-techie should realize that Diesel is 100% hydrocarbons... (ok, 99+% can't forget the tramp sulphur...)

re: METRO Goes Green with Hybrid Buses

Rorschach — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 23:16:09 GMT

I believe you meant that hydrocarbon EMISSIONS for diesel engines are inherently low... But NOx and Sox are quite high.

re: METRO Goes Green with Hybrid Buses

Woody Speer — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 04:29:14 GMT

With a 21% increase in fuel economy, these new hybrids look like a smart buy. Since METRO promised bike racks on buses in 2008 one would assume that these buses are being ordered with the bike racks installed as this would comply with the provisions of METRO Solutions and save the costs of a later install. This would assume that METRO is visionary and truly embraces multi-modal transportation enhancements.

Out of curiosity, how do these new hybrid buses compare fuel usage wise to what it costs to power the light rail down Main? Mary, give us some figures ie. kilowatts consumed by light rail train per mile with stats on carrying capacity as compared to what the hybrid bus passenger carrying capacity is.

Looks like you could run these hybrids down Richmond Avenue with some kind of electronic device that could switch the traffic light to green in favor of the hybrid bus, stop every third bus stop and presto you’ve got your transportation dilemmas on Richmond solved. Maybe there is a magical value of electric propulsion on rail over those rubber tires on pavement but heck they both get you there.

re: METRO Goes Green with Hybrid Buses

Rorschach — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 20:44:47 GMT

On the subject of hybrids. Our less than intelligent Mayor has determined that the city must convert even more of it's fleet to hybrids. But there is a small problem with that. Hybrids cost far more than a conventionally powered vehicle that gets similar gas mileage. A couple years ago I did some back of the envelope energy balance calculations and realized that for the sticker cost of the Prius hybrids they were buying which got an estimated 60 MPG, they could buy Toyota Echos (which have been replaced by the Yaris now) which got an estimated 50 MPG, and pay for fuel and maintenance until the vehicle was no longer roadworthy and still have almost the same emissions reduction. I do hope that METRO is not buying into the same fallacious idea that White has.

re: METRO Goes Green with Hybrid Buses

Rorschach — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 03:15:04 GMT

So what truth is there to the rumor that since the stray current problems appear to be insurmountable, Metro is contemplating replacing the electrified tram powered from catenary wires with a deisel-electric hybrid locomotive?

re: METRO Goes Green with Hybrid Buses

Mary Sit — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 17:34:49 GMT

Henry Ramsy, regarding your question of which garages the hybrid buses will be deployed to:

"They will go to both West and Polk and perhaps another location. Final distribution and assignments are not yet completed," said John Walsh, senior director of bus maintenance at METRO.

re: METRO Goes Green with Hybrid Buses

Silas1010 — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 05:16:52 GMT

Good post,

I agree with the general sentiment of this article, but I want to speak a little on an alternative method that doesn't get as much attention as it should. Making cars more expendable. Our overeliance on our own personal automobiles is what allows us to be slaves to the gas prices. When gas hits $5.00 a gallon (or more), savings from a different battery will be a drop in the bucket. For those of us who live in big cities or smaller urban areas, why not try using different modes of transportation? If you live, work or shop anywhere on the busline, start using that for a change. If you are only going a short distance and the weather permits, try riding a bike or even walking. If you live in a major metropolitan area, then the subway or a light rail is also another option. I live in a big city and as long as it's not freezing or raining I usually always walk anywhere within a 10 block radius. If I need to go to the grocery store and don't want to walk that far with a handful of bags, I'll take the bus. I ride my bike sometimes as well. If I need to travel farther distances, I do drive, but only when I have to. I have plenty of friends will drive to the store when it's only 2 and a half blocks a way. They waste gas by needlessly driving everywhere (no matter how close), yet they complain the loudest about spending all their money on gas. Of course, for those that live in the suburbs or rural areas, it may be more difficult. There are other options though. Carpooling, for example, is a great solution that enough people don't make use of in my opinion. Also if you happen to live in the suburbs or the country, simply making a more efficient use of your driving time would help in terms of gas costs. Try to make all your stops in one trip, and in the shortest route, that way you minimize the time of making trips to and from your house or apartment every single time you need to go out. Plan ahead and make all your trips at once. Gas costs money. New high technology batteries cost money. Hybrid cars costs money etc. But Carpooling can typically cut costs by as much as 4/5ths. A bicycle may cost a couple of hundred dollars up front, but it doesn't run on fuel. Bus passes are usually dirt cheap. Walking is always free. Try to make use of these when you can! You'll need to talk to others in your local communities to organize a carpool or get information regarding a bus pass, and walking requires no explanation, but for those thinking of giving a bicycle a try here is a good <a href="http://www.dealsdepot.com.au/a65/Finding-the-Best-Mountain-Bike/article_info.html">guide</a> that goes into detail about what to look for when picking out a bicycle. I wouldn't recommend purchashing a bicyle online -- you should probably visit your local bicycle retailer or large department store for a purchase like that. It's still a good idea to read about some of the differences between bikes and what to know about different speeds, frames, and sizes etc. Anyway, just thought I would pass that along. I enjoyed reading your post though. Very informative. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work!