The Ride Rolls Out First 15 Hybrid Electric Buses

ANN ARBOR, Mich. –– The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) today began placing into service its first 15 clean, efficient hybrid electric buses with plans to add another five in March 2008 and seven more within the next 18 months.

Over the long term all of its 69 buses will be replaced with hybrid electric buses. AATA is the first public transit operator in the Midwest to state its intention to convert to all hybrid electric buses.

According to AATA board chairman David Nacht, the introduction of these environmentally-friendly buses continues AATA’s tradition of leadership in adopting new technology to improve transit service for its 5.6 million annual riders and the community.

“Just the initial purchase will make the portion of AATA’s fleet that is hybrid electric the largest in the Midwest,” Nacht said. “AATA is proud to be leading the charge with a progressive approach to protecting our environment and further relieving pollution, traffic congestion and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.”

AATA’s new buses, which feature an Allison electric drive as part of the General Motors hybrid electric bus system, were assembled by the Gillig Corporation of Hayward, California. The buses feature a combination of a battery-powered electric motor to provide most of the power at slower speeds and a smaller, clean-diesel engine that takes over at higher speeds.

The buses are expected to reduce fuel consumption by an average of 30 percent and lower maintenance costs by 30 to 50 percent. The hybrid electric buses can run with less engine noise and minimize diesel exhaust odor.

The hybrid electric buses also will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, believed to contribute to global warming. The new buses will reduce particulate matter, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons by up to 90 percent and carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide by up to 50 percent.

“Replacing diesel buses with a hybrid electric fleet is another big step toward meeting our community’s renewable energy goal. It solidifies our position as a leader in efficient, environmentally friendly mass transit,” said Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje.

“We have long been committed to environmental stewardship, but this is by far our most aggressive move toward ensuring a cleaner environment,” said AATA Interim Executive Director Dawn Gabay. “Now, by converting 20 buses with hybrid electric technology, we will substantially add to that impact, saving 811,200 gallons of fuel and close to $2.5 million in fuel costs over the next 12 years.”

In other efforts to protect the environment, AATA converted its fleet to ultra low sulfur diesel fuel in 2002 and to a blend of five percent biodiesel and ultra low sulfur diesel in 2006. AATA is currently testing a blend of 10 percent biodiesel with ultra low sulfur diesel fuel. AATA also has an aggressive recycling program in its maintenance shop that collects and recycles nearly all lubricants, ink cartridges, cardboard, paper and other recyclable materials.

To further raise awareness of the need for environmental stewardship, AATA has also unveiled a special ecology writing contest in partnership with the Ann Arbor Public Schools. Third through eighth graders will be challenged to demonstrate their understanding of what it means to be an environmental steward in their community.

“AATA’s commitment to protecting the environment of Washtenaw County is deepening as new technologies become available to us,” Gabay said. “As our awareness grows, we want to give children in the area an incentive to really spend some time thinking about the ways the community can play a bigger role in minimizing the negative impacts on our environment.”

AATA was chartered in 1969 by the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan, as a special-purpose unit of government. The AATA provides local public transit for the cities of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, and nearby Pittsfield, Ypsilanti and Superior townships. AATA also provides other transportation services for the general public, people with disabilities, senior citizens and commuters, including the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University campuses. AATA is supported through local, state and federal funding, purchase of service agreements with local municipalities and fare revenues.

For more information about our Hybrid Electric buses and to enter the Name that Bug contest click here.

The latest information on AATA routes, schedules and detours is available at 734.996.0400 and on the AATA Routes and Schedules page.