King County Metro Transit unveiled new state-of-the-art hybrid buses today, and announced the first two dozen buses will start carrying passengers on June 5.

"This hybrid bus is a first of its kind - and it's not surprising that it is showing up here first," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "We led the region on converting to ultra low-sulfur fuel, and now we are on the cutting edge for hybrid technology. Metro is known as one of the most innovative transit agencies in the nation. For the past 30 years, transit ideas that have been pioneered here in King County have become the industry standard in the rest of the world."

The 235 hybrids have been purchased to replace aging buses now operating on routes using the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel – 213 will be deployed by Metro and 22 by Sound Transit. The first two dozen hybrids will go in service in South King County on June 5. All 235 will be on the road by the end of the year.

The hybrid bus operates on both Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) and electricity that is generated within the vehicle and stored in batteries on the roof. It will eliminate the need for overhead wires inside the tunnel, which is important since work begins next year to retrofit the tunnel to carry both buses and light rail.

"We needed a large bus that was clean, efficient, and met some unique operating needs," said Sims. "As we explored options, we decided that hybrid technology had the best potential to meet our clean-air and operating requirements."

Plans for replacing the tunnel buses began several years ago with Metro’s Bus Procurement Committee – a group of bus drivers, maintenance workers and managers who collaborated on what they thought would work best in King County. Their ideas were turned over to a group of national manufacturers who worked together to create the new hybrid bus. That team included: New Flyer of America; Allison Transmission, a division of General Motors; and Caterpillar.

Sims said the hybrid purchase demonstrates Metro's and Sound Transit's willingness to explore every possible alternative for cost-effective, clean-air transportation. Replacement of the current fleet of tunnel buses will save approximately $3.5 million annually in fuel and maintenance costs. Those savings will be reinvested in expanded service as outlined in Metro’s six-year transit plan.

Sims also thanked Sen. Patty Murray, a high-ranking member of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee. He said Murray played a key role in securing the federal funding that helped cover the price difference between a standard diesel bus and a hybrid. The hybrids cost $645,000 each – approximately $200,000 more than a new diesel bus.

"It is great to have a leader in Washington, D.C. who provided us with real resources – not just the rhetoric – to help us meet new federal clean-air standards," said Sims.

Murray said that federal funding of hybrid technology is money well spent, and she will continue to encourage other states, counties and cities to pursue this technology for their transit fleets.

"I am very proud of my home state and the vision that King County has shown in this initiative," said Murray. "Ron Sims should be congratulated on his environmental leadership. The decision to buy clean-air, hybrid buses is an important step toward protecting the area’s environment while reducing traffic congestion."

• Total purchase of 235 hybrid diesel-electric buses
         213 for King County Metro Transit
         22 for Sound Transit Regional Express