King County Metro Transit has signed a contract to take delivery on 213 new hybrid diesel-electric buses. The order also includes another 22 hybrid buses for Sound Transit [external link].

The two transit agencies are looking to replace more than 200 dual-mode buses that now operate in the downtown Seattle bus tunnel, as well as the surface streets throughout King County. The agency’s current fleet of Breda tunnel buses is aging, and a new bus was needed that could operate in the tunnel alongside a future light rail line.

"We needed a large bus that was clean, efficient, and met some unique operating needs," said King County Executive Ron Sims, who also chairs the Sound Transit Board. "We are currently designing ways to make our downtown transit tunnel work for both buses and light rail. We needed a bus that could take us in a new direction."

Metro has been testing the new technology extensively over the past year. The agency bought one demo hybrid bus last fall and proceeded to put it through intensive stress testing and then placed it on regular routes with passengers. Metro officials were looking for a vehicle that could travel throughout system efficiently and cleanly.

The order for the new 60-foot articulated buses was placed last week with the New Flyer Corporation. New Flyer will manufacture the buses to Metro’s and Sound Transit’s specifications, using a General Motors Allison electric drive system and a Caterpillar engine.  Each bus costs $645,000.  The purchase will give Metro the largest fleet of hybrid buses in the world.

The big bus works much like the small hybrid cars that are becoming so popular with consumers these days. In the bus, electricity is generated by a computer-managed diesel engine. That electricity is stored for future use, and can reduce fuel consumption by 20 to 40 percent. It is estimated that Metro will be saving 750,000 gallons of fuel a year with the hybrid buses.

The hybrid bus is also extremely clean when it does burn diesel. Like every other Metro bus, this vehicle will use Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel. Carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons are reduced by as much as 99 percent over the Breda’s emissions. There is no diesel exhaust odor, fuel efficiency is increased, and on-road performance is improved.

These first significant storms of the season should be a wake-up call for everyone living in King County. In addition to flooding, the storms brought heavy winds, downed trees, power outages, and all sorts of debris on local roadways. If you haven’t already prepared for the storm season, now is the time to get ready.

All residents are encouraged to clear leaves and debris away from storm drains near their homes and businesses. Also, have emergency supplies on hand including: a portable radio, flashlight, fresh batteries, emergency cooking equipment, non-perishable food, drinking water, essential medications and a first aid kit.

People who live in flood-prone areas should prepare their families – make sure they know emergency phone numbers, identify the safest evacuation routes, and establish a meeting place in case family members are separated by rising water.

During river flooding events, King County operates a recorded message center with hourly updates at 206-296-8200 or 1-800-945-9263. Comprehensive flood information is also available on the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks website.

Residents who spot a problem on a road maintained by King County can report it by calling (206) 296-8100 or 1-800 KC ROADS. King County residents can also call the Drainage Complaint Line at 206-296-1900 to report erosion, flooding or water quality problems.

Also, residents can monitor storm reports posted on the Regional Public Information Network (RPIN) website.

Former Seattle City Councilman George Benson – a retired pharmacist -- purchased 4,000 free-ride tickets for use on the Waterfront Streetcar and all other Metro service for the convention goers.

In 2002, King County Metro’s Waterfront Streetcar service was renamed the "George Benson Waterfront Streetcar Line" to honor Benson’s tireless work to promote transit in the city and the region.

Within two days, the county had received its first compliment on the project. A Vashon resident called and asked that her message be shared with everyone involved in the project. She wanted to thank staff for the "fabulous job that was done by King County on the seawall on Vashon Island." She said there is still a view and she liked the way the trees and stumps were used. "It's a nice space not too small, not too big."

Bio-diesel uses 80 percent diesel fuel mixed with 20 percent vegetable oil Metro is testing the bio-diesel this fall on approximately 10 buses. The bio-diesel demonstration will not require any modifications to the bus engines, nor to the existing methods of storage and pumping the fuel. Permanent, fleet-wide use of the fuel mix will depend on test results from the pilot project, and the oil industry’s ability to make bio-diesel affordable and available in large volumes.

The Roads Maintenance staff had been carefully monitoring the condition of the road and shoulder for the last few months near 153^rd Avenue Southeast. To complete the project before the rainy season and to minimize the impact of the project on the local residents and the many drivers using the roadway, two Roads Maintenance drainage crews teamed up, working two shifts, 24 hours a day, to accomplish this project.

This project was complicated by numerous utility lines running under the roadway. The county crews had to weave around, under and over fiber optic lines, phone lines, a four-inch gas main, a 24-inch water line, and an eight-inch asbestos concrete water main.