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More buses for more riders

As people turn to King County Metro Transit in record numbers, an influx of 22 new articulated hybrid buses is about to make the ride a little easier for many customers.

The new hybrid buses look exactly like the ones already in Metro's fleet.

Metro already put six of the new articulated hybrids into service last week. The remaining hybrid coaches are in the process of being serviced and will be deployed within the next few weeks. Other hybrid buses already in the fleet will be reassigned so that the larger coaches are spread across Metro’s system to help ease overcrowding on some of the busiest routes.

“Metro has many commute-time trips that are regularly operating with packed 40-foot buses," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "These new 60-foot buses will help us relieve some of the overcrowding on popular routes that are frequently standing-room-only.”

Installation of the electronic system was finished once the buses arrived in Seattle.

At least 40 weekday trips that are currently overcrowded and operating with standard 40-foot buses will be assigned larger coaches. Once all 22 are in service, the new buses will deliver approximately 90 total weekday trips.

The hybrids are 60 percent larger than Metro’s standard buses, and will relieve an overall shortage of larger buses in Metro’s fleet. This will give Metro the flexibility it needs to maximize the use of its fleet to carry the most passengers. The addition brings the total number of hybrid buses in the Metro system to 236 – one of the largest articulated hybrid fleets in North America.

Metro staff detailed each new hybrid before it went into service.

Metro managers say the hybrid buses have already proven themselves to be excellent performers. They achieve better fuel economy compared to regular buses, while delivering a smoother and quieter ride for passengers. Metro estimates each hybrid bus burns 30 percent less fuel than a conventional coach, which adds up to much-needed fuel economy in this era of escalating fuel costs. And, this latest hybrid bus acquisition is allowing Metro to remain at the forefront of a growing movement to fight global warming by reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

This month’s delivery precedes another Metro order for 30 additional hybrid buses to help beef-up transit options during the first phases of construction on the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Those buses are expected to arrive in 2009. And, future deliveries will include 100 new specially designed hybrids that will serve Metro’s new RapidRide bus rapid transit service on five busy corridors in King County beginning in 2010.

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Updated: June 09, 2008

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