PLEASE NOTE: These bulletins, published since 1997, are historical. The content is not updated.
Earlier this year, we reported that King County Metro Transit was testing a 60-foot articulated diesel/electric hybrid bus. We are now proud to report that Metro has placed an order for over 200 of these. This purchase will give Metro the largest fleet of hybrid buses in the world. The new buses will make up over 15 percent of Metro’s 1,300-vehicle fleet. These buses run on electricity and diesel and King County Metro Transit expects to save 750,000 gallons of fuel and at least a half-million dollars a year.
Congratulations to Metro Transit!
Metro Transit Buys Hybrid Buses
King County's Metro Transit Division will replace more than 200 Breda dual-mode (diesel/electric) buses that now operate in Seattle/King County with newer hybrid technology. The agency’s current fleet of buses is aging, and Metro needed new buses that could operate in the downtown Seattle bus tunnel alongside a future light rail line. According to King County Executive Ron Sims, "We needed a large bus that was clean, efficient, and met some unique operating needs."
Metro has been testing this new hybrid technology extensively over the past year. The agency bought one hybrid bus for testing last Fall and subjected it to intensive stress testing and then placed it on regular routes with passengers. The bus works much like the small hybrid cars. In the bus, electricity is generated by a computer-managed diesel engine and stored for future use, which will reduce fuel consumption by 20 to 40 percent.
Metro ordered 213 new 60-foot articulated buses from the New Flyer Corporation. New Flyer will manufacture the buses to Metro’s specifications, using a General Motors Allison electric drive system and a Caterpillar engine. The buses are scheduled to arrive late spring, 2004.
Although the initial cost of these hybrid buses is higher (
This information was excerpted from King County's press release and Seattle PI's article (links below).
"Diesel-electric buses hit streets next year - Hybrids will save money in long run, transit officials say" Seattle PI
"Metro orders more than 200 hybrid buses" King County press release
Related Metro Transit and Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Stories:
King County Environmental Purchasing Bulletins:
King County Metro Transit switches to re-refined motor oil
New Trolley Buses Use Recycled Electric Motors
King County pilots bio-diesel project for Metro buses
Environmental Purchasing Program
The King County Environmental Purchasing Program assists County agencies in implementation of King County Executive Policy CON-7-1-2, which requires agencies to use recycled and other environmentally preferable products wherever practicable.
The program assembles information about these products and makes it available to specific agency users who can evaluate them and develop applications in County projects.
These environmental purchasing bulletins contain information about the results of product evaluations and other accomplishments of County agencies. We hope this information will help you find ways to use recycled materials in the work of your agency and that you will contact us if we can help you with further information or if you have suggestions.
- Environmental Purchasing Program
- King County Procurement and Contract Services
Published: October 30, 2003
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Bulletin List
Updated: November 2, 2003
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