Home > News > Duluth city buses going green
Duluth city buses going green
BY AHBINAV DEVIREDDY
STATESMAN STAFF WRITER
Students who use the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) buses now can choose a green way to travel.
The association has now acquired two hybrid buses that run on a diesel-fueled engine and an electric motor, according to Heather Miller, a customer care representative with DTA. “I think the new buses are really noiseless and are clean [for the environment],” said sophomore Abby Schmidt.
A recent study by the University of Connecticut, measured the particulate emissions from two hybrid transit buses and two conventional diesel buses in over-the-road tests. The researchers found a considerable
decrease in emissions such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide in the hybrid buses. Hybrid buses can reduce particulate emissions by more than 85 percent. The current certification method is based on lab tests of the diesel-fueled engine only and does not account for the bus configuration, meaning the full benefits
of the hybrid drive system are lost, according to the University of Connecticut’s research.
According to Miller, fuel economy of hybrid transit buses is much more than the conventional buses. Some transit authorities have reported fuel economy improvements of 10 percent all the way to 50 percent. Preliminary results of fuel economy tests are showing an increase of 25 percent to 50 percent at the DTA, according to the University of Connecticut research and DTA on-road testing. Freshman Barry Ryan was unaware of the fact that the DTA had acquired the buses. “I think hybrid is the way to go now until we get hydrogen-powered vehicles,” said Ryan.
One factor that is hindering the DTA from acquiring more hybrid buses is the cost. According to Vice-Chancellor of Finance and Operations Greg Fox, hybrid buses can cost up to $500,000, while a standard diesel transit bus might be around $300,000. For transit agencies looking only to purchase a few buses, hybrids may make sense. However, for transit agencies looking to purchase a large number of buses, a closer look at the full life-cycle cost and emission benefits of hybrids versus natural gas buses is required to make sure they are not paying more money for fewer emission benefits.
