Ann Arbor hybrid buses officially in service, AATA looks to add more

More hybrid buses are on their way to Ann Arbor. The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority expects five more hybrid buses to join its fleet by March and will order another seven before the end of the year. These will join the 15 hybrids already in service in the AATA’s fleet of 72 buses.

“We have had a great response from both our customers and the general public,” says Mary Stasiak, manager of community relations for the AATA, adding that two of the biggest compliments are how much quieter and better smelling the hybrids are than regular buses.

The hybrid buses are built by Hayward, California-based Gillig Corp. and the price difference between the hybrids and regular buses was paid for by a federal grant. The AATA plans to replace its older buses with hybrids as they are decommissioned, however, it won’t take another order for new buses until at least 2010.

The hybrid buses are significantly more fuel efficient and produce lower levels of pollution. The AATA expects to buy 80,000 fewer gallons of B10 bio-diesel this year. That represents more than a 10% decrease because of the hybrids.

This project is part of the mayor’s initiative to make Ann Arbor more environmentally friendly. Earlier this year, Ann Arbor started a campaign to promote renewable energy by moving all its facilities to 30% renewable energy by 2010.

Source: Mary Stasiak, manager of community relations for the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority
Writer: Jon Zemke