CollierTransit (CAT) is using federal stimulus money to buy new hybrid buses.
"The county plans to buy two, 35-foot hybrid full-size buses."
"NAPLES — After a positive experience testing a state-of-the-art hybrid bus, Collier County is moving forward with the purchase of “green buses.”
Collier Area Transit, known as CAT, got a good response from passengers and staff.
“I think overall, we had a good experience with it,” said Carlos Rivera, the CAT operations general manager.
The county plans to buy two, 35-foot hybrid full-size buses for its fixed-route bus service using stimulus money from the federal government. The cost of a hybrid bus is close to $600,000 compared to about $385,000 for a standard diesel bus, officials said.
Collier County is expecting to receive $3 million in federal stimulus funds for several CAT projects, officials said.
Officials estimated an overall average of 25 to 30 percent of fuel savings for the 35-foot hybrid bus.
After testing the hybrid diesel for nearly two weeks in late June, the local transit agency said hybrid buses have the potential for saving fuel and reducing maintenance costs.
Rivera sees hybrid buses as potentially being more cost-effective on fuel and maintenance and much cleaner.
The bus was used for about seven days after training staff.
During its trial, the bus had just one malfunction with its device that lifts wheelchairs and scooters, Rivera said.
The Florida Department of Transportation provided the 31-foot “Hybrid Ride,” a 2009 International 3200 diesel-electric bus for a demonstration trial project.
It’s being loaned to transit agencies in about 10 counties across the state for testing in a variety of operating environments to gather data on fuel savings and maintenance costs, DOT spokeswoman Debbie Tower said.
Rivera said the county hadn’t yet received the data collected during the trial to determine if the buses burned less fuel. In addition, there were too many variables to give an approximate figure on fuel efficiency, he said.
An engine control module attached to the vehicle collected the data, which tracked the mileage and maintenance costs.
Tower said preliminary findings would be released in the fall.
DOT will look at its reduced emissions, miles per gallon in different traffic and travel conditions, such as travel in congested traffic and rural areas, as well as environmental factors and performance
On Wednesday, the hybrid bus traveled to Lee County.
Rivera said the planned hybrid buses would be different than the bus tested in June.
If the county were to purchase a bus similar to the test vehicle, Rivera said it would serve better for its para transit program, which assists residents with medical needs or who otherwise cannot access the county’s fixed-route bus service.
Rivera said if there were cost savings with the hybrid buses, the county’s Fleet Management Department could potentially make future purchases.
Follow transportation reporter Tracy X. Miguel at twitter.com/ndn_tmiguel."
-- CollierTransit to buy new hybrid buses using federal stimulus money : Collier County : Naples Daily News
Rate this! 1-5 starsCollier Area Transit, known as CAT, got a good response from passengers and staff.
“I think overall, we had a good experience with it,” said Carlos Rivera, the CAT operations general manager.
The county plans to buy two, 35-foot hybrid full-size buses for its fixed-route bus service using stimulus money from the federal government. The cost of a hybrid bus is close to $600,000 compared to about $385,000 for a standard diesel bus, officials said.
Collier County is expecting to receive $3 million in federal stimulus funds for several CAT projects, officials said.
Officials estimated an overall average of 25 to 30 percent of fuel savings for the 35-foot hybrid bus.
After testing the hybrid diesel for nearly two weeks in late June, the local transit agency said hybrid buses have the potential for saving fuel and reducing maintenance costs.
Rivera sees hybrid buses as potentially being more cost-effective on fuel and maintenance and much cleaner.
The bus was used for about seven days after training staff.
During its trial, the bus had just one malfunction with its device that lifts wheelchairs and scooters, Rivera said.
The Florida Department of Transportation provided the 31-foot “Hybrid Ride,” a 2009 International 3200 diesel-electric bus for a demonstration trial project.
It’s being loaned to transit agencies in about 10 counties across the state for testing in a variety of operating environments to gather data on fuel savings and maintenance costs, DOT spokeswoman Debbie Tower said.
Rivera said the county hadn’t yet received the data collected during the trial to determine if the buses burned less fuel. In addition, there were too many variables to give an approximate figure on fuel efficiency, he said.
An engine control module attached to the vehicle collected the data, which tracked the mileage and maintenance costs.
Tower said preliminary findings would be released in the fall.
DOT will look at its reduced emissions, miles per gallon in different traffic and travel conditions, such as travel in congested traffic and rural areas, as well as environmental factors and performance
On Wednesday, the hybrid bus traveled to Lee County.
Rivera said the planned hybrid buses would be different than the bus tested in June.
If the county were to purchase a bus similar to the test vehicle, Rivera said it would serve better for its para transit program, which assists residents with medical needs or who otherwise cannot access the county’s fixed-route bus service.
Rivera said if there were cost savings with the hybrid buses, the county’s Fleet Management Department could potentially make future purchases.
- * * * *
Follow transportation reporter Tracy X. Miguel at twitter.com/ndn_tmiguel."
-- CollierTransit to buy new hybrid buses using federal stimulus money : Collier County : Naples Daily News
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