Seattle Goes On Hybrid Bus Shopping Spree

King County Metro plans to add 500 new hybrid buses to its fleet -- increasing service by nearly a third.

1 minute read

May 18, 2007, 1:00 PM PDT

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera

"The nation's biggest fleet of hybrid buses is about to triple.

King County Metro Transit announced Wednesday that it will order up to 500 hybrid buses in the next five years, adding those to its 237 hybrids already on the street.

The diesel-electric hybrids, meant to reduce global warming, will be purchased mainly with federal grants, combined with a local sales-tax increase approved by voters last fall. The ballot measure, known as "Transit Now," will fund more frequent bus service throughout the county."

"Most transit agencies have not leapt into the hybrid market as eagerly as King County.

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Portland's Tri-Met, for instance, with two hybrid buses, reports fuel savings of 20 percent. "We're waiting for the price of hybrids to come down," said spokeswoman Mary Fetsch. "

FULL STORY: Metro will order up to 500 hybrids for bus fleet

Thursday, May 17, 2007 in The Seattle Times

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