Crain's Detroit Business: SMART unveils hybrid electric buses

[marmar]

The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation bus system Tuesday unveiled its first two hybrid electric buses it will add to its fleet of 640 vehicles on Nov. 1.

The 61-foot reduced-emissions vehicles, which seat 100 and cost $1.6 million in federal stimulus funding, were put on display for local reporters.

Because the buses are articulated in the center, they can carry more passengers than the typical 60 people on a standard 40-foot bus.

The hybrid diesel and electric battery buses will operate on the following SMART routes, sometimes based on demand:

• 560 Gratiot

• 415 Greenfield

• 465 Auburn Hills Limited

• 495 John R

About 10,000 riders use those routes, SMART said in a statement. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20101019/FREE/101019852#