Hybrid Bus Confuses the Masses While Winning Fans

By Tim State in News on Jun 21, 2008 3:39PM

The CTA is running a test hybrid bus on the #8 Halsted line. The funky-looking, futuristic (can you imagine, the future arriving to the CTA?) bus confused some riders who questioned whether or not they were stepping on to public transit.

Once on board, passengers enjoyed the ride: smoother, quieter (“I think the loudest thing in there is the turn signal,” the driver said), filled with natural light from skylights, and “plush” seats. (Don’t get too excited, if the CTA purchases the bus, the seats will be dummied-down for Chicago behinds.)

The hybrid bus will get 7 to 8 m.p.g., compared to 2 to 3 m.p.g. for their diesel buses. The hybrid weighs three tons less than the diesel, and CTA officials are testing it to see if the bus made of aluminum composite materials will withstand Chicago’s potholes. They’re also working to calculate if the nearly $200,000 more for the hybrid will be off-set over time with fuel savings. [Trib]

Hybrid bus image via DesignLine International.