CTA Introduces New Hybrid Buses

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Dec 3, 2008 10:35PM

The CTA introduced the newest additions to its fleet: 150 hybrid buses. The buses, "60-foot-long New Flyer articulated buses", have been slowly worked in since mid-October and will all be on the road by next summer. The buses are 30 percent more fuel efficient than buses in the current fleet and can hold up to 125 riders. What really impressed us, though was the mileage. While the current buses get a measly 2.4 mpg, these new buses upgrade to a whopping 3.6 mpg. Suck it, Al Gore!

And what of the cost to the city in this harsh economic climate (save Police SUVs)?

The new environmentally friendly buses cost about $1 million each.

The CTA is able to afford the $156 million deal, despite tough economic times, by leasing the buses for 12 years, then taking ownership, CTA President Ron Huberman said.

The move is estimated to save the CTA almost $7 million annually in maintenance, labor and fuel costs by retiring aging buses.

The buses can be charged by being plugged in to charge the batteries when the bus is not in use. Check out the CTA's press release goodness for more spin information.