New York City is at the forefront in the use of hybrid buses. Of its fleet of 4,500 buses, 850 are hybrid, and the number is growing. In the mid-'90s, the transit system took some heat for its impact on air quality, and officials looked for inexpensive ways to quickly bring down the amount of emitted particulate matter. Compressed natural gas buses were the first choice, but back then the cost of maintaining their garages proved to be prohibitive.
In 1998, the system spent about a million bucks apiece on 10 new hybrids, and by 2001, they had ordered 125 more.
Hybrids now cost about half the '98 price — still more than traditional diesel buses — but maintenance is simpler, the mileage is terrific, and diesel particulate emissions have dropped 97 percent.
Mechanics, however, need special training: They're dealing with 600-volt — not 12-volt — batteries. As one official said, "You make a mistake — that could kill you."
Questions can be sent to Jim Parks at jrparks@mac.com. To find out more about Jim Parks and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
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