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Olympian Editorial, 8/18/10

The South Sound region’s first biodiesel, electric buses will begin operation this month.  Intercity Transit, the public transportation agency in Thurston County, will roll out the first of its six “green” vehicles later this week.

Purchase of these buses became feasible last year when $2.33 million in federal stimulus funds was awarded to Intercity Transit through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The Intercity Transit Authority unanimously authorized the purchase of the 40-foot, low-floor hybrid, diesel-electric vehicles last spring to replace its oldest buses, in operation since 1996.  The total cost of the six buses, including tax, is about $3.7 million.  All but $575,000, the local capital match amount from Intercity Transit, was paid for with federal dollars ($2.334 million ARRA funds plus $750,700 federal appropriations funds). 

“We owe Senators Murray and Cantwell, and Representatives Baird and Smith many thanks for their ongoing support of important regional programs that benefit both transit and the environment,” said Sandra Romero, Intercity Transit Authority chair and Thurston County Commissioner. “Use of hybrid buses is one more way Intercity Transit and the public transportation industry can act as environmental stewards,” Romero added.

Transit officials indicate hybrid buses are good for improving air quality and helping to reduce harmful carbon emissions that contribute to global warming. Hybrid buses use less fuel, produce lower emissions, and generally require less maintenance than conventional coaches operating with standard diesel propulsion engines. The hybrid buses are also smooth riding, produce less diesel odor, and are quieter for passengers and the neighborhoods they travel through. 

Although the initial cost of a hybrid bus is more than the cost of a conventional diesel bus, transit officials estimate most of this cost will be made up in fuel savings over the life of the vehicle.  The benefits of improved air quality and public health are also considerations.

These buses have been a long time in coming to Thurston County. In 2004, several transit agencies within the region, including Intercity Transit, tested a prototype diesel-electric propulsion bus for 18 months in a variety of operating conditions throughout south and central Puget Sound.  The participating transit agencies evaluated the hybrid vehicle’s operating system, fuel consumption, operational feasibility, customer and driver observations, and emission levels. The test was successful and, thereafter, the state’s first hybrid diesel electric coaches were ordered for Seattle’s King County Metro and Sound Transit fleets. More recently, hybrid buses have been introduced in Everett (Everett Transit), Spokane (Spokane Transit), Clark County (C-Tran), and now Thurston County.

People can identify the Intercity Transit hybrid buses by their green domed roof and demarcation as hybrid electric.

The older buses the hybrids replace have been in operation several years beyond the 12 year retirement age suggested by the Federal Transit Administration. Intercity Transit, as part of its ongoing cost efficiency efforts, utilizes an extended lifecycle maintenance program to maximize fleet longevity for all its coaches and Dial-A-Lift vehicles.

The hybrid buses increase the agency’s already “green” fleet of 100-plus buses and vans powered by biodiesel and ultra-low sulfur diesel.  Other efforts by Intercity Transit, which has been broadly recognized for its long-standing commitment to sustainability, include electric vehicle plug-in stations at its headquarter facility, recycling and water conservation efforts, and being a charter member of the national Sustainability Commitment for the public transportation industry.