Madison plans to add 18 more hybrid buses to its fleet with the money it will receive from the federal mass-transit stimulus.
Tentatively, $9.5 million will be given to Madison by the federal government to help with mass-transit needs, according to Rachel Strauch-Nelson, spokesperson for Mayor Cieslewicz. The city, in collaboration with Madison Metro transit, decided the funds would be best spent purchasing more hybrid buses.
“We have always wanted to increase the number of hybrid buses in the fleet, and there were some plans to purchase more in the future [and] the stimulus package really is helping to boost that effort,” Strauch-Nelson said.
According to Madison Metro Transit’s website, unlike diesel buses that run purely on fuel powered engines, hybrid buses use both an electric motor and an engine, allowing them to consume less fuel. Additional benefits include lower emissions, smooth acceleration and breaking and reduced maintenance and noise.
However, these hybrid buses cost $180,000-$200,000 more than a diesel powered bus, according to Mick Rusch, spokesperson for Madison Metro Transit.
“We’re still collecting data to see what kind of return we get from the hybrid bus; [see] if the benefits outweigh the cost,” Rusch said. “Regardless, they are good for our community because they reduce exhaust emissions by 90 percent.”
Additionally, Rusch said the 18 buses will replace existing diesel buses that are over 12-15 years old and are already scheduled to be replaced.
Although the planning to purchase the buses has already started, Madison will not see the hybrid buses for several months, he said.
“It will take a while to procure the new buses. They still have to be built, so the earliest we could expect to see them would be next year,” Rusch said.
He added the buses are built by the Gillig Corporation in Indiana and use a General Motors drive system, so the purchase is also helping the Midwest economy.
However Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, said the intent of the stimulus for the state is to create jobs in Wisconsin.
“Buying new buses is not going to create one job,” he said. “The point of the stimulus money is to create jobs. The people in northern Wisconsin don’t even have a bus program.”
Strauch-Nelson added the actual number of buses that will be purchased is uncertain as it is dependant on the amount of federal money received from the stimulus. No state funding will aid in the purchase.
Rusch said the city already has an order for 42 buses, adding the money from the stimulus plan will be utilized to purchase as many of those buses in hybrid as possible.
The buses will also help Madison maintain its adherence to the federal air pollution standards, said Dave Merritt, executive assistant to Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk.
“The city of Madison was a founding member of the Dane County Clean Air Coalition,” Merritt said. “With their continuing desire to purchase more hybrids, the city is taking major steps toward keeping air healthy and in compliance with federal standards.”
