The prevalence of hybrid buses in America’s public transit fleet is increasing, according to APTA’s 2009 Public Transportation Vehicle Database. Nineteen percent of buses built in 2008 were hybrids, with a mix of fueled engine and battery power, compared to less than 5 percent of the total transit bus fleet.

It is clear that the transit industry is moving toward greener technology with new bus purchases: over one third of buses listed by responding agencies as being on order are hybrids. In addition to hybrid vehicles, the database shows that more than 30 percent of new buses run on alternative fuels, compared to 25 percent of the total bus fleet.

This movement toward green technology underscores the key role of the public transit industry in reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and decreasing the nation’s dependence on foreign oil.

The Public Transportation Vehicle Database is a comprehensive survey of APTA’s transit members that includes information on revenue vehicle fleet characteristics. All of the top 50 agencies (in terms of ridership) are included in the 2009 data. Of special note is the section on new vehicle purchases and future orders, a valuable resource for the transit vehicle manufacturing industry that is not collected anywhere else.

The information can be downloaded from APTA’s bookstore.

 

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