"A better bus: Tests show efficiency, reliability of costly hybrid-electric models
By Mark Ginocchio Staff Writer January 24, 2005

CTTransit's two hybrid-electric diesel buses increased fuel economy and were more reliable than standard diesel buses, preliminary results from an 18-month demonstration reveal.

According to tests, the hybrid buses scored 10 percent better on fuel economy than the newest diesel buses, and were 30 percent to 35 percent more efficient than the existing fleet, said Stephen Warren, assistant general manager for maintenance service for CTTransit.

The hybrid buses also cost less to maintain and got rave reviews from bus operators, Warren said.

"They were much more reliable than our diesel buses in virtually every category, which was a surprise," he said. "The drivers also thought they had better acceleration."

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http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news...ocal-headlines

Hi Lars-ss:

___The fatal flaw in the above …
___The person or person(s) that made the Hybrid bus purchase decision(s) given the initial costs by comparison are lucky they still have jobs if in fact they do. If it were my town, I would demand that the individual be let go for fiscal Maleficience given the lowly 10% increase in FE and 20% lower emissions for that kind of price delta …

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net

Unless, of course, the break-even point was within acceptable limits (including maintenance savings). I don't know how much fuel a city bus burns, so I don't really have insight as to whether this is or is not a rationale for it. And comparing percentages to absolute, unitted numbers is plain futile.

Hi Jdawg70:

Unless, of course, the break-even point was within acceptable limits (including maintenance savings).

___They aren’t even close The rationale was “It’s a Hybrid” which is about as smart as purchasing a “Fuel Cell” in this case! It is one thing for an individual to use his earnings to procure a hybrid or whatever his or her heart desires, it is an entirely different matter to use public tax dollars for this kind of purchase and justifying it with its cleaner and receives a small increase in FE. Not at almost double the cost in my book.

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net