113 GM Hybrid-Powered Buses Rolling into New York

Rochester and 4 other NY cities to opt for improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions

Rochester, N.Y. - The number of GM hybrid-powered buses ordered by New York transit agencies grew to 113 with today’s announcement by Regional Transit Service (RTS), Inc., a subsidiary of the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA) serving Monroe County, to purchase 19 buses equipped with GM’s hybrid technology. When the deliveries are completed next year, New York will boast the second largest statewide fleet of GM hybrid-powered buses, the state of Washington leads with 240 hybrid-powered buses.

By using GM’s 2-mode hybrid system, the 113 diesel-electric buses in New York will save an estimated 165,000 gallons of fuel annually and significantly reduce emissions compared with conventional diesel buses.

The RGRTA joins the following New York transit agencies purchasing GM -hybrid-powered buses: Albany Transit System, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority serving the Buffalo area, Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit serving the Ithaca area, and Central New York Regional Transportation Authority serving Syracuse.

“A commitment to customer satisfaction is a key operating objective for RGRTA,” said Mark Aesch, Chief Executive Officer of RGRTA. “Our new buses with the GM diesel electric drive system will enable us to put buses where people want to go more efficiently and deliver fuel economy what will allow us to keep the fare stable at $1.25 for the 12th consecutive year.”

“GM is committed to applying hybrid technology to the highest fuel-consuming vehicles on the road, including mass transit buses,” said Beth Lowery, GM vice president, environment, energy and safety policy. “Successful projects like this one require strong partnerships between industry and government, and we commend the New York transit agencies for their decision to choose GM’s hybrid technology and their commitment to improving fuel economy and reducing emissions in their communities.”

According to a study conducted in 2006 by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, transit buses with GM’s hybrid technology deliver up to 75 percent better fuel economy than traditional transit buses, and reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) up to 39 percent, particulate matter (PM) up to 97 percent, carbon monoxide up to 60 percent and hydrocarbons up to 75 percent. The report was published in December 2006, and can be viewed at http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/fleettest/pdfs/40585.pdf.

Other benefits of GM hybrid-powered buses include reduced maintenance costs resulting from extended brake, engine oil and transmission oil life, superior torque, and better acceleration.

Currently, there are nearly 720 GM hybrid-equipped buses operating in 56 cities in the U.S. and Canada. Orders for an additional 379 hybrid bus systems in North America will be fulfilled throughout 2007.

“If the U.S. had only 1,000 GM hybrid powered buses operating in major cities, the cumulative savings would be more than 1.5 million gallons of fuel annually,” said Tom Stephens, group vice president for GM Powertrain. “With the cost of diesel fuel continuing to rise along with gas prices, this could save thousands of dollars and hundreds of gallons of fuel.”

The clean hybrid technology is manufactured by GM’s Allison Transmission, maker of transmissions and hybrid propulsion systems for commercial trucks, buses, off-highway equipment and military vehicles, headquartered in Indianapolis. Gillig Corp., located in Hayward, Calif. manufactures the buses.

The 2-mode hybrid diesel-electric drive system for transit buses is manufactured by GM Allison Transmission, maker of transmissions and hybrid propulsion systems for commercial trucks, buses, and off-highway equipment and military vehicles, headquartered in Indianapolis.