Metro Transit in Minneapolis/St. Paul unveiled its two newest hybrid-electric buses Aug. 24 at the Minnesota State Fair. The buses have strong Minnesota connections: they were built at the New Flyer plant in St. Cloud and will operate in the fleet of the state’s largest public transit provider. After the fair, the buses will operate on routes serving downtown Minneapolis and surrounding communities.

The new vehicle operates onboard systems such as the air compressor, heating and cooling, and power steering directly from the battery—unlike earlier hybrid buses, which used power from the non-electric (diesel or compressed natural gas) engine. This change results in additional fuel savings, reduced emissions, and other benefits. The new bus model also can operate in all-electric mode, providing emission-free travel for short durations such as on Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis.

“Minnesota has a proud tradition of being on the cutting edge of innovation and implementing new technologies,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). “These new hybrid buses are a shining example of new ways of doing business that are good for the economy and the environment.”

“Strong relationships with industry partners—and a mutual commitment to the ongoing advancement of energy-efficient transit—led to discussion about improving hybrid buses by bringing together specific technologies and components,” said Metro Transit General Manager Brian Lamb. “The result is here today: the cleanest hybrid buses in the country, built right here in Minnesota.”

Metro Transit received $1.2 million (80 percent) in funding for the two new hybrid-electric buses through a federal Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction grant. Local sources provided the balance.

The agency introduced its first hybrid bus in 2002 and now operates 97 hybrid-electric buses—about 11 percent of its fleet.

Participants in ceremonies launching Metro Transit’s newest hybrid-electric vehicles are, from left, Frank Romano, technical services manager, Cummins; Steve Johnson, Thermo King product manager of bus air conditioning; Tom Webb, director of sales, BAE Systems; Paul Soubry, president and chief executive officer, New Flyer; Sen. Amy Klobuchar; and Metro Transit General Manager Brian Lamb.