A year after the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority deployed hybrid buses, the vehicles are consistently operating at an average fuel efficiency that is 56 percent better than PSTA’s standard diesel buses.
When the PSTA board considered buying the agency’s first diesel-electric hybrid buses busses in 2008, bus manufacturer Gillig Corp. said to expect a fuel efficiency increase of about 20 percent over standard diesel buses, surpassing expectations, a release said.
PSTA’s 10 hybrid buses get an average of 6.4 miles to the gallon, the release said.
Most of the hybrids are customized as trolley buses and operate along the Suncoast Beach Trolley route from the Park Street Terminal in downtown Clearwater to Pass-A-Grille. The route’s slower speeds and frequent stops have maximized fuel gains from hybrid technology, PSTA said. The hybrids that are exclusive to those routes average 6.77 mpg.
The board approved the purchase of the fuel-efficient technology in hopes of saving money. PSTA was facing budget cuts due to Amendment 1 and falling property tax revenue, which makes up the bulk of its funding, a release said.
“We’re not only doing what’s best for our budget and spending taxpayer dollars wisely, but we’re doing what’s best for the environment,” said Executive Director Tim Garling in the release.
