Luzerne County Transportation Authority introduces

three new Diesel-Electric Hybrid buses to their fleet.

The unveiling ceremony for the Diesel-Electric buses will

take place Friday, December 11, [2009] at 11:00AM.

What’s red, white, blue and green all over? According to Mr. Stanley Strelish, Executive Director of the Luzerne County Transportation Authority (LCTA), “That’s simple”.  “The three (3) new Diesel-Electric Hybrid buses being introduced to our fleet, and this is only the beginning”.

The unveiling ceremony represents the introduction of a new era of low emissions public transit buses. The diesel electric hybrid buses will produce significantly lower emissions such as: Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) up to 50%, Particulate Matter (PM) up to 90%, Hydrocarbons (HC) up to 90% and Carbon Monoxide (CO) up to 90 %. The buses will feature a colorful headliner banner “CLEAN AIR ELECTRIC HYBRID” with green leaf decals. The bus design will be noticeably different.

“These buses represent the future of the LCTA,” remarked Mr. Strelish. “This is the beginning of a multi-year transition where buses that serve the Wyoming Valley region will be cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient”. The LCTA has ordered five (5) more Diesel-Electric Hybrid buses which Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) announced in May.  They will be put into operation sometime next year (2010) This order will have two (2) smaller sized buses (thirty foot) which will be more cost efficient than the larger thirty-five foot bus. The total cost of these buses will be made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Also, they have plans to purchase another seven (7) the following year. If all goes according to LCTA’s long-term plan, fifteen (15) of the Thirty-two buses used in daily operation will be Diesel-Electric Hybrid by the year 2011.

“The LCTA provides needed services for residents throughout Luzerne County,” said Congressman Kanjorski.  “I am pleased that the federal government was able to help make it possible for the LCTA to acquire these new hybrid buses.  Combined with the five hybrid buses for the LCTA from the recovery package that I announced last spring, these buses will help improve Luzerne County’s transportation system through effective upgrades that will help keep jobs in Northeastern Pennsylvania while expanding public transportation for area residents.”

The vehicles unveiled today, will be 35’ low floor buses and will meet all of the accessibility specifications under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The three new hybrids are intended to replace three 1998 Gillig Phantom conventional diesel low-floors that have expired their useful life of twelve (12) years and have exceeded 400,000 miles.

The Gillig Hybrid bus is a variant of the Low-Floor model that is powered by a clean diesel hybrid electrical propulsion system. It reduces emissions, saves on fuel and is smoother and quieter than a conventional diesel bus, so it is environmentally and economically responsible while also being passenger and community friendly. Restoring energy to the battery pack is as follows: as the bus decelerates, energy is converted into electricity and recharges the onboard batteries through a “regenerative braking” system. Up to 40% of the energy to accelerate the bus comes from the energy saved during this braking process.

“LCTA is proud to be leading the charge with a progressive approach to protecting our environment and further relieving pollution and reducing our dependence on foreign oil”, said Mr. Strelish. “It solidifies LCTA’s position as a leader in efficient, environmentally friendly mass transit. It is very important that we reduce our energy consumption on the local, state, and national level”. 

The LCTA can expect about a 30% drop in diesel fuel usage in each of the Diesel-Electric Hybrid buses. Expected cost savings are dependent of the cost of fuel in the future and how many miles the bus is driven during its lifetime. The LCTA will recoup additional savings because of lower maintenance costs associated with hybrid bus technology. It is estimated that maintenance costs will be lowered by 30 to 50 percent.

Each Diesel-Electric Hybrid bus cost $522,621.00 for a total of $1,567,863.00. The new buses will be paid for through a combination of Federal, State, and Local funding sources. The funds received from each source are as follows: Federal $1,117,551.00; State $ 440,426.00; Local $ 9,887.00.

“I was very pleased that the Authority was able to secure Federal and State funding to pay for the new buses, which spared local taxpayers the bulk of the cost”, stated Mr. Dan McCormick, LCTA Board Chairman. He added, “The new Diesel-Electric Hybrid buses are a win-win for the environment as well as the taxpayers of Luzerne County”.

Cleaner air. Brighter future. LCTA’s commitment to protect the environment goes unwavering. LCTA buses burn only ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel in their engines. The LCTA has an aggressive recycling program in its administrative offices and maintenance shop that collects and recycles nearly all cardboard, paper and other recyclable products. Also, used motor oil and transmission fluid that is generated from the vehicle maintenance program, is burned in a used motor oil furnace to supplement the natural gas heaters in the bus parking garage. This saves approximately 40% in heating costs.