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BRT Hopeful: New Flyer hybrid bus stops by for a visit
On May 9, mass transit enthusiasts had a brief encounter with the future, when a New Flyer hybrid bus made a stop in the Twin Cities as part of a cross-country tour, following its recent appearance at the transit industry’s national conference in California. Organized by Metro Transit, the bus’s presence in the Twin Cities was designed to give officials and residents a firsthand look at the type of bus that might someday run along Bus Rapid Transit lines in the metro area, including Bottineau Boulevard. Hybrid Bells and WhistlesThe 40-foot New Flyer BRT bus is a hybrid electric model powered by a combination of a diesel engine and batteries. The bus boasts a full series hybrid drive system, which means that the engine has no direct connection to the drive train. Instead, the diesel engine powers an electric generator that drives not just the wheels, but virtually all of its other equipment, from the brakes and steering, to the air conditioning, to the compressors. Greater reliance on electric power means that the bus can use a smaller engine than a standard vehicle of comparable size, which translates into better fuel economy and significantly reduced emissions. Another whiz-bang design aspect is its use of regenerative braking, which allows the vehicle to recapture up to 30% of the propulsion energy during braking and divert it back to the batteries. Sleek and attractive, the bus is an eye-catcher even for those who know nothing of its high-tech components or its promise of environmental relief. Its low-floor design allows easy boarding for customers of all mobility levels, while its hybrid drive system delivers a smoother, quieter ride. Metro Transit already has three hybrid buses in its regular fleet, and riders repeatedly comment that the ride is more comfortable than on a traditional bus. “People are also pleasantly surprised by the absence of that trademark whiff of diesel,” says Jill Hentges, Metro Transit’s Community Outreach Coordinator. The New Flyer bus is produced by New Flyer, a manufacturer with facilities in St. Cloud and Crookston, Minnesota, as well as Winnipeg, Manitoba. New Flyer has been manufacturing buses since 1930, and has been producing BRT buses for almost twenty years. The company’s hybrid buses first hit the road in 1997, and have since accumulated more than 12 million service miles. Forward Momentum
The bus stopped at Metro Transit’s Heywood Garage and the city halls of Minneapolis, Brooklyn Park, and Robbinsdale, before continuing on to Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Metro Transit and Hennepin County officials continue plans for the Bottineau BRT project. Construction at the 63rd Avenue Park and Ride is scheduled to begin by mid July on target for completion in the first quarter of 2007. An initial first phase of bus service will begin at the Park and Ride using I-94 into downtown in 2007. |
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