Muncie Indiana Transit System Hybrid Buses
Providing the funding was a federal Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality Grant according to the Ball State Daily News. Each hybrid bus costs around $545,000 as opposed to about $335,000 for the bio-diesel buses that make up the majority of the MITS fleet. The MITS website explains how the new hybrid buses should save "up to 30% in fuel use over the useful life of the bus." They also advertise a 95 percent reduction in particulate matter, 90 percent less hydrocarbons, and 50 percent less nitrogen oxides.This is addition to benefits such as reduced noise and a smoother ride.
Hybrid Electric vs. Compressed Natural Gas
Some cities chose compressed natural gas (CNG) buses to replace their old fleet. It's been suggested that MITS should take this route, rather than the diesel-electric hybrid buses. While these buses are comparable in many environmental aspects, they do emit methane and there is a problem with not having a refueling infrastructure.
The decision to go with the hybrid bus is logical. The Wasghing Post reports, Ecotality, an electric vehicle company, is rolling out 15,000 free electric chargers in 13 cities. With this type of news, a well-developed, electric vehicle infrastructure is a safer bet than a natural gas infrastructure.
I'm partial to electric vehicles anyway, as there is at least a possibility of zero fueling and running emissions with electric refueling stations running on clean energy. Natural gas, while cleaner than petroleum based fuels, does not have this possibility.
Where's my hybrid?
Seeing the hybrid buses, dotted with painted leaves, rushing by my home is a welcome sight; particularly because Muncie is classified by the EPA as an air quality non-attainment area. With the hybrid buses and Ball State University's geothermal heat pump project, Muncie may reach attainment someday. Keep the scooters and the hybrid buses and get rid of the gas guzzling, asthma producing beasts. The only problem now is my family can't fit in anything else. Until some of us move out or the price of newer, more fuel-efficient vans comes down, we just have to drive less, and ride the bus more often. It's cheaper anyway.
References
Ball State Daily News Online: MITS receives first 5 hybrid buses
http://www.bsudailynews.com/mits-receives-first-5-hybrid-buses-1.2216392
MITS: MITS Hybrid Diesel-Electric Bus Questions & Answers
http://www.mitsbus.org/default.asp?OPID=59
The Washgington Post: Firm to deploy 15,000 electric-car chargers in 13 cities, including District
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/04/AR2010070403814.html
Published by Don A Shepard
Don writes for numerous online sources while conducting research for a Master's in Natural Resources/Environmental Management. He enjoys working on his urban homestead with his family, outdoor activities, mo... View profile
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7 Comments
Post a Commentgreat article..Muncie is lucky to even have bus lines..glad they are making the switch.
Loved this article! It's so uplifting to hear that cities are willing to spend money to reduce harmful emissions and that families are willing to use public transportation for the same reason. Very nice!
That's pretty cool.
Hopefully this will help in many ways. I have never heard of fracking, but I am sure there is always room for improvements. Better to make progress with baby steps than no progress at all, I suppose!
Hard to aruge that natural gas isn't better than petroloeum based fuels or biodiesel. I'm partial to electric vehcilces in the long run, partly because of issues such as "fracking" that LB raised. No fuel source is environmentally benign at this point, but we can keep working.
Natural gas, though a much better source of energy than coal or oil has it's problem with the extraction process known as "fracking". Fracking injects high pressure water with some added chemicals to split rocks where gas is hiding. These added chemicals like benzine or getting into water supplies and releasing methane gas into the air. Battery storage capabilities for transportation vehicles like cars and trains are improving every day making them more feasible than in times past for traveling greater distances before needing a recharge. Speed is limited of course with electric but who says we always have to get some place in a hurry.
Good article. I have seen the natural gas powered buses in Maryland they are much cleaner. The old buses would emit black clouds of smoke when driving by. It is amazing that it has taken so long to start upgrading the MTA systems.