Cincinnati Metro will receive more than $1.9 million in federal Clean Fuels funding to buy new buses featuring new, more environmentally friendly “mini-hybrid” technology. The award was made as part of the Federal Transportation Association’s 2011 Sustainability Awards.
Metro will use the Clean Fuels funding to purchase six new buses with advanced cooling system technology that increases fuel efficiency similar to hybrid buses. These new buses will replace older buses that have exceeded their 12-year useful life.
“Replacing older buses with new, greener technology is important, both in terms of air quality and service reliability,” said Terry Garcia Crews, Metro’s CEO. “The mini-hybrid technology provides many of the benefits of hybrid buses at a lower cost. This is yet another innovative step that we’re taking to improve Metro for the community.”
Metro is a non-profit public service of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, providing about 17 million rides per year in Greater Cincinnati.