Low emission vehicles to go on line 72
Congressman Earl Blumenauer joined Federal Transit Administration Deputy Administrator Therese McMillan and TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane Friday to announce that TriMet is slated to receive $2 million in federal funds to buy new low-emission, high-efficiency hybrid buses.
The funds will be used to purchase four hybrid buses and will operate on one of TriMet’s busiest routes, Line 72-Killingsworth/82nd Ave. FTA selected TriMet’s competitive proposal because it will improve the environment for riders as well as for residents.
“By investing in this project, the Obama Administration is ensuring that people in the Portland area have a cleaner, safer, and more reliable way to get to work, to school and to doctor’s appointments,” said McMillan. “In addition to providing better service to Portland’s diverse communities, these newer buses will be more accessible to the elderly and persons with disabilities.”
Line 72 provides more than 16,500 trips a day. It carries a greater proportion of low-income and minority riders and those without a car than the bus systemwide.
TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane noted that updating the bus fleet is a top priority.
The new hybrid buses will feature low-floor accessible boarding, lower exhaust emissions and noise levels, feature automatic stop announcements and CCTV security cameras. Bus delivery is expected in about 20 months.
Hybrids cost about 40-50 percent more than a new bus, but the new technology has resulted in a 20 percent gain in fuel efficiency.
