LeeTran Unveils First Hybrid Bus
LeeTran introduced
its first hybrid bus to the public at a ceremony on
Dec. 10 at Florida Gulf Coast University.
The innovative
hybrid vehicle is a demonstration project for the state of Florida, funded in part by the
Federal Transit Administration and the Florida Department of Transportation. It is an
ultra-low emission gasoline-electric hybrid, the first to go into service outside the
state of California.
The unique hybrid
electric drive system was developed by ISE Corporation of California, and installed in a
40-foot Gillig bus. The drive system requires no transmission; an ultracapacitor energy
storage system distributes charge to the electric motors. A regenerative braking system
recaptures kinetic energy from the vehicle as it slows down, further enhancing fuel
efficiency.
This technology provides higher fuel efficiency
and emits over 40% less NOx than similar diesel hybrids. Although the fuel savings will
vary depending upon driving conditions, LeeTran may see a 30% to 100% gain in fuel
economy.
FDOT has
offered the services of the University of Southern Florida Center for Urban Transit
Research (CUTR) to independently validate all of the data necessary to certify the vehicle
for operation on Florida roadways. Coach Crafters of Tavares, FL was selected to provide
maintenance support.
“Transit
agencies in California report that this technology provides a smooth, quiet ride and
reduced maintenance costs due to increased brake life,” said Steve Myers, LeeTran’s
Transit Director. “We plan to test the vehicle on a variety of routes and share the
data with our partners in the industry.”
At the Dec. 10
ceremony, hosted by FGCU President Dr. Wilson G. Bradshaw, Myers announced that LeeTran
will take delivery of three diesel hybrids in spring 2010, and has ordered another
gasoline hybrid to be used on the route that serves FGCU.
Federal
Economic Stimulus Grant
The Federal
Transit Administration has made available $7,529,681 to LeeTran under the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Of this total,
$6.206,681 was calculated based on population and other factors under United States Code,
section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Grants.
The remaining
$1,323,000 was issued under section 5311 Non-Urganized Area Formula Grants.
LeeTran
will expend $3,325,185 of the 5307 grant funds as follows:
Purchase
seven (7) 35-foot buses
Purchase
7 ADA paratransit vehicles (received)
Purchase
two vans with wheelchair lifts for use by paratransit supervisors (received)
Purchase
and install security cameras in five trolleys and 44 ADA paratransit vehicles (security
cameras were installed in the rest of the fleet in 2008).(received)
Purchase
one van for its Commuter Assistance Program. (received)
Plans for
expending the remaining $2,881,496 in 5307 funds are pending.
LeeTran
proposes to spend the Non-Urbanized Area Formula Funds as follows:
$175,000
to purchase and install bus shelters along Route 110 serving Lehigh Acres
$200,000
to purchase one 31-foot hybrid bus for use on Route 60 serving San Carlos Park and FGCU
$148,000
to purchase a cutaway bus for use on Route 160 serving Pine Island
$800,000
to purchase four medium-duty buses for use on rural routes
The
American Recover and Reinvestment Act of 2009 requires grant recipients make available
information regarding use of these grants funds. Updates regarding these
expenditures will be made available on this web site. Additional information is
available by contacting Carmen Monroy, Grants Analyst, at 239-533-0332. |
