THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2011
PAGE 5A
LAWRENCE
City's new green buses are actually 'green' too
MORGAN LAFORGE/KANSAN
The KU Transit System is preparing to unveil the new hybrid buses for the upcoming school year. Transit Administrator Robert Nugent said that he expects a 40-50 percent drop in fuel usage as well as cleaner emissions.
IAN CUMMINGS icummings@kansan.com
The city's new hybrid buses represent a lot of "green" in at least three different senses.
The buses stand out with an emerald paint job, carry a $565,000 price tag and feature environmentally friend!'s technology.
Danny Kaiser, assistant director of KU Parking and Transit, said they would first appear on campus Monday.
"You can't miss them," he said. "I haven't had a chance to ride one yet, but I think they're going to be great."
The city bought three of the hybrid buses, which are the first of their kind to operate in the state of Kansas. They will service Route 11, which is jointly operated by the city and the University between campus, 31st and Iowa Streets and downtown Lawrence.
Like other hybrid vehicles, the buses use a small diesel engine to support batteries that power the
bus. Robert Nugent, Lawrence Transit administrator, said the hybrids would be at least 50 percent more fuel efficient than their predecessors, which were near the end of their life expectancy. Trade journals estimate fuel economies for hybrids at up to 60 percent better than some regular buses.
Estimates of reductions in carbon dioxide emissions for the hybrids range from 20 to 50 percent, and as high as 90 percent for gases such as carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.
"They're also much quieter," Nugent said.
The buses are 40 feet long, with their batteries stored in a hump on the roof. Their floors are built low to the ground for easy access and have ramps for wheelchair access. A self-braking mechanism in the bus' transmission is designed to reduce wear and tear on the brakes, requiring fewer repairs.
The hybrids cost about $200,000 more than the buses they are replacing. Nugent said the city was
able to buy them with the help of $1.8 million in federal stimulus funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Nugent said the hybrids have already been out on the street, as the city has been training drivers in them.
"The drivers love them," Nugent said. "These things are a work of art, as far as the driver's are concerned."
Edited by Marla Daniels
HYBRID BUSES
COST: $565,000
INCREASE IN FUEL
ECONOMY: 40-50
percent
EMISSIONS REDUCTION:
50-90 percent
AVERAGE SPEED: 15
m.p.h.
CONSTRUCTION
City engineers do road repairs
CLAIRE MCINERNY
cmcinerny@kansan.com
Bob Billings Parkway received $650,000 worth of upgrades by the city of Lawrence during the summer.
From June 7 to Aug. 5, the city repaired the westbound lanes of Bob Billings Parkway between Crestline and Kasold drives. The construction was part of the 2011 Street Maintenance Program, an annual review completed by the city's public works department. The program recommends to
Bob Billings Parkway had enough damage that the city engineers chose to do a complete reconstruction of the road.
the city what parts of town need repair.
The project also added video cameras at the intersection of Crestline Drive and Bob Billings
Parkway to help traffic flow and congestion in the area.
The city plans to repair the eastbound lanes of Bob Billings Parkway next summer.
Edited by Adam Strunk
THE BIGGEST & NEWEST BACK TO SCHOOL POSTER SALE
Where:
Kansas Union Lobby - Level 4
When:
Fri. Aug. 19 thru Fri. Aug.26
Time:
9 A.M.-5 P.M.
Sponsor: SUA and Union Programs