ROCHESTER, NY – The number of GM hybrid-powered buses ordered by New York transit agencies has grown to 113. When the deliveries are completed next year, New York will have the second-largest statewide fleet of GM hybrid-powered buses; the state of Washington leads with 240 hybrid-powered buses. By using GM’s 2-mode hybrid system, the 113 diesel-electric buses in New York will save an estimated 165,000 gallons of fuel annually and significantly reduce emissions compared with conventional diesel buses.

The Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA) joins the following New York transit agencies purchasing GM hybrid-powered buses: Albany Transit System, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority serving the Buffalo area, Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit serving the Ithaca area, and Central New York Regional Transportation Authority serving Syracuse.

According to a study conducted in 2006 by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, transit buses with GM’s hybrid technology deliver up to 75 percent better fuel economy than do traditional transit buses and reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) up to 39 percent, particulate matter (PM) up to 97 percent, carbon monoxide up to 60 percent, and hydrocarbons up to 75 percent. Other benefits of GM hybrid-powered buses include reduced maintenance costs resulting from extended brake, engine oil and transmission oil life, superior torque, and better acceleration.

Currently, there are nearly 720 GM hybrid-equipped buses operating in 56 cities in the U.S. and Canada. Orders for an additional 379 hybrid bus systems in North America will be fulfilled throughout 2007.