WASHINGTON, D.C. — The first 50 GM hybrid-powered buses manufactured by New Flyer Industries will begin to roll into the Washington Metro fleet by the end of this year. Metro purchased 28 buses and has agreed to buy 22 more. The Washington Metropolitan region will join 25 cities in the U.S. and Canada who are investing in new hybrid buses powered by GM’s clean hybrid technology. To date, GM has provided hybrid technology for more than 364 hybrid-equipped buses. GM says the clean hybrid technology found in these buses produce up to 60 percent fewer oxides of nitrogen emissions and 90 percent fewer particulate, hydrocarbon, and carbon monoxide emissions. Other benefits of the buses include reduced maintenance costs resulting from extended brake, engine oil, and transmission oil life; superior torque, giving 50 percent faster acceleration than conventional diesel buses; and operational sound levels approaching that of passenger cars.