Text transcript from the video "Hybrid bus debut
Narrator
It's not really magic, but this is the most environmentally friendly bus in the country. King County Metro Transit welcomed the first of more than 200 hybrid electric buses to join its fleet in a ceremony fitting for a rock star. And make no mistake, the hybrids will star in King County for years to come. They will initially drive on routes that use the downtown bus tunnel. They burn ultra low diesel fuel and also run on electricity that is generated within the vehicle and stored in batteries on the roof.
King County Executive Ron Sims says:
This bus is a first of its kind bus and it's not surprising that it's showing up here first. We pride ourselves in this area in being cutting edge. This is cutting edge technology, it is superb and it will transform transit systems throughout the United States.
Senator Patty Murray says:
While other communities are looking for solutions, King County today becomes the first in the nation to take delivery of a new fleet of high capacity, 58 passenger hybrid buses. These new buses will in turn deliver cleaner air, better service and less congestion, all while saving our taxpayers money.
King County Executive Ron Sims says:
When we explored options, we decided hybrid technology had the best potential to meet all of our very demanding requirements in this area. We wanted to reduce fuel consumption, and these buses will reduce fuel use by metro and Sound Transit by 750-thousand gallons per year. We wanted them to improve our operational efficiencies, and they do that, they reduce emissions by more than 90-percent. They eliminate diesel exhaust odors and they have improved on road performance.
Narrator
The hybrid electric buses will begin service on June 5th, with the full complement of more than 200 of the buses in service by the end of the year.
- Watch video on the hybrid bus debut
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