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  RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC TRANSIT AUTHORITY,  SENATOR JACK REED AND OTHER CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATES HOST RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY TO CELEBRATE ARRIVAL OF  NEW HYBRID TROLLEY AND HYBRID BUS         

September 21, 2010 – The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) announced today that there will be a celebratory ribbon cutting ceremony at the Kennedy Plaza Bus Terminal at 10:00 am on Monday, October 4, 2010.  RIPTA, alongside Senator Jack Reed and other congressional delegates, will be celebrating the arrival of one of ten new classic hybrid trolleys, as well as one of the fifty-three Gillig BRT Hybrid Buses to be introduced into RIPTA’s fixed-route fleet.

The new hybrid diesel Gillig buses and trolleys are powered by clean diesel hybrid electrical propulsion systems that reduce emissions, save fuel and are smoother and quieter than conventional buses.  This not only reduces air pollution, but noise pollution as well, thus improving the environment for Rhode Islanders.

Nearby states are already seeing results from switching over to hybrid buses.  Results in the Connecticut Department of Transportation Hybrid Bus Testing Project Report showed that “the hybrid buses demonstrated about 10% improved fuel economy compared to the base clean-diesel buses. The buses were popular among passengers and operators, who cited their quiet vibration-free ride.”

New Classic Hybrid Trolleys

The red and gold trolleys, which each seat approximately 30 passengers, will replace existing trolleys on the Gold and Green LINK lines in Providence.  Each trolley, manufactured by Gillig Bus in partnership with Cable Car Classics, costs $696,959.50.  Federal Transit Administration Grants funded the base cost of the trolley, while the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) covered the incremental cost of the Hybrid Propulsion System.  A 20% local match was provided by State General Obligation Bonds.   The trolley includes Gillig heavy-duty reliability and ADA accessibility wrapped up in the appeal of old fashioned trolley charm.

RIPTA trolleys in Providence serve Route 91 (Gold Line) six days a week and Route 92 (Green Line) seven days a week all year round.

“The switch from Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to modern hybrid trolleys means big savings for us, “said RIPTA General Manager Alfred J. Moscola.  “We expect to save approximately 20% on fuel usage with these new state of the art hybrid parallel drive diesel/electric system vehicles.  Diesel fuel alone is cheaper than CNG and provides better mileage,” explained Moscola. 

New Gillig BRT Hybrid Buses

All fifty-three brand new 2010 Gillig BRT hybrid 40’ foot buses will have joined the RIPTA fleet by March 2011.  The hybrid bus weighs 39,600 lbs and comfortably seats forty passengers.  This model features many improvements including new stainless steel bike racks for easer bicycle loading, new soft seating, and improved KONI shock absorbers for a better ride.  The bus’s engine, a new Cummins ISL 2007 EPA Emission engine, meets all current EPA requirements. In addition, the front doors can now load wheelchairs and the wheelchair ramp has been redesigned to reduce maintenance.   

Funded by various Federal Transit Administration Grants, Rhode Island Bonds, and American Recovery & Reinvestment Act Grants, each 2010 Gillig BRT hybrid bus costs $625,085.These new buses and trolleys are part of RIPTA’s normal fleet replacement plan to maintain their fleet in top condition. Replacement of CNG trolleys and diesel buses to a hybrid system will yield approximately a 20% savings on fuel for RIPTA.  

 For information on RIPTA services, call 781-9400 or visit ripta.com.

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