Toronto Transit Commission Discovers Belatedly Hybrid Buses Fuel Savings Dependent On Driving Conditions

May 15, 2008 7:43 a.m. EST

Toronto, Canada (AHN) - Driving conditions spell the difference when using a hybrid vehicle in terms of achieving the maximum fuel efficiency that its brochures claim. The Toronto Transit Commission found that out after almost a year of running new hybrid buses and saving only around 10 percent on fuel cost, instead of the 20 percent to 30 percent promised by the brochure.

Gary Webster, TTC general manager, explained to the Globe and Mail that New York buses were able to achieve a 20 to 30 percent fuel efficiency because the hybrid technology works better if the buses are driven at lesser speed and stop more often. With a gridlocked stop-and-go bus routes common in New York the hybrid bus relies heavily on its electric motor and regenerative brake system which recharges its batteries.

In contrast, in cities like Toronto where the routes are characterized by high speed, hybrids use more their traditional diesel engines.

The expected 20 percent savings on fuel cost was already included in the TTC's 2008 budget, but the transit company did some pencil pushing after it realized the fuel savings were lesser than they initially expected.

The hybrid buses used in New York and Toronto were made by Orion Bus Industries in Mississauga. A double whammy for TTC was that aside from providing lesser fuel savings, the hybrid buses cost more at $734,000 a unit, versus the conventional buses which run purely on diesel fuel and has a lesser price tag of $500,000.

Meanwhile, the TTC said the April weekend two-day transport strike cost the commission $2 million. Because of the job walk-off initiated by the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113, TTC saved $1.5 million in salaries, $200,000 in fuel and $100,000 in electricity for its subways and streetcars.

But it also forewent $1.4 million in transport fares and have to refund around $2 million to pass holders. Another $400,000 was lost because some of the commuters were not aware the strike was called off on April 28 on the strength of a back-to-work order issued by the legislature, while some TTC frequent passengers deliberately chose to take other modes of transportation, said TTC spokesperson Brad Ross, quoted by the Toronto Star.