NEWARK, N.J. - The most significant experiment in over-the-road bus propulsion technology in almost 50 years officially got under way late last month when New Jersey Transit took delivery of a hybrid electric cruiser coach.
Motor Coach Industries of Schaumburg, Ill., delivered the first of four hybrid electrics it is building for New Jersey Transit, which plans to put the cruiser into revenue service within the next few weeks.
Those pushing hybrid technologies think it could revolutionize over-the-road commuter and transit bus service by greatly improving fuel efficiency and significantly reducing emissions.
Not since gas turbine engines were experimented with in the 1950s has such a revolutionary propulsion system been developed for over-the-road buses.
The MCI hybrid cruiser is a modified D4000 coach powered by an Allison EP 50 electric-drive propulsion system that was installed by ISE Research of San Diego.
Driving the coach are two electric motors and a small diesel engine. The sophisticated Allison propulsion system blends the power of the diesel engine and electric motors for optimum performance and efficiency. The electric motors also serve as alternators, recharging an onboard battery pack as the bus coasts downhill or approaches a stop.
"MCI is proud to have played a leadership role in this cooperative effort, said Harold Zuschlag, MCI executive vice president of engineering. "It's a promising step in energy recovery and energy efficiency, and we have great expectations for emission reductions and better fuel economy."
MCI will deliver the second New Jersey Transit hybrid coach by the end of the year, with the third and fourth vehicles to follow early next year.
New Jersey Transit also is buying three transit hybrid buses. The transit coaches, which were designed and built by ISE Research, use an electric motor for propulsion. Supplemented by the battery pack, a diesel engine-driven generator provides electricity for the motor.
The transit hybrid is designed for maximum fuel economy in the heavy stop-and-go traffic typically experienced on cross-town transit routes. The bus's electrically driven air-conditioning system eliminates idling during layovers because the A/C compressor continues to run off the battery pack, keeping the interior comfortable when the diesel engine is turned off.
Together, the seven hybrids are costing New Jersey Transit - and federal taxpayers - $8.5 million.
New Jersey Transit projects its hybrid electric buses will reduce fuel consumption by 20 to 40 percent compared to conventional diesel buses.
Information gathered from the agency's hybrid demonstration project will help New Jersey Transit determine the potential use of the technology in future purchases.
"With hybrid electric buses, we hope to find better fuel and financial efficiencies that would further squeeze operating costs," said New Jersey Transit Executive Director George D. Warrington.
Separately, New Jersey Transit is about to wrap up its record $500 million contract with MCI that purchased 1,371 conventional diesel cruiser coaches. The last of the cruisers are being delivered this month.
The 40- and 45-foot fully accessible intercity coaches - which have two wheelchair positions and wheelchair lifts - are operated on commuter routes throughout the Garden State. In total, 1,026 of the buses are operated by New Jersey Transit, with the remaining 345 operated by private bus companies on a contract basis.
New Jersey Transit is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing bus, rail and light-rail service for 752,600 daily trips on 238 bus routes, two light-rail lines and 11 commuter rail lines.