Metro Goes Green
"Treat the Earth well. We do not inherit the Earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children." - Ancient Native American proverb
Metro is...
* How more than 80,000 people get to and from work, school, shopping and more each day
* The way a fourth of all downtown workers get to their jobs daily
* The green way to go!
Riding Metro...
* An individual who rides Metro instead of driving a car will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 4,800 pounds each year
* Nationally, public transportation use saves 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline each year
* Decreases other harmful pollutants
* Cuts traffic congestion and idling
Metro goes even greener by...
* Using rainwater to wash buses
* Burning waste oil to heat garages
* Recycling and reusing motor fluids such as antifreeze, refrigerant and power steering fluid
* Recycling paper, plastic, cans
Get under the umbrella
"What's Your Green Umbrella?" is a campaign that aims to move residents of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky to adopt behaviors that will positively impact our region's environment. The campaign is funded by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency and then executed by the efforts of many partners including The Green Umbrella and The City of Cincinnati's Office of Environmental Quality. The overall goal of the campaign is to reduce carbon emissions in Cincinnati.
What is a hybrid bus?
Hybrid buses are a green alternative to traditional diesel-powered buses. Hybrids are powered both by an electric motor and a diesel engine. Hybrids use less fuel and emit less exhaust because they use electric power for acceleration. Electricity is generated by the engine and by the braking action of the bus as it slows down or stops, which is called "regenerative braking." The result: smooth acceleration with reduced emissions.
Each hybrid will dramatically reduce emissions and each will save 3,000 gallons of diesel annually fuel compared to Metro's current diesel buses. It's all about being green and saving green. Find out more on Metro's hybrid buses by clicking here.
How many hybrid buses are in Metro's fleet?
Metro now has 27 hybrid buses in its 344-bus fleet in Cincinnati. Its first six hybrids have been on the road since Earth Day 2009. Another three hybrid buses were added in August 2010 and four hybrid "mini-buses" hit the road in December 2010. In December 2011 and January 2012, Metro more than doubled its hybrid fleet with 14 additional hybrid buses.
How much does a hybrid bus cost?
A conventional diesel bus costs about $387,000 and a hybrid costs about $628,000. While the initial cost is more, hybrids save about 30% in fuel use over the 12-year useful life of the bus.
How were the hybrids funded?
The six new hybrids were funded by a combination of federal funds -- including Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ) and Clean Fuels funding -- with a local dollar match. The federal funding per bus ranged from 70% to 100%.
These federal funds could only be used to buy new buses. This money could not be used for Metro's daily operations like paying driver wages or buying fuel.
There are many benefits to using hybrids:
Significant emission reductions
- 95% reduction in particulate (soot)
- 90% reduction in hydrocarbons
- 50% reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx)
Improved passenger experience
- Reduced noise levels
- Smoother acceleration and ride
- Comfortable and environmentally friendly
Positive regional impact
- Improved air quality — a critical factor in Greater Cincinnati
- Enhanced environmental stewardship
- Reduced noise in urban environment
- Enhanced regional image
Improved fuel economy
- About 30% less fuel used
- Reduced dependence on fossil fuels
Connect With Us