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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2009

Metro's first hybrid buses, just in time for Earth Day 2009
Dedication in Eden Park Tues., April 21; Fountain Square event Wed., April 22

CINCINNATI – Today Eden Park was a lot greener… thanks to six new Metro hybrid buses.

This morning in Eden Park, Metro introduced its first six hybrid buses. Sporting a new “go*GREEN” design, the hybrids go into service tomorrow on Earth Day. The event concluded with a hybrid bus parade from Eden Park into downtown Cincinnati. The new buses replace old ones that are beyond their useful life.

“Tomorrow, on Earth Day, Metro will officially put these six, beautiful new hybrid buses into service,” said Marilyn Shazor, Metro’s CEO. “The hybrids reduce soot and hydrocarbon emissions by more than 90% and fuel use by up to 30%. For a tax-supported transit system like ours, it’s about being green and saving green at the same time.”

Trees dedicated to commemorate hybrids, schools
A Native American proverb states: “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”

As part of the ceremony, six trees donated by Cincinnati Parks form a grove in Eden Park dedicated to Cincinnati’s children, and commemorate Metro’s first six hybrid buses. Each tree is dedicated to the students of these Cincinnati Public elementary schools:

• Hays-Porter School
• Midway School
• Pleasant Ridge Montessori
• Rothenberg Preparatory Academy
• Roll Hill Academy
• Winton Hills Academy

“We are proud that our new hybrid buses support the critical environmental goals of the region,” said Melody Sawyer Richardson, chair of the SORTA board. “Goals are important, but we should take a minute to remember why those goals exist: we want to build a greener, healthier future for our children and their children.”

Fashion models arrive on hybrid for Earth Day event on Fountain Square
On Earth Day, April 22, “Eco Go-Go Fashion Show” models wearing environmentally-conscious and bike-beautiful fashions will arrive at Fountain Square in “green” style on one of Metro’s new hybrid buses. Their runway will be a flower carpet, designed by Cincinnati graphic designer Joel Knueven.

From noon to 1 p.m., lunchtime visitors can check out a new Metro hybrid bus, parked on Walnut at Fifth. Metro information and green goodies will be available during the event. At 1 p.m., Metro’s new hybrid buses officially will be launched into service.

Hybrid bus background: Hybrid buses are a green alternative to traditional diesel-powered buses. They are powered both by an electric motor and a diesel engine. 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. Each hybrid will dramatically reduce emissions and each will save 3,000 gallons of diesel annually fuel compared to a diesel bus.

Hybrid funding: 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.

More hybrids are being ordered by Metro using recently awarded stimulus funding, to be delivered in 2010.

Click here to go to the special hybrid section of the web site.