NEW HYBRID SCHOOL BUSES ARRIVING AT FWISD 

Fort Worth, Texas – The Fort Worth Independent School District will soon operate the largest hybrid school bus fleet in the United States. The first of 25 new diesel hybrid electric school buses ordered by the District has arrived. The remainder of the fleet will be rolling into the bus yard over the next several months. 

Each new bus costs $146,000. FWISD, using bond funds approved by voters in 2007, is paying the cost of a non-hybrid bus ($82,000) while the U.S. Department of Energy is paying the difference of $64,000 on each new bus. 

These buses are charge sustaining hybrids meaning they recharge without needing to be plugged in to an electrical source. FWISD will be able to evaluate this technology without the added cost of the charging station infrastructure, such as compressed natural gas or liquid petroleum gas. In our large, urban District buses travel stop and go routes at speeds of 30 m.p.h. or less most  of the time. This is the optimal environment for hybrid technology. 

Other anticipated advantages include: 

·        Reduced fuel expenditures

·        Reduced emissions by approximately 30%

·        Reduced brake wear

·        Reduced component maintenance

·        Reduced noise

-FWISD-