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Ann Arbor will be the first metro Detroit community to use buses equipped with a hybrid powertrain.

Purchased by the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority’s (AATA), the buses are part of a continuing effort to reduce negative impacts on the environment and cut operating costs for the city’s public transit system.

Fifteen new hybrid-powered buses will begin service in the next two weeks, with an additional five buses delivered in March 2008. Seven more hybrid buses will join the fleet within 18 months. Long term, the AATA plans to replace all 69 buses in its fleet with hybrids, becoming the first public transit operator in the Midwest to state such an intention.

“Our new buses will run cleaner and more quietly,” said Terry Black, AATA manager of maintenance. “The new buses will also contribute to reducing our country’s dependence on foreign oil.”

By using the buses, the AATA anticipates a reduction in carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons of up to 90 percent and up to a 50 percent reduction in carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide. The 20 new hybrid buses are predicted to save approximately $2.5 million in fuel costs and 811,200 gallons of fuel--equivalent to more than 19,000 barrels of oil--over a twelve-year period.

The hybrid buses operate via an advanced parallel hybrid-electric powertrain using an advanced battery pack, two powerful electric motors and a traditional diesel engine. The electrical and diesel systems work together to reduce fuel consumption and emissions while improving performance.

The buses are manufactured by Hayward, Calif.-based Gillig Corp. Each bus uses hybrid technology licensed by General Motors Corp. (Detroit, Mich.) to Indianapolis-based Allison Transmission Inc., a manufacturer of automatic transmissions and hybrid propulsion systems.