Allison Transmission Holdings Inc. announced Feb. 3 that Connecticut has selected Allison Hybrid-equipped buses for the state's new bus-only expressway system, CTfastrak.
"As a company, we're certainly proud to be part of Connecticut's new bus rapid transit program," said Michael G. Headly, senior vice president of global marketing, sales and service for Allison Transmission. "Since being introduced in 2003, Allison Hybrid-equipped buses have saved over 34 million gallons of fuel and prevented 340,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere."
The new fleet of 48 hybrid diesel-electric buses will include 30-foot Gillig buses to provide neighborhood circulator service and 40-foot New Flyer buses to operate connector routes. The main line service will be operated with 60-foot articulated Nova buses.
"When these buses decelerate or stop, the Allison Hybrid EP system converts the vehicle's kinetic energy to stored electric energy," said Headly. "In effect, the motor becomes a generator. Forty percent of the energy to accelerate comes from the braking energy saved."
Scheduled to begin operations in late March, CTfastrak will provide a one-seat, no transfer ride to many major regional employers, shopping and healthcare destinations across central Connecticut. The new buses will feature GPS tracking for riders to monitor bus locations, LED lighting and free Wi-Fi service. Additionally, the Allison Hybrid system will provide drivers and passengers with a smooth and quieter ride, compared to conventional buses.
"We've seen particular support among businesses, university communities, health communities, for this and I expect we'll exceed our forecast for this project from a ridership point of view," said Commissioner James Redeker of the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
Redeker believes the new bus service should double the current bus ridership to more than 16,000 daily riders within 15 years.
