Brown Transportation Awarded Hybrid-Electric School Bus

The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) are launching a three-year demonstration and evaluation of two diesel-electric hybrid school buses - one plug-in, charge-depleting hybrid school bus and one "standard" charge-sustaining hybrid school bus.

During the first year of the project, the buses have been provided to Schenectady City School District and will be operated by Brown Transportation. The buses will be transferred to other school districts in the second and third year of the project.

The buses are traveling under the same conditions and routes as a conventional diesel school bus. The study will examine how differences in bus routes, such as average speed, number of stops, idle time, hilly or flat roadways, affect performance. They will be rotated with the conventional school bus on the same three routes throughout the year.

NYPA purchased the two hybrid school buses from Leonard Bus Sales. Brown Transportation took title of the buses, and LBS is providing service and technical support.

“This project helps to ensure New York State’s continued leadership in providing safe and reliable student transportation in an economical and environmentally responsible fashion. Leonard Bus Sales is proud to be a member of the hybrid school bus project team.