Detroit’s SMART adds 3 hybrid buses to fleet
Agency used ARRA funds to purchase the buses. Manufactured by Gillig, the hybrid-electric vehicles are 40 percent more fuel efficient.
Detroit’s Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) unveiled three new Gillig hybrid electric buses, which will help the agency serve the region responsibly and eco-consciously.
The buses are 40 percent more fuel efficient, and more money will be saved by the lower maintenance costs of hybrid buses, because they have fewer parts.
SMART continues its greening efforts by recycling 600 tires, 600 gallons of anti-freeze and 28,890 gallons of oil. Emission systems at each of the agency’s garages have been updated to capture fumes from buses being served. SMART facilities have also been updated, including new high-efficiency replacement lighting at all the terminals.
SMART first released two hybrid articulated buses in 2009. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding allowed SMART to purchase the buses.
More Bus
Brian Dickson on Building Stronger, More Resilient Transportation Organizations
Bus Business Consultants Founder Brian Dickson discusses the leadership principles, operational discipline, and strategic planning that separate transportation companies positioned for long-term success from those stuck in survival mode.
Read More →
LA Metro Breaks Ground on Vermont BRT Project
The 12.4-mile corridor is projected to serve 66,200 daily riders, reduce travel times by up to 24%, and create the nation's busiest bus rapid transit corridor.
Read More →
Roman Cornell on ABC Companies’ Evolution and the Future of Passenger Transportation
The company’s CEO discusses carrying forward a third-generation family legacy, ABC’s continued evolution in passenger transportation, support for increasingly complex fleets, and how technology and continued investment could help operators improve uptime.
Read More →
VIA Bus Ridership Grows 10.1% Through August 2026
San Antonio's VIA Metropolitan Transit reported the highest bus ridership growth among major Texas transit systems. Federal Transit Administration data ranked it second among the nation's 50 largest transit systems.
Read More →
LA Metro September Ridership Climbs 3.9%, Led by Rail Growth
The agency recorded more than 27.2 million boardings, with rail ridership increasing 12.4% year over year and the D Line posting the largest gains.
Read More →
Frontrunner Bus Group Introduces XF Low-Floor Bus with Enhanced Accessibility
The new mid-sized bus features a full flat-floor design, eight-inch curbside step-in height, and zero-entry rear ramp to improve passenger access and operational flexibility.
Read More →
Scenes from APTA TRANSform & EXPO 2026
Transit leaders, manufacturers, and industry professionals gathered in Chicago to explore new technologies, share ideas, and discuss the future of public transportation.
Read More →
More Than a Summer Job: Building the Next Generation of Transit Talent
The Delaware River Port Authority and PATCO have transformed their internship program into a hands-on professional development experience that introduces students to the breadth of transportation careers — and creates a pipeline for future employees.
Read More →
LA Metro Board Awards 220 Battery-Electric Bus Contract to ENC
The contract, which is the largest base award of battery-electric buses by a U.S. transit agency, will be built in Southern California, sustaining good jobs as LA prepares to welcome the world in 2028
Read More →
Public Transit Conference Returning to GFX in 2027, Call for Papers Now Open
The Call for Papers is now open, allowing transit agency professionals and industry experts to help shape the PTC educational program by submitting session ideas for consideration.
Read More →