The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) awarded more than $1.6 million through its new Ohio Transit Preservation Partnership Program for Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (Metro) to purchase five mini-hybrid buses.

The mini-hybrids are full-size buses with advanced thermal cooling systems that provide benefits similar to traditional hybrid buses, but at a significant cost savings:

•    $240,000 per bus less than the cost of a traditional hybrid bus.

•    $2,000 a year in fuel savings and improved operational performance per bus.

•    Up to 10% fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to diesel bus.

•    Reduced maintenance costs.

The five new mini-hybrids are expected to go into service in 2014. This spring and summer, Metro is replacing 45 old buses with mini-hybrids.

“This funding from the Ohio Department of Transportation is critical to replace buses in our fleet,” said Terry Garcia Crews, Metro’s CEO/GM. “These funds will allow us to purchase new, environmentally friendly buses to better serve the community and improve air quality.”

ODOT awarded a total of $14 million to 19 urban transit systems. Under the Ohio Transit Preservation Partnership Program, projects are competitively selected to receive federal monies to reach goals of maintaining and sustaining the transit systems in Ohio. A full list of funding recipients can be found on ODOT’s website.