Catalyzing Investment in Urban Sustainability
U.S.-Brazil Joint Initiative on
Urban Sustainability

Projects

Hybrid Diesel Buses

Project Overview

The City of Philadelphia is using hybrid buses to improve air quality and reduce pollution. Between 2009 and 2012, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) purchased 440 hybrid diesel buses. For calendar years 2012 through 2015, SEPTA plans to add 285 new hybrid diesel buses. This will represent a replacement of more than half of SEPTA's 1,400-bus fleet. For the buses that will not be replaced, SEPTA will install ceramic filters that reduce pollution from diesel engines. The upfront cost of a hybrid diesel bus is $160,000 more than a regular diesel bus, but hybrids have lower maintenance and fueling costs and generate as little as half the pollution of a regular bus.

Hybrid Bus
Contact Information
Mayor's Office of Sustainability
Phone: +1 (215) 686-3495
Email: mos@phila.gov
Mail: 1515 Arch Street, 13th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Philadelphia Office of Fleet Management
Mail: 100 South Broad Street, 3rd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Environmental, Social, and Economic Benefits

This project is intended to reduce air pollution and related health impacts.

This project was partially funded by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants totaling $17.8 million.