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SCSD Participates in Hybrid
School Bus Study
Program launched at Wednesday morning press conference
 Schenectady
Superintendent Eric Ely, joined members of the New York Power
Authority (NYPA), the New York State Research and Development
Authority (NYSERDA) and Brown Transportation on Wednesday morning at
Zoller Elementary School to announce a Hybrid Bus Study, using buses
that transport Schenectady students to and from school each day.
Richard M. Kessel,
president and chief executive officer of NYPA, Robert Callendar,
vice president for programs of NYSERDA, and Robert Brown, president
of Brown Transportation each spoke briefly about the study, one that
is designed to evaluate the performance of different hybrid
school bus technology. The hybrid school buses, driven by
Brown Transportation, are expected to operate more cleanly and
efficiently than traditional school buses, reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and improve air quality.
 Schenectady
City School District is the first of three school districts that
will participate in the three-year demonstration and evaluation
program using two types of diesel-electric hybrid buses (a standard
hybrid and a plug-in hybrid) traveling under the same conditions and
routes as a conventional diesel school bus in urban, suburban and
rural areas of the state.
“We are very excited
to be part of this project and are proud to participate in any
program that might lead to an improved climate,” said Ely. “We talk
about the environment and emphasize the importance of going green in
our schools every day.” He added, “It is vital that we all
recognize the need to explore new technology and the impact it may
have on our environment, the cost of doing business and the
efficiency of our overall operations. This study is certainly a
step in the right direction.”
 The
goal of the evaluation is to compare the two hybrid buses and a
conventional diesel school bus for fuel and energy efficiency,
emissions reductions, reliability and maintenance costs. The study
will examine how differences in bus routes, such as average speed,
number of stops, idle time, flat roadways or hills, affect
performance.
“Not only is today’s
announcement in line with Governor David Paterson’s vision of
severing our state’s reliance on imported oil, but it also meets his
Clean Energy Task Force recommendation of investing in clean-energy
business and systems for continued economic growth,” said Callendar
in a prepared statement.
The study, including
hybrid bus purchases, a conventional bus lease and the evaluation
will cost about $664,000. Funding is being provided by NYPA
($297,000) and NYSERDA ($210,000). NYPA, a member of the Hybrid
School Bus Buyers’ Consortium, also received $157,000 towards the
hybrid buses from the National Association of State Energy Officials
State Technologies Advancement Collaborative.
Brown Transportation,
which is taking the title to the two hybrid buses as well as the
conventional diesel bus for baseline data, will operate the buses
for the first year of the study. The hybrid buses will be rotated
with the conventional bus on the same three routes throughout the
year so that the performance of the buses can be compared.
 “Brown
Transportation is excited to be part of the Hybrid School Bus
Demonstration Project,” said Brown. “I look forward to partnering
on this project with Schenectady City School District, NYPA, NYSERDA,
and the rest of the project team. It is a tremendous opportunity to
be involved in shaping the future of school bus transportation.”
Schenectady Mayor
Brian Stratton, Assemblyman George Amedore and Assembly Republican
Leader James Tedisco were also on hand for the press conference.
“I applaud the
efforts of the Power Authority and NYSERDA to bring this exciting
pilot project to our Schenectady City School District,” said
Stratton. “Providing a more energy-efficient and environmentally
friendly transportation alternative for our children is another way
we can help to reduce the cost of education, while working to create
a cleaner environment for the community we all share.”
 Amedore
agreed that the collaboration makes for a great project. “Outstanding
public and private partnerships are vital in fully moving our
communities into the 21st century,” he said. “Everyone
wins when we work together.”
The buses hit the road
for the first student transportation run Wednesday afternoon.
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