The New York Times recently reported on the increasing use of hybrid buses by city transportation systems around the world.  The price of a hybrid bus has fallen by half from the original price of $1 million, though this is still significantly more than a traditional bus.  New York City is leading the world in this trend, with 850 hybrids in its fleet.  These buses get 45% better gas mileage and each save 50,000 gallons of fuel compared to a standard bus.

The article also mentions the newest innovation in low-emissions buses, the turbine-driven hybrid.  The typical piston engine is replaced by a diesel turbine engine, which generates an alternating current that charges its battery.  The turbine-driven hybrid lacks much of the machinery of a standard bus, such as the transmission, water pump and radiator, which makes maintenance much simpler.

Public transportation is considered environmentally friendly because it reduces the number of vehicles in use, but it is essential to remember that buses are also significant sources of pollution.  Their massive size compared to cars drastically reduces their fuel efficiency.  The average bus gets 3-5 miles per gallon, compared to the average car which gets 25 miles per gallon.  By converting to hybrids, cities can offer their inhabitants an even better transportation alternative.