Busing in a new hybrid fleet

With delivery expected to take place in 2006, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has placed an order with Orion Bus Industries for 330 transit buses, 150 of which will be diesel-electric hybrids. The buses will be the first diesel-electric vehicles operated by TTC, making it the largest hybrid transit operator in Canada.
The hybrid purchase comes under a supportive transit measure for 66% of TTC's bus purchases to be hybrid or alternative-powered "green" vehicles starting in 2006. Through the initiative, TTC said it will replace 1180 buses over a period of 10 years. Funding for the purchase was provided by the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF), Government of Ontario and the city of Toronto. A total of $391 million was dedicated to the purchase as well as expanding transit routes.
All 330 TTC buses will be built on a 40 ft. Orion VII bus platform. The 180 conventional diesel-powered buses ordered feature a Cummins ISL engine rated 280 hp at 2200 rpm. In the hybrid models, power is provided by a smaller 5.9 L six-cylinder Cummins ISB diesel rated 260 hp, which has been combined with BAE Systems electric HybriDrive propulsion system.
Using the HybriDrive system allows the buses to be spec'd with a smaller hp engine that "offers the best available combination of fuel savings and emissions," according to Mark Brager, Orion vice president of sales. With the diesel-electric hybrid system, the Orion VII buses are designed to provide 25 to 35% better fuel economy as well as reduce PM emissions by 90%, N[O.sub.x] by 40% and greenhouse gases (GHG) by 30%, compared to conventional diesel-powered buses. This is in addition to the reduced maintenance costs by eliminating the transmission, Brager added.
To augment the engine's output, the HybriDrive system couples a 120 kW permanent magnet generator to the engine. This is used to supply electrical power to a single traction motor installed at the front ArvinMeritor axle. The traction motor delivers 250 hp continuous power (320 hp intermittent) to the wheels and creates smooth acceleration without the gear changes of a transmission, Orion said.
When the bus is slowed, the traction motor also acts as a generator, recapturing energy for later use. Energy produced during this regenerative braking is stored in a battery energy storage unit mounted to the roof of the buses. The generator drive also produces energy to recharge the battery storage unit.
The entire HybriDrive system is operated through a propulsion control system designed and produced by BAE Systems to control and monitor the diesel-hybrid powertrain. A power inverter is also integrated into the HybriDrive system.
Orion also produces a CNG version of the Orion VII bus which is available in 30, 35 and 40 ft. lengths. Orion assembles the chassis and body structure of the Orion VII buses at its Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, facility. From there, the structure is sent to the company's Oriskany, N.Y., plant where seating, engines, transmissions, axles, electrical, heating and air conditioning systems and other final finish components are installed. Final finish and testing are also completed at Oriskany.
The Orion VII buses for TTC are dated for delivery in 2006 and will be used to service the 1,350,000 daily passengers. TCC serves the greater Toronto area with 149 surface routes and employs 10,503.