RTD: Embracing Hybrid Technology

RTD has been proactive in adopting technology that improves the quality of our community. It is because of RTD’s ongoing commitment to our region and its unique environment that RTD is replacing its current fleet with hybrid buses.

Hybrid technology uses less fuel and significantly minimizes air emissions, which in turn reduces the environmental impact to our land and water.

• On October 8, 2004, the San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) rolled out its first low-emission hybrid buses to San Joaquin County residents.

• On August 2, 2006 RTD celebrated the rollout of the newest additions to its hybrid bus fleet. 
• These newest buses are the first to be delivered to a hybrid bus consortium of 11 transit agencies, spearheaded by RTD, to boost purchasing power and reduce per-vehicle costs through mass ordering. The consortium plans to purchase up to 157 GM hybrid-powered buses, including 50 to San Joaquin RTD.

RTD: Environmental Partner

Environmentally speaking, hybrids provide two major benefits: low emissions and reduced fuel consumption. To begin with, the hybrid buses produce significantly lower emissions due, in part, to the smaller diesel engine used to power them:

• Carbon Monoxide (CO) is reduced up to 90%

• Hydrocarbons (HC) are reduced up to 90%

• Particulate Matter (PM) is reduced up to 90%

• Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) are reduced up to 90%

The San Joaquin County community has long recognized RTD for its corporate responsibility to the environment. RTD has received many environmental awards: three from TOPPS (Targeted Opportunities to Prevent Pollution in San Joaquin County), including their “P3-Premier Pollution Preventer” Award. In 2005, the San Joaquin Council of Governments recognized RTD with one of its Regional Excellence Awards for its first two hybrid buses.

Metro Express: Bus Rapid Transit

RTD designed their latest hybrid buses for its new Bus Rapid Transit service, begun in January 2007. This service, called "Metro Express," was developed jointly with the City of Stockton.

Bus Rapid Transit is similar to light rail service in terms of frequency and convenience, but retains the flexibility of bus service while avoiding the costly infrastructure of rail. RTD’s Bus Rapid Transit service operates on El Dorado and Center Streets and Pacific Avenue, connecting the Downtown Transit Center and Hammer Lane.

To distinguish the new buses, RTD created a branding scheme that complements the buses’ design features, created to RTD’s specifications, for Bus Rapid Transit service. Among the features riders can enjoy are: wider doors, lower floors, and wheelchair ramps instead of lifts for quicker boarding; equipment for traffic signal prioritization; and quieter rides as a result of the hybrid drivetrain and regenerative braking.

Click HERE for more information on this exciting new service from RTD!

Click here for Hybrid Fact Sheet