Charlotte, NC -- Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is pleased to announce the transit system will receive $3 million dollars in FY2012 to purchase up to 15 new hybrid buses as part of the Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) stimulus grant program. This program is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

"The stimulus funds will allow us to upgrade a portion of the diesel buses we plan to order to hybrid technology," said John Muth, CATS Interim CEO.  "CATS is committed to helping improve the air quality in the Charlotte region and hybrid buses are just one of the ways we are working to clear the air for citizens."

CATS added two hybrid buses to its fleet in 2005 and just introduced five more on September 14, 2009, with the start of the Sprinter service.  The hybrid buses have shown a 30 percent improvement in miles per gallon compared to a diesel bus.   Operating costs on a hybrid bus are also 40 percent lower, saving CATS maintenance costs in the future.

It is estimated the additional hybrid buses could reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by almost 6,500 tons and save an estimated 550,000 gallons of diesel fuel over the 12-year operating life of the buses.

CATS is one of 43 transit agencies awarded funds for capital investments that will assist in reducing the energy consumption for greenhouse gas emissions of public transportation systems. 

To learn more about CATS clean air initiatives, call 704-336-RIDE (7433) or visit us on the web at www.ridetransit.org.