The MTA is reporting that their new Orion VII hybrid buses are making a big dent fuel consumption. Orion VII hybrid buses have improved fuel economy of more than 30% compared to conventionally powered buses. In addition, the Orion hybrids significantly reduce emissions with 90% less particulate matter, 40% fewer oxides of nitrogen, and 30% fewer greenhouse gases. The MTA estimates that they saved over 1 million gallons of diesel fuel last year.

As the implications of peak oil starts to come closer to home, reducing NYC's dependence on  single occupancy vehicle automobile traffic (low value) and allowing higher volume (more valuable) traffic through is critical.

That's why I was glad to see that State Senator Liz Krueger's office is holding a forum on the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) next Tuesday, April 18th at 7pm at 8th Floor Meeting Room at Marymount Manhattan College, 221 East 71st Street (between Second and Third Avenues). The proposed route would run the full length of First and Second Avenues and then across 125th Street in Harlem. They expect 65,000 passengers to take this everyday.

The problems with current bus service were outlined in a study by Bruce Schaller sponsored by Transportation Alternatives and the Straphanger's Campaign (who will also be at the forum next week):

1. Buses spend as much as 30% of their time waiting for passengers to board and exit.
   
2. Increased crowding on buses due to ridership growth has lengthened delays from boarding and exiting.
   
3. Traffic signals are not synchronized with bus speeds, so buses are delayed by red lights between bus stops.
   
4. Drivers often have to slow down to stay on schedule even when traffic is light.
   
5. Bus field supervisors lack the tools to prevent bus bunching.
   

So how does BRT fix these problems?