New 'Bendy Buses' Appear on Some Busy West Hartford Routes

Some morning commuters on West Hartford routes 62, 64, 66, or 31 may have been surprised when their usual bus pulled up at the stop this morning.

On Wednesday, CTTRANSIT began using the first two of what will soon be ten new hybrid-electric articulated buses ("bendy buses") on several busy West Hartford routes.

According to CTTRANSIT, one of the buses will alternate between routes 62, 64, and 66 which run from Hartford to West Hartford Center. The 62 route goes to Bishops Corner, the 64 to Westfarms Mall, and the 66 goes to Unionville.

One of the new buses is also assigned to route 31 which goes between Park Street in Hartford to New Park Avenue and the BJs/Home Depot shopping center.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT), CTTRANSIT and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced in a release that new buses – which are cleaner and quieter than traditional buses – were introduced as part of the commitment to "reducing emissions and maintaining a green environment."

The new buses have an accordian-like middle section which bends as they turn corners, allowing for larger buses that will increase the number of passengers  served on each route. The buses have seating for 57 passengers and can also accommodate 55 standing passengers, for a total of 112.

“Today, Connecticut takes another important step in serving customers and promoting public transportation,” DOT Commissioner James P. Redeker said in a release. Similar buses are already operating in the New Haven and Stamford metro areas.

“DEEP and DOT are working together to create a 21^st century transportation network that is a key to rebuilding Connecticut’s economy, creating jobs, and making our state an attractive place to live and work,” DEEP Commissioner Daniel C. Esty said in the release. “The type of larger-capacity, low-emission bus being deployed here today will help us accomplish those goals – while protecting our air quality and the environment.” According to Esty, the buses meet the federal Environmental Protection Agency's 2010 "near-zero" emissions requirements.

The hybrid buses rely on an internal combustion clean diesel engine paired with a generator, electric storage system, and an electric motor. They also contain lightweight lithium-ion batteries which provide an extended range for the bus. According to CTTRANSIT, the hybrid bus design provides for a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to a standard new clean diesel bus.

With the addition of these buses, CTTRANSIT now operates nearly 50 diesel-electric hybrid buses and five hydrogen fuel cell powered buses.”

"The other eight buses will be gradually introduced into service over the next few weeks.  The new buses will be much more visible when all ten are in service," said Philip L. Fry, Assistant General Manager for Planning and Marketing at CTTRANSIT.

According to CTTRANSIT, the 60-foot articulated hybrid-electric buses cost $813,100 each, the cost of which is 100 percent federally funded with dollars from Transportation Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction Grant, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Grant and Section 5307 Urbanized AreaFormula Grant. They are manufactured by NOVA Bus of Plattsburgh, New York.