Collier Area Transit could join other transit agencies around the country, such as New York City, Seattle and San Francisco, who are investing in hybrid diesel buses, which promise to be more fuel efficient and environmental friendly.

“I’m overly excited because it’s part of the county’s green initiative of exploring other resources where we can operate more efficiently,” said Carlos Rivera, the Collier Area operations general manager.

Collier county commissioners approved the use of the 31-foot “Hybrid Ride,” a 2009 International 3200 diesel-electric bus built by Champion, at a board meeting in late May 2009.

Collier Area Transit has spent around $820,000 on fuel for fixed routes during fiscal 2008.

“The cost savings are potentially there,” Rivera said.

Yet, gas prices are subject to change due to fluctuating fuel costs.

The county’s Fleet Management Department will assess the hybrid bus to determine the potential benefits of future purchases. Other expected benefits include reduction of maintenance costs.

Similar to hybrid vehicles, the purchase price of hybrid buses is a lot more than traditional diesel buses. The cost of a hybrid bus is close to $600,000 compared to about $385,000 for a standard diesel bus, Rivera said.

The county is planning to purchase two hybrid buses with American Recovery and Reinvestment funds.

Collier county is anticipated to receive $3 million from federal stimulus funds, FDOT officials said.

Collier Area Transit has 23, 30-foot buses in its fleet and 20 buses for its para transit program, which assists residents with medical needs or who otherwise cannot access the county’s fixed-route bus service.

Collier Area Transit has four buses that are affixed with particulate air filtration systems and are considered environmentally friendly.

Previously the hybrid bus was in Lee county, before arriving in Naples.

From April 29 to May 29, 2009 LeeTran used it on two different routes and for its para transit division, tracking the mileage and maintenance costs for the state.

Joann Haley, marketing manager for LeeTran, said the agency wasn’t as successful using the bus in its para transit program because the space for wheelchairs was limited. The bus has a lift rather than a ramp.

It was also bigger than LeeTran’s 22- to 23-foot-long vans, which made it a little bit more difficult to maneuver, Haley said.

The hybrid bus got an average of 5.7 miles per gallon.

Lee county’s transit vans get 8 miles per gallon.

During its trial, the bus had one failure and had to be sent back to the manufacture, Haley said.

In December 2008, LeeTran ordered three 35-foot hybrid full size buses.

“We have to make the business decision if spending that (additional) $200,000 … are we going to be able to recuperate the cost of the bus with the savings in maintenance and fuel,” Haley said.

The hybrid bus has 24 standard seats, two foldaway seats, space for passengers in wheelchairs or scooters, a wheelchair lift, a public address system and a camera/security system.

In the upcoming two weeks, the bus will rotate on the following routes: green route 4A, route 4B, brown route 9 and the Immokalee shuttle.