Scat buses in new green Machines

SCAT executives unveiled a new hybrid bus this week — one of four they bought in June.

Although the new buses are smaller than SCAT’s diesel buses, they carry a much larger price tag.

One 23-seat hybrid bus costs $517,000, which is $200,000 more than a standard bus. However, SCAT officials say greater fuel efficiency will save $21,000 per year, per bus. That extra $200,000 will be paid for in nine-and-a-half years.

And, because the new hybrids are expected to last for 12 years, all four buses would save the county more than $200,000 in those 12 years.

Combined with SCAT’s 10 existing hybrid buses, the county expects to save $228,000 per year in fuel costs.