DETROIT (WWJ) - Transportation officials in Detroit announced the addition of over two dozen environmentally friendly buses on Tuesday in an effort to expand and improve its fleet.
The Detroit Department of Transportation has added 28 new 40 ft. coaches manufactured by New Flyer that run on blended fuel comprised of 20% biodiesel and standard diesel, known as “clean diesel.”
WWJ's Ryan Marshall said DDOT now has a fleet of 300 new buses with an average age of under 6 years old.
The buses will replace 28 coaches that first began service back in 2010 -- officials said while the older buses also ran on clean diesel, engine technology has "improved significantly so the new buses produce fewer emissions overall."
“We are committed to providing Detroit’s transit riders with safe, quality transportation, and that includes upgrading coaches when necessary,” said DDOT’s Executive Director of Transit Mikel Oglesby. “We are always happy when we can get more buses on the road to get Detroiters where they need to go. The fact that these buses use clean diesel, and are more friendly to the environment, is an added bonus.”
DDOT said this is their youngest fleet in decades. The department added four electric buses in May and 10 new coaches will be up and running later this year with another 10 coming into service early next year.
"Of the 292 coaches in active service, the 288 non-electric coaches use clean diesel technology as per the engine manufacturer and EPA standards," officials said.
The department began replacing buses when Mayor Mike Duggan took office back in 2014.
The FTA recommends coaches be retired at 12 years old or when they reach 500,000 miles.
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The new buses will be outfitted with bicycle racks, video infotainment, and USB chargers, as well as protective barriers to provide additional safety to operators while on their route.
The cost for each coach was approximately $515,000.
Marshall reports DDOT is holding several job fairs over the next few weeks to hire people to fill those vacant driver positions as a result of shortages from the pandemic.
There’s three upcoming job fairs scheduled as outlined by DDOT:
• Tuesday, Aug. 9, until 2 p.m. IN PERSON recruitment fair at DDOT Shoemaker terminal, located at 5149 St. Jean.
• Tuesday, Aug. 16 and Thursday, Sept. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; VIRTUAL recruitment fairs - apply online to receive the invite to these virtual job fairs. More information can be found on the City of Detroit website or at detroitmi.gov/driveforddot.
• Tuesday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., IN PERSON recruitment fair at DDOT Shoemaker terminal, located at 5149 St. Jean.