Orion Bus Completes First Production Order

Orion Bus Industries, the Mississauga, Ontario-based unit of DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses North America, has completed deliveries on the first of two production orders for hybrid electric buses to MTA New York City Transit and has begun deliveries on the second order – 200 Orion VII 40-foot low-floor hybrid models. By the end of 2005, the MTA will operate the world’s largest fleet of hybrid buses – 325 units.

During 2 million miles of revenue service, the initial 125-unit production fleet – using the HybriDrive™ diesel-electric propulsion system by BAE Systems – ran quieter, reduced emissions and delivered 30% better fuel economy than conventionally powered buses.