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VTAs Green Investment in Hybrids Pays Off
120,000 Gallons of Fuel Saved Each Year

San Jose, Calif. – In an effort to reduce greenhouse gases and clean the air we breathe, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has replaced 75 older paratransit and non-revenue gas-powered vehicles with new hybrid vehicles. The new hybrids are estimated to reduce VTA’s annual greenhouse gas output by 385 tons; each Californian produces an average of 34 tons per year.

Outreach, VTA’s contracted paratransit operator, currently operates 236 vehicles; 82 are Toyota Prius hybrids. VTA provided 60 of the hybrids to Outreach as part of VTA’s green vehicle replacement program.

The Prius vehicles travel an average of 3.4 million miles a year, which equates to almost 35% of the fleet’s total mileage but use only 15% of the fleet’s total fuel. With Prius vehicles now operating for more than a year, fuel data confirms an annual savings of 121,000 gallons per year.

“With the market’s volatile gas prices, investing in hybrid technology is paying off,” said VTA General Manager Michael Burns. “Providing the same level of mobility and service to our customers while reducing VTA’s carbon foot print and dependency on fuel is a win-win for VTA.”

Fifteen additional hybrids including ten Ford Escapes and five Toyota Priuses operate in VTA’ non-revenue fleet and are continually used by VTA’s Protective Services and Construction divisions for high mileage activities and patrol. Due to the success of these hybrid purchases, VTA will be continually looking at options to reduce greenhouse gases and help keep the valley green.

VTA’s Sustainability Program

The program seeks to meet today’s needs without compromising future generations. VTA’s Sustainability Program will strengthen VTA’s commitment to the environment through the conservation of natural resources, the reduction of greenhouse gases, the prevention of pollution and the use of renewable energy and materials.

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About VTA
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district responsible for bus, light rail and paratransit operations; congestion management; specific highway improvement projects; and countywide transportation planning. As such, VTA is both an accessible transit provider and multi-modal transportation planning organization involved with transit, highways and roadways, bikeways and pedestrian facilities.

For more information about VTA services, call VTA Customer Service at (408) 321-2300, (408) 321-2330 (TDD only). Or, log on to www.vta.org.