Two hybrid buses for public transportation are now in circulation in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Industrial manufacturer Eaton Corp. expanded its electric hybrid power vehicle system into Latin America's city bus market this month with the delivery of two hybrid-powered buses into the public transportation system of Guadalajara, Mexico.

“Expansion of hybrid power into Latin America and specifically the city of Guadalajara and state of Jalisco is important because it shows a commitment to bringing clean transportation to the people in the region,” said Kenneth Davis, Eaton’s Vehicle Group president for the region, in a press release.

Clean technology like hybrid buses are "the future of mass transit in our city," said Diego Monraz, secretary of roads and transport for the Government of Jalisco during a presentation of the new buses at Metropolitan Park on December 3.

He acknowledged the support of EMBARQ and the Center for Sustainable Transport in Mexico (CTS-México) for facilitating the relationship between Eaton Corp. and Jalisco authorities.

The hybrid buses will be put into intra-city service and operated by state-owned Servicios y Transportes (SyT).

Daniel Ramirez, SyT's transport services manager, said that these buses respond to environmental and social problems. They are expected to "reduce carbon emissions by 60 percent compared to conventional diesel buses and allow access for all people, with an access ramp that facilitates the entry of people in wheelchairs or with other disabilities."

Each bus costs $300,000 and measures 12 meters long, with a capacity for 99 passengers. The diesel-electric hybrid engine and body was designed in collaboration with technology company YoungMan Neoplan.

From Eaton Corp.:

"The hybrid system combines a Cummins diesel engine with an electric motor that has a peak power output of 44 kilowatt. Eaton matches the system to an automated six-speed Eaton transmission and stores energy in four lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, Eaton equips the buses with its unique start-stop technology that automatically switches off the engine when the bus is stationary and turns it back on when power is needed. This system dramatically reduces emissions, especially at bus stops."

"It is the technology winner in the short term for energy consumption and emission reductions," said Dario Hidalgo, EMBARQ's director of research and practice. "The technology is already commercially available, but there are still problems regarding the capital costs and some uncertainties regarding maintenance costs and lifespan."

The buses are expected to last longer than standard diesel buses, but there is no evidence, yet, since most applications were introduced only within the last five years, Hidalgo adds.

The new buses will operate on Route 24, which includes the Jardines de Nuevo México, Basílica de Zapopan, América, López Mateos, Plaza del Sol, Santa Ana Tepetitlán, and return on the bridge extension Solectrón por Prolongación López Mateos, to meet the demand of the users in Guadalajara and Zapopan.

Mexico now joins China, Australia, Poland, Korea, India, Singapore and Russia for using hybrid buses in public transport.