Maryland will be transitioning its transit buses to hybrids over the next few years. When a bus needs to be replaced, instead of buying a diesel-only bus, a diesel-electric hybrid one will be purchased. Aside from the obvious environmental benefit of using less fuel, hybrid buses are also quieter, which might make for a more pleasant riding experience. The biggest factor may be that they’re more reliable though, going slightly over 6,000 miles before needing to be serviced versus about 3,000 miles for strictly diesel buses.

Right now, 10 of the Maryland Transit Administration’s 653 buses are hybrids.  Buses will be replaced at up to 100 per year beginning in 2009.