BusTalk

[csorionv2007]

Casey Stengel was an all Orion V depot for the past couple of years not counting the MCI and Viking which is used for express service only (X51). Since Stengel got the Hybrids people were talking about that Stengel might become an all Hybrid depot. Is that true ? If so, why do we only have 58 hybrids, and why are we geting Orion V's form west farms (146, 167).

[Q65A]

I'm certainly no expert, but personally I would be surprised to see any single depot going all-HEV anytime soon. The HEV's are perceived as having some important benefits, especially reduced exhaust emissions, a subject that seems to have become a major "hot button" topic in recent years. For example, NYCT was roundly criticized for having so many depots north of 96th Street in Manhattan, thus contributing to localized air pollution and, perhaps, contributing in part to the high juvenile asthma rates in those parts of the city.
That said, I could see NYCT and MTAB trying to place some HEV's in as many depots as possible, so that each part of the city will have some HEV's on their local routes.
From a public relations standpoint, it probably makes sense, as brand new buses are very visible to the riding public.
From a maintenance and operational standpoint, it remains to be seen if the HEV will become the next RTS.