[Photo: HYBRID: Electric-diesel buses such as this one consume less fuel and give out near-zero black-smoke emissions.]

By Koh Hui Theng

ELECTRIC-DIESEL buses that emit less smoke and are cheaper to maintain could be plying Singapore roads next year.

The 10 buses are part of the "green" fleet that private bus operator Brickston Transport Service is pioneering, as part of an agreement with engineering company Singapore Technologies Kinetics and Chinese bus-maker King Long.

Brickston's manager, Mr Colin Gan, said that once the Land Transport Authority gives the go-ahead, the company will start ferrying office and factory workers on the hybrid buses.

These green vehicles consume up to 30 per cent less fuel and give out near-zero black-smoke emissions, which are harmful to the environment.

A hybrid bus costs about $500,000 ? almost double the price of its diesel counterpart ? but maintenance costs are cheaper in the long run.

For Brickston, which has 58 buses and a monthly $100,000 diesel bill, the savings can be substantial. Mr Gan said: "We're looking at up to $30,000 of fuel savings every month. If all goes well, we'll be gradually converting our fleet to hybrid buses."

At yesterday's Green Vehicle Launch, Mr Kelvin Lim, general manager of Kinetics Systems Shanghai and head of the Hybrid Electric Centre (Singapore), estimated that transport companies are likely to recoup their initial investment in three years.

He added: "After this period, the companies can still operate the buses for up to 17 years.

"So that's quite a number of years in which they can potentially increase their bottom line."

Besides Brickston, SMRT Corp, SBS Transit and another private bus operator have expressed interest in the hybrid buses.

When contacted, SMRT said that it is looking at the feasibility of introducing such buses.

kohht@sph.com.sg

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