UW-Madison could see hybrid buses in the near future if the city's Transit and Parking Commission authorizes an agreement between Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and the UW Board of Regents Thursday.
Cieslewicz hopes to execute a memorandum of understanding with the regents that would provide for the use of two of Madison Metro's five future hybrid buses on campus routes. Currently, the city provides buses for the 80, 81, 82 and 85 routes.
The memorandum calls for an ""upfront cash contribution"" from the university to reduce the cost to the city of using the hybrid buses.
According to a report released last year by Metro Transit Manager Catherine Debo, carbon dioxide emissions would drop from 2,262 grams per mile for diesel buses to 1,779 with a hybrid, an improvement of 517 grams.
Cieslewicz spokesperson George Twigg said the mayor and the regents hope to provide environmentally friendly transit on campus.
""Both the city and the UW share a concern with reducing emissions,"" Twigg said. ""It seemed like a good fit.""
