MATA Goes Green -- At Least in Part

According to the Sunday, September 9, Commercial Appeal, Memphis Area Transportation Agency ("MATA") has purchased four hybrid buses. The buses are far more expensive but are cheaper to operate and create far less pollution. The City has more than 200 buses but these are a start and a step in the right direction. According to the article, MATA plans to purchase additional hybrid buses in the future. Here's the link:

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2007/sep/09/e9fleets/

This is a bigger deal than it might otherwise seem because one impediment that Memphis and the surrounding counties face to new economic development is attainment status with federal air quality standards. Using hybrid vehicles especially for buses will certainly help cut down on emissions that negatively impacts air quality. Memphis has some of the best water in the country. It's time that we worked on having our air quality match our water quality.