citybus add more hybrild buses

Greater Lafayette CityBus is getting $480,000 in grant funding that will enable it to add three electric hybrid buses to its growing fleet of fuel-efficient buses.

The funding will come from the Lugar Electric Hybrid Bus Grants, and was announced this week by Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar and the Indiana Transportation Association.

THE IMPACT

With the addition of three hybrid buses from the grant, plus six other hybrid buses already purchased or planned for, by the end of this year 15 of CityBus' 70 buses will be hybrid, said John Metzinger, manager of development.

"Our board has been very committed to investing in hybrid technology," Metzinger said. "Fuel savings and environmental benefits are important to CityBus."

THE BACKGROUND

A total of $2.4 million was awarded to Indiana operators through the Lugar grants. It will pay for upgrading 15 buses from diesel to hybrid -- 10 in Indianapolis, two in Fort Wayne and three in Lafayette.

The bus companies are responsible for the cost of a standard bus and the grants will cover the conversion to electric hybrid technology, according to a press release from the Indiana Transportation Association.

QUOTABLE

"We are very grateful for the support Sen. Lugar has shown and continues to show for public transportation," said Marty Sennett, general manager of CityBus and president of the ITA.

"These hybrid buses will help us reduce emissions and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels."