Optima developing hybrid-electric, low-floor bus

Optima Bus Corp. is developing a hybrid-electric version of its Opus low-floor bus, which is expected to save as much as 50% in fuel costs over traditionally powered buses. Optima predicts that hybrid bus sales could be 40% of its total sales by 2009. The first prototype of the hybrid-electric Opus is expected to be ready in May. Optima will assemble the Opus hybrid-electric bus at its facilities in Wichita, Kan., using systems and software provided by ISE Corp.