Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

States, tribes, local governments, and non-profits are eligible to apply for these grants. Projects can reduce air pollution from older school buses, transit buses, heavy-duty diesel trucks, marine engines, locomotives and other diesel engines. The closing date for receipt of proposals is June 4, 2012.

Montgomery County Ride On’s 12 new hybrid electric-diesel buses and clean-diesel bus were purchased with $6.6 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The new Cummins engine and Allison transmission package on the coaches meet 2010 EPA standards that mandate near-zero NOx and particulate-matter emissions. It's a feature that appeals especially to Hawaii's Royal Star, which caters to an eco-conscious clientele.

Two newly manufactured Orion VIIs hosting a variety of new features and options will be on display. Manufacturer will also showcase its testing and validation programs that prove a better built bus.

The renaming of the transit system to "Roundup" coincides with the arrival of six new clean diesel buses, which will be unveiled in October.

Board members authorized $16.9 million for the purchase of 24 40-foot hybrid buses from Gillig Corp., and $8.1 million for 10 60-foot clean diesel buses from New Flyer.

Additional orders for Orion VII transit buses include the purchase of 75 Orion VII clean-diesel buses by Veolia Transportation for its service for the New Orleans Transit Authority and an additional 30 Setra S 417 motorcoaches and 15 Sprinter shuttle buses for its services in San Francisco.

Orders are from both current and new customers and are for a variety of vehicle configurations and propulsion systems, including 35-, 40- and 60-foot buses with clean diesel, diesel-electric hybrid and CNG propulsion systems.

New E4500s feature a Cummins engine coupled with an Allison Transmission powertrain, as well as Amaya Brasil seats with self-retracting footrests and Aesys destination signs.