River City, Ky., to purchase hybrid-electric buses

The board of directors for the Transit Authority of River City (Ky.)(TARC) approved the purchase of five 40-foot low-floor hybrid-electric buses. The vehicles, manufactured by Gillig Corp., are powered by an Allison Transmission that combines a traditional diesel engine with an electric motor. TARC expects to receive the buses in June 2004, with service to begin July 2004. Allison's hybrid-electric propulsion system offers 30% to 50% better fuel economy than conventional diesel buses, according to independent tests conducted by Southwest Research Institute. TARC was authorized to purchase the vehicles at a price not to exceed $2.9 million, which was funded through a Federal Transit Administration Discretionary grant.