Ga.’s Athens-Clarke County Transit (ACCT) is hosting a dedication ceremony for its 12 new Gillig hybrid-electric buses later this week at its Athens-Clarke County Multimodal Transportation Center.

The 12 new low-emission diesel hybrid-electric buses are the first hybrid buses in the ACC Transit fleet. Purchased with a combination of local, state, and federal funds for $8.4 million, the new buses will replace 12 older buses that have exceeded their useful lifespan and are experiencing increased operating and maintenance costs.

Two buses were placed into service last week. The agency says that when the full complement of buses goes into service this week, they will represent half of ACC Transit’s daily revenue service fleet.

The 40-foot buses are brand new 2018 Gillig low-floor heavy duty models with a new design, a new color scheme, and new branding built in Livermore, Calif. They seat 37 passengers, with six seats designated as priority seating for seniors and mobility-impaired individuals. Room is also available for an additional 24 passengers to stand.

The hybrid buses use nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries and a hybrid drive system and meet the newest clean air standards issued by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. The buses have a 96% total reduction in emissions of smog-forming nitrogen oxides and a 90% reduction in particulate matter when compared to the buses from 2004 they will replace. Overall, they are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 15%.

The buses feature other environmentally-friendly components. As with all ACC Transit buses, they are equipped to carry three bikes in a front exterior rack. They also use low energy light-emitting diode lights in the interior of the buses.

The buses also feature internal and external security cameras, automated passenger counters, and a new Automated Vehicle Locating system that allows customers to track buses through the MyStop app or the transit website and receive bus arrival notifications through email or text messages.