[IMAGE]Houston-1.jpg[/IMAGE]Houston Metro announced that it will roll out 20 new MCI Commuter hybrid buses for its Park & Ride patrons. The 45-foot buses arrived in February and are currently undergoing routine quality-control testing before being deployed into revenue service.

The new hybrids are part of Metro's ambitious bus replacement program — calling for 100 new buses to be added to the fleet each year — and its initiative to go green. The vehicles run on clean diesel and use an electric motor to optimize performance — technology that cuts down Metro's fuel consumption and reduces the emissions of pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides.

The 55-seat capacity coach vehicles offer patrons cushioned seating, as well a smooth, quiet ride.

To date, Metro has more than 262 hybrid vehicles—local and commuter — in its fleet.