[IMAGE]LBT-hybrid-full.jpg[/IMAGE]On Thursday, officials from California-based Long Beach Transit (LBT) unveiled new 40-foot hybrid buses, scheduled to begin service throughout their 98-mile service area, on Monday, April 27, 2009.

The hybrid technology manufacturer, San Diego-based ISE Corp., provided the same hybrid-electric drive systems found in LBT’s current buses. The new vehicles were assembled in Crookston, Minn., by manufacturer New Flyer Industries, who gave the buses a new exterior frame design.

In addition to local media representatives, in attendance were LBT Board Chair, Renee Simon; LBT Board Member Terry Fiskin; Mayor Bob Foster; LBT President & CEO Larry Jackson; LBT COO Guy Heston and Long Beach Transit staff.

The addition of these newly designed hybrid buses bring the agency's 40-foot hybrid fleet total to 87 buses, for a nearly 50 percent hybrid 40-foot fleet.  These buses are quieter and no measureable particulate matter is emitted, according to LBT officials.

“Long Beach Transit is the first in the nation to introduce these new modern style buses into service. These buses offer our customers and our community, public transportation with a beautiful design of which they can be proud,“ said LBT President/CEO Larry Jackson.

The exterior design, conceptualized by Long Beach advertising agency, Nostrum, Inc., www.nostruminc.com, took inspiration from LBT's popular Passport shuttles, and extended that design to influence the red and gold theme onto the new buses. The new exterior rounded frame design mirrors more modern European style transit buses.

The exterior wave design symbolizes the beach city and creates a look of free-flowing movement while the bus travels along the road. The interior of the bus is outfitted with a new seat fabric design and colorful flooring and side panels.