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The Rapid Introduces New Hybrid-Electric Buses

April 24, 2007
Category: News
On Monday, April 23, The Rapid introduced its two new hybrid-electric buses to the public. Local elected officials, business leaders, and community leaders joined The Rapid in taking an inaugural ride on these buses, which will now be entering the system'

These hybrid buses help The Rapid strengthen its commitment to protecting the environment, by burning less fuel and emitting fewer pollutants into the air. The buses feature a battery-powered electric motor that provides most of the power at slower speeds and a smaller clean diesel engine that takes over at higher speeds. The two buses introduced on Monday are part of five hybrid-electric buses that will be joining The Rapid's bus fleet this year.

To evaluate the performance of the hybrid-electric buses, The Rapid has partnered with Grand Valley State University. GVSU faculty and staff will assess the actual performance of the buses and determine their fuel savings and pollution reduction. Their analysis will allow The Rapid to determine the benefits to the community that the hybrid-electric buses provide.[IMAGE '4' /]