RTA has been working to ease pollution and road congestion for years. We’re a leader in the state on delivering comfortable, reliable service and are deepening our environmental commitment by adding 10 new diesel electric hybrid buses, the first in our region. In addition to our fleet of electric trolley buses, RTA has begun using next generation fuels like biodiesel and clean diesel technology to minimize our operational impact on the environment. RTA will receive the 40-foot, Low Floor GILLIG Hybrid buses this March, purchased with federal stimulus package funding received last year under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The hybrids are a welcome addition to our fleet and another major step forward, sealing our position as "Greenest Transit Fleet in Ohio."

The GILLIG Hybrid bus is powered by a clean diesel hybrid electrical propulsion system that reduces emissions, saves on fuel and is smoother and quieter than a conventional bus or a passenger car. This means our new buses will be environmentally and economically responsible, while also being customer friendly.

The hybrid drive system in each Hybrid bus is made by General Motors and uses the latest parallel drive technology, which is more efficient than traditional systems. These units will be 8-10% more fuel efficient than the standard coaches they are replacing, which will lower RTA’s overall operating costs. In order to highlight the hybrids, these units will have a slightly altered paint scheme, although still keeping our green theme and basic branding.

RTA used two-thirds of the stimulus money received in spring, 2009, to buy buses, offsetting the cost of fleet replacement and reducing the agency’s total operating budget deficit. We are awaiting word on additional federal grant funding applied for which would add another 10 hybrids in the fall of this year.