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Long Beach Transit Adds 25 New Hybrid Buses To Fleet
[April 29, 2009]

Long Beach Transit Adds 25 New Hybrid Buses To Fleet


Apr 29, 2009 (Grunion Gazette - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Twenty-five new and brightly colored public transportation buses began circulating the city of Long Beach on Monday, April 27.

About half of Long Beach Transit's fleet of 40-foot-long buses now uses hybrid gasoline-electric technology -- a change that officials say is part of an ongoing effort to implement more earth-friendly practices. A ceremony last Thursday morning unveiled the vehicles at the Promenade off of Ocean Boulevard.



"This is a great part of our effort to become a sustainable city," Mayor Bob Foster said. "...This really does make a difference." Each of the buses -- decked in a red, black and gold European-inspired design -- features a hybrid propulsion system and internal mechanics echoing those of older-style hybrid buses. As part of their quieter and cleaner technology, the buses regenerate energy from friction created when drivers hit their brakes.

"Advancements in design made across the world are now available to us in the U.S.," said Long Beach Transit President and CEO Larry Jackson. "...We're really happy to unveil this product today." Buses feature an exterior design inspired by the company's red Passport service vehicles. Waves line parts of both the interior and exterior, while -- inside -- a painted floor pattern mimics a red carpet lining the walkway.


After last Thursday's introduction to the new vehicles, guests had opportunities tour the new equipment. Foster and Jackson were among those present at the event.

Last year, Long Beach Transit retrofitted its buses with particulate traps to reduce emissions and replaced older diesel buses. Meanwhile, earlier changes capitalized on user-friendly technology while continuing to reduce environmentally harmful emissions. By 2007, hybrids made up 25% of all Transit buses.

Working in collaboration with the city, Long Beach Transit serves about 28 million customers a year over an area of 98 square miles throughout Long Beach and surrounding areas, with regular bus and shuttle services including the Passport, AquaBus and AquaLink. Its fleet includes 40-foot coaches, mid-sized shuttles, water taxis and Dial-A-Lift vehicles.

"We're part of the fabric of this city," Jackson said of Long Beach Transit.

Each of the new 25 buses cost $550,000 and was paid for with help from the federal government.

For more information, visit www.lbtransit.com.

To see more of the Grunion Gazette or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.gazettes.com/. Copyright (c) 2009, Grunion Gazette, Long Beach, Calif. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

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