Several experimental buses are being tested such as hybrid buses that has both gasoline and electric engines.

Mr. Reuter and other transit officials would rather use hybrid diesel-electric buses, which exist now only as prototypes.

These hybrid buses emit 95 percent less particulate matter than the buses they would replace.

Two hybrid electric buses have been in service since 2002.

There are 18 hybrid diesel-electric buses in service, and the fleet has ordered 325.

And it will buy 250 hybrid buses, making for a fleet of 390 at the end of the capital plan.

I thought they were trialling hybrid buses in the UK back in the 80's?

The authority began using hybrid buses in 1998 and has 325 in service.

Should the hybrid buses hit the streets next year, it will be the next-to-last step in the Transit Authority's attempt to have a soot-free fleet.

In September 2006, Chapel Hill Transit announced plans to buy begin purchasing hybrid buses.