Grand Rapids’ public bus system, The Rapid, is purchasing two hybrid busses as part of a test to see how the busses perform during everyday use. The two busses are the same size and style of The Rapid’s standard busses, but will have greater fuel efficiency due to the fact that they run partially on electricity. The busses will be tested on one of The Rapid’s city routes as well as the longer distance GVSU Campus Connector route from Grand Valley State University’s Pew Campus to Allendale. Hybrid busses currently being tested by Grand Haven’s public transit system have doubled the fuel efficiency of standard busses and in run for an average of 20 minutes out of every hour on pure electricity and consequently eliminating emissions.
The two busses will be paid for by grants from the state and federal governments.
