Electric and hybrid buses are not only cleaner and quieter, but in many cases the technology has enabled bus designers to create buses with low floors, which are much easier for people to get in and out of.

	APS Systems, Oxnard CA, offers a range of transit buses with electric, alternate fuel, or hybrid-electric drive systems. Its lightweight fiberglass, low-floor, shuttle is capable of extended ranges in excess of 110 miles on a single charge. APS buses operate in Santa Barbara, Solvang, Santa Monica, Burbank, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon and were used in the 1996 Olympics. 805-984-0300.
	Blue Bird, Fort Valley, Ga., is offering a 72-passenger school bus with an 80 mile range. Blue Bird also has five 34 ft commercial buses in operation in Cedar Rapids, Mich. They have a 36-passenger capacity, wheelchair lift, underseat heaters, air conditioning, an 80 mile range, and a maximum speed of 55 mph. Blue Bird is presently developing a hybrid school bus.  912-757-7108.
	EBUS, Downey, Calif., was formed in 1998. It has already delivered three electric Trolley Replicas and fifteen electric shuttle buses to Los Angeles. A hybrid-electric transit bus is presently being designed for delivery by 2001.
	Orion Bus Industries, Mississauga, Ontario, produces heavy-duty, hybrid-electric transit buses. These buses have been in service with New York City Transit since 1998 and were placed in service by the MBTA in Boston in 1999. Orion’s buses are the first to use Lockheed Martin’s HybriDrive diesel-electric propulsion system. 905-403-1111.
AVS 22’ electric and hybrid bus	Advanced Vehicle Systems, Inc. (AVS) Chattanooga, Tenn., is a leader in electric and hybrid-electric bus technology in the U.S. The AVS-22 is quick, clean, and quiet. The hybrid technology that runs this bus enables the AVS-22 to achieve distances that are very competitive with its diesel counterparts while maintaining its status as a ultra-low emission vehicle. AVS will produce a 30 ft bus, 35 ft. bus, and a Tram. AVS has produced over 100 of these vehicles, and they are in service in cities around the world. These vehicles are available in hybrid and pure electric configurations. 423-821-3146.
AVS tram
	Thomas Built Buses, High Point, NC, a school bus and commercial transit manufacturer, is producing a prototype 72-passenger school bus with a Delco Electronics Propulsion Systems drive and charging system. or 336-889-4871.
	General Motors-Allison Transmission has developed a hybrid-electric drive bus for the New York City Transit Authority. The bus is equipped with an Allison Electric Drive, a hybrid electric drive powertrain that reduces emissions by 70 percent and saves fuel.
	Nova BUS Inc., Roswell, NM, unveiled its hybrid electric bus in 1998. The hybrid vehicle combines electric and CNG power. The propulsion system was developed by Lockheed Martin Control Systems. Several of its buses are operating in New York City. Nova BUS is a subsidiary of Volvo North America.  or 505-347-7288.