HRT Receives Funding for Hybrid Buses

Last Friday, in a small ceremony outside its Hampton location, Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) was presented with a $100,000 check from Cummins Atlantic, LLC to assist in the funding of the agency’s new hybrid-electric buses. This comes after HRT applied for the grant provided by the East Coast Hybrid Consortium.

In attendance representing Cummins Atlantic, LLC was Michael Grace, President, Russ Spangler, Vice President for Automotive and Bus Sales, and Bill Rannings, the Branch Manager for the Chesapeake division. The check was presented to Michael Townes, HRT President/CEO.

“HRT is dedicated to fulfilling its commitment to environmental sustainability,” said Townes. “With the help of Cummins Atlantic, LLC, we are building a fleet of buses that are superior in energy efficiency.”

The hybrid-electric bus is powered by a clean diesel hybrid electrical propulsion system. It reduces emissions, saves fuel, and is smoother and quieter than a conventional bus. These features make it environmentally and economically responsible while also being passenger and community friendly. These buses also possess long-life, non-hazardous, and maintenance-free NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) batteries that capture and store braking energy as well as advanced solid state controllers that manage and blend power sources to optimize performance and efficiency.

Hampton Roads Transit has already received the first order of hybrid-electric buses, which will begin circulating in Hampton Roads cities this spring. Fourteen more buses are expected to arrive at HRT in early 2009.



Cummins Atlantic, LLC VP for Automotive & Bus Sales, Russ Spangler, gives brief overview of hybrid technology


President/CEO Michael Townes is presented with check



Townes is seen here with Cummins Atlantic, LLC President, Michael Grace