Broome County Adds New Buses To Transit Fleet

A few new vehicles are being added to the BC Transit bus fleet.

Broome County has received six 40-foot Gillig buses. The vehicles, which were ordered last year, were assembled at the company's factory near San Francisco.

The diesel-fueled buses have 31 seats and can accommodate two wheelchairs.

The buses cost about $417,000 each. Two of the new vehicles are now being used and the other buses are expected to be on the road soon.

BC Transit added six hybrid electric buses to its fleet about five years ago. Those buses utilize a propulsion system designed by BAE Systems in Broome County.

The hybrid buses were hailed by county officials for being more environmentally-friendly. Officials also said the vehicles offered up to 35 percent better fuel economy than similar diesel buses. But those buses, which were built in Oneida County, were much more expensive than diesel vehicles.