Decatur Public Transit hybrid buses getting ready to roll out

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Decatur is flaunting its newest environmentally friendly buses.

The buses, paid for by Rebuild Illinois grants, are electric hybrids which do not require charging. Five buses will be built for the city, with the first two recently being delivered.

Officials said the buses, which can be all-electric in some areas of the city, will significantly reduce emissions and noise.

“We will geofence the areas it will operate electric, ideally in higher-populated areas such as downtown,” city officials said on Facebook. “The buses will automatically convert to 100% electric when it crosses the threshold into a geofenced area and then back to hybrid when it leaves!”

City officials said the buses are an important part of the transition to a fleet of zero emission vehicles by 2040. Riders will be able to catch one of the new buses within the next month.

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