TOR is going green with 16 new hybrid-electric buses. 
The buses will replace older buses on the 11 Transit of Rockland routes by the end of this year.
“These are the cleanest and greenest buses on the road in Rockland County,” says Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef. “Transitioning the TOR fleet to hybrids is just the latest step Rockland County is taking to do its part in reducing emissions and improving our environment.”
Manufactured by the Gillig Corporation, the hybrid buses were purchased with Federal Transit Administration (80%), NYS Department of Transportation (10%) and other transportation dollars allocated to Rockland County (10%) at an average cost of approximately $550,000 each.
The hybrid electric low floor transit buses include particulate filters and burn ultra low sulfur diesel — the same fuel used by the TOR fleet since 2006. The electric motor in each hybrid assists the engine reducing fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. The hybrid technology also uses a smaller 6.1 liter engine, compared to the 8.4 liter engines on the buses being retired from the TOR fleet.
Three 45-foot hybrid commuter coaches will be also be purchased to replace retiring Tappan Zee Express (TZx) buses.
Sources: Gillig Corporation, Office of the Rockland County Executive
