FRANKLYWNOW - Broome County Transit is Adding 7 New Buses to its Fleet

Broome County Transit is adding 7 new buses to its fleet. Officials say they'll be more efficient and environmentally friendly.

The clean diesel buses were purchased with federal grant money through the U.S. Department of Transportation's state of good repair program. The new buses get 4.6 miles per gallon compared to the 3.6 miles per gallon the older buses get. Commissioner of the Broome County Department of Public Transportation says that the fuel emissions are cleaner and that the buses do well in the snow because of their traction control systems.

Gregory Kilmer the Commissioner of the Broome County Department of Public Transportation said, "In 2007 they changed the formulation for diesel fuel and they've put energy management systems on there just like most automobiles that we have access to they use their fuel systems more efficiently."

The cost of the buses was $2.8 million, which included a $2.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The seven new buses will replace 10 older buses being taken out of the fleet.