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Long Beach Transit is a leader in integrating new technology to improve the quality of life for the people in the communities we serve. The introduction of clean burning gasoline and electric hybrid buses is the most recent innovation to help the environment.

E-Power Hybrid Buses Debut in Long Beach Area

Long Beach Transit super-sized the hybrid revolution Monday, June 20 when it officially began passenger service on new, brightly decaled "E-Power" buses. The 40-foot vehicles use technology similar to the Toyota Prius and are the first production hybrid gasoline-electric buses to be introduced into regular transit service in the world.

With superior gas mileage, dramatically cleaner tailpipe emissions and a quieter ride for passengers, E-Power buses will replace older ultra low-sulfur diesel buses in the Long Beach Transit fleet. All of the agency's first order of 47 buses are now carrying passengers.

Long Beach Transit has dubbed the new vehicles E-Power buses to help differentiate them from the rest of its bus fleet. For passengers, the logo on the top of the new buses and the quieter ride will distinguish the E-Power buses. If they take a closer look, they will spot the electric ultra-capacitor storage unit on the roof - a new technology replacing the conventional battery used in automotive hybrids such as the Toyota Prius.

Very similar to hybrid cars available to motorists, E-Power buses use a combination of gasoline and electricity to make them the cleanest, most fuel-efficient heavy-duty urban transit buses now available. In testing, they beat liquefied natural gas (LNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) — chosen by many transit agencies several years ago as the successor to diesel — on fuel efficiency, emissions and projected lifetime vehicle cost.

For Long Beach Transit, E-Power buses exceed local, state and federal emissions requirements for the foreseeable future, use up to 50 percent less fuel than diesel buses, get far better gas mileage than any other fuel option, and cost less over their lifetime than alternative-fuel buses. The price tag for each hybrid bus is $550,000, but the E-Power bus will cost less to maintain, operate and fuel than existing buses. And E-Power buses require no expensive infrastructure modifications as CNG and LNG buses do. They also never need to be plugged in, but recharge as they travel their routes.

Bike to the Bus

Bike Racks at Bus Stops! You can now bike to many bus stops, lock your bike at a nearby rack and board the bus to complete your journey! In Belmont Shore, several stops have bright red U-shaped racks installed near the bench. Also, in downtown Long Beach, the racks are installed for the convenience of cyclists and for the delight of artists with colorful, modern designs. (You may call 562-591-2301 for exact stop locations.)

A BikeStation! It's now located at the Transit Mall beside the Transit Information Center. You can park your bike during the day-time in a fully secured, shaded area. And in case you need a repair, there's a retail shop for accessories and a trained technician on site. If you get a spur of the moment whim to pedal the shoreline bike trail, you can rent a bike or even a scooter!