The Capital District Transportation Authority [1] will add another 21 hybrid buses to its vehicle fleet over the next year, according to the Times Union [2]. That's on top of the nine that CDTA currently operates in its 309-vehicle fleet.

A typical, older diesel bus gets about 3.8 miles per gallon, while a typical hybrid gets about 4.8 miles per gallon.The delivery of new hybrids comes at an auspicious time, CDTA officials say. Initially, the authority committed to hybrids because of their environmental benefits. Now -- at a time when fuel prices are skyrocketing -- they are having the added benefit of bringing down costs.

Nonetheless, the higher overall gas prices mean CDTA is tight on cash to expand service, according to Executive Director Ray Melleady [3].