Illinois gets $5M grant for hybrid buses

CHICAGO (AP) — Downstate transit agencies are getting new hybrid buses thanks to a $5 million federal grant.

Gov. Pat Quinn announced the grant to buy up to 10 buses that are expected to be delivered in 2013. They'll go to the transit districts that serve Champaign-Urbana, Kankakee, Peoria, Galesburg and Rock Island.

The money comes from the Federal Transit Administration's Clean Fuels Grant Program. The new buses will run on motor fuel and electricity. They'll replace older ones that used gasoline and diesel.

The buses will be equipped with some of the latest technology, including automated systems so the engines won't idle and that will cut down on exhaust.