New energy efficient buses roll out

Radford Transit rolling out new buses, giving away free TV.

Radford Transit (RT) is adding two new buses to its fleet in response to customer demand.
The new 35-feet-long New Flyer buses are nearly ready to roll. Before they hit the Radford City streets, Radford Transit is giving the Radford University campus community an opportunity to board one of the buses for a firsthand look at the sleek, shiny transportation machine.

The New Flyer is scheduled to be parked for viewing on campus 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 30 near the clocks at Heth Hall. Individuals can explore the bus’s many amenities, which include 32 seats for a maximum capacity of 70 riders. That’s a 71 percent increase in passenger capacity compared with other Radford Transit buses, said Josh Baker, general manager of Radford Transit.

The New Flyer also features "ultra-low emissions," and is 40 percent more fuel efficient than previous models. The bus is equipped with a hybrid cooling system, leading to improved fuel economy, Baker noted.

Individuals examining the bus Wednesday will have opportunities to enter a Radford Transit-sponsored raffle to win prizes. First prize is an iPad Mini, and second prize is a 42-inch flat-screen television.

Entries also are being accepted online and by liking the Radford Transit Facebook page. Entries are being accepted between Oct. 28 and Nov. 1. The drawing will take place Monday, Nov. 4. Winners will be notified and names of winners will be posted on the Radford Transit website.

New Flyer

One of Radford Transit's low emissions New Flyer buses.

The six-route, 100-plus stop transit service, operated by the Community Transit Division of the New River Valley Community Services Board, connects the university community and citizens of Radford to transit systems across the New River Valley.

"The service has been so successful that administrators have worked quickly to acquire larger vehicles for passenger capacity and comfort," Baker said. "In its second year of service, Radford Transit experienced a 76 percent increase in ridership and now carries in excess of 325,000 passengers annually, making it the third largest transit system in the region and one of the top 25 systems, by riders, in all of Virginia."

The Radford Transit is a partnership between the university and the city and serves the Radford University community, the citizens of Radford and the surrounding areas of the New River Valley.
The bus service is free to university students, faculty and staff with a valid RU identification card. The fare for the general public is $1 and free for senior citizens and children under 12.

Routes, stops and timetables can be found at the Radford Transit website. Riders also can check Radford Transit's Facebook and Twitter pages for information and updates.

Oct 30, 2013