The New Britain school district will be the first in Connecticut to get a hybrid school bus.
The 'green' bus goes into operation next Monday and can reportedly attain as much as a 65 percent increase in fuel efficiency and a 40 percent reduction in emissions.
While it will look the same as standard school buses, the hybrid will operate on a combination of diesel and electric power.
The cost of the hybrid bus is $183,000 but a DEP state grant will fund the majority of the expense. The bus company, DATTCO, will pick up the balance.
The bus will transport students to the high school, one of the middle schools and one elementary school.
The bus will be 'plugged-in' at New Britain High School and green reflective lettering will identify it as the hybrid.