Passengers boarded a comfortable vehicle featuring individual air vents, overhead reading lights, and reclining seats. During a trip from downtown Atlanta to Rockdale County, the bus rode as smoothly as a luxury car while traveling at speeds up to 70 mph.

Officials from Clayton, DeKalb, Rockdale and Douglas counties joined GRTA board members and staff on the demonstration run. GRTA Transportation Director Jim Croy said express bus service must compete with personal vehicles in terms of cost, stress and time in order to attract riders.

The demonstration bus, manufactured by Motor Coach Industries, is fueled by compressed natural gas, which has much lower emissions of ozone-causing pollutants than traditional diesel buses. The ozone level in the Atlanta region on Friday was extremely unhealthy, a reminder of why GRTA will use clean fuel vehicles for its bus fleet.

GRTA plans to begin express bus service in the region by the summer of 2002. Specific routes have not been determined, but will be suggested by a regional transit study GRTA will begin soon, and by input from the public. A total of 180 to 220 buses will be needed when regional express service is completely phased in.

Croy said express buses are an essential part of a well-connected regional transportation system that must also include roads, HOV lanes, rail, and pedestrian facilities. GRTA is working to provide more transportation choices in order to relieve traffic congestion and improve air quality in the region.