A handful of new vehicles for Casper's bus service, including a hybrid bus, could result from city council's action tonight.

The city was awarded $1.1 million in stimulus money earlier this year to pay for vehicles, bus stations, office equipment and security cameras.

The bids for six replacement buses totalled just under $520,000. The total price could drop to around $500,000 if the city can purchase three 26-passenger gas buses instead of diesel buses.

Marge Cole, director of the Casper Area Transit Coalition, said CATC has had trouble with maintenance of three diesel buses they currently own and would prefer gas to diesel fueled buses.

"When we started the fixed route in 2005, we had three diesels and it has cost more to operate them. They've had lots of maintenance issues, repair issues, and there was no difference in the mileage," she said.

The seven-passenger support vehicle will be used as a flexible vehicle for both the fixed-route and door-to-door service.

"That's a vehicle we use to transfer drivers between routes," Cole said. "If a driver is ill, we have to get them and take the relief driver with us, or if the bus breaks down, we can transfer passengers into the van."

Leah Reeb, supervisor of the Metropolitan Planning Organization, said the rest of the money could be spent on other transit needs, such as bus route signs, more benches and the ongoing face-lift of Beech Street between Collins and Second.

CATC will also purchase a new copy machine, seven surveillance cameras and a laptop computer for dispatch services. The cameras will be mounted in the front of the buses inside the cab and face the passengers, Cole said.

City council members will vote at tonight's meeting whether to accept the bids and move forward with the purchase.

You can reach city reporter Pete Nickeas at pete.nickeas@trib.com or (307) 266-0639. You can read more about Casper politics and government at http://tribtown.trib.com/redtape.

These:

One seven-passenger support vehicle - $36,985

One 12-passenger lift equipped bus - $50,654

One 16-passenger hybrid bus - $112,084

Plus:

One photo copy machine - $7,303.06

Seven security cameras - $19,915

One laptop computer - $1,909.99

And either:

Three 26-passenger gasoline fueled buses - $301,059

Or:

Three 26-passenger diesel fueled buses - $318,696

One 7-passenger support vehicle - $36,985

One 12-passenger lift equipped bus - $50,654

One 16-passenger hybrid bus - $112,084

Plus:

One photo copy machine - $7,303.06

Seven security cameras - $19,915

One lap top computer - $1,909.99

And either:

Three 26-passenger gasoline fueled buses - $301,059

Or:

Three 26-passenger diesel fueled buses - $318,696]]->