Waco Transit Shifts to Hybrid Buses for New Fleet

The city will purchase three hybrid buses for $3.7 million following concerns over electric vehicle range and charging costs.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Electric Vehicles

Isometric editorial illustration of a hybrid transit bus, representing the city's shift in public transportation procurement strategy. — Waco city council approved a $3.7 million purchase of three hybrid buses, pivoting away from electric models due to infrastructure and terrain challenges. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your city prioritize cost-effective hybrid buses over electric fleets to improve transit reliability?

Waco will replace its planned electric bus fleet with three new hybrid buses after council members approved the $3.7 million purchase. The city shifted strategy due to challenges with electric vehicle performance on hilly terrain and high charging infrastructure costs.

Why it matters

This shift addresses concerns over range limitations and rising facility costs that threatened to exceed budget projections for public transit improvements. By opting for hybrids, the city aims to balance fuel efficiency with the operational realities of its local geography.

The city is spending $1.02 million per hybrid bus plus $48,000 in options, marking a significant premium over standard diesel buses that cost between $450,000 and $500,000. These units are expected to achieve 5.88 mpg compared to the 3.5 mpg current diesel models average.

The players

Waco City Council

The local legislative body responsible for municipal budget approvals and public transit policy decisions.

Federal Transit Administration

The national agency that provides financial and technical assistance to local public transportation systems.

Washington State Department of Enterprise Services

A state agency that manages purchasing cooperative programs utilized by municipal governments for fleet procurement.

The details

Waco is utilizing a cooperative purchasing agreement with the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services to facilitate the acquisition. The city transitioned to hybrid technology after determining that electric models struggled with range on long rural routes and hilly terrain, coupled with the ballooning cost of necessary electric charging infrastructure.

July 2025: Federal Transit Administration approved the switch to hybrid technology.
June 2026: Waco contracted with the cooperative purchasing program.
October 20, 2026: City council approved the purchase of three hybrid buses.
End of 2027: Expected delivery date for the new fleet.

The Home Front

Waco's pivot highlights a growing trend among municipalities to reconcile high-tech transit goals with existing operational and infrastructure limitations. It reflects a shift toward interim technologies as cities face the reality of high costs associated with specialized charging stations.

Residents can expect the new buses to be integrated into the existing transit fleet of 26 full-size and 20 smaller vehicles by the end of 2027. While the bus purchase is a municipal logistics change, it highlights the high cost of charging infrastructure that often affects private commercial property developments nearby.

The takeaway

Waco is moving to a hybrid-bus fleet to better handle local terrain and infrastructure constraints while improving overall fuel efficiency. Residents can monitor transit service updates as the city prepares for the arrival of the new units scheduled for the end of 2027.