Hybrid bus problems for Valley Transit

APPLETON - Two hybrid buses in the Valley Transit system may not be hybrids for long.
    
The buses haven't been used since September because their motors haven't worked.
    
To compound the problem, the motor builder is out of business and there's no warranty to pay for repairs.
    
A new company was willing to put in an updated hybrid motor for about $12,000 per bus.
    
The transit commission says that's too expensive.    

"This third-generation technology hasn't been fully tested yet, so we really wanted to find another solution that would allow us to get these back on the road while the technology continues being tested,” said Nikki Voelzke, Valley Transit.

Temporary changes will be made so the two buses can run on gasoline.
    
Those changes can be reversed later if the buses ever get new hybrid motors.