Kanealii was one of about 3,500 people who took advantage of the city's new fleet of hybrid buses on their first day in operation, city officials said.

The new 75-passenger, hybrid diesel-electric buses are cleaner, quieter and more fuel-efficient than conventional diesel buses. Much of their power comes from electricity generated by the buses, city officials say.

"I figure they're better than the old ones. I think they get there faster," said Antone Rivera, 78, a retired Army private who lives in Kalihi. "It was quiet and they look pretty good."

The bus interiors may be as high-tech as their power plants.

The seats are maroon, with red-colored felt highlighted by square, multi-colored patterns. At the front and midsection of the bus are two digital signs displaying time and stop information.

"These buses, the acceleration is a lot better," said Tod Matsumoto, 45, who has driven TheBus for four years. "It helps us to stay on schedule. For ride comfort, it is not as bouncy."

Unlike the bumpy, shaky rides on older buses, riding one of the hybrids feels like being in an airplane moving gently through the air.

"It's not that bouncy, just smooth," said Kyle Heanu, a 16-year-old Waipahu High School student.

City Managing Director Ben Lee said the fleet of eight new buses and two old buses using the new route ran smoothly yesterday except for one glitch.

The buses are designed to lock their brakes every time the doors open. One bus had trouble unlocking them yesterday and needed a city team to come out for repairs. Other than that, things ran more or less on time.

"People were very complimentary," Lee said. "We're excited about it and I think it will be very, very popular."

Lee stressed the fuel efficiency and the technology used by the new fleet. He said eventually all 525 city buses will be replaced with hybrids. The savings could be significant since fuel costs for the old fleet rose from $1.27 per gallon last year to $1.97 per gallon this year.

The increased service on the existing line — buses will run every 10 minutes during peak hours — will shorten the ride from downtown Honolulu to Waikiki and back, city officials said. The line will also serve makai portions of Kaka'ako, including the University of Hawai'i medical school, for the first time.

Sometime before the end of the year, drivers on the line also will be equipped with new technology that will allow them to turn red lights to green as they approach certain intersections. City officials said that should significantly reduce travel time for TheTransit passengers.

There also will be several new stations among the 20 planned stops on the route, with at least one, on Kapahulu Avenue, designed to look like a replica of the old Honolulu Trolley stop in Kapi'olani Park, city officials say.