King County was able to award this contract with the support of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) stimulus funds aimed at providing fuel-efficient and more environmentally friendly transportation solutions. Under a competitive bid process the contract was awarded to EK Coaches, the dealership of record, for the Azure Balance Hybrid Electric drivetrain on a Ford E450 chassis.

StarTrans Bus, a Supreme Corporation company, provided the 22-foot shuttle bus bodies with a capacity of up to 12 seated passengers plus two wheelchair positions. The vehicles are expected to be delivered later this year.