The three new buses are identical to the four hybrids -- purchased in 2004 for $594,000 -- that hit the streets last winter, although the price jumped 12 percent to $653,000. Roaring Fork Transportation Authority officials blame the cost increase on the rise in prices for raw materials such as steel, plastic and rubber. A standard diesel-engine bus runs in the neighborhood of $375,000. Rick Brandenburg, New Flyer's western U.S. sales manager, said New Flyer now sells a hybrid bus, comparable in look and design to RFTA's current hybrid buses, for about $480,000. The new buses, however, were not available...