USA, Los Angeles

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority will be buying up to 260 new high-capacity buses that run on cleaner-burning compressed natural gas (CNG). The Metro Board has approved the purchase of the CNG buses including spare parts, diagnostic equipment, training aids and modifications for a contract value of almost $175 million, inclusive of sales tax, and subject to completion of the required Buy America Pre-Award audit. They will be purchased from North American Bus Industries.

Delivery of these buses will be completed by June 30, 2010. The new buses have 15 percent more capacity than standard 40-foot buses and they will replace the oldest 40-foot diesel and CNG buses in Metro's fleet.

The Metro Board approved funding for this project in February 2008, from a combination of federal, state and local funds. Metro now has a fleet of 2,561 active buses, almost all of them fueled with compressed natural gas.

Staff had intended to purchase gasoline-hybrid vehicles as part of this order, however, no hybrid vehicles are recommended as part of the initial contract award. During the review of proposals for hybrid vehicles, it was determined that the proposed technologies are not fully developed and tested.

(See Metro procurement report)