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Market Developments
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Source - NGV Global
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Tuesday, 07 October 2008 00:00 |
USA, San Diego
San Diego MTS showcased its first 60-foot articulated CNG bus manufactured by North American Bus Industries during a special press conference held in front of the San Diego Convention Center. The NABI 60-foot BRT is powered by a Cummins ISLG compressed natural gas engine. The new vehicle, designed for bus rapid transit services, features sleek styling, wide doors, low floors, a wheelchair ramp, and seating for 57 and two wheelchairs. In all, 26 buses, purchased from federal and state Proposition 1B funds at a cost of $20.4 million, will replace diesel-powered buses that have been in service for 15 to 17 years.
“These buses are going to add an exciting new dimension to our transit service here in San Diego,” said Paul Jablonski, Chief Executive Officer of MTS. “We currently don’t have anything like these vehicles in our fleet. When people see them and ride on them, they are definitely going to create a ‘wow’ factor and enhance the MTS image.”
The option of getting the BRT with a CNG propulsion [in part] influenced the decision. “In California, the Air Resources Board requires transit agencies to pick a ‘fuel path’ that they can get on and stay on.” Jablonski said. “We chose CNG as our fuel path, and have been converting our fleet over from diesel engines. NABI’s BRTs were the only articulated vehicles that met our requirements and offered a CNG option. So it’s a great fit for us.”
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