The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System’s (MTS) Board of Directors has approved the purchase of 53 new 40-foot low-floor compressed natural gas (CNG) buses. The New Flyer buses will cost USD22.3 million and will be delivered from May through August of 2012, replacing retired vehicles. New Flyer CNG buses are designed for a 350-400 mile (560-645 km) range and its CNG storage vessels are certified to 20 years instead of the standard 15 years. The Canada-United States manufacturer recently celebrated it’s 4,000 CNG-powered bus, delivered in December 2011.
