The city still known for its smog will not have its buses to blame - the last of its diesel-fueled ones retired Jan. 12 in a celebration. All but 7 of the 2,221 buses will be compressed-natural-gas powered; electric and gas-electric the remainder.
LA can rightfully boast having the cleanest bus fleet of any major transit agency in the nation. There are "a couple of dozen smaller transit agencies, including those in Oxnard and Santa Barbara, that have already replaced their entire fleets."
"Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials say that compressed natural gas buses cost more to buy and maintain than those powered by diesel but that the increased expenses are offset over the long run by lower fuel costs.
The MTA took delivery of its first natural gas buses in 1995. The technology has increased the price of a standard bus by about $50,000. Diesel coaches cost around $400,000."
Transit officials estimate that the elimination of diesel engines has reduced the release of cancer-causing particulates from the bus fleet by 80% and greenhouse gases by about 300,000 pounds a day in one of the smoggiest areas of the country."
Thanks to California League of Conservation Voters
FULL STORY: Diesel era ends for MTA buses
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