Gritty By The Bay: S.F.'s Dirty Transit Secret

Thirteen of 15 San Francisco Bay area transit agencies selected diesel bus fleets over cleaner-air alternatives.

1 minute read

January 14, 2002, 9:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


While other cities are migrating bus fleets to natural gas and electric buses, 13 of the Bay Area's 15 transit agencies have decided to continue using diesel buses through 2015. "As Los Angeles, San Diego and Sacramento began to convert their bus fleets to natural gas or electricity to cut air pollution, Bay Area transit operators led the lobbying to keep a statewide option to buy diesel buses... Under what has come to be known as the "Bay Area exemption," 13 of the region's 15 transit agencies have chosen to stick with diesel, which experts say is responsible for the biggest cancer risk from air pollution."

Thanks to Tom Collins

Sunday, January 13, 2002 in The San Francisco Chronicle

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

Geese flock to a frozen pond in Aurora, Colorado. There are houses in the background.

Colorado’s Largest Data Center Could Rise Next to Homes — Without a Public Hearing

The proposed campus would consume 11 times the power of Denver International Airport; as it has across the country, opposition mounts.

September 17, 2026 - Capital & Main

A busy highway in Richmond, with construction and the city visible in the background.

'This is going to be painful:’ Virginia stares down $1.7 billion funding gap for highway maintenance

The state may address the deficit by shifting $290 million from its construction budget to maintenance projects.

September 19 - The Virginia Mercury

The Gross Reservoir, a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains.

Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion

Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.

September 18 - Inside Climate News

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18 - Mass Transit