San Diego adding 24 CNG Buses

San Diego adding 24 CNG buses to its fleet replacing last diesel buses

The San Diego, Calif., Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) has officially retired the last of its diesel buses and added two more electric buses to its fleet. The agency has a long history of adopting clean fuel technology and is on a path to convert its entire bus fleet to zero-emissions by 2040.

“MTS retiring the last of its diesel buses from its fixed-route fleet is a monumental leap forward in air quality,” said Nathan Fletcher, board chair of MTS. “It represents our commitment to environmental justice, sustainability, air quality and to achieving ambitious environmental standards.”

Replacing the last diesel buses will be 24 compressed natural gas (CNG) express commuter buses built by Motor Coach Industries (MCI), one of the world’s largest independent global bus manufacturers. The new express commuter buses will offer 57 forward-facing seats, are designed for highway speeds, and offer touring class comfort and safety, the city said.

At the same time as retiring the diesel fleet, MTS also added two GILLIG zero-emission battery-electric buses, upping the agency’s total to eight. MTS began its zero-emission bus pilot program in 2017 and intends to complete a full transition to 100-percent zero-emissions fixed-route vehicles by 2040. The two California-made GILLIG buses are the first of seven to be delivered to MTS.

GILLIG’s zero-emission battery-electric buses are equipped with a Cummins electrified power-train and are supported by a nationwide service network. Equipped with six onboard batteries, each bus has a battery capacity that provides an estimated range of 140 miles. The buses utilize energy recovered from a regenerative braking system and feature a direct-drive traction motor.

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