L.A. Metro Receives $1.875M MSRC Grant to Install Near Zero-Emission CNG Engines in 125 Buses

Nov. 1, 2016
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) will install near-zero emission natural gas-powered engines in 125 buses with a $1.875-million grant from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Committee (MSRC).

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) will install near-zero emission natural gas-powered engines in 125 buses with a $1.875-million grant from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Committee (MSRC), the agency has announced.

The engines by Cummins Westport have emissions of Nitrogen Oxides (NOX) and particulate matter that are 90 percent lower than current federal standards for heavy-duty engines, according to the state of California.

The new engines will be installed in buses that Metro already operates and will help extend the lifespan of the vehicles, which each travel about 45,000 miles a year on L.A. County roads. These 45-foot buses are already powered by compressed natural gas, a fuel that produces far fewer emissions than diesel buses formerly used by Metro.  Engine installation will begin in July of next year, with all buses in operation by mid-2018. 

“These new compressed natural gas engines will make our buses run even cleaner,” said John Fasana, Metro board chair and Duarte City Council Member. “We thank the MSRC for this important funding.  It will enable us to bolster our ambitious program to utilize only the cleanest fuels and technologies for our transit customers.” 

NOX is produced when fuel is burned at high temperatures. It is a major contributor to smog and ozone levels in Southern California that have been lowered in recent years but continue to exceed federal standards. Particulate matter consists of tiny particles and liquid droplets that when inhaled can get stuck in the lungs and cause health problems.

“Our buses are the backbone of the Metro system in L.A. County,” said Phillip A. Washington, Metro CEO. “Near zero-emission engines will help us better meet the region’s stringent air quality standards, and will strengthen Metro’s role as the nation’s leading operator of clean air buses.”

Metro adopted a policy in 1992 to only purchase CNG buses.  Metro now operates 2,500 CNG buses that travel more than 85 million miles per year.  In total, CNG buses have operated about 1.5 billion miles in the county since the program’s inception.

Earlier this week, Metro also announced a $10.5 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant to purchase 30 new near zero-emission buses for the Gateway Cities and South Bay regions of L.A. County.