Following an almost two decade effort to reduce vehicle emissions in the city where nobody walks, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority retired it’s last diesel bus this week and has now become the only major transit agency nation-wide to install a complete bus fleet that is fully equipped with alternative fuel technologies.  

This Southern California urban area began running diesel busses in  the 40’s and now the MTA has over two thousand busses powered by compressed natural gas, in addition to six gas-electric hybrids and one fully electric bus.  

MTA officials estimate that by eliminating diesel engines the city can reduce the cancer causing particulate matter released from these busses by 80% .  Ahhh, a breath of fresh air.  I’d love this since I get head ache’s every time I travel through LA.

While these buses cost more to purchase and maintain than the old school diesels’, clean air and efficiency will offset the upfront costs in the long run. Using less imported fuel to power this mass transportation project and lower gas prices is priceless considering you have no plumes of exhaust billowing out the back of the buss.  

While this is an important step for clean air and a break from the exhaustion of the nasty old bus pulling away from the curb,  it is key to note that this project was long in coming and cities like my home town of Santa Barbara has already replaced our entire bus fleet to incorporate alternative fuels.
I’m excited about this progress and would love to see this program expanded nationwide.  Although I don't think compressed natural gas is the best choice of alternative fuels, but this is one step forward for communities to breath easier.