More units for the largest CNG school bus fleet

These school buses will replace 20 to 30-year-old diesels. “California’s unique climate, both geographically and politically, prompted the state to set up stringent rules over the past decade to limit the number of diesel engines in favour of CNG, which has been an engine of choice because of the size of bus that it is available in. The larger buses obviously allow us to maximize throughout the day the number of trips and activities,” said LAUSD’s transportation branch chief Enrique Boull’t.

The new refuelling station is the second in Gardena as the first LAUSD’s facility there was established in 2001 and supported 97 CNG buses. The district has another CNG site in the Valley, capable of fuelling 100 school buses. The ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by LAUSD officials and dignitaries from NGVAmerica, Trillium USA, SCAQMD and Sempra Energy.

LAUSD was recognized with the national Government Green Fleet™ Award, the only school district included among the top 40 government fleets in the country. The district also received a 2010 NGV Achievement Award for its efforts to green its school bus fleet with natural gas. Earlier this year, LAUSD acquired 260 new CNG buses via two separate orders of 130 buses each from Blue Bird and Thomas Built Buses.