LACMTA retiring last of diesel buses

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, whose drivers are represented by the UTU, is phasing out its last diesel engine bus, becoming the nation’s first major urban bus fleet equipped entirely with alternative-fuel technology, which includes compressed natural gas, electric and gasoline-electric hybrid engines.

The LACMTA operates more than 2,200 buses.

The last diesel engine bus will be ceremoniously retired by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, with UTU General Chairperson James Williams participating in the event.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the LACMTA is “well ahead of Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, New York and other large metropolitan areas in replacing diesel buses with more environmentally friendly vehicles.”