As Congressional leaders prepare to reconcile versions of the omnibus transportation bill, the Union of Concerned Scientists today released a new report that shows advanced technology buses are poised to revive public transit, clean the air, and usher in new technologies for all vehicles. For example, the study found that in terms of key pollutants that lead to smog and soot, operating a natural gas bus instead of a new diesel bus is equivalent to removing 20-30 cars from the road. A hydrogen fuel cell bus will zero out air pollution while cutting heat-trapping gas emissions by 50 percent.
Diesel exhaust poses a major threat to public health.
Advanced buses provide a springboard for new technologies that can help solve our diesel dilemma. Fuel cell buses also have twice the fuel economy of conventional buses and offer consumers a quieter, smoother ride. House and Senate conferees will meet next week to hammer out differences in their bills. Depending upon which provisions the conferees adopt, communities across the nation could receive increased funding for advanced transit buses. Additional funding is needed to nudge advanced buses over the commercialization hurdle.