Urban transit buses are in different service from most heavy-duty vehicles. Urban buses operate in the most heavily congested urban areas where air quality improvements and reductions in public exposure to toxic air contaminants are critical. Transit buses are centrally-fueled, new engine technologies can be efficiently introduced, and purchase of new buses and infrastructure is federally subsidized. Cleaner alternative and conventional fuels, engine improvements, and emerging aftertreatment technologies make new air quality benefits from public transportation possible. Some transit agencies have been proactive and already operate cleaner-alternative fuel fleets.
Public transit provides important benefits to our society.
It provides access to work and education, reduces congestion, and meets the mobility needs of the public. By taking advantage of cleaner fuels and new engine and aftertreatment technology, transit agencies and the Air Resources Board can be partners in making transit part of the air quality solution. See the notice about public workshops that were held in October in Sacramento and El Monte to take input on a staff report proposal. The ARB Board is scheduled to consider a bus fleet rule and engine standards in January 2000.