MTA to Decide on Diesel Buses

* The Metropolitan Transportation Authority should wait at least 30 days before deciding whether to purchase 370 new diesel buses. This will give the South Coast Air Quality Management District Governing Board time to consider its clean fleet rule on June 16, which would require public transit fleets in the area to shift to clean-fueled buses.

Diesel exhaust is the No. 1 toxic air contaminant in the Southern California metropolitan area--accounting for some 70% of total cancer risk from toxic air pollution. Day and night, buses roll through countless business and residential neighborhoods leaving a trail of air pollution for bus riders, motorists and pedestrians to inhale.

While the MTA staff argues that the cost of compressed natural gas buses is too high, the fact is that federal grant money will pay for up to 83% of the total additional $46,000 cost per bus. That leaves a small shortfall, and additional funding is available through local programs. Gov. Gray Davis has proposed in his Transportation Congestion Relief Plan $150 million for MTA for 385 low-emission and alternative-fuel buses. MTA’s 2000 and 2001 budgets have allocated adequate funds for the purchase of these vehicles and the supporting infrastructure.

Operation and maintenance costs of natural gas vehicles are falling as they become more commonplace. Moreover, new state requirements will increase both the capital and operating costs for any future diesel buses, further narrowing the gap.

BARRY WALLERSTEIN

Executive Officer, South Coast

Air Quality Management District

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The MTA should explore the feasibility of configuring some of its busiest lines to use electric trolley buses. These vehicles, which are currently used in Boston, Toronto, Dayton and overseas, are totally nonpolluting, quiet and reliable. They might work well on the El Monte Busway and the planned Chandler, Exposition and Wilshire busways. The cost of adding overhead wires and additional maintenance depots might be offset by the environmental benefits, and there would no longer be concerns about depending on uncertain supplies of alternative fuels.

RAPHAEL ZAHLER

Pasadena