NINE COMPRESSED-NATURAL-GAS-FUELED BUSES TO BE PURCHASED FOR LAX FLYAWAY PROGRAM
(Los Angeles, California – June 2, 2008) Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners today approved a contract to purchase nine compressed-natural-gas-fueled (CNG) buses for use on additional routes that are currently under development in the Los AngelesInternationalAirport (LAX) FlyAway Program. The $4,794,038 contract was awarded to North American Bus Industries of Anniston, Ala.
By purchasing these buses at this time, LAWA will have the flexibility to quickly and efficiently roll out new FlyAway Program service when routes presently under development become viable. Delays would likely occur when starting up new service with contractor-provided buses. LAWA has applied for grants federal and state grants totaling $2,770,000 to offset the part of the cost of the vehicles.
There are presently three FlyAway routes in service: Van Nuys, Westwood and Union Station. The new buses will operate between 20-24 hours per day, seven days per week and have a projected service use life of approximately 12 years. In 2007, 1.3 million passengers used the service across the three routes.
LAWA continues to convert the vehicle fleets at LAX, LA/Ontario International, LA/Palmdale Regional and Van Nuys airports to alternative-fuel use. There are presently more than 600 alternative-fuel vehicles, or more than 60 percent, in LAWA’s vehicle fleet.
In a related matter, the Board approved a request for proposals to solicit for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of a public-access CNG fuel station. It would be located on LAWA-owned property near the intersection of Airport Boulevard and Arbor Vitae Street.
