CULVER CITY, CA - Culver CityBus took delivery of the first dedicated compressed natural gas (CNG) public transit buses using the new Xcelsior Platform built by New Flyer Industries of America Inc., according to a release from the city.

Culver CityBus purchased 20 low-floor Xcelsior buses for approximately $10 million. Several of the new buses were placed in service on May 29. The remaining are expected to be in service by the end of June. The new buses will replace 20 1998 CNG New Flyer buses that are at the end of their normal life cycle of 12 years. Culver CityBus became the second public transit system in California, and the first in the south coast area, to become 100% alternative-fuel-powered in 2004.

According to Paul Condran, fleet equipment and maintenance manager for the City of Culver City, these are the first new Xcelsior buses to operate exclusively on CNG. “They also have the first all-electric HVAC, electric cooling, four-wheel disc brakes, and all LED lighting,” he said. “The seven natural gas tanks reside in the streamlined roof and it has range of 450 miles. The seating material is manufactured by America La France and is 80% recycled material.  We are very excited about our new buses.”

The buses have a more sleek design, bike racks, an eight-camera surveillance system, many advanced technologies, along with new style seats. The buses were procured utilizing Federal Transit Administration 5307 grant funds, Prop 1B public transit monies, and local Prop C discretionary funds. In addition, a $300,000 grant was received through Clean Transportation Funding from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC), whose sole mission is to fund projects that reduce air pollution from motor vehicles within the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) in Southern California.

Currently, Culver CityBus serves approximately 5.5 million passengers each year utilizing a fleet that is comprised of all New Flyer buses, the release stated.