SamTrans To Buy 55 New Buses

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — The purchase of 55 heavy-duty, clean diesel buses were approved
for purchase last week by the San Mateo County Transit District board of directors, district officials said Friday.

The $48.9 million purchase was paid for primarily with money from the Federal Transit Administration and will replace 55 older model articulated buses that are at beyond of their useful life under federal transit regulations.

The new buses are 60 feet long with low floors and are manufactured by New Flyer of America. They're expected to be ready for service in the summer of next year.

Agency officials said the new buses are more environmentally friendly than their older counterparts, producing 87 percent less nitrogen oxides.

They're also at least 10 percent more fuel-efficient.

According to the district, battery-powered buses were considered but under current technology battery-powered buses are not robust enough to perform on the El Camino Real route their intended for.

But the new buses will provide wireless internet service and have USB charging stations. The purchase is intended to be the last purchase of diesel buses because district officials want to convert the fleet to all electric buses.

District officials plan to submit an order for 10 battery-electric buses later this year.

By Bay City News Service / Image via Shutterstock