Plan It Green is excited to see these new busses implemented into the San Diego MTS fleet. Mass transit is taking on new a new shape and in GREEN fashion! San Diego MTS purchased 26 of the buses using Federal dollars and State Proposition 1B funds, which was approved by voters in November 2006. Manufactured by North American Bus Industries (NABI), the 26 buses cost $20.4 million and feature wide doors, low floors, a wheelchair ramp, seating for 57 people, and two places for people using wheelchairs.

Not only are these buses long, allowing them to seat 57 people and two wheelchairs, these buses are friendly to Mother Earth! The NABI buses are powered by a clean, economic Cummins ISLG compressed natural gas engine. This means we have more green transportation options for many event attendees here and around the city of San Diego. Plan It Green will definitely be recommending the use of San Diego MTS busses to fit into tight budget constraints with events hosted at hotels and the SD Convention Center.

MTS has also started to receive new 40-foot compressed natural gas buses manufactured by New Flyer. And, in early 2009, MTS will receive 11 gas hybrid vehicles with power drives built by Poway-based ISE.

The purchase of the NABI buses advances the MTS goal to eventually retire all operating diesel buses, as these buses will replace diesel powered buses that have been in service for 15 to 17 years. The new buses will reduce MTS maintenance costs and provide even more dependable service to the growing number of riders of MTS services.