Culver City’s Newer, “Greener” Buses

If you think the Culver City green buses are looking a little sleeker and greener these days, you’re right.

Culver CityBus announced Thursday it has taken delivery of 20 dedicated Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses.

Several of the new buses began operating on May 29 and the remainder will be on the road by the end of this month.

According to an official press release, CityBus says the new buses use the new Xcelsior Platform, built by New Flyer Industries of America Inc. The buses were purchased for around $10 million and will replace 20 1998 CNG New Flyer buses. According to CityBus the life cycle of the CNG buses is only 13 years.

The buses were paid for using money from Federal and County funds in addition to a $300,000 grant from Clean Transportation Funding from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee.

So what changes accompany these new buses? Sleeker design; bike racks; an eight camera video recording system and newly-designed seats, which CityBus touts has providing a “safer and more comfortable” ride.

According to CityBus’s release, “Culver CityBus became the second public transit system in California, and the first in the south coast area, to become 100 percent alternative fuel-powered in 2004.”

Mayor Andy Weissman said in a written statement, “We recognize the importance of providing clean, reliable and efficient public transit to Culver City and the region through our 100 percent alternative fuel buses as operated by our dedicated bus operators. The new Xcelsior buses are a fantastic addition to our fleet that will complement the variety of transportation opportunities offered at Culver City’s new Metro Expo station at Washington and National [boulevards.]”

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