New CNG-Powered Buses Hit the Road in Phoenix

The Phoenix Public Transit Department has ordered 120 new buses to serve the city’s local routes, the first order for new 40-foot buses since late 2013.

The new CNG-powered buses, which were built in California by the Gillig Corporation, have a range of at least 400 miles. The new buses replace existing LNG buses that average 12 years and 500,000 miles of service. Some in-service buses are as old as 18 years with nearly 1 million miles.

Five to eight buses will arrive each week now through July. Once a bus clears inspection, it is sent to one of Phoenix’s three bus yards and put into service. Each Gillig bus cost $520,000 and is being paid for with both federal and county funds.

This order of Gillig buses replaces about 25 percent of the city’s bus fleet, and over the next 18 months additional 40-foot and 60-foot articulated buses will be put into service.