Additional Resources Save and Share Related Links View the Transportation Research Board's Report on Diesel-Hybrid Buses For Public Transit Recent News Peoria Charter Coach Rolls Out Green Buses March 12, 2008 Peoria Journal Star (IL) Company unveils 3 new coaches equipped with Caterpillar engines that cut emissions [more] New County Buses Cut Pollution And Noise March 12, 2008 St. Petersburg Times (FL) The transit authority's 27 new vehicles have exhaust systems that lessen soot by 90 percent.   Buses spewing clouds of black smoke will become a less familiar sight in Pinellas County over the next several weeks. [more] Buses Drive 'Greener' October 12, 2007 Chicago Daily Herald The motor coach industry wants a wider public to know its environmental initiatives amount to more than a thin green patina.From its Canadian factories to its clean diesel, low emission buses, Schaumburg-based Motor Coach... [more] Madison Metro Unveils New Hybrid Buses September 14, 2007 WKOW-TV Wisconsin The ride on a handful of Madison Metro buses is about to get quieter and cleaner. The agency unveiled of five hybrid buses on Tuesday at the UW Arboretum. Metro is promising these buses could cut fuel consumption by as much as... [more]

 

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Fueling the Movement of People

More than fourteen million Americans rely on public transit services to get to work, to school and to neighboring cities. Because of its safety, reliability and efficiency, diesel is the predominant power source for public transit, school and intercity bus services nationwide. 

• More than 95% of the nation's full-sized transit buses are powered by diesel.  
• Intercity buses account for 32 billion passenger miles each year – and all are diesel powered. Currently, Greyhound Bus Line serves 3,700 destinations across the country and connects communities with no other public transport option than diesel buses.
• Approximately 60% of America's elementary and secondary school students travel to school on diesel-powered buses. One reason: safety. Diesel fuel is less flammable and explosive than gasoline.

Emissions Reduction

Diesel power systems are undergoing revolutionary technological advancements that have already achieved dramatic reductions in emissions for urban buses and highway engines. Advances in emissions-control systems and ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel (ULSD) are helping clean diesel engines achieve emissions performance equivalent to compressed natural gas (CNG) and other alternatives. 

The latest federal standards taking effect in 2007 virtually eliminate emissions from new diesel buses – reducing particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 98% from 1988 levels. New technologies are also being used to upgrade (or “retrofit”) older diesel engines. Retrofitting devices are reducing key pollutants from existing bus fleets by up to 90 percent. Take a minute to learn more through the Forum’s Online Retrofit Tool Kit.

Clean Diesel’s Advantage

Clean diesel buses offer significant operational advantages over many alternative fuels, and assure reliable, durable and cost-efficient bus transportation.  

A community will get more clean air for the dollar with a clean diesel bus fleet compared to CNG. Clean diesel buses are 20 to 25 percent less expensive than CNG buses, and do not depend on the separate fueling infrastructure required for CNG. Buying new diesel buses and retrofitting older buses allows transit agencies to convert a greater portion of fleets to clean diesel in order to meet state emissions requirements.

Diesel Buses Near You

Many cities have begun using the latest in diesel-hybrid technology to allow their transportation systems to be not only more efficient but also more environmentally friendly.  Cities including Austin, Washington, D.C., Seattle, and numerous others currently use a variety of diesel technology to provide public transportation.  

Read more about new diesel technology being used in national parks and cities’ public transportation systems throughout the United States and Canada.