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 buses, built in California by the Gillig Corporation, use compressed natural gas (CNG) and have a fuel range of at least 400 miles, which means most of the new buses would not require daily refueling. The new buses replace existing liquefied natural gas (LNG) buses that average 12 years and 500,000 miles of service, some as old as 18 years with nearly 1 million miles.
Another benefit of these new buses comes once the weather warms up. Each Gillig bus is equipped with an enhanced air conditioning system that includes two units that work in tandem to cool both the front and back of the bus simultaneously.
Each Gillig bus is $520,000 and is paid for with both federal and county (Prop. 400) funds. The result of this investment means less repair and maintenance, and the city has a more efficient fleet to service those that depend on daily bus service.
Five to eight buses will arrive each week now through July, and as they do city staff will inspect each one to ensure all equipment is in working order, as well as install the farebox. Once a bus clears inspection, it is sent to one of Phoenix’s three bus yards and then put into service.
This order of Gillig buses replaces about 25 percent of the city’s bus fleet. However, this is just the start; over the next 18 months, local and RAPID users can look forward to additional new 40-foot and 60-foot (articulated) buses.
