Skip to main content

Clean diesel buses to power Maryland’s transit future

The Maryland Transit Administration is now in line to receive almost US$100 million to invest in 172 advanced clean diesel buses after receiving approval by the state’s spending board. The Baltimore Business Journal reported the new clean diesel buses will replace older vehicles – some which have been service for 15 years. The Maryland decision mirrors other significant orders of clean diesel and diesel-electric hybrid buses by transit agencies in major communities like New York, San Fran
February 2, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
The Maryland Transit Administration is now in line to receive almost US$100 million to invest in 172 advanced clean diesel buses after receiving approval by the state’s spending board.
           
The Baltimore Business Journal reported the new clean diesel buses will replace older vehicles – some which have been service for 15 years.  

The Maryland decision mirrors other significant orders of clean diesel and diesel-electric hybrid buses by transit agencies in major communities like New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit, and New Jersey.
 
“The Maryland Transit Administration made a strong and smart case for modernising its bus fleet, and the choice for clean diesel buses is the best choice,” said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum.  “New clean diesels not only cost far less than other alternative powertrains, but are as clean – or cleaner – than alternatives. In this instance, the new clean diesels will reduce NOx and particulate matter by as much as 95 percent compared to the 10 or 15-year old buses they replace.”
 
Among public transit agencies, Schaeffer said diesel and diesel-hybrid buses account for about 75 percent of the national fleet.
 
“In approving this expenditure, the Board of Public Works joins other major transit agencies around the country that are finding that clean diesel technology is the all-around best choice for public transportation from an economical and environmental perspective - it’s more clean public transportation for the dollar,” he concluded.

Related Content

  • Syracuse models post-industrial revival for US cities
    August 13, 2015
    A connective corridor in Syracuse, New York State, could be a model for other post-industrial cities, as David Crawford discovers. The aim of the city of Syracuse’ 5.6km-long Connective Corridor in Onandaga County in upstate New York is to create a model ‘complete street’ for use in wider regeneration schemes. Key transport-sector components are traffic calming, high-quality transit with accessible passenger information, plus walkability and bike-friendliness.
  • IBTTA: road user charge is the future
    March 16, 2022
    The US government’s cash injection for the nation’s bridges represents a step forward – but IBTTA’s Pat Jones suggests that states need to consider the benefits of road usage charging
  • Refurbishing ageing VMS with new technology
    January 26, 2012
    Virginia DoT faced a challenge common to many highway authorities around the world: the need, in economically challenging times, to replace ageing variable message signs reaching the end of their operational life. For some 25 years now, since the mid 80s, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDoT), has deployed variable message signs (VMS) as part of its motorist information systems. Throughout the state there are still many old 'flip-disk' signs. Some of the companies that provided these electronic messa
  • Transportation hub the centre of sustainable urban development
    November 21, 2012
    A marriage of transit, technology and culture is taking shape in Minneapolis, with ITS systems vital to hopes for a sustainable development centred on a hub of public transportation. Construction started in July this year on ‘The Interchange’ – a station in the Midwest US city of Minneapolis claimed as the most spectacular expression yet of the fast-spreading North American concept of transit-oriented development (TOD). Due for completion in 2014, the Interchange is designed as a multi-modal public transpor