Initially the transit authority will purchase 200 buses equipped with the L Gas Plus engine, with the right to increase the order to 600 if certain options are exercised.
MTA of Los Angeles County has ordered the Cummins Westport 8.9-liter L Gas Plus natural gas engines for installation in 60-foot, low-floor articulating buses, manufactured by North American Bus Industries. The first of these buses will be delivered by mid-2005 with remaining deliveries through 2006.
After delivery of the first 200 engines, 70% of the transit authority's total fleet of 2400 buses will be powered by natural gas, making it one of the largest natural gas-powered transit bus fleets in the world.
The commercial launch of the L Gas Plus engine is planned for mid-2004.