Orange County Transit Authority (OCTA) owns and operates an extensive alternative fuel urban bus fleet.
The total cost of the 2 hybrid buses was $1,000,000, the MSRC co-funded $80,000 towards this cost. OCTA co-funded $920,000.
The total cost of the 20 CNG buses was $8,760,000, the MSRC co-funded $320,000 towards this costs. OCTA co-funded $8,400,000.
The MSRC also contributed $5,000 towards the training of OCTA personnel on the operations and maintenance of the buses.
OCTA purchased the 22 buses from New Flyer of America.
The purpose of this project is to purchase two (2) 40-foot hybrid/electric and twenty (20) 40-foot compressed natural gas (CNG) urban buses. The 2 gasoline fueled hybrid electric buses are equipped with Ford 6.8 liter V-10 gas engines and replace two diesel fueled buses purchased in 1989. The 20 CNG buses are equipped with Cummin C+ engines and replace diesel fueled buses purchased in 1990.
OCTA believes that once the performance issues are resolved with the 22 buses that their reliability factor will be similar to the rest of OCTA's active fleet.
All 22 buses purchased under this contract are available for revenue service.
OCTA placed the 2 gasoline fueled hybrid electric buses into service in mid-2006. The hybrid buses were received in mid-2005 but experienced performance issues which delayed their deployment. Although now in service, the performance issues involving the hybrid drive system and air conditioning persist. New Flyer is working with OCTA to correct the issues. The hybrid buses are operating from the OCTA Santa Ana base.
OCTA placed the 20 CNG buses into service in late 2007. All 20 buses are available for revenue service but are experiencing some issues with the electrical system, suspension and slow bus complaints. New Flyer is working with OCTA to correct these issues. The CNG buses are operating from the Santa Ana base but are slated to be operated from four OCTA operating bases: Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Anaheim and Irvine.
Hands-on-training continues to be provided to OCTA Operations and Maintenance personnel in areas such as fuel systems, fire suppression, methane detection and electrical systems.