Board of Airport Commissioners authorizes request for bids for alternative-fuel vehicles.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 4, 1997--The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners on Feb. 4 approved the specifications and a request for bids for the purchase of 39 new low-emission, alternative-fuel vehicles.

The Department of Airports plans to purchase 10 transit buses powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG); eight bi-fuel pickup trucks and 16 bi-fuel sedans, which are capable of running on either gasoline or an alternative fuel; and five police sedans powered by compressed natural gas (CNG).

All vehicles will be used at Los Angeles International Airport.

With the exception of one bi-fuel sedan, all of the new vehicles will replace similar department vehicles, which, due to their heavy usage, are in constant need of repairs.

The LNG and bi-fuel vehicles being purchased play a big part in the department's commitment to a clean-air environment. "We take great pride in the leadership role we have taken in improving air quality," said John J. Driscoll, executive director of the Department of Airports.

"Our transit buses are an excellent example. Of our current fleet of 52 buses, 21 already run on clean-burning LNG. With an additional six buses currently on order, these next 10 will bring us to 37, more than 70 percent of the fleet. And, in step with our regularly scheduled equipment replacement program, we will continue to convert the remaining buses until our fleet is 100 percent LNG-powered."

Estimated costs of the new vehicles are: 10 LNG-powered transit buses, $3 million; eight bi-fuel pickup trucks, $200,000; 16 bi-fuel sedans, $400,000; and five CNG police sedans, $150,000.

CONTACT: City of Los Angeles, Department of Airports

Scott Read, 310/646-5260