GARDENA, Calif. — Officials from the transportation services division of Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), Natural Gas Vehicles for America, Trillium USA, the South Coast Air Quality Management District and Sempra Energy gathered here on Wednesday for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of LAUSD’s new compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling facility.

The facility will support 317 CNG school buses and reflects the district’s continued efforts to advance the development of natural gas vehicles in the U.S.

LAUSD’s first fueling station was established in 2001 and supported 97 CNG buses. LAUSD has another CNG site in the valley capable of fueling 100 CNG school buses.

Moreover, the transportation department has worked since 2003 to ensure the safe and healthy transportation of students by establishing a comprehensive alternative fuel program as part of the district board’s Healthy Breathing Initiative. The district only accept bids to purchase or contract buses that meet strict emission standards.   

In addition to CNG school buses, LAUSD is operating buses powered by biodiesel and propane, as well as hybrid vehicles.

“As we replace our aging buses with new safe, energy-efficient, and lower emission school buses, we will also continue to build infrastructures that support our greening efforts,” Transportation Branch Director Enrique Boull’t said. “All new school buses come equipped with improved safety features, including three-point lap and pelvic seat restraints, fire suppression systems, additional emergency exit capability, antilock braking systems, automatic parking brakes, flame-retardant seats, raised fully padded seatbacks and methane leak detectors on natural gas buses. The green bus program propels the district’s continued efforts to protect the health of students.”