by Mass Transit

The Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTA) received seven new compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, bringing the total number of buses in its fleet to 86—the largest size in LANTA’s history.

The arrival of seven new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses this week brings the total to 86, the largest in the history of Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority. The announcement was made by Executive Director Owen P. O’Neil.

“With the addition of the new CNG’s and the retirement of five older buses our fixed route bus fleet now stands at 86,” said LANTA Executive Director Owen P. O’Neil. “This keeps us on the path to continued growth as our Lehigh Valley grows.”

The addition of these buses and the retirement of the five older vehicles also keeps LANTA on schedule to maintain its bus fleet in a state of good repair, meaning no buses in the fleet are older than the recommended replacement age.

In addition to environmental benefits of the near-zero emissions engines in the buses, O’Neil citied several benefits of using CNG, including reduced and more stable fuel costs from a dependable domestic supply, a well-established infrastructure and reduced maintenance costs.

Manufactured in California by Gillig, LLC, the new additions bring the total of LANTA buses running on cleaner-burning natural gas to 64. The remaining vehicles in the fleet are hybrid-electric models.

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