Sangamon Mass Transit District is continuing its transition to cleaner-burning vehicles with the latest purchase of 19 buses.
SMTD said that over the last two months, trustees approved purchases of eight diesel-electric hybrids and 11 compressed natural gas buses at a total cost of nearly 17 million dollars. S
MTD said a recent federal grant is funding all 19 buses.
SMTD Managing Director Steve Schoeffel said the new buses replace vehicles that have been running since 2013 and 2014. Schoeffel said 30 of the 56-bus SMTD fleet will be compressed natural gas vehicles. The new buses are expected to arrive within 12 to 18 months.
