The Transit Coalition - Los Angeles Orange Line

Metro's Orange Line Information (Click here)

Articulated Bus Status and Information
By Bart Reed
May 2, 2005

Here is some background on our articulated bus order that calls for delivery starting in June 2005. Note that each bus costs $694,442 including sales tax. MTA operators will drive these coaches.

Award a fixed price unit rate contract, Contract No. OP33200646, to North American Bus Industries (NABI) for 200 Low Floor CNG Articulated Vehicles; spare parts; training aids; and other miscellaneous equipment, in an amount not to exceed $138,888,329, inclusive of sales tax.

At their April 25, 2002 meeting, the MTA Board of Directors recommended the procurement of Advanced Design, Low Floor CNG Articulated buses to support expansion of various projects and services.

In addition to supporting the scheduled opening of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors that were recently approved by the Board, at least 200 additional higher capacity vehicles could be put into service on other MTA high capacity routes, including routes planned within MTA’s expanded Rapid Bus program.

MTA has determined that due to high, sustained ridership levels, many MTA routes could be operated more effectively with higher capacity articulated vehicles.

In particular, staff has determined articulated vehicles could be used in the majority of MTA’s highest ridership lines, including Metro Rapid lines.

Over the next several years, staff estimates that over 25% of MTA’s service (which equates to roughly 600 vehicles) could be provided more effectively with higher capacity vehicles.

Staff intends to use the 200 articulated buses in this contract as a direct replacement for retirement-eligible diesel buses scheduled for replacement in the next three years.

Since no proposals are recommended for award under RFP No. OP33200645 (up to 92 CNG Hybrid or CNG Electric Drive Articulated Vehicles), some of the CNG articulated buses under contract OP33200646 will be used to support the San Fernando Valley and Wilshire BRT projects.

While vehicles under this procurement will use a conventional CNG drive train, they will still be significantly quieter than existing MTA buses.

In addition, these vehicles feature: advanced aerodynamic design, large passenger windows, three large doors for entry and egress, updated comfortable seating, exceed the desired operational performance requirements, and with a reduced exterior sound level of 78 dBA, these vehicles will be suitable for operation on proposed BRT routes.

North American Bus Industries (NABI) was established in 1992. It has manufacturing facilities in Budapest and Kaposvar, Hungary and Anniston, Alabama and Leeds, England.

NABI currently produces approximately 850 buses per year and has the production capacity to produce approximately 1000 buses per year. Its production capabilities include 30 foot – 60 foot steel frame buses and 30–45 ft. composite buses.

NABI has delivered 770 low floor CNG buses for MTA and is currently producing 20 low floor CNG buses for MTA. In addition, the firm will be producing 30 forty-five foot composite low floor CNG buses for MTA. (The Board will also be considering authorizing an option for another 70 of the forty-five foot composite buses.)

Bus quality and reliability have been very good. In addition, the company has produced buses for many other major transit agencies. The firm understands the expectations of the MTA regarding warranty support and required training documentation.

NABI has a local support services facility in Upland CA. In addition, NABI is developing a Parts Distribution Location in Upland CA. The company is publicly traded on the Hungarian Stock Exchange and is well capitalized. There is a low financial or performance risk with this company. The firm did not take any major exception to the contract terms and conditions.

The RFP was issued for the purchase of up to 200 low floor CNG articulated vehicles. The RFP contained Options under which the MTA has the right to purchase up to 400 vehicles in two options with a minimum order of 50 vehicles per option order. The options will be valid for a period of sixty (60) months from the date of contract execution.

So, those are the details of our new fleet that starts arriving for service on the Orange Line.

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