The Jacksonville Transportation Authority unveiled the first of many new, natural gas-powered, buses Wednesday, which are hitting local streets soon.
Compressed Natural Gas busses are quieter, more environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternatives to the standard diesel bus. According to JTA, replacing a diesel bus with a CNG bus is like taking 21 cars off the road.
Twenty-three buses are coming over from the manufacturing plant in California between now and November, with the goal of replacing more than 100 diesel buses over the next 15 years.
“Strong cities have strong transportation systems,” Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said in a statement. “It is incredibly exciting to see the progress our rapid transit system is making with today’s unveiling of a more eco-friendly and fuel efficient bus.”
For Councilwoman Joyce Morgan, savings and being environmentally conscious is great, but there’s also excitement around making Jacksonville more pro-public transportation.
“In Jacksonville, I feel like sometimes we put a stigma on public transportation and we make it seem as though the only people who ride public transportation are people who can’t afford cars,” Councilwoman Morgan said. “That’s not how it is in other cities.”
Eleven of the buses from the first grouping will be used for the First Coast Flyer rapid transit system, which will feature amenities like WiFi and Park-n-Ride lots.