Albuquerque’s transit agency, ABQ RIDE has received the delivery of its first 35 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses from GILLIG and has ordered an additional 18 units.
This inaugural purchase has enabled ABQ RIDE to replace old diesel-hybrid buses with more sustainable and cost-effective CNG models.
The new buses have been designed to provide ultra-low-emission and ultra-high-performance transit with the lowest total cost of ownership. They are built on GILLIG’s Low-Floor platform, which prioritises reliability and easy maintenance.
These units also feature mural paint wraps that showcase the landscapes of New Mexico.
Javier Hernandez, GILLIG’s Director of National Sales said:We’re excited to announce this new partnership with ABQ Ride and for these beautifully wrapped GILLIG CNG buses to begin service. We know that every transit agency and community has distinct needs, and having the flexibility to fit every fleet is at the core of what we offer at GILLIG. ABQ Ride’s investment in the new buses reinforces how GILLIG’s versatility and reliability help agencies achieve our shared commitment to keep communities connected. We look forward to seeing these buses roll out as the cutting-edge CNG technology helps protect the very environment the ‘mobile murals’ are celebrating.
By transitioning from older vehicles to CNG models, ABQ RIDE is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 356.53 tonnes and NOx emissions by 3014.55 pounds per bus over its lifespan. This is the equivalent of planting over 52,000 trees.
The units will operate across ABQ Ride’s 24 fixed routes in the City of Albuquerque, where the operator has a permanent Zero Fare programme.
Leslie Keener, Director of ABQ RIDE said:The decision to transition to GILLIG’s CNG buses was based on a comprehensive assessment of our needs and the goals we have for public transportation in Albuquerque. Their reliability, cost-saving fuel efficiency, and impressive environmental benefits made GILLIG the best choice as we work to modernise our ageing fleet while ensuring our riders are provided with safe, reliable, and accessible transportation service throughout the City of Albuquerque.
