New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is seeking manufacturers to supply 650 new compressed natural gas (CNG) buses as part of its 2025–29 Capital Plan.
The order will replace older CNG buses already operating in the MTA fleet. Once delivered, the new vehicles will account for more than 10% of the authority’s bus fleet and serve more than one million passengers each day.
The new buses are intended to improve fleet reliability, reduce emissions and improve air quality. The procurement follows the launch of the Next Stop: Faster Buses, Better Service plan in July, which was developed with New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and aims to improve bus speeds and reliability.
The 41 new buses have entered service since the plan was announced, replacing vehicles with an average age of 18 years. The oldest buses being replaced were 21 years old.
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani said:Working New Yorkers depend on our buses to get to work, get their kids to school, get home and get where they need to go. This investment will help us deliver the faster, more reliable and more affordable bus service New Yorkers deserve while modernising our fleet and moving to cleaner, greener fuel. I’m proud to partner with Governor Hochul and the MTA to make that vision a reality and build a transit system that works for every New Yorker.
CNG buses will account for around 30% of standard bus purchases under the current capital plan. The plan also includes 500 zero-emission buses and charging infrastructure at bus depots, with priority given to facilities serving communities affected by poor air quality.
The natural gas used by its CNG buses is fully offset through renewable natural gas (RNG). The RNG is produced using methane captured from sources including landfills and farms.
CNG buses can also have lower maintenance requirements than diesel vehicles and produce less noise. Furthermore, the use of RNG is intended to reduce exposure to fluctuations in diesel prices.
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said:The Governor and Mayor have been clear: better bus service can’t wait. So, while the electric bus industry continues to mature, MTA is moving forward with CNGs to further improve service for the millions of New Yorkers who ride MTA buses every day.
The procurement is being conducted through the MTA’s new Rolling Stock Programme, which gives manufacturers greater flexibility to propose different approaches as part of their bids. The authority said this is intended to encourage innovation while streamlining procurement and delivery.
