Rollout of MTA’s 1,000th CNG Bus
Called a ‘Milestone for Transit Users’ 

(June 2)  Calling it a “milestone for transit users,” Board Chair Yvonne Brathwaite Burke announced the MTA’s 1,000th CNG bus during Friday morning ceremonies.

The big white and gold coach burst through a huge banner to welcoming applause at the Arthur Winston Division in South Central Los Angeles. The bus division will have an all-new bus fleet by the end of this year.

“Within four years, the MTA will have one of the youngest bus fleets in the country,” Burke, a Los Angeles County supervisor, said.  “Our average bus will be under five years old.” She said more than 500 new buses will arrive this fiscal year.  Between today and 2004, the MTA will accept delivery of a total of 1,400 new buses. 

 “Add it all up and it means better service and the emergence of a first-class bus system we all can be proud of,” Burke said.

Division 5 Manager Dana Coffey noted that the division serves some 7 million customers annually with a fleet of 228 buses, 475 operators, 79 mechanics and 40 service attendants. She reminded the audience that the division has served the community for 89 years - not much longer than division namesake 93-year-old Arthur Winston, employed by the MTA for 70 years, has been working. 

Winston, a service attendant leadman, was aboard the 1,000th bus as it rolled into the yard.  He was greeted at the podium by Supervisor Burke and joined her for a tour of the division.

Bus Operator/Mentor William Brinson told the crowd that: “This type of bus improvement has created a positive climate for operators and customers of the diverse communities we serve.

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