[IMAGE]UTAtestsCNGFULL-2.jpg[/IMAGE] Utah Transit Authority (UTA) will test two alternative fuel buses over the next two weeks in Salt Lake County. Fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG), the two buses will be tested for performance and fuel economy. They will be compared to UTA's new 2010 clean-air diesel and diesel-electric hybrid buses.

The buses will be tested for performance on roads and highways throughout Salt Lake County and in service on routes 39 - 3900 South and 220 - Highland Drive / 1300 East. Testing will begin Aug. 18 and continue through the following week.

Two different models of CNG buses will run on the same routes in rotation with UTA's 2010 clean air diesel and diesel-electric hybrid buses. The CNG buses were provided by two manufacturers in cooperation with other transit agencies. One bus was manufactured by North American Bus Industries Inc. for Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority; the other was built by New Flyer for Valley Metro in Phoenix.

In addition to CNG buses, UTA is investigating other alternative fuels, such as biodiesel and fuel cells. UTA recently added ten new diesel-electric hybrid buses to its fleet with assistance from a U.S. Department of Energy grant through Utah Clean Cities.

In addition, UTA's 2010 diesel buses feature new technologies that significantly reduce nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions.