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Fact #555: January 26, 2009
Transit Buses are Relying Less on Diesel Fuel

In 1995, over 95% of the fuel used in transit buses was diesel. In 2006, diesel fuel constituted just under 75% of the fuel used by transit buses while other fuel types such as compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) have become much more prevalent. The use of CNG in buses has grown from less than 2% in 1995 to almost 20% in 2006.

Fuel Consumption Share for Transit Buses, 1995, 2000, and 2006
Graph showing the fuel consumption share for transit buses in 1995, 2000, and 2006 of diesel, CNG, and other non-diesel fuels. For more detailed information, see the table below.

* Other non-diesel includes gasoline, LNG, propane, bio/soy fuel, biodiesel, hydrogen, methanol, ethanol, and various blends.

Non-Diesel Fuel Consumtion Share for Transit Buses, 1995, 2000, and 2006
Graph showing the non-diesel fuel consumption of transit buses in 1995, 2000, and 2006 of CNG, gasoline, LNG, and other fuels. For more detailed information, see the table below.

** Other includes propane, bio/soy fuel, biodiesel, hydrogen, methanol, etanol, and various blends.

Supporting Information

Fuel Consumption Share for Transit Buses, 1995, 2000, and 2006
Year Diesel CNG Other
Non-diesel*
1995 95.5% 1.7% 2.8%
2000 90.9% 7.2% 1.9%
2006 74.5% 19.3% 6.2%

* Other non-diesel includes gasoline, LNG, propane, bio/soy fuel, biodiesel, hydrogen, methanol, ethanol, and various blends.
Source: American Public Transit Association, 2008 Public Transportation Fact Book, Table 31.


Non-Diesel Fuel Consumption Share for Transit Buses, 1995, 2000, and 2006
Year CNG Gasoline LNG Other*
1995 1.69% 0.39% 0.29% 2.08%
2000 7.21% 0.19% 1.50% 0.21%
2006 19.26% 0.32% 2.72% 3.19%

* Other includes propane, bio/soy fuel, biodiesel, hydrogen, methanol, etanol, and various blends.
Source: American Public Transit Association, 2008 Public Transportation Fact Book, Table 31.

 

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Content Last Updated: 01/23/2009