The director of the semi-public transport agency, Lázaro Arias Salas, told local newspaper El Informador that Sistecozome has already tested natural gas buses manufactured by Mexican OEM Dina. He also stated that the purchase of the 50 units for Guadalajara will be carried out through Nacional Financiera (development banking institution), the Ministry of Finance and the company that wins the bid.
Moreover, the state secretary for Environment Martha Ruth del Toro Gaytan explained that her area is considering a financing scheme to purchase 200 CNG-powered buses in total, in this case not for Sistecozome. Jalisco would participate with a guarantee fund of at least 30 million pesos (USD 2.4 million).
In order to serve these new fleets, a CNG refuelling station could be installed as a pilot project, said the official. “The initiative will be successful because at least for 15 years we’ll have a fuel that is cheaper than diesel and because of the proven benefits of natural gas,” she added.
It is worth mentioning that Mexico City’s public transportation operator recently announced its plans to expand its bus fleet with at least 170 NGVs.
