Composite-Enhanced, Fuel-Efficient CNG Articulated Buses to Serve A380 at LAX - October 2006

By Staff October
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) accepted delivery of 12 Model 60-BRT compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered buses built by North American Bus Industries Inc. (NABI, Ontario, Calif.) to service large jets, including the new superjumbo Airbus A380 when it enters service. The 60-BRTs will be the first articulated vehicles used for passenger service at LAX and, at 20 ft longer than standard buses, can accommodate 57 passengers (an increase of 45 percent), with space for carry-on bags, wheelchairs, strollers, etc., and have boarding provisions for wheelchairs at both rear doors. The 60-BRTs replace LAX’s 22-year-old diesel buses used to transport passengers between terminals and remote boarding gates. The 60-BRT’s more fuel-efficient design benefits from fiberglass-reinforced polymer front and rear caps, roofs, rear engine access doors, access panels to the CNG tanks and the rear roof panel around the roof hatch.