Los Angeles Metro bus fleet

Los Angeles Metro Bus Fleet

Company type	Public transit fleet
Industry	Public transportation
Predecessor	LAMTA (1951–64), RTD (1964–93)
Founded	1993
Headquarters	Los Angeles , United States
Area served	Los Angeles County, California, United States
Key people	Stephanie Wiggins (CEO)
Products	Bus transit services, Metro Bus and Metro Busway routes
Owner	Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)
Website	www.metro.net

Los Angeles Metro manages an extensive bus fleet serving its Metro Bus and Metro Busway routes. As of September 2019, Metro ranked third in North America for fleet size, operating 2,320 buses.

Overview

Since its inception and through its predecessor organizations (LAMTA, 1951–64; RTD, 1964–93), Metro has sourced buses from a diverse range of manufacturers. These include GM, Flxible, Grumman, AM General, TMC, Neoplan USA, New Flyer Industries, ElDorado National, Orion Bus Industries, Thomas Built Buses, Blue Bird Corporation, and North American Bus Industries (NABI).

Emissions reduction

Beginning in the mid-1990s, Metro has prioritized alternative fuel technologies, predominantly utilizing compressed natural gas (CNG). This approach has achieved a 90% reduction in particulate matter, an 80% decrease in carbon monoxide emissions, and a 20% cut in greenhouse gases. Since 1993, these alternative fuel buses have accumulated over , establishing a record within the transit industry.

In 2015, Metro piloted a battery electric BYD K11M on the G Line and committed to converting its entire fleet to zero-emission vehicles by 2030, ahead of California’s statewide goal for 2040. By October 2021, the G Line transitioned to fully zero-emission service with 40 New Flyer Xcelsior XE60 Charge NG electric buses, each capable of approximately range. These vehicles are supported by fast-charging stations located at strategic stops.

Nonetheless, as of June 2024, operational challenges related to heat stress and reliability problems with on-route charging infrastructure forced Metro to reintroduce CNG buses to supplement the G Line’s electric fleet. This development marked a significant reversal in the agency’s electrification progress and underscored persistent difficulties in deploying electric buses. Despite board mandates to accelerate the transition to zero emissions, technical issues—especially with Siemens charging hardware and New Flyer buses—continue to pose operational and strategic obstacles in achieving a fully zero-emission fleet.

Vehicle technology

Metro has made substantial advancements in onboard technology. Starting in 2004, numerous buses were equipped with monitors displaying real-time GPS-based maps—the first implementation of this kind nationwide. By August 2006, these screens also began airing Transit TV, featuring local news segments.

The Transit TV service was discontinued in early 2015 as riders increasingly turned to personal mobile devices for entertainment. In response, Metro introduced WiFi access across its entire bus fleet by April 2017. Under the Advanced Transportation Management System (ATMS), most buses now feature digital destination signs showing date and time, Automatic Voice Annunciation (AVA) providing audible and visual stop notifications, and a "Stop Requested" indicator added in 2008. Furthermore, a safety message advising passengers to watch their step when exiting was introduced in 2013 and updated with a new voice recording in 2015.

Bus fleet

When established in 1993, Metro inherited a substantial inventory of GM/TMC RTS diesel buses, which were gradually replaced by aging Neoplan USA Transliner models. From the early 2000s onward, NABI served as the primary supplier for roughly fifteen years. As a key customer, Metro influenced NABI’s designs, including the 60-BRT model tailored for the G Line and the composite-bodied Metro 45C, also utilized by Valley Metro.

Following NABI’s closure in 2015, Metro procured variants of the New Flyer Xcelsior and ENC Axess buses as replacements for the retired NABI vehicles.

By September 2019, Metro operated North America’s third-largest bus fleet with a total of 2,320 units, trailing only New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (5,825) and New Jersey’s NJ Transit (3,003). Additionally, it maintains the largest compressed natural gas-powered bus fleet nationwide.

In 2021, Metro electrified its G line Bus Rapid Transit using on-route charging New Flyer XE60 electric buses; however, this initiative was reversed by June 2024. Currently, the agency is receiving deliveries of BYD K9M-ER buses that are undergoing testing for future deployment on the J line.

In April 2024, Metro released a Request for Proposals seeking zero-emission buses encompassing both hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric technologies. The board has instructed CEO Stephanie Wiggins to submit an updated decarbonization strategy by September. These efforts come after the G line electrification rollback—a significant challenge amid ongoing attempts to transition Metro’s bus fleet toward zero emissions.

Active fleet

Make/Model	Fleet Numbers	Picture	Year	Engine	Transmission	§ Divisions	Notes
NABI 60-BRT	9500–9594		2007–2008	Cummins Westport ISL-G	Allison B500R	1, 5, 7, 13, 15, 18
NABI 31-LFW	3100–3149		2009–2010	Cummins Westport ISL-G	Allison B300R	MV, STI,	Approaching retirement; several units sold or dismantled Exclusively operated by contractors
NABI Metro 45C CNG	8100–8400		2008–2010	Cummins Westport ISL-G NZ Cummins Westport L9N	Allison B400R	1, 3, 7, 8, 13, 15, STI, MV	Some vehicles retired or sold
	8401–8491		2010–2011	Cummins Westport ISL-G Cummins Westport L9N	Allison B400R	7, 3, 8, 15, STI, MV
	8500–8649		2012–2013	Cummins Westport L9N	Allison B400R	1, 3, 7, 13, 15
NABI Metro 40C CNG (40CLFW-NOH)	8650		2012	Cummins Westport ISL-G	Allison B400R	CMF	Sole Metro 40C built; utilized for training purposes only
New Flyer XN40	5600–5603		2013	Cummins Westport ISL-G Cummins Westport L9N	Allison B400R	2, 3, 5,	Selected units currently undergoing mid-life refurbishment
	5604–6000		2014	Cummins Westport ISL-G Cummins Westport L9N	Allison B400R	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 13, 15, 18, MV, STI,	Mid-life rehab underway for several buses
	3850–4199, 6001–6149		2015–2016	Cummins Westport ISL-G (including NZ variant) Cummins Westport L9N	Allison B400R	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 13, 15, MV	Ongoing mid-life rehab; some feature Metro Liner paint scheme Unit number 4172 is unique with ISL-G NZ engine
New Flyer XN60	(8700–8764)	(8765–8834)		2018–2021	Cummins Westport L9N	Allison B500R	1,7,13,15,18 (varies)	Unit No.8825 withdrawn following October 2024 fire incident
	ENC Axess BRT 40’ CNG	(1505–1799)	(1800–2061)		2018–2022	Cummins Westport L9N	Voith D864.6	1,3,8,9,15,18,MV	Units damaged in May 2020 fire (1565/1568/1569) have been retired
New Flyer XE60		(19500–19539)		2019–2020	Siemens ELFA2	XALT Energy	8	Assigned to G Line service; replaced Metro Liner NABI buses
BYD Auto K11M	(19000–19004)		2020	—	—	8	Operates exclusively on G Line
BYD Auto K9MD	(10000–10004)	(10005-10099)		2021–2024	—	—	9,18 (varies), CMF for later units	Approximately forty allocated to J Line; remainder serve D9 local routes Extended range ER versions currently entering service or undergoing trials

Future

(420 buses) Request for Proposals Issued* TBD TBD Hydrogen fuel cell with direct drive and ESS Initial order for twenty buses with options to expand up to four hundred twenty hydrogen fuel cell vehicles under forty feet in length. (1,560 buses) Request for Proposals Issued TBD TBD Direct drive battery electric system Base order of two hundred sixty buses with options extending to one thousand five hundred sixty battery electric buses under forty feet long.

Fleet Numbers	Status	Manufacturer	Model	Powertrain	Notes

Retired

Make/Model	Length	Image	Year	Fleet Numbers (quantity acquired)	Color Schemes	Powertrain
Grumman Flxible 870	40 feet		1980	7500-7729 (229 units)	RTD Tri-Shape Yellow Jacket	Diesel
GMC RTS-04 (T8J-204)	40 feet		1980-81	0023-0025 (3 units)	Purple Connector	Diesel
			1980-81	8200-9139 (939 units)	ATE Ryder RTD Tri-Stripe Yellow Jacket	Diesel
			1983	4452-4471 (20 units)	Unpainted	Diesel
Neoplan USA AN122/3 Skyliner	40 feet		1981	9902-9921 (19 units)	RTD Tri-Stripe	Diesel
GMC RTS-04 (T7J-604)	35 feet		1982	4400-4434 (34 units)	Yellow Jacket Metro Local	Diesel
Gillig Phantom	35 feet		1983	805213 (1 unit)	Yellow Jacket	Diesel
Neoplan USA AN440A	40 feet		1983-84	3300-3714 (314 units)	Yellow Jacket	Diesel
Neoplan USA AN440A/3	40 feet		1987	1100-1189 (89 units)	Yellow Jacket	Diesel
Ford Econoline 350	25 feet		1989	0006 (1 unit)	Yellow Jacket	Diesel
TMC RTS-06 (T80-206)	40 feet		1988	2000-2266 (266 units)	Yellow Jacket Metro Local	Diesel
			1989	1970-1999 (30 units)	Yellow Jacket Metro Local	Diesel
			1989	2300-2402 (102 units)	Yellow Jacket	Diesel
			1992	1200-1502 (302 units)	Yellow Jacket Metro Local	Diesel
			1993	2006 (1 unit)	None	Diesel
Flxible Metro B	40 feet		1988	2500-2649 (149 units)	Yellow Jacket	Diesel
			1989	2700-2764 (64 units)	Yellow Jacket	Diesel
			1990	2800-2870 (70 units)	Yellow Jacket	Diesel
			1992	2900-2932 (32 units)	Yellow Jacket	Diesel
Gillig Phantom	40 feet		1988	19088, 19097, 19098, 19101, 19102, 19115, 19126, 19127 (8 units)	Yellow Jacket	Diesel
			1989	9977 (1 unit)	Metro Local	Diesel
			1993-94	9978-9980 (3 units)	Metro Local	Diesel
			1991	813-817 (4 units)	None	Diesel
			1994	9976 (1 unit)	Metro Local	Diesel
Flxible Metro B CNG	40 feet		1989	1800-1809 (9 units)	Tri Stripe	CNG		- !-- continued -- !} Earlier Designs In 1971, RTD rolled out its Flxible New Look buses adorned with the "Copperhead" color scheme, characterized by an "orange and champagne" palette. This design incorporated ochre yellow window surrounds paired with a lower body in champagne or copper tones, divided by a silver or white stripe. During a flat-fare initiative in 1974, some reserve vehicles were painted entirely white. By 1976, the aging GM Old Look bus fleet had been repainted to match the "Copperhead" style. The year 1977 saw RTD introduce an "Express" livery featuring yellow, white, and black hues accented with a wedge-shaped stripe. In March 1980, the "Tri-Stripe" livery made its debut—created by Saul Bass and Herb Yager—first applied to the Flxible Metro buses and later extended to the Rapid Transit Series. This scheme displayed black window areas above a white base, separated by stripes in red, orange, and yellow. The redesign was part of RTD’s effort to improve its public image following increased ridership after the 1979 oil crisis. The final "Old Look" buses were phased out by June 1981 as the last RTS models entered service. By August 1984, most "New Look" buses had been updated with the "Tri-Stripe" livery, which was later simplified in the early 1990s to facilitate easier graffiti removal. Early Stripe Patterns Buses inherited from RTD initially retained a streamlined version of the "RTD Tri-Stripe" livery: a white base including windows with three stacked stripes in red, orange, and yellow running from the windshield base down along the sides beneath the windows. This pattern evolved into the "Red Stripe," featuring a white background with two red and yellow stripes. In 1997, it transitioned to the "Yellow Jacket," which showcased a white base accented by two gold stripes and a prominent "Metro Bus" logo on both front and sides. Service-Specific Livery In the early 2000s, under creative director Michael Lejeune alongside lead designer Neil Sadler, RTD introduced the "Metro Service" livery. These buses had a metallic silver (Pantone 877 C) paint on the lower edges and roof cap for CNG storage tanks. A wide stripe beneath the side windows extended upwards to indicate service category: Metro Local: Local Poppy (#e87722) / Pantone 158 C for local routes Metro Rapid: Rapid Red (#bf0d3e) / Pantone 193 C for limited-stop rapid services Metro Express: Express Blue (#0032a0) / Pantone 286 C for freeway express lines Metro Liner: Liner Silver (#7f7f7e) / Pantone 8401 C for bus rapid transit corridors Service types were displayed in bold FF Scala Sans font. This branding concept received a 2007 honor award from the Society for Experiential Graphic Design. Since then, Express routes have been scaled back and corresponding colors adjusted. Branding Streamlining Beginning in late 2020, Metro simplified its bus branding by removing specific text identifiers such as "Metro Local" from newer and midlife-refurbished vehicles. Starting with the second group of New Flyer XN60 buses (numbers 8765 and above), all are marked simply as "Metro Bus," while maintaining color codes to distinguish local, rapid, and liner services. The earlier New Flyer XE60 models replacing the G Line fleet display a unique "Go Metro" label highlighting their zero-emission capability. BYD K-series buses operating on the J line and newer additions have adopted this standard "Metro Bus" branding going forward. The XE60s that succeeded NABI Metro Liners on the G (Orange) line removed orange highlights to allow flexible redeployment across other routes without needing repainting. As demand on the G line approaches capacity and light rail conversion plans progress, Metro anticipates introducing larger or double-articulated buses. This adaptable branding supports reassignment of XE60 units without disrupting service. Similarly, new J (Silver) line vehicles no longer bear the slogan "A faster way to downtown," as older J line buses are reassigned to routes like the 2, supported by BYD K9Ms electrifying J line operations. New electric buses assigned to designated busway routes also operate inaugural trips on new lines such as route 33 without exclusive busway-specific branding. Metro Bus & Rail Divisions Within Metro's framework, a centralized operations unit manages the routes of each operating division, supervised by one of five Service Councils. These councils cover specific regions throughout Los Angeles County and consist of elected representatives, appointees, and transit users from their respective areas. Due to overlapping transit routes, their responsibilities often extend across multiple sectors. Service Councils Council Abbreviation Area Municipalities († council meeting location) Gateway Cities GWC southeast Artesia, Avalon, Bell, Bellflower, Bell Gardens, Cerritos, Commerce, Compton, Cudahy, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, †Huntington Park, La Habra Heights, Lakewood, La Mirada, Long Beach, Lynwood, Maywood, Norwalk, Paramount, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, Signal Hill, South Gate, Vernon, Walnut Park, Whittier San Fernando Valley SFV northwest Agoura Hills, Burbank, Calabasas, Glendale, Hidden Hills, Los Angeles (San Fernando Valley including †Van Nuys), San Fernando, Westlake Village San Gabriel Valley SGV northeast Alhambra, Altadena, Arcadia, Baldwin Park, Covina, Diamond Bar, Duarte, East Los Angeles, †El Monte, Industry, Irwindale, La Cañada Flintridge, La Puente, Monrovia, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pasadena, Pomona, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South El Monte, South Pasadena, Temple City, Walnut, West Covina South Bay SBC (SBA) southwest Carson, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lawndale, †Lennox, Lomita, Los Angeles (Harbor City/Gateway/San Pedro/Wilmington), Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates/Rancho Palos Verdes/Rolling Hills/Rolling Hills Estates), Redondo Beach,Torrance ,Westchester Westside/Central WSC (WES) west and central Beverly Hills,Culver City ,†Los Angeles ,Malibu ,Santa Monica ,West Hollywood Metro buses display decals indicating service council abbreviations alongside division numbers. Detailed route assignments by sector are outlined in the Service Council Bylaws. Division 3 located in Cypress Park is Metro's longest-standing bus yard dating back to 1907 and currently manages approximately 200 buses. Metro Bus Operating Divisions Number Name Region 1 Central City Gateway Cities 2 Crossroads Depot Gateway Cities 3 North Los Angeles (Cypress Park) San Gabriel Valley 4 Non-revenue vehicles Gateway Cities 5 Arthur Winston/Mid-Cities South Bay 7 West Hollywood Westside/Central 8 West Valley San Fernando Valley 9 El Monte San Gabriel Valley 10 East Los Angeles (vehicle retirement/storage) Gateway Cities 13 Downtown Los Angeles (Central Maintenance Facility) 15 East Valley San Fernando Valley 18 South Bay South Bay Division 10 ceased revenue operations in September 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic; its fleet was redistributed while the site remains in use for bus storage during zero-emission upgrades at other facilities. Certain divisions may temporarily transfer CNG buses to facilitate construction related to electrification projects. Former divisions The following table presents the Metro bus divisions that have been discontinued. Discontinued Metro bus divisions Division Number Division Name 6 Venice 12 Long Beach 14 South Los Angeles 16 Pomona See also Los Angeles Metro Rail rolling stock Bus liveries (1964–1993) (1993–current)