Task Force to Study Ways to Phase Out Diesel Buses

In a bid to help speed the MTA’s conversion to less polluting buses, the City Council has commissioned a task force to recommend how the city can phase out the operation of diesel buses.

Noting that the legality of any unilateral city action may end up in court, Councilman Paul Koretz, co-sponsor of the council resolution, said: “I suspect the issue will get decided before it gets to a court filing.”

Gail Ruderman Feuer, senior attorney with the National Resources Defense Council, which supports the city’s action, said that diesel exhaust is the biggest contributor to smog in Los Angeles.

Richard Hunt, MTA’s deputy executive officer of transit operations, called the council’s action “a very unfortunate move” that could unnecessarily added to MTA expenses.