Compressed Natural Gas Microbuses Conversion Program

Contact: Luz Elena González Escobar
Executive Office of Institutional Coordination and Policies Integration
 
Federal District Government Environment Secretariat
Stockholm Partnerships case studyMexico City's Natural Gas Program

Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) is a very contaminated region with 17 million inhabitants. MCMA contributes 14% of Mexico's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Compressed Natural Gas Conversion Microbuses Program is an initiative of the Federal District Government. It was designed by the Scientific Technical and Technological Service Corporation, the French Embassy's Economic and Trade Service and the French Fund for the World Environment (FFWE).

Public transportation constitutes an important source of local and global pollutants. The fleet is old and it can be difficult for bus owners to purchase a new vehicle. Under the Program, old microbus motors are converted to compressed natural gas (CNG). This extends the motor's life by three years and reduces its pollutant emissions. The operator then receives support to acquire a new bus.

The program is creatively financed by the private company supplying CNG. The microbus owner has a special account with the company and pays for the conversion from the savings incurred from purchasing CNG, which is cheaper than gasoline. After paying for the conversion, further savings are then applied to the purchase of a new bus when the existing bus reaches the end of its useful life.

The program has a training component for mechanics and system engineers who can increase their incomes and broaden their range of skills to include CNG combustion systems. The program also encourages enterprises which are related to CNG systems services.

CO2 emissions reductions are estimated at about 50,000 tons in the first conversion phase, with an eventual reduction of 5 to 10 million tons.

The Project also includes operator and driver training to increase public transportation safety.