MWRTA's New Bus Is More Efficient In Multiple Ways

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) will host a ribbon cutting event Monday to unveil new buses.

The MWRTA’s new flagship, heavy duty GILLIG buses run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuel, which is more efficient than gasoline and diesel, and will be deployed on the MWRTA’s Route 4N, which is the busiest route in the MWRTA system and provides service between downtown Framingham and the Natick Mall, MassDOT officials said.

This is the first time the MWRTA will have heavy duty, larger transit buses in its fleet, with plans to purchase additional buses over the next two years.

A single GILLIG can hold approximately double the number of passengers compared to the buses in the MWRTA’s current fleet.

The ribbon cutting is scheduled for Monday at 11 a.m. at MWRTA's Blandin Hub, 15 Blandin Ave., in Framingham.

Present at the event will be MassDOT Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt, Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka, MWRTA Board Chairman Joe Nolan and MWRTA Administrator Jim Nee.