Optima Delivers 14 LPG Streetcars to San Antonio, Texas

23 November 2005

Optima Bus Corporation delivered 14 propane-fueled American Heritage Streetcars to VIA Metropolitan Transit, located in San Antonio, Texas. VIA was the first transit agency to purchase the turn-of-the-century design streetcars from Optima more than 20 years ago.

The transit agency only recently retired those first streetcars, and is replacing them with the propane-fueled models.

The Optima AH-28 propane model uses a Cummins B LPG-195 Turbocharged 195 hp (145 kw) propane engine.  Dual fuel tanks (behind the front entrance door and at rear under a passenger seat) hold 120 gallons of LPG.

The B LPG Electronic Control Module (ECM) adjusts for varying fuel composition, to support a range of propane fuels, in addition to controlling the fuel system, engine sensors and ignition.

The B LPG Plus is certified with a catalyst to U.S. EPA 2005 emissions standards (2.5 g/bhp-hr NOx+NMHC).