The Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors on Thursday approved the purchase of 41 new compressed natural gas buses.
The new buses, which will be paid for by a $210 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, will be part of the yearlong ExpressLanes congestion pricing project, according to Metro.
The ExpressLanes project is expected to be in operation by December 2010, converting the carpool lanes on the 10 and 110 freeways into toll lanes.
Carpoolers will not have to pay, but solo drivers -- who are currently barred from the carpool lanes -- will be able to use the new lanes for a price.
Critics call the new lanes "Lexus lanes," but Metro officials maintain that the goal is to ease congestion along Los Angeles County's crowded freeways.
The new buses will run along a new Bus Rapid Transit Line operating along the 10 and 110 freeways, Metro officials said.
