Cummins lands big bus deal

COLUMBUS, Ind. (WISH) - A Columbus-based industrial equipment maker has landed a big deal with two West Coast bus companies.

LA Metro, which runs more than 1.500 natural gas buses with CWI engines, wants to add 550 natural gas buses to its fleet next year. By 2016, it would like to add as many as 350 buses.

"LA Metro is dedicated to being 100 percent natural gas, and CWI is a valued partner in that," John Drayton, manager for vehicle technology, said.

Additionally, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System announced it will buy about 468 natural gas buses over the next four years. All of the buses will be powered by a Cummins Westport ISL G engine.

Both deals will benefit employees at the Columbus plant, where about 75 people work on on-highway natural gas engines, our partners at the Republic report.

"Natural gas engines are likely to be a key part of the Cummins business moving forward as the infrastructure catches up with the technology and as more modes of transportation look for alternative fuels," Jon Mills, director of external communications, said.

Cummins officials say they are optimistic about the new partnership.

"The prospect of growth in the natural gas segment, I think, is the most exciting thing about the future of Cummins," Craig Kessler, president and chief investment officer of Columbus-based Kessler Investment Group, said.