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City’s municipal bus line failed to conduct required diesel
emissions testing. 

Air Resources Board
Release 09-27
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
							 CONTACT: Karen Caesar
March 30, 2009						
(626) 575-6728
www.arb.ca.gov

Santa Monica’s “Big Blue Bus” fined $21,000
City’s municipal bus line failed to conduct required diesel
emissions testing

SACRAMENTO – The Air Resources Board this month fined Santa
Monica’s Big Blue Bus $21,000 for failing to test, measure and
maintain records of smoke emissions from its heavy duty diesel
transit fleet in 2006 and 2007.

“Santa Monica may be known for its refreshing sea breezes, but
that doesn’t mean it’s exempt from air quality problems,” said
ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols.  “Even coastal cities have to do
their part to protect the environment and make sure our air is as
clean as possible.”

In addition to failing to meet testing and recordkeeping
requirements, Big Blue Bus also violated the state’s “fleet rule
for transit agencies.”  The state requires transportation
agencies to keep diesel emissions to no more than 60 percent of
2005 levels.   On Dec. 31, 2007, Big Blue Bus’ diesel emissions
total surpassed that amount.

Big Blue Bus will divide its fine as follows:

•	$15,768.00 to the California Air Pollution Control Fund, which
provides funding for projects and research to improve
California's air quality;
•	$2,628.00 to the Peralta Community College to help support
emission education classes conducted by the California Council
for Diesel Education and Technology; and, 
•	$2,628.00 to the California Pollution Financing 

Authority, which guarantees loans to off-road vehicle fleets
that need to buy exhaust retrofits to comply with state
regulations.

Other terms of the settlement include requirements that all
staff responsible for compliance with the State’s smoke testing
regulations attend diesel education classes, and that all heavy
duty vehicle operators obey state limits on engine idling.  In
addition, Big Blue Bus must provide copies of all smoke
inspection test compliance records for 2008 - 2011.

In 1998, the ARB identified diesel particulate matter as a toxic
air contaminant in order to protect public health. Exposure to
diesel emissions can increase the risk of cancer and serious
heart and lung disease.  California has worked aggressively to
cut diesel emissions by cleaning up diesel fuel, requiring
cleaner engines for trucks, buses and off-road equipment, and
limiting unnecessary idling.


The Air Resources Board is a department of the California
Environmental Protection Agency.  ARB’s mission is to promote and
protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through
effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and
considering effects on the economy.  The ARB oversees all air
pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain
health based air quality standards.

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