Politics

La Crosse can buy diesel bus because of Volkswagen fine

Published

6 years ago

December 10, 2018

The La Crosse MTU is scheduled to get a new diesel bus soon, as part of a $67 million fine paid to the state by Volkswagen.

The automaker was fined for cheating on emissions tests and the state of Wisconsin will spend millions from those fines to buy diesel and electric buses for local governments.

La Crosse will receive money to help buy one diesel bus, priced at more than $400,000.

La Crosse MTU director Adam Lorentz asked for three buses:

Other cities on the list will get more buses — three for Eau Claire, 10 for Madison and 15 for Appleton.

Some environmental advocates would prefer to spend the money just on electric buses.

Lorentz said new diesel and electric vehicles, which have been ordered, will help complete the fleet of nearly two dozen city buses for La Crosse.

La Crosse is in the process of replacing all of its older, gas-powered buses with diesel or electric.

Related Topics:buses La Crosse MTU mtu Volkswagen

Brad Williams

A native of Prairie du Chien, Brad graduated from UW - La Crosse and has worked in radio news for more than 30 years, mostly in the La Crosse area. He regularly covers local courts and city and county government. Brad produces the features "Yesterday in La Crosse" and "What's Buried on Brad's Desk." He also writes the website "Triviazoids," which finds odd connections between events that happen on a certain date, and he writes and performs with the local comedy group Heart of La Crosse. Brad been featured on several national TV programs because of his memory skills.