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Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is trying to set an example for public transportation by using environmentally friendly fuels to power its trains and buses.



The agency recently began using clean fuels to prepare for stricter federal air quality regulations. Although not expected to go into effect until 2010, the proposed regulations would require a 90 percent reduction in emissions.



DART was further prompted to reduce emissions last August, when northern Texas suffered a "level purple" air quality alert. Area residents were cautioned to stay inside because air quality was bad. After smog build-ups violated ozone standards 22 times in summer 2002, federal authorities threatened to withhold highway funds unless transit agencies made improvements.