It has been over a year since the launch of natural gas buses. However, in many small and medium-sized cities in the provinces, it still feels like a dream. The natural gas buses, which aim to create a cleaner urban environment, have finally started operating in Anyang City.
TEAM Busmania visited the launch ceremony of the Anyang City natural gas buses…
Let’s take a closer look at the various scenes from the launch ceremony in Anyang…
Scenes from the Launch Ceremony of Anyang City’s Natural Gas Buses
Planning & Reporting: BusLife
Photography: AERO QUEEN (Ki Juha)
Publication Date: July 29, 2001
from Korean, AI-translated
1. The Ceremony
The commemorative ceremony announcing the launch of the natural gas buses was in full swing… There were speeches from VIP guests from various sectors, including the mayor of Anyang, and an introduction to the natural gas buses. It got a bit boring, and since I was seated far in the back, I couldn’t see well—so I stepped outside for a drink and to take a closer look at the line of natural gas buses waiting outside. I also had the chance to meet Director Kim Young-tae from NGVI, who had invited us, as well as representatives from Hyundai Motor and Daewoo Motor’s bus divisions. Most importantly, I received promotional catalogs for the natural gas buses produced by Daewoo and Hyundai and listened to explanations about them.
2. Scenes Before Departure
There was much to see outside the venue. First of all, the line of natural gas buses—the paint scheme was quite unique. At first, I thought it was similar to Anyang City’s diesel bus colors, so I assumed the promotional effect would be minimal. But I later found out that this paint scheme was actually the official color of Anyang City Hall.
While looking around outside, I was surprised to see a Cosmos bus painted in the exact same design as the natural gas buses pulling in. Rubbing my eyes in disbelief, I took a closer look and confirmed it up close. That’s when I realized—the paint scheme for the Anyang natural gas buses was indeed the official Anyang City Hall design.
Part of me couldn’t hide my disappointment. Seoul’s natural gas bus paint scheme conveys a refreshing, clean image, while Suwon’s design is based on Paldalmun Gate. I had high expectations for what Anyang’s design would be, but those hopes were crushed in an instant.
The bus on the right was the very first vehicle for the day’s test ride. Fitting for Bus No. 1, it was decorated with flowers and looked quite impressive. 
That day, I compared the engine noise between Hyundai NGV and Daewoo NGV buses. At idle, both were so quiet you couldn’t tell the engine was running. However, under acceleration, the Hyundai NGV produced a clearer and slightly quieter sound, while the Daewoo NGV sounded almost identical to a regular diesel vehicle—making me wonder if it was really a CNG engine.
Both engines had the same output of 290 horsepower.
Now they were waiting to conduct an emissions comparison test between the NGV and a diesel bus.
3. Emissions Comparison Test
The flower-decorated natural gas bus and a diesel bus stood side-by-side, ready for the emissions comparison test.
The engines were started and the accelerator was pressed hard.
Vroom~ Vroom~ Vroooom~~~~
The strong exhaust sound filled the air, and then a white cloth was held up to the muffler.
Once more, the accelerator was floored for a final push.
Finally, the results came in…
The photo on the right clearly shows that almost no soot came from the natural gas bus, whereas the diesel bus emitted thick black smoke.
Some might argue that the natural gas bus was brand new, fresh from the factory, while the diesel bus had been in active service, so of course there would be a big difference.
To those people, I would say: go outside right now and take a look at the tailpipes of natural gas buses that have been running for over a year.
By nature, CNG produces no thick black exhaust smoke.
If these natural gas buses become more widely used, they are expected to have a tremendous positive impact on air quality.
4. Let’s Go for a Test Ride
Passengers began boarding the buses for the test ride, taking their seats one by one. Our TEAM Busmania quickly wrapped up our last photos and boarded as well.
To enjoy the quiet Hyundai CNG engine, we took seats in the very back row of the Super Aero City.
With cool air conditioning and plenty to see, the bus finally departed. The route was: Anyang Gymnasium – Samchully Natural Gas Gunpo Station.
It’s a distance that’s short for some, long for others. Since this was a special event, the buses were escorted by police vehicles front and back, and it seemed like the entire Anyang police force was out on duty…
At every intersection, traffic police would switch the lights to green about 50 meters before we arrived, ensuring we didn’t have to stop. The green light would stay until the last bus had passed.
In this way, we traveled from Anyang Gymnasium to the Gunpo station, passing through dozens of intersections without a single stop for a red light.
There were no standing passengers on the test ride—once all the seats were filled, no more were allowed to board. There were enough buses, so people could choose which one to ride. The lone person standing was an event staff member—sometimes, true professionalism means sacrificing personal comfort for the success of the event…
Following behind was another Super Aero City. Looking at the traffic light, you can see cars waiting in the left-turn lane, while the straight-ahead green light remains on, holding them in place.
This proves I wasn’t exaggerating earlier—crossing intersections full of waiting cars while being escorted by police cars is, in one word, exhilarating.
Enjoying that feeling, we soon arrived at the Gunpo City CNG fueling station.
Many bystanders tried to flag us down, thinking we were regular city buses.
The driver’s relaxed wave: “This bus doesn’t stop here…”
5. At the Gunpo Station
The commemorative events continued at the fueling station, where the mayor of Anyang and other key figures demonstrated the fueling process. It is said that a full CNG fill-up takes about 5–6 minutes.
Since filling a diesel bus to full capacity takes about the same time, CNG fueling is no slower.
The first test ride bus waited its turn for the fueling demonstration.
The left photo shows the CNG bus’s fueling inlet, with a pressure gauge indicating the fueling status.
The right photo shows the fueling machine. Before fueling starts, there is a brief wait to increase the gas pressure.
The rear view of a CNG bus during the fueling demonstration.
This particular bus was a Super Aero City equipped with the intercooler option.
Soon the demonstration was over, and we were preparing for the return trip.
Before leaving, we decided to sign the guest book. Proudly, TEAM Busmania wrote our name in slot number one.
Since we had come here on a Hyundai Super Aero City, we decided to return on a Daewoo Royal City.
6. In Closing…
As the event drew to an end, we prepared for the return journey. On the way back in the Daewoo Royal City, we planned to compare it to the Hyundai bus.
My final thought is that the opening of the Gunpo station has laid the foundation for natural gas buses to operate in both Gunpo and Anyang. Although the station’s location in Gunpo makes it difficult to cover the entire Anyang area, it should be sufficient for the next 2–3 years. I hope a station capable of covering all of Anyang will be built before then.
I also hope the early-generation CNG engines will be further developed to become even quieter. In particular, I was a bit disappointed that Daewoo’s engine sounded almost identical to a diesel engine while driving.
In any case, I hope natural gas buses will be adopted nationwide and that more people will take an interest in them.
With that, we wrap up our coverage of the launch ceremony for Anyang City’s natural gas buses. If another city holds a launch event in the future, I plan to be there to capture the scene once again.