BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) - The Magic City is going green and it starts with one of it's most visible pieces of equipment.

This is one of the six new CNG buses purchased by the school system.  It uses what is considered the cleanest alternative fuel on the road today.  Each bus costs around $140,000.  That's much more expensive than the traditional diesel buses which cost about $80,000, but these buses are supposed to last longer and use cheaper, cleaner, fuel.

The school system plans to do an assessment this year of fuel costs and gather other information as they determine their next steps for possible future alternative fuel buses.

Birmingham will become the first district in the state to run buses that use compressed natural gas.