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Shuttle Bus Fleet Experiences
Hoover, Alabama, Supports Biofuels
Last Updated: April 08, 2011
Hoover, Alabama, is a town where renewable biofuels reign supreme. Three hundred thousand gallons of E85 are consumed each year by its flex-fuel police vehicles. Hoover also leads the state with 88% of their municipal vehicles using some type of advanced fuel, including biodiesel.
Commercial B20 is used by their public works fleet, but the city also makes its own biodiesel. Since 2007, a recycling program allows residents to drop off their waste vegetable oil for processing. Biodiesel fuels 40 municipal vehicles, including city trolleys.
Tony Petelos, mayor of Hoover, says,"We're collecting about 1,000 gallons a month from 21 small restaurants that don't have a means to dispose of the cooking oil as well as from our residents in the City of Hoover. We convert that into biodiesel." In 2009, Hoover joined a pilot program that converts wood waste and yard debris into E85 ethanol. Clearly, the City of Hoover is making it happen when it comes to biofuels.
Airport Shuttles Run on Propane
Last Updated: April 05, 2011
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in the Big Easy uses 27 propane-powered vans and minibuses to shuttle more than 400,000 passengers annually to and from area hotels. The shuttle service first used this cleaner-burning fuel back in the '90s. The current converted fleet of propane shuttles was introduced in 2008. Company officials say they prefer propane over diesel, citing a cost savings of nearly a dollar a gallon plus lower emissions and maintenance cost.
"It's a cost-effective, more environmentally conscious way to go, and we feel that's how we want to run the operation," says Airport Shuttle general manager Don Duvernay.
The shuttle service displaced over 139,000 gallons of petroleum fuel with clean propane in 2010. Working with the Southeast Louisiana Clean Fuels Partnership, four more alternative fuel buses will be added this year, boosting the shuttle's role as a green welcoming committee for visitors to the Crescent City.
Sevierville, Tennessee Moves People on Propane Hybrid Trolleys
Last Updated: January 19, 2011
Visitors to the City of Sevierville, Tennessee, are touring the town in eight propane-fueled hybrid electric trolley cars. The city purchased the vehicles in 2005 to help reduce air pollution. Propane produces fewer tailpipe emissions than diesel fuel, and it reduces the city's reliance on imported oil.
But these propane hybrid trolleys are only the tip of Sevierville's green initiative. They are also the proud owners of a pair of larger plug-in hybrid buses used for special events. The city has also added four dedicated propane trolleys, a CNG bi-fuel pickup, and some 30 specialized municipal vehicles including a new refuse truck that runs on renewable B20 biodiesel. Sevierville is a community leader doing its part to keep the Volunteer State ready, willing, and green.
Santa Fe Metro Fleet Runs on Natural Gas
Last Updated: June 08, 2010
Santa Fe Trails Transit System (SFT), the metro transportation system in New Mexico's capital city, claims the distinction of first all natural gas (CNG) transit fleet in the U.S. From the outset, Santa Fe residents wanted a transportation system that would preserve Northern New Mexico's the clean air and blue skies, so valued by tourists and residents alike. Santa Fe Trails provides fixed-route and para-transit local and regional service while building ridership and expanding routes.
"When the system first went into operation in 1992, we were a test market," said Transit Director Jon Bulthuis. "Since that time, other technologies have become available including hybrid electric. But natural gas has proven efficient for our applications. Hybrids are more expensive to purchase and maintain and the fuel savings are not enough to justify the purchase."
Today, Santa Fe Trails operates 30 CNG-powered full-size transit buses for fixed-route service and four CNG sedans for para-transit service. Plans include replacing the remaining 16 para-transit vans with natural gas vehicles. Infrastructure for natural gas is city-owned and includes 34 time-fill fueling poles. A public-access natural gas fueling station that operates 24/7 is also on the premises. "The CNG buses are reliable, have cleaner burning engines, increased oil life, and lower fuel costs than diesel," said James Dillingham, fleet and facilities manager for Santa Fe Trails.
Bulthuis said the buses operate well at this altitude and the natural gas is locally produced out of the San Juan Basin in northwest New Mexico. "That means we're using a domestic resource with lower fuel transportation costs. We believe we've made the right choice for Santa Fe, both environmentally and economically."
For more information, visit the Santa Fe Trails website.
Bakersfield Electric Shuttle Recalls Bygone Trolley
Last Updated: April 22, 2010
An electric bus customized to look like a historic Bakersfield, California, electric trolley recalls a bygone era while giving a green boost to downtown businesses. Pacific Gas and Electric donated the refurbished bus. The free-ride, 22-passenger trolley makes six stops along its one-mile loop. Powered by 40 deep-cycle, lead-acid batteries, it has a range of 60 miles. Saving 1,250 gallons of petroleum fuel every 10,000 miles, this novel clean vehicle is a joint effort between local government and private enterprise--as well as a reminder of the past. Clean Cities coordinator Linda Urata says, "It's been renovated, so it looks like an old downtown trolley. We used to have electric trolleys that ran here 100 years ago around the turn of the century so it's kind of like everything old is new again. No wonder Bakersfield residents are so charged up by this true hometown solution to saving fuel and reducing pollution. View the MotorWeek video.
Chattanooga Shuttle Buses Run on Electricity
Last Updated: October 27, 2009
Chattanooga, Tennessee, sits between a river and a mountain, and the downtown corridor stretches about two miles north to south and between 6 and 10 blocks east to west. The corridor includes the museum district along the riverfront, the business district, and the main shopping district. The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) was formed as part of a city renaissance program and CARTA decided to switch to electric shuttle buses to transport residents and tourists.
The fleet of 15 22-foot electric shuttle buses run at 5-minute intervals and the ride is free. CARTA transit authorities estimate that the vehicles have covered more than 2.5 million miles saving an estimated 86 tons of pollutants. CARTA also financed and built parking structures at both ends of the route to intercept automobile traffic before it reached the downtown corridor.
Former Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater acknowledged that Chattanooga's innovations in streamlining the connections between automobiles and transit, and introduction of electric buses and other alternative-fueled vehicles as a major contributor in "reducing traffic congestion, protecting the environment, enhancing mobility and revitalizing communities." For more information, contact CARTA.
Kansas City Updates With Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Last Updated: October 08, 2009
In 1996, the City of Kansas City, Missouri instituted a fleet-wide alternative fuel program. Today, more than 200 compressed natural gas cars, trucks, and vans fuel up at the city's central CNG station. Also, their 1,100 diesels run primarily on B20 and B50 biodiesel. In June, 2009, Kansas City received the first 4 of 19 Diamond International trucks upfitted for CNG. Used to repair water main breaks, they are some of the largest rigs to run on CNG. According to Sam Swearngin, "We're kind of proud of the fact that these trucks are the cleanest trucks you can buy on the planet that do what they do and operate right here in our neighborhood. "The alternative fuel program extends to the Kansas City International Airport, where 35 shuttle buses also run on CNG, all to make "KC" cleaner and less dependent on oil. View the MotorWeek video of this story.
Alternative Fuels Are Key to Airport Transportation in Portland
Last Updated: August 24, 2009
The Portland International Airport (PDX) in Oregon has become a dedicated user of alternative fuel vehicles in almost every aspect of operation from baggage loading vehicles to shuttle buses, police vehicles, and street maintenance equipment. PDX began replacing conventional petroleum diesel buses with vehicles fueled with compressed natural gas (CNG) in 1997 and currently has 46 dedicated CNG vehicles including 26 shuttle buses, 6 Ford Crown Victorias, one Honda Civic, one F450 service truck, a forklift, 9 vans and two step vans. PDX also has two bi-fuel CNG/gasoline pickups and two vans. Propane vehicles include four forklifts and 1 small scrubber/sweeper. There are 15 flexible-fuel vehicles fueled with E85 and seven hybrid light-duty vehicles used for police activities.
Biodiesel also plays an important part in the alternative fuel plan. PDX has fueled its diesel vehicles with B20 since 2002 and currently operates 26 heavy-duty on-road vehicles including four buses, 19 trucks and three F450 service vehicles plus 27 additional pieces of off-road equipment.
PDX installed fueling infrastructure to meet its alternative fuel needs. The airport currently has CNG, LPG, and B20 fueling stations on the property, althought it cannot sell fuel to other fleets or the public because of access limitations. PDX is also looking to expand CNG availability by adding an additional fueling station or purchasing back-up components for its existing infrastructure.
Rick Elliott, aviation maintenance superintendent, points to lower emissions and longer operational life, which means more miles between rebuilds, as advantages to the alternative fuel fleet. "Whenever we look at purchasing a vehicle, our first question is 'Is it available in an alternate fuel?'" Elliott said. For more information, contact Rick Elliott at the Port of Portland.
University of Illinois-Chicago Fleet Invests in AFVs
Last Updated: June 01, 2009
Diversity on campus has a new meaning in Chicago. The University of Illinois-Chicago's (UIC) transportation system for innercampus and commuter transport includes a variety of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). The fleet includes 12 light-duty hybrids, 37 flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs), 26 vehicles that operate on B20, two compressed natural gas (CNG) cargo vans, and a CNG Crown Victoria. In addition, nine CNG Blue Bird buses transport an average of 2,000 people daily around the campus. All in all, AFVs represent 36% of their fleet.
With the help of two Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grants received through the efforts of the Chicago Area Clean Cities coalition, the university installed CNG infrastructure. "We now have two slow-fill dispensing units and we have added two quick-fill CNG units," says Pablo Acevedo, associate director of facilities management at UIC. The university's program extends its reach even farther by allowing vehicles owned by the City of Chicago to fill up at the UIC facility.
Acevedo explains that there are pluses and minuses to his CNG vehicles. "Parts and maintenance are more costly for the CNG vehicles than for regular diesel vehicles. It's also important to get the right kind of training for our mechanics who work on the CNG vehicles." On the plus side, the AFVs use less expensive fuel and reduce pollution caused by burning diesel.
The CNG and FFVs are purchased based on mandated levels dictated by the state and alternative fuel provider section of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. The CNG-powered vehicles were first purchased in 1997. "The decision back then was based on cost savings and environmental concerns," Acevedo says. "Those are the same reasons we continue to add CNG vehicles to our fleet."
There's always room for more advanced vehicles--and UIC is interested in the all-electric, commercial Ford Transit Connect van, which is expected to have a range of 100 miles per charge and a top speed of 70 miles per hour.
"UIC's commitment to its alternative fuel program and its involvement in the coalition make it an exemplary fleet in the Chicago area," says Chicago Clean Cities Coordinator Samantha Bingham. "We are happy to assist UIC as well as other coalition members with everything from technical assistance to identifying funding."
Salt Lake City International Airport
Last Updated: September 27, 2007
The Salt Lake City International Airport is a major western U.S. hub serving 18 airlines that operate 450 scheduled daily departures. Its location within the city limits of Salt Lake City puts it in an EPA air quality nonattainment area for particulate matter. The airport has instituted a Clean Fuel Program in an effort to reduce airport vehicle emissions by using alternative fuels.
The airport parking shuttle fleet includes 13 35-foot buses and six 40-foot buses that are CNG powered. Due to a recent rapid growth in airport parking, the airport purchased five used diesel buses that are running on B20 biodiesel. Altogether, the fleet operates 24 hours a day and travels more than 600,000 miles per year.
The airport has begun to replace its aging 35-foot buses and the five diesel powered buses with a fleet of 19 40-foot low-floor CNG buses. The rest of the airport fleet consists of 96 light-duty vehicles (49 CNG, 10 electric, 8 hybrid, and 39 biodiesel) along with the CNG buses and three CNG heavy-duty trucks. Through these combined efforts, the airport has reduced its regulated emissions output by approximately 17,498 pounds per year when compared to a similarly sized fleet running on gasoline and diesel.
The airport also has CNG fueling infrastructure as the result of the combined efforts of the U.S. Department of Energy's State Energy Program, Utah Clean Cities, Salt Lake City Corporation, Questar Energy Services, Utah Energy Office, Utah LP Gas, and Utah Hotel & Lodging Association. The fueling facility was positioned to accommodate the airport's CNG fleet as well as private ground transportation providers. It is open 24 hours a day and is also available to the public.
The airport offers private ground shuttle companies a $2,500 credit for driving an alternative fuel vehicle on airport property and using the passenger pickup restricted access lane. By working together with private fleets and the public, Salt Lake City International Airport has succeeded in its quest for clean air through the use of alternative fuels and vehicles.
For more information about alternative vehicles at the Salt Lake City International Airport, contact Ed Napier at ed.napier@slcgov.com.
Hoover Municipal Government Runs on Alternative Fuels
Last Updated: September 24, 2007
With a population of around 65,000, Hoover, Alabama, is the sixth largest city in the state. The City of Hoover currently operates 179 flex-fuel vehicles as well as 21 other light-duty vehicles, 60 medium- and heavy-duty trucks, two buses, two shuttles, and 96 off-road vehicles on B20, a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel. The city currently boasts that 80% of the fuel used by its fleet is alternative fuel.
Hoover's police force operates 130 of the flex-fuel vehicles, which are fueled 100% of the time on E85. The remaining 49 flex-fuel vehicles are used by the city's administative personnel. Hoover has also started a test program to use B20 in its fire trucks and plans to forward the results to the National Fire Protection Association.
Hoover may also be the first municipal government in the U.S. to manufacture its own B100 using waste vegetable oil collected from local restaurants. The city also plans to start home collection of waste vegetable oil by providing gallon jugs to homeowners who want to participate.
"The price of the alternative fuels is below the price of petroleum fuel. With our own B100 production, we might even turn a profit," says David Lindon, fleet management director for the City of Hoover. "The mayor and the city council are committed to clean fuel. It's the right thing to do for our energy security and it's cost effective."
For more information about the alternative fuel program in Hoover, Alabama, contact David Lindon, Fleet Management Director, City of Hoover.
Auburn Tigers Switch to Biodiesel
Last Updated: September 21, 2007
Auburn University's orange and blue Tiger Transit buses are now green. The transit fleet of more than 40 vehicles has made the switch from regular diesel fuel to biodiesel. The switch comes at a time when ridership is at an all-time high. The one-day record was set during the first week of fall classes in 2007 with 17,000 riders.
The buses are initially using B10 biodiesel, which is a blend of 10% biodiesel and 90% petroleum diesel. But fleet managers expect to move to B20 in the near future. The biodiesel fuel is made from soybean oil produced by Alabama Biodiesel Corporation in Moundville and distributed by R.K. Allen Oil Company in Talladega.
While the cost of biodiesel is similar to regular diesel fuel, Dave George AU's director of parking and transit services, says there are many advantages to using biodiesel. Biodiesel actually helps keep the inside of the engines cleaner, and passengers and drivers appreciate the reduction in exhaust fumes. "There's almost no odor compared to the smell of regular diesel," George says. "Plus we get better fuel mileage with biodiesel."
"Auburn's leadership on alternative sources of energy starts on campus," according to AU President Jay Gogue. "Tiger Transit's switch to biodiesel illustrates our commitment to improving energy security for the United States and promoting economic growth through development and use of renewable bioenergy."
For more information about the biodiesel switch of Auburn University, contact Mike Clardy at clardch@auburn.edu.
Carnegie Mellon University
Last Updated: September 21, 2007
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh, Pa. is an environmentally responsible institution on several levels. A key element in its mission to reduce petroleum consumption on campus is to use alternative fuel vehicles whenever practical. In July 2007, six university shuttle buses began operating on B20 biodiesel fuel. The infrastructure for B20 has been established in the Pittsburgh area and the fuel is conveniently available at a local refueling location.
CMU had originally invested in compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles but found that the CNG infrastructure did not develop in the region as anticipated. "We found that infrastructure is an essential component for any alternative vehicle program to become sustainable," said Barbara Kviz, environmental coordinator in Facilities Management Services. The university is now in the process of selling its CNG vehicles.
A campus-wide survey conducted with faculty and staff reinforced CMU's expanded scope of interest in assisting employees with finding alternative transportation to work. Other approaches established to help reduce petroleum consumption include support for public transportation through bus passes provided to students, faculty, and staff and special parking privileges as a carpool incentive for commuters. Facilities Management Services also uses 10 electric vehicles for transportation around the grounds and a new fleet of campus police cars will use E85 ethanol fuel.
For more information, contact Barbara Kviz, Environmental Coordinator, Facilities Management Services, Carnegie Mellon University.
Zion National Park Shuttles Run on Propane
Last Updated: September 21, 2007
Zion National Park in Utah, at the junction of the Colorado Plateau, the Great Basin, and the Mojave Desert, operates 30 propane (LPG) buses that provide transportation along the Zion Canyon scenic drive inside the park and along a route in the neighboring town of Springdale. The park bus route departs the Zion Canyon Visitor Center every few minutes. Approximately 81% of park visitors use the shuttle service during its operating season. According to Kirk Scott, general manager of the Zion Shuttle System, the buses are quieter and emit fewer pollutants into the environment than diesel. At an average 1,076 Btu of energy used per passenger mile, the shuttle buses are also about three times more fuel efficient than passenger cars.
The park purchases high-purity LPG at stable prices from cryogenic storage facilities at a refinery near Salt Lake City. The electronic components that control ignition in the Cummins B5.9 LPG engines seem to work best with at least 95% purity propane fuel and no propylene. Experienced professionals need to install the LPG fueling infrastructure. The park plans to continue using LPG in shuttles and to purchase more LPG buses to replace older buses and expand its fleet.
For more information, visit the Zion National Park website or contact Kirk Scott at parkstrans@infowest.com.
Seattle Tacoma International Airport
Last Updated: August 22, 2007
In 2001, the Port of Seattle Aviation Division adopted a fleet vehicle purchase policy that required the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), whenever feasible and practical, to replace conventional petroleum vehicles. The Seattle Tacoma (Sea-Tac) International Airport's fleet is currently composed of 60 compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, including 16 buses and 41 light-duty vehicles (LDVs)--all of which display the slogan "Doing our share for cleaner air naturally." Sea-Tac's fleet also includes seven propane LDVs, nine hybrid LDVs and 91 ground support units that operate on electricity. In 2005, the Sea-Tac Airport received the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Excellence Award in recognition of the implementation of air quality programs such as the fleet vehicle purchase policy.
The Port required airport taxi and shuttle services to switch to CNG vehicles. Shuttle Express currently has 27 CNG shuttle vans serving the airport. Shuttle Express operates more than 33% of its total trip mileage using the CNG vans. The Seattle-Tacoma International Taxi Association operates all of its 166 taxi cab fleet with CNG-fueled Ford Crown Victorias. The Port of Seattle's Air Quality website reports that the CNG fleet is expected to produce 149 fewer tons of carbon monoxide and 24 fewer tons of oxides of nitrogen each year compared to conventional vehicles.
The Port partnered with Clean Energy to install, operate, and maintain a full-service CNG fueling station at Sea-Tac, which is open to the public and operates 24 hours a day. Sea-Tac currently has plans to add an additional public CNG fueling station, as well as increase the number of CNG buses in its fleet.
For more information, contact Russ Simonson, senior environmental program manager, Port of Seattle, Aviation Division, at simonson.r@portseattle.org.
New Haven Commuters Take the Trolley
Last Updated: August 22, 2007
In June 2002, the Greater New Haven Transit District (GNHTD) in Connecticut began operating four Ebus -22-foot, fully electric trolley replica vehicles. Powered by nickel cadmium (flooded) batteries, the trolleys emit zero emissions and can transport a maximum of 22 passengers. Two of the trolleys operate seven hours a day, six days a week on a downtown New Haven circular route. One trolley also runs an additional two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening, carrying people from various business buildings to parking lots.
The trolleys are each nearing 40,000 miles of operation and have an operational readiness rate that's greater than 90%. Using the electric trolleys instead of conventional diesel buses "improves the air quality in an area that is out of compliance with ozone and particulate matter, as well as decreases dependence on foreign petroleum," says Donna Carter, GNHTD executive director. "We are very pleased to be able to keep these trolleys, which were built to run in sunny California, on the streets of chilly New Haven in the dead of winter." GNHTD estimates that, so far, the trolley fleet has displaced 10,000 gallons of petroleum diesel fuel. Route expansions and refinements are currently being explored to offer better connections between local rail service, work locations, and tourist sites in the downtown area. The City of New Haven and the Greater New Haven Transit District are working together to secure funding for expansion of its alternative fuel vehicle fleet to serve the growing need for increased public transit options downtown.
For more information, visit the New Haven Transit District website or contact Donna Carter, Greater New Haven Transit District.
Unitrans Moves Passengers With CNG
Last Updated: August 22, 2007
Unitrans, a student-run transit system that serves the University of California at Davis and the City of Davis, currently operates 27 compressed natural gas (CNG) transit buses, five CNG shuttle buses, two electric light-duty vehicles, 11 medium- and heavy-duty CNG vehicles, and four light-duty CNG-powered vehicles. Unitrans is among the first fleets in the nation to develop a transit bus that will operate on a hydrogen/CNG mixture; the company plans to begin testing by the end of 2007. Two hundred student employees and 14 career employees run the system, which transports 20,000 passengers each weekday (more than 3 million annually). About 95% of Unitrans' mileage is driven by alternative fuel buses.
Unitrans currently has its own CNG fueling station and plans to complete a new hydrogen/CNG refueling station, as well. "CNG compressors and related equipment are best protected from the elements within an enclosed structure. Completing the planned blended hydrogen/CNG fueling station has been very difficult because local safety personnel have required a wide array of safety elements that were not anticipated during the planning phase," explains General Manager Geoff Straw. "It seems that we're establishing new protocols due to the unique nature of the project. For this reason, the hydrogen compressor had to be located outside the existing CNG compressor/equipment building, which has delayed completion of the project for the past two years."
In addition to the CNG/hydrogen start up challenges, Straw indicated that "the technological learning curve was steep for our technicians. In fact, many of my peers in the transit industry and I are having difficulty finding trained compressed-fuel technicians." Two additional factors have surfaced in the process of operating a CNG fleet. Planning has had to include the increased capital costs of operating CNG vehicles due to the 15-year life of the vehicle's CNG fueling tanks. "We have two options when the CNG tanks have reached their maximum operational life. We can replace the tanks (about $75K per vehicle) or replace the vehicle entirely, both of which require large amounts of funds. With a conventional diesel vehicle, we can replace old/dirty engines with newer/cleaner diesel engines and the bus can operate for a much longer time with little financial investment." Another important factor is the limited number of CNG engine manufacturers in the transit market. Straw indicates that "some of us who have invested in CNG infrastructure are concerned about future pricing and support."
Despite these challenges, Unitrans is committed to clean technology and has selected CNG as its fuel of choice. "The low per-mile fuel cost of natural gas is attractive. It's a proven technology and we've had 12 years of experience with it." says Straw.
Contact Unitrans at http://unitrans.ucdavis.edu/ or Geoff Straw at gdstraw@ucdavis.edu.
CNG Shuttles Become Hit of the Party
Last Updated: August 22, 2007
A fleet of compressed natural gas (CNG) airport shuttle buses has taken on a new life, resulting in even more CNG use in St. Louis, Missouri. Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, a St. Louis Clean Cities stakeholder, recently sold five of its CNG shuttle buses at auction as part of its standard three-year turn-around cycle for shuttles. (The airport replaced the vehicles with new CNG shuttles.) The good news for St. Louis: The buses were bought by Windows on Washington, a popular restaurant and banquet facility in the Washington Avenue Downtown District.
Windows on Washington uses the shuttles to transport guests to and from downtown parking lots and hotels to the banquet and restaurant facilities. The CNG choice made sense for the banquet facility. "CNG is environmentally prudent and a patriotic American response [to energy concerns]," says Windows on Washington owner Tom Klein. And he says the clean running buses are very popular. "We receive compliments from passengers, drivers, downtown corporate and residential neighbors, other employees, and even the Metropolitan St. Louis Taxi Cab Commission."
The shuttle drivers fuel the vehicles with the FuelMaker owned by Windows on Washington and at the Laclede Gas Company Public Fueling Facility in St. Louis.
