Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) in Texas is planning to convert its entire fleet to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), specifically planning to deploy 580 CNG vehicles to support its transportation service for the greater-Dallas-area. Once fully deployed, DART is expected to use approximately 7 million GGEs of CNG per year, which reduces greenhouse gases by 14,749 metric tons per year, the equivalent of taking 3,045 cars off the road.
The transit operator has signed a multi-year agreement with natural gas provider Clean Energy to maintain its four CNG refueling stations.
“DART is a recognized leader in transit solutions with thorough and thoughtful long-term initiatives to improve service and focus on long-term economic sustainability. We’re pleased that the transition to natural gas is part of their long-term planning and are excited to help them with this transition,” said Kenneth Nicholson, vice president, sales and marketing, Clean Energy.
“DART is one of the largest transit fleets in Texas, operating in 13 cities and covering 700 square miles. By transitioning our entire fleet to CNG and contracting with Clean Energy, we are able to offer our nearly 40 million annual bus customers a more sustainable and cost-efficient transit experience,” explained Mike Hubbell, vice president of maintenance, Dallas Area Rapid Transit.
As at November 2013, DART was operating 233 LNG buses and 111 CNG buses.
(Source: Clean Energy)
