Transpo New Flyer CNG Bus
South Bend Public Transportation Corporation (Transpo) a provider of fixed route and paratransit service for South Bend and Mishawaka in the U.S. State of Indiana, has received the 2015 Impact Award from South Shore Clean Cities. The Impact Award recognizes an organization that strives to improve the quality of life in Northern Indiana and demonstrates leadership in sustainability. Transpo was recognized for their ongoing sustainability initiatives with the fleet conversion from soy biodiesel to compressed natural gas (CNG) and the upcoming opening of their fast-fuel CNG fueling center.
South Shore Clean Cities is one of nearly 100 active U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Clean Cities Coalitions in the United States. The coalitions are designed in large part to reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector by advancing the use of alternative fuels and vehicles.
Transpo has replaced 16 fixed route buses with new vehicles, powered by CNG, launching a five-year fleet replacement program. Three additional buses will arrive in the upcoming weeks. Transpo has the largest CNG public transit fleet in the state of Indiana.
“We’re honored to be recognized for our sustainability initiatives”, said David Cangany, Transpo General Manager & CEO. “As we strategically plan for the future, we are committed to sustainable best practices. The CNG technology not only reduces our operating costs, but is environmentally-friendly and supports CNG as an alternate fuel option throughout the region”, continued Cangany.
In 2014, Transpo started the process of updating the aged fixed route fleet and introduced compressed natural gas (CNG) technology by ordering 16 New Flyer CNG buses.
Transpo’s CNG fueling facility, built by EFS West, is the first fast-fill public CNG facility in the region and will be able to fuel up to six vehicles at one time. The facility was made possible by a U.S. Department of Energy grant along with additional funding from the Federal Transit Administration through CMAQ grants provided through the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG) and Diesel Wise Indiana. The fueling facility is in partnership with the City of South Bend, which provided the local funding match.
Transpo recently began fueling the CNG buses at their new state-of-the-art fueling center and will host a Grand Opening in the upcoming weeks.
(Source: Transpo)
