USA, Colton
Colton Joint Unified School District officials are noting the real benefits of switching to natural gas buses. The CNG fleet has reportedly reduced particulate matter by 2,000 pounds per year and nitrous oxides by 28,000 pounds per year, said district Transportation Manager Rick Feinstein. The district saved US$650,000 in fuel costs for the 2007/2008 fiscal year and paid US$1.08 a gallon equivalent for CNG versus $4 a gallon for diesel, Feinstein said. The district also gets a 50-cent rebate from the federal government for every gallon of CNG used, Feinstein said.
The district acquired its first CNG-powered buses in 2006. At the time, the idea of having a fleet powered by CNG was viewed as impractical, said Feinstein. Since a school district’s buses are usually all in operation at the same time, they also need to undertake the lengthy refuelling process at the same time. The district solved this simply, by installing a CNG hose at every parking stall and refueled overnight. The practice has resulted in reduced labor costs because drivers don’t have to wait to refuel buses. They simply attach a hose and go home, Feinstein said.
By 2007, the district’s entire fleet of 50 route buses was powered by CNG, many acquired with grants from the South Coast Air Quality Management District in March 2007 (see NGV Global article March 2007).
Print 
PDF 