USA, Utah
Following prior experience with natural gas vehicles, the agricultural
college at Utah State has just added five new compressed natural gas
(CNG) shuttle buses to their fleet. “Instead of running on traditional
diesel fuel, the new buses are fueled by compressed natural gas — a
much cleaner, cheaper and easier alternative,” Aggie Shuttle Supervisor
Alden Erickson said.
“That’s a major impact on the air quality around campus …There is
more accessibility, and mechanically they are a better vehicle.” Utah
State University recently purchased the buses to replace part of an
aging fleet of first generation CNG shuttles. In past years,
winter air quality in Cache Valley (where Utah State is located) has at
times ranked among the worst in the nation because of the abundance of
particulate pollution.
Although Erickson said a system of just 10 buses may not reverse the
air quality problem, it could be part of a solution. “We are kind
of a small system, but environmental problems are cured by everyone
getting involved,” Erickson said. “I think mass transit is really going
to be key.” CNG costs only 87 cents a gallon in Utah, while
diesel fuel costs more than $2.60.
This is the first time that five brand-new buses were purchased at the
same time since the Aggie Shuttle service began in 1979. Erickson said
the school has secured most of the funding through student fees. With a
$400,000 a year budget, Erickson said the Aggie Shuttles transport
6,500 students a day and each bus travels about 12,000 to 15,000 miles
a year. “It’s one of the least expensive student fee oriented
shuttle systems in the nation,” Erickson said.
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