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Prepared by and for more information: Kelly Wright, Transit
Marketing Specialist, 919-996-4042
August 31,2018
GoRaleigh First in Region to Roll Out
Environmentally-Friendly CNG Buses
GoRaleigh Transit announces the arrival of new buses powered
by compressed natural gas (CNG). 17 CNG buses will add to the fleet of
approximately 100 diesel buses.
“We’re excited to have already received over a dozen of our
CNG buses. We’re the first in the region to offer CNG as an alternative-fuel
vehicle in public transportation,” says Marie Parker, general manager of
GoRaleigh operations. “It benefits the citizens twofold, burning cleaner fuel
which greatly reduces air pollution by lowering nitrogen oxide emissions, and
it’s much quieter, reducing noise pollution.” GoRaleigh started ordering the
40-foot Gillig standard low floor CNG buses last October. Delivery of the buses
began in August as did the work of inspecting and meeting other requirements. A
significant share of the cost of
the CNG buses is paid through the Wake Transit Plan*.
In 2017, the Raleigh Transit Authority voted to convert up
to 75 percent of the fleet to CNG. The remaining 25 percent will remain diesel
and may include other advanced technologies.
“The RTA’s decision was based on the simple CNG engine design which does not
require a particulate trap or other emissions reduction technologies,” says
City of Raleigh Transit Administrator David Eatman. Support for the CNG buses
is echoed by the Sustainability Manager Megan Anderson, “These buses help
achieve objectives identified in Raleigh’s Climate Energy Action Plan. This is such an exciting move toward transforming our fleet to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the community and to build a more
sustainable future for all who live in Raleigh.”
Mrs. Parker says bus operators and mechanics are training to
become familiar with the units. Following inspections and fuel source
installation, she expects to have the buses in service for the public by the
first week of September.
CNG facts:
Compressed Natural Gas, or CNG, consists mostly of methane,
and is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. CNG burns cleaner which greatly
reduces air pollution by reducing greenhouse gases (GHG), and smog forming
emissions, such as carbon dioxide, NOx (nitrogen oxides), and particulate
emissions. CNG engines are much quieter than comparable diesel engines,
reducing noise pollution.
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*A one-half
cent sales tax was approved in November 2016 by voters in Wake County as part
of the Wake Transit Plan. Taxpayers started paying the half-cent sales tax
increase in April 2017. To learn more about the Wake Transit Plan, visit
goforwardnc.org/wake.
GoRaleigh provides
bus service throughout the City of Raleigh and other key destinations. For
routes, schedules, and trip planning visit goraleigh.org. Social media -
Twitter, Instagram & Facebook - @GoRaleighNC.
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