The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) announced Aug. 31, that Metro, in conjunction with Trillium CNG, has begun construction on a high capacity fast fill compressed natural gas fueling station at Metro’s Frontier Bus Garage.
The $5.9 million facility will encompass one and a half acres and feature two 250-hp compressors, producing 700 standard cubic feet per minute that will serve four fuel dispensers. A twin tower dryer, control building, electric motor and control distribution wiring and control system are also part of the project. The functionality of the station will more than cover Metro’s needs for the immediate future, but the facility can be expanded to meet new demands.
Kimberley A. Minkel, NFTA executive director said, “Compressed natural gas is the fuel of the future for our fleet of buses. It’s affordable, plentiful, safe and made in the USA. CNG is an eco-friendly fuel that helps improve our air quality and will increase the overall efficiency of our fleet.”
“We are excited to be working with the NFTA who has demonstrated commitment to providing safe, affordable and environmentally friendly public transportation to the residents of Erie and Niagara counties,” said Joel Jansen, vice president, Trillium CNG. “Our company has a long history and proven track record of providing customized design, build, operation and maintenance solutions for heavy-duty transit fleets.”
Thomas George, NFTA director of public transit commented, “This is an exciting project for the future development of Metro services, as we embark down the road of providing high-end, environmentally efficient CNG buses for our customers in the Buffalo Niagara region.”
Metro has ordered 44 full-size buses from Nova Bus that will run on compressed natural gas. The first 20 are due later this year, and will begin transporting passengers at that time, with the remainder to follow in 2016. These new buses will replace the oldest diesel buses currently in use. Metro has also ordered 10 CNG paratransit vans from Shepard Brothers, which will be used to transport customers with special needs. The PAL vans will begin service this fall.
