GRTC Transit System announces opening of its new compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station at a ribbon cutting ceremony April 7, 2014, with invited guests from the city of Richmond, Henrico County, Chesterfield County, and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
In 2012 GRTC started converting its fixed route buses and paratransit vehicles to CNG fueled vehicles as retired vehicles were replaced. CNG fueled vehicles are more economical, environmentally friendly, and quiet than diesel fueled vehicles. The first CNG vehicles were fueled at a public CNG fueling station in Richmond, an eight miles round trip away from GRTC’s bus lot, resulting in waste of some of the intended cost savings.
It was a natural next step to construct the on-site compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station, which has been the culmination of a ten month design and build project at GRTC Transit System headquarters. Components of the natural gas compressing equipment are located on the north curb line of GRTC’s bus storage yard. The linear layout of the station allows for uninterrupted bus circulation throughout the facility.
There are two existing lanes for fueling both transit buses and paratransit vehicles. Dispensing will occur from two CNG combo-dispensers that are installed on existing fueling islands. The combo-dispensers include high volume hoses that can operate simultaneously. The new dispensers will deliver CNG at the same rate as diesel fueled vehicles are serviced.
