TruStar Energy in conjunction with Energy Systems Group (ESG) announced the grand opening of a large transit fast-fill CNG fuel station for Greater Lafayette Public Transportation Corp. (CityBus).
Located in Lafayette, Indiana, CityBus provides safe, reliable, and convenient transit service to local residents and Purdue University students. CityBus pursues sustainable operational practices that include hybrid diesel-electric buses and power-generating wind turbines. The emergence of CNG as an alternative fuel combined with new natural gas engine technology has resulted in the opportunity to take advantage of considerable fuel and vehicle acquisition cost savings for CityBus.
CityBus currently runs a total of 10 CNG-powered buses, six that operate on their regular routes and four additional buses dedicated to paratransit customers. The majority of CityBus customers are college students, and studies conducted by both Ball State and Purdue indicated that CNG would provide the best benefits for CityBus and riders.
"Cost and efficiency drove the decision," following an evaluation of fuel sources, expense, environmental impact and ridership, says CityBus general manager Martin Sennett. "Other costs, too, are going up for CityBus, so we had to figure out how to make ends meet," he says. "We considered the cost of the different fuel options, cost of the buses and the emissions levels and determined CNG was the best option."
TruStar Energy President and CEO, Adam Comora, is pleased that studies by leading universities support the move to clean-burning domestic CNG.
"The results of these studies reinforces what we tell prospective customers every day. When you look at the stability of CNG, the positive environmental aspects of CNG – in addition to the price per gallon and then overlay that with the volatility of foreign oil prices, it's the clear winner."
The CityBus fast-fill CNG fueling station is the second project where TruStar Energy teamed up with Energy Systems Group. ESG brings extensive expertise in providing a wide range of energy solutions, working closely with utilities and other partners to design and develop energy infrastructure solutions that promote local economic growth, sustainability, and environmental conservation.
According to ESG Business Development Manager Mark Falahee, CityBus plans on gradually converting their 73-bus fleet to CNG via their annual replacement schedule.
