On May 19, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) unveiled its new compressed natural gas (CNG) buses at a ceremony at the Great Lakes Science Center. RTA is adding 90 new CNG buses to its big-bus fleet this summer, with 25 more in 2016. They will replace clean diesel buses that have reached the extent of their useful life.
“Natural gas costs one-third that of diesel, resulting in savings of more than $200,000 over the life of each bus,” said RTA CEO and General Manager Joe Calabrese.
Each CNG bus reduces annual emissions by 100 tons of CO2 equivalent per bus, so RTA’s fleet of CNG buses will emit 30 percent fewer greenhouse gases by 2017, Calabrese said. Diesel costs $2.88 per gallon. CNG diesel-gas-equivalent costs $1 per gallon.
“When we pair long-term cost savings and long-term energy savings with an improvement in RTA’s overall carbon footprint, everyone wins,” Calabrese said. RTA is proud to join with partners such as Parker Hannifin, which is supplying the refueling dispensers, in strategic sustainability initiatives, Calabrese said.
"Parker is committed to supporting clean transportation and we are proud to work with local partners such as the Greater Cleveland RTA," said Tamara Horne, general manager of Parker's Veriflo Division.
"Natural gas provides significant benefits to the environment and the bottom line, and Parker's fast-fill fuel dispensers will help to make the transition from diesel as seamless as possible."
“Together, we can create a healthier and more livable environment for our employees and customers,” Calabrese said. “We’re taking steps to reduce pollution and improve our environmental footprint in the region.”
“In doing what it does every day, RTA removes 50,000 cars from the roadways in Northeast Ohio, reducing congestion, enhancing safety, and improving air quality,” he said.
RTA was joined at the ceremony by RTA Board member Valarie J. McCall, who is the city of Cleveland’s chief of government and international affairs. She is also APTA vice chair and transit board members committee chair, and she served as the event MC.
