The South Bend Public Transportation Corporation (Transpo) received the 2015 Impact Award from South Shore Clean Cities at their Annual Meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 16.
South Shore Clean Cities is one of nearly 100 active U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Clean Cities Coalitions in the United States. The coalitions are designed to reduce petroleum consumption in the transportation sector by advancing the use of alternative fuels and vehicles, idle reduction technologies, hybrid electric vehicles, fuel blends and fuel economy.
The Impact Award recognizes an organization that strives to improve the quality of life in Northern Indiana and demonstrate leadership in sustainability. Transpo was recognized for their ongoing sustainability initiatives with the fleet conversion from soy biodiesel to compressed natural gas (CNG) and the upcoming opening of their fast-fuel CNG fueling center.
Transpo has replaced 16 fixed route buses with new vehicles, powered by CNG, launching a five-year fleet replacement program. Three additional new buses will arrive in the upcoming weeks. Transpo now has the largest CNG public transit fleet in the state of Indiana.
“We’re honored to be recognized for our sustainability initiatives”, said David Cangany, Transpo general manager and CEO. “As we strategically plan for the future, we are committed to sustainable best practices. The CNG technology not only reduces our operating costs, but is environmentally-friendly and supports CNG as an alternate fuel option throughout our region."
Transpo recently began fueling the CNG buses on site at their new state-of-the-art fueling center and will host a grand opening in the upcoming weeks.
