The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority purchased 20 propane autogas paratransit buses to provide clean and affordable transportation for individuals with disabilities. The first of its kind in Ohio, the new shuttles were projected to save $21,000 per vehicle in fuel costs and maintenance over a six-year period. The agency will recoup its investment in just over one year.
“We learned of other transit agencies that were successful using propane autogas technology to save money and lower their environmental impact,” said Joe Calabrese, CEO and General Manager of the Greater Cleveland RTA. “When you can save money while saving the planet, it’s a no-brainer.”
“When you can save money while saving the planet, it’s a no-brainer.”
Joe Calabrese, CEO and General Manager of The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
Built on a Ford E-450 chassis, each paratransit shuttle bus is equipped with a ROUSH CleanTech liquid propane autogas fuel system installed by Green Alternative Systems. Each bus will emit 125,000 fewer pounds of carbon dioxide over its lifetime, when compared to conventionally fueled counterparts.
The RTA is one of the largest transit systems in the nation. The agency built an onsite propane autogas fueling station. Installing the propane autogas station cost less than any other fueling station, including gasoline or diesel. Historically, autogas costs 30 – 40% less than gasoline and about 50% less than diesel.
“The Greater Cleveland RTA has been a leader in providing efficient and clean transportation to their community for decades,” said Todd Mouw, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for ROUSH CleanTech. “By choosing lower-cost, domestically produced propane autogas, the agency is providing clean transportation to its customers and saving taxpayer dollars.”
The transit authority inaugurated its new autogas fleet during the American Public Transportation Association’s exposition in Houston on October 13th, 2014. The RTA hopes to switch its entire fleet of 100 paratransit buses to autogas as part of a normal replacement cycle.
Buying propane vehicles or converting your fleets to propane autogas is made easier with the rebates available from the Ohio Propane Gas Association. The OPGA is offering up to $5,000 per entity, $1,000 each for vehicles or mowers.
