APTA: More than 35 Pct of U.S. Public Transit Buses Run on Alternative Fuel

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) said that more than 35 percent of U.S. public transportation buses use alternative fuels or hybrid technology, as of January 1, 2011. This is a striking contrast to the 1.3 percent of automobiles that used alternative-fuels in 2010, according to the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Annual Outlook.

“Public  transportation is leading the way with environmentally efficient vehicles,” said APTA President and CEO Michael Melaniphy. “The public transit vehicle fleet is the proving ground for environmental technology that may some day become a part of the nation’s automobile fleet.”

APTA statistics for early 2011 show that  18.6 percent of U.S. transit buses used compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) and blends.  Almost 9 percent (8.8%) of public transit buses were hybrids and nearly 8 percent (7.9%) of public transit buses used biodiesel.

“Today’s modern public transit bus is increasingly either a hybrid or is powered by fuels that are good for the environment,” said APTA Chair Flora Castillo. “The public transportation industry is a green industry and is committed to improving the environment.”

From operating environmentally-friendly bus and rail vehicles, building LEEDS certified facilities, using solar bus shelters, and  recycling bus wash water, the U.S. public transportation industry — both public and private sectors — uses green technologies to further reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and help our country reach energy independence. 

APTA noted  that U.S. public transportation use saves 37 million metric tons of carbon emission every year.  Additionally, since public transit use in the United States saves 4.7 billion gallons of gasoline annually, public transit riders are doing their part to help our nation be energy independent, according to APTA.

As of January 1, 2011, 35.6% of all the public transit buses in the United States were alternate powered.  Hybrid buses, all electric buses and buses fueled by alternative fuels including compressed natural gas (CNG), biodiesel, and propane were common among public transit systems nationwide. CNG is the most widely used alternative fuel used by public transit systems, followed by hybrid buses and buses using biodiesel fuel.  Propone is a new, emerging fuel.

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LNG World News Staff, May 6, 2013