At this year’s BusCon Expo in Indianapolis, the Propane Education & Research Council partnered with Metro Magazine to recognize five top transit fleets for their use of clean, domestic propane autogas. Groome Transportation, Historic Tours of America, Inter-County Public Transportation Authority, LeeTran and VIA Metropolitan Transit were each presented a “Top User of Propane Autogas” award.
“Propane autogas is a leading alternative fuel in the U.S. that enables fleets to reach sustainability goals without burdening tight budgets.” said Michael Taylor, PERC director of autogas business development. “By adopting propane autogas, public transportation fleets are reducing harmful emissions, cutting operating costs and decreasing dependence on foreign oil. Clean, American-made propane autogas is a smart alternative fuel decision for many fleets."
Taylor presented the awards to attending representatives at a ceremony at the Indiana Convention Center. The fleets will be individually recognized for their achievements in reducing emissions and dependence on diesel and gasoline.
- Groome Transportation operates in six states and has been using propane autogas since 2010. “Our customers appreciate the value that we place on our business and the environment,” said Chris Groome, vice president of Groome Transportation. “We are achieving a greener fuel initiative while saving on cost.”
- Historic Tours of America operates 165 converted propane tour vehicles, including trolleys, buses and Conch Tour Trains in six different cities. The fleet appreciates that clean propane autogas leads to longer engine life and lower total cost of ownership.
- Inter-County Public Transportation Authority in North Carolina converted 15 vehicles to propane last December, and plans to convert three more in the near future. To date, the fleet has saved more than $30,000 and anticipates reaching its ROI within 12 months of its conversion date.
- LeeTran (Lee County Transit) in southwest Florida operates five dedicated propane paratransit shuttle buses and has 15 more on order. At today’s fuel prices, the county estimates that it will save $14,000 in fuel costs with propane autogas when compared with diesel, and $25,000 when compared with gasoline, over the life of each vehicle.
- VIA Metropolitan Transit has been utilizing propane-autogas-powered vehicles in San Antonio since 1992. The fleet currently operates more than 100 dedicated propane-autogas-powered vehicles, including 14 trolleys and 124 vans. Drivers have remarked that the quiet engines are a safety advantage, most notably while passengers board paratransit vans.
