Lexington Set to Bolster Fleet with Six New Compressed Natural Gas Buses
In an ongoing effort to improve public transportation sustainability and efficiency, the city of Lexington has announced a $4 million federal grant will be spent on acquiring six new compressed natural gas (CNG) buses. These eco-friendly vehicles will replace older diesel buses that have outlived their utility and help expand the use of alternative fuels within the city’s transit system.
A Transition to Compressed Natural Gas
Lextran, Lexington’s primary mass transit provider, is in the process of enhancing its fuel delivery infrastructure for compressed natural gas vehicles. The department’s director of planning and community development, Emily Elliott, has been quoted as saying, “Several years ago we applied for a grant to upgrade our compressed natural gas fueling capabilities. And that construction is ongoing right now and should be wrapped up in August. So, we have been planning to implement more natural gas vehicles into the fleet.”
Aiming for a Sustainable Future
Elliott explained further that the procurement and onboarding of new CNG buses takes close to two years, from acquiring funding to manufacturing and delivery of the vehicles. However, she noted that the timeline may be fast-tracked given the increasing importance of shifting to more eco-friendly transit options. To highlight this shift, compressed natural gas buses currently constitute 43% of the total Lextran fleet, a statistic that is bound to rise with the arrival of the new vehicles.
Looking forward, Elliott anticipated the transformation of the remaining fleet, stating “We anticipate that we will continue to move in this direction and diversify the fleet but it remains important for us to have different options available for fuel costs, reliability, the whole thing across the board to make sure we have a diverse fleet.” Within the next few years, it is expected that the low or no emissions component of the fleet will increase from 60 to 70%.
A Focus on Workforce Development Too
Another key aspect of the grant application is its focus on workforce development. As the transit system modernizes its fleet, it is also committed to improving the skills of its workforce. This includes providing necessary training for employees to manage the new technology and fuel systems. “The grant focuses a lot on workforce development,” Elliot explained, thereby revealing another key aspect in the process of updating Lexington’s mass transit system.
In conclusion, the decision to introduce more compressed natural gas buses onto Lexington’s streets represents not just a substantial move towards ecological sustainability, but also a significant advancement in workforce development. The ongoing shift to reliable and sustainable public transportation options contributes positively towards both urban development and environmental conservation.
