Rising and fluctuating diesel and gasoline prices cause stress and uncertainty for fleet operation bottom lines. Fortunately, transit fleet operators may choose from several alternative fuel and vehicle technologies that can provide price stability, lower fuel costs and reduced emissions.

One forward-thinking transit fleet — the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) in Canton, Ohio — is implementing alternatives with great success. With an annual ridership of 2.7 million, SARTA operates 43 transit buses and 41 paratransit vehicles throughout its countywide territory. SARTA first became interested in transitioning to alternative fuels to reduce costs and emissions. After careful consideration, SARTA determined that compressed natural gas (CNG) presented a good opportunity for its fleet.

The Basics of Compressed Natural Gas

CNG has properties that are very similar to gasoline. With its high octane rating, CNG is an excellent fuel for spark-ignited internal combustion engines. CNG can be used in a dedicated natural gas vehicle or in combination with diesel or gasoline in a dual-fuel or bi-fuel vehicle.

Fuel Cost Savings of CNG

CNG has been found to be more cost effective than diesel and gasoline. According to the "Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report," published in October 2013, CNG costs $1.36 less than gasoline (per gallon equivalent) and $1.58 less than diesel. When considered over time, gasoline and diesel prices have shown considerable volatility while the price of CNG has remained relatively constant.

“This predictability and low pricing provides a financial advantage for fleets that rely on CNG for vehicle operations,” said Andrew Conley of Clean Fuels Ohio, a regional Clean Cities coalition that works with fleets to implement alternative fuels.

SARTA’s CNG Success

During the past few years, SARTA has demonstrated regional leadership in deploying alternative fuels and fuel-efficient technologies. In addition to transitioning nine of its transit buses and 13 of its paratransit vehicles to CNG, SARTA added four hybrid-electric buses to its fleet and started using B10, a biodiesel blend consisting of 10% biodiesel and 90% petroleum diesel.

In 2012, SARTA opened a public-access CNG station — currently Frito-Lay, Kimble Refuse and Home City Ice are among the regional natural gas-powered fleets that fuel at the station.

“Everyone wins by using natural gas to operate vehicles,” said SARTA CEO Kirt Conrad. “CNG-powered vehicles run for a fraction of the cost of traditional diesel vehicles, and the fuel comes from domestic sources.”

By working with Clean Fuels Ohio, SARTA was able to receive assistance and secure grant funding for vehicles and infrastructure. This helped reduce SARTA’s initial capital costs and enabled the transit agency to realize a quicker return on investment. As a result, SARTA deployed more alternative fuel vehicles in a shorter amount of time, saving money and improving the environmental performance of its fleet.

These vehicles were made possible thanks to funding from an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act project supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities initiative.

To view a video on SARTA's experience, click here.

About the author
Matt Stephens-Rich

Matt Stephens-Rich

Clean Cities Ohio

A graduate student at the John Glenn School of Public Affairs at Ohio State University, Matt Stephens-Rich is interning at Clean Fuels Ohio as part of the Clean Cities Workforce Development Program.

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