Omaha, Neb.’s Metro board of directors approved the purchase of nine compressed natural gas-powered (CNG) buses for Metro’s paratransit service, MOBY. They will replace current vehicles that have reached their useful life, as calculated by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

MOBY is a shared, curb-to-curb complementary paratransit service operated within the Omaha city limits. It provides transportation for ADA-certified trips within three-fourths of a mile on each side of all fixed routes.

The introduction of CNG-powered vehicles is part of a larger sustainability initiative by Metro to transition to more environmentally-friendly fuel options, such as CNG and clean diesel.

Metro was also recently awarded a competitive federal grant for $2.4 million to help purchase CNG-powered buses to enhance Metro’s fixed-route fleet. Metro is sourcing these vehicles through a competitively-bid contract through the State of Nebraska, which was awarded to Master’s Transportation. The $801,000 purchase is financed with federal matching funds. The FTA’s contribution of $680,850 will be matched by a $100,000 grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust and $20,150 allocation from Metro.