Texas’ Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority’s (CCRTA) board of directors took another step forward in pursuit of a cost-saving “green” fleet powered by domestically-produced compressed natural gas (CNG) with the approval to purchase 23 new ARBOC CNG-fueled paratransit vehicles.

Fuel cost savings to the CCRTA for these new vehicles will be $322,000 annually or $14,000 per vehicle per year, according to the agency. This is added fuel cost savings heaped onto the savings already being realized from the 10n fixed-route CNG units brought on-line late last year.

In addition to fuel cost savings, the new vehicles are low-floor demand response vehicles and will each be equipped with:

• Safe platform ramps compliant with ADA incline guidelines rather than slow-loading lifts.

• Three wheelchair securements per unit instead of two.

• A total of 13 fixed seats of which four convert for maximum wheelchair capacity.