Nov 19: RTA to purchase 60 buses powered by CNG

RTA's Board of Trustees has approved the purchase of 60 new buses for $28.9 million. The coaches run on compressed natural gas (CNG).

 Nov 19: RTA to purchase 60 buses powered by CNG

Nov 19, 2013

CLEVELAND -- The Board of Trustees of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has approved the purchase of 60 new CNG-powered buses, along with related training, special tools and spare parts from Gillig, LLC, for $28,951,898. All of these coaches will run on compressed natural gas (CNG). 

These vehicles should be delivered in March 2015.

An additional 180 buses CNG-powered buses will be ordered in the future, for delivery in 2016-2018, for a total of 240 buses. All of these vehicles will replace current buses that are at least 12 years old and/or have 500,000 miles on them.

RTA will need to build CNG dispensing facilities at two bus garages. The first will be installed at Hayden Garage in East Cleveland.

RTA staff recommended CNG buses instead of diesel for the environmental benefits of CNG over diesel, as well as the extreme cost savings. Each vehicle will save an estimated $200,000 in fuel costs using CNG instead of diesel in its lifetime, using today's diesel and CNG costs.

For more details about CNG, check out this fact sheet about RTA's purchase.

RTA provides quality, economic and safe public transportation via rail, bus and Paratransit throughout Cuyahoga County. Real-time information is available for all buses and trains. Check www.riderta.com or call the RTAnswerline at 216-621-9500.

Media Contact: Mary Shaffer, 216-566-5211