Mayor Jones Introduces New GRTC Bus Fueled By Compressed Natural Gas

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones will preside at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the first of its new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueled buses. The ceremony will be held at 11:15 am, Thursday, August 1, 2013, at the GRTC Transit System Maintenance Facility located at 301 East Belt Boulevard. Among honored guests will be a representative of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

Immediately following the ribbon cutting ceremony, the Mayor will board the first GRTC bus fueled by CNG for its maiden trip, on a route which will deliver him to City Hall.

In 2011, the Mayor’s Office met with GRTC officials about the benefits of transitioning the bus fleet to CNG fueled vehicles as retired buses are replaced. The benefits included significantly reduced fuel costs, improved air quality, and reduced noise pollution. GRTC initiated the procedure to replace vehicles, as they are retired from the fleet, with new CNG fueled vehicles for both its paratransit and fixed route services.

In early July 2013, GRTC received its first shipment of 8 CNG buses, with plans for an additional 21 to arrive at the end of the year. GRTC already has 15 CNG paratransit vans that have been in service since November 2012, and has 15 additional vans on order.

To support the transition to CNG fueled vehicles, GRTC’s maintenance and fueling facilities are being modified to accommodate CNG vehicles. A new CNG fueling station that will be located at the GRTC facility is scheduled to break ground in October 2013.

During the ribbon cutting ceremony, informational handouts will be distributed listing benefits that CNG powered buses will bring to Richmond.