Blue Water Area Transit has added four new compressed natural gas buses to its fleet.
The addition brings the total number of GILLIG buses in the fleet to 12, according to a community announcement.
The new buses are replacing older models and are expected to enhance the reliability and comfort of public transit in the area.
“These CNG-powered buses are replacing buses that are aging out of our existing fleet of CNG buses. They allow us to continue providing state-of-the-art public transit service,” Dave McElroy, BWATC’s general manager, said in the announcement. “Pursuing innovative technology has been a priority of the commission for decades.”
Funding for the new buses
The Federal Transit Administration provided $1.97 million and the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Office of Public Transportation contributed $548,000 in grants, totaling $2.52 million, to purchase the American-made buses.
“Blue Water Area Transit has taken a leadership role in securing federal and state funding to provide the residents of St. Clair County a state-of-the-art transportation system,” Linda Bruckner, BWATC commission board chairperson, said in the announcement. “The addition of the new GILLIG CNG buses to our fleet reflects our mission of quality transportation services to our residents. Public transportation is for all to use and enjoy. We at Blue Water Transit are proud to serve the residents of St. Clair County.”
Features of the new buses
The GILLIG CNG bus combines the latest CNG technology with the company’s reputation for reliability, safety and efficiency. The design recorded the highest reliability and best fuel economy of any CNG bus tested at the Altoona Bus Research and Testing Center.
The new buses feature low-floor technology for easier boarding and Q’Straint’s Quantum mobility device securement system, which allows mobility passengers to secure themselves in less than 25 seconds with the push of a button.
BWATC now has 12 GILLIG CNG buses, including two 40-foot and 10 35-foot models, in its fleet of 80 operating buses. GILLIG is a California-based company.
Originally posted here.