Aug 15, 2008 11:23 am US/Pacific
SJ Airport Converts All Shuttles To Natural Gas
Mineta San Jose International Airport has switched all its airport shuttles to compressed natural gas vehicles in an effort to lower costs and eliminate the need for diesel fuel.
Although the airport began using the compressed natural gas, or CNG, shuttle buses in 2003, airport officials announced the total transition to CNG vehicles Wednesday.
A $1.4 million grant from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District assisted in funding the fleet that now includes a total of 34 blue CNG shuttles.
"This conversion is a critical step in helping us accomplish San Jose's Green Vision goal of having 100 percent of city vehicles run on alternative fuels to improve air quality, decrease greenhouse gas emissions and reduce dependence on foreign oil," said Mayor Chuck Reed.
During the first phase in 2003 of ridding the airport of vehicles that run on diesel fuel, officials said 1.3 million gallons of diesel were eliminated and $3 million in fuel costs were saved. It also reduced vehicle exhaust emissions by about 76 tons per year.
With the complete CNG fleet, officials estimate the airport will reduce exhaust emissions by nearly 100 tons per year compared to 2001 levels.
The latest phase of CNG shuttles included 14 of the clean-air vehicles, which airport spokesman David Vossbrink said have been seamlessly phased into the fleet over the last two weeks.
"The new buses look just like the old buses except they're newer, they're shinier," Vossbrink said. He added that the buses are labeled as "clean-air vehicles."
The CNG shuttles have been leased to the airport by Penske Truck Leasing. Vossbrink said the diesel vehicles, which were also leased by Penske, will most likely go back to the leasing company and what happens to them then is up to Penske.
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