NEBRASKA TRANSIT AGENCY TO SWITCH TO NATURAL GAS BUSES

The Lincoln (Nebraska) transit system has announced plans for a third of its bus and van fleet to run on CNG within two years. StarTran manager Mike Davis said five new CNG buses should arrive and be in service by early August. StarTran plans to buy eight more CNG buses and 11 vans as replacement vehicles. Eventually, a third of its 75 vehicles will fuel up on natural gas. Over the vehicles’ expected 15 years of service, Davis said, StarTran should save about $1.3 million, as lower fuel costs offset the higher price for the vehicles and the initial cost to modify buildings where buses are stored. Lincoln is the second largest city in Nebraska and home to the University of Nebraska.