Nebraska Welcomes First CNG Transit Buses

StarTran, the transit authority servicing Lincoln, Nebraska, celebrated the arrival of five new CNG buses. The buses, engineered by New Flyer and featuring Hexagon Lincoln cylinders, replace buses that have been in service for over 12 years. “We are pleased to be part of the Lincoln community and look forward to more successes in the future,” said Jack Schimenti, president of Hexagon Lincoln. The new buses cost about $484,000 each, with an incremental cost of about $35,000 for the CNG fuel system. State funding covered the incremental cost on three of the first five buses, and Black Hills Energy, the local utility, donated $70,000 to cover the incremental cost on the other two. StarTran plans to add eight more CNG buses and 11 CNG handi-vans over the next two years. “Over the 15-year lifetime of these vehicles, the City will save about $1.3 million in lower fuel costs and reduced maintenance,” said Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler. The buses will be painted with a new design and will service the University of Nebraska Lincoln (UNL) routes.