Kansas City Area Transportation Authority Clocks 1 Million Gallons at CNG Station

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) reached a milestone this month after RideKC buses used the equivalent of 1 million DGEs of CNG since starting to use the clean-burning fuel in August 2014.

The move from diesel to CNG fuel is creating cost savings and environmental benefits for KCATA. The transit authority says by reaching the milestone of 1 million DGEs of natural gas, it has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 1,870 metric tons. KCATA also estimates it has saved $1.2 million over the cost of diesel fuel since making the change.

“The decision to switch to compressed natural gas allows us to be even better stewards of taxpayer money and of the environment,” said President and CEO Robbie Makinen. “We will continue to add look at innovative fleet options to build on this success.”

KCATA has a partnership with Clean Energy Fuels to monitor and maintain the fueling station. At the time it was built, the CNG fueling station was the largest fast-fill station in Missouri and is still the largest in the Kansas City region. The station allows buses to be fueled in less than seven minutes.

The agency currently has 44 CNG buses in its fleet, and is adding 20 more that will arrive this year. CNG vehicles have been phased in as older diesel buses are retired.