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Portland Buses Now Powered By Natural Gas

Posted on: Tuesday, 2 May 2006, 00:00 CDT

By John Richardson, Portland Press Herald, Maine

May 2--The Portland-based Metro bus system is cleaner and quieter these days thanks to a growing fleet of buses powered by natural gas.

Metro formally unveiled its new buses, as well as Maine's first compressed natural gas fueling station, on Monday. The 13 gas buses already on the roads in Portland and Westbrook place the transit system among a growing number nationwide choosing to leave behind the familiar rumble and black exhaust of conventional diesel buses.

"It's a proven technology. It's cleaner, it's quieter and it reduces American dependence on imported petroleum," said Steve Linnell, coordinator of Maine Clean Communities and a leader of Metro's efforts.

Metro has so far replaced 13 of its 28 diesel buses with compressed natural gas versions, and plans to gradually switch the whole fleet.

The new buses are easy to spot. They're boxier, with a fuel storage compartment on top and engines in the back.

Metro gave away free rides all day Monday to encourage people to give the new buses a try, and remind motorists that their is an alternative to paying rising gasoline prices.

"The best alternative fuel is to not use it," Linnell said.

Metro has seen ridership grow, officials say. There were 1.35 million individual trips in 2005, an increase of 200,000 since 1999.

David Stelmok, a 34-year-old struggling artist in Portland, didn't need any convincing about the benefits of buses. He hasn't owned a car in 10 years, he said before boarding a bus to South Portland Monday.

"How long has the human race been around? And to create such a dependence on some technology that's been around for 100 years seems ultimately pretty self-destructive. At some point you're going to run out of fuel," he said.

Jack Hanson, a retired South Portland resident, also is a regular rider and doesn't understand why so many people love their cars.

"There seems to be some overriding prejudice against riding the bus," he said.

Whatever reason they ride, passengers clearly like the new gas buses.

"They ride a lot smoother," said Kaylene Godwin of Westbrook. The buses are heavier and tend to accelerate and and brake more gradually.

"I love the idea that they're natural gas," said Jill Pallone of Portland. "I just think it's better for the environment."

The first thing many notice about the new buses is the exhaust, which looks more like steam than the black smoke they're used to.

"They seem to be a step into the future," said Metro Driver Mike Lepage. "I love 'em."

Federal grants helped pay for the $350,000 buses and the $1.2 million fueling station. A gas powered bus cost $30,000 or $40,000 more than a diesel bus, according to Linnell.

Metro plans to make its fueling station available to others, including individuals, taxis and delivery vehicles.

While no one disputes that gas-powered buses are cleaner than the old diesel ones they are replacing, not everyone wants them.

With transit buses need replacing every 12 years or so, transit systems around the country are weighing alternative fuel technologies. Some cities, including Boston, have abandoned plans to convert to gas and are switching to newer diesel-hybrid technology. Hybrids are not yet as clean-burning as gas buses, but don't require the same long-term investment in a fueling station and can be on the road sooner.

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Copyright (c) 2006, Portland Press Herald, Maine

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Source: Portland Press Herald

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