Mass Transit magazine features agency profiles, industry trends, management tips and new product information.
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90 | Mass Transit | MassTransitmag.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 HANGING FUEL SOURCES TO GREEN up a feet and reduce fuel costs is happening in big agencies across the nation, but for many small and rural transit feets, this goal remains elusive given the massive costs ac- companying a changeover in fuels. Pelivan Transit, situated in the north- eastern part of Oklahoma, was one of these small agencies looking to make a change in fuels and reap the same types of benefts the big agencies were seeing. Several years ago, leaders there began looking around to fnd a way to make this dream a reality and in a way that wouldn't decimate its budget. Being situated in Oklahoma, com- pressed natural gas (CNG) seemed like a natural ft for Pelivan given the large reserve of the resource situated under the state, said agency Transit Director Debbie McGlasson. So, they began to look for public and private partners in the region to make it a reality. "It's been a chicken and the egg con- cept where what you have to have frst, but you really need to grow together be- cause if you're an investor looking to put in a fast fll CNG station, there has to be a feet in the area," McGlasson said. "If they're going to do an investment, they need to see a turnaround right away." Fueling Change Diesel fuel costs and environmental concerns have transit agencies looking for alternative sources of energy, meaning a lot more options for new feets. By Joe Petrie C HYBRID SYSTEMS can be a powerful tool in reducing fuel costs on all levels of operations. PELIVAN TRANSIT in Oklahoma was able to convert its fleet to CNG by exploring partnerships within the community. Crosspoint Kinetics Pelivan Transit