KCATA Adds More Compressed Natural Gas Buses To Fleet

Posted on: May 06, 2014

(Kansas City, Mo. – May 6, 2014) The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) is increasing the number of compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles in its fleet. Fifteen new CNG buses arrived in Kansas City, and are now serving Metro bus routes.  Additional CNG buses are on order and will be delivered next fall and in 2015.

CNG buses will provide significant fuel cost savings, and at the same time, produce less pollution than the diesel buses they replace. KCATA introduced two new CNG vehicles into its fleet during the summer 2013, signaling the start of a new era of clean technology vehicles.

“We are committed to clean air technology,” said Mark Huffer, KCATA general manager. “These CNG vehicles will join our hybrid-electric and clean diesel buses, along with our alternative energy support vehicles.”

CNG vehicles are being phased in as current buses are retired. Once the entire fleet is using CNG, the agency expects to save up to $4 million a year in fuel costs. KCATA is also building a fast fill transit CNG fueling station and making some changes at its headquarters to accommodate the new vehicles.

KCATA purchased eight 40-foot CNG buses at $438,000 each and, seven 30-foot CNG buses at $427,000. Eight more CNG buses will arrive in fall 2014. The buses are being purchased with a federal grant.