ALT FUEL OPTIONS refueling station — an important distinction to passengers who may rely solely on paratransit to get to jobs, appointments, grocery stores and pharmacies. Using propane autogas as part of a larger cost reduction strategy can be game changing for a paratransit fl eet, but many fl eet managers are still skeptical of alternative fuels. Among the chief concerns are upfront costs of conversion, costs of refueling infrastructure, and overall performance TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE BUILDINGS & FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT ENERGY SERVICES Enduring. Driven. Visionary. 34 | Mass Transit | MassTransitmag.com | APRIL/MAY 2017 An employee-owned firm Offices nationwide Toll-free: 877-395-5459 info@stvinc.com www.stvinc.com Reaching the century mark isn’t easy – you have to be quality-driven, client-focused, and have a vision for the future. At 100 years, STV is looking ahead. As an employee-owned firm, our planners, architects, engineers and construction managers have a stake in the business, and are committed to quality performance. We provide personal attention and timely solutions, with an eye toward sustainability. And with more than 40 offices, we are a local firm with national resources. When it comes to getting your project delivered right, choose the firm that has the drive and vision to be the best. For more information, visit www.MassTransitmag.com/10347269 and reliability. Why Propane? Propane autogas is abundant, infrastructure is low-cost to install and propane offers the lowest total cost-of-ownership. In several cases, drivers have indicated they prefer driving with propane when in a bi-fuel vehicle because the performance diff erences are so pronounced with propane’s smoother, faster acceleration. Also, because propane is an approved clean fuel under the Clean Air Act of 1990, there may be government tax credits and incentives that can help off set the cost of conversion, providing an even faster ROI. For more information on local and national incentives, visit AFDC.com. Th e benefi ts of propane autogas for paratransit fl eets really break down into four major categories: • Reduced fuel cost: Th e ability to reduce the cost of fuel versus diesel and gasoline cannot be overstated in the paratransit market. Even without tax credits or incentives, propane autogas has consistently lower prices than gasoline and diesel — up to 50 percent in some locations. Fleet managers will see even greater savings if gasoline and diesel costs increase. Prices for American-made propane have been historically more stable than traditional fuels, too, especially with the option presented by many propane retailers, including Blue Star Gas, for contracts that commit to a set price for a year or more. Th is allows fl eets to avoid any fl uctuations in the fuel market for extended periods. • Low-cost infrastructure: Setting up a propane autogas fueling station is more cost-eff ective compared to other alternative fuel options. Fleets with a centralized facility can work with a propane retailer to purchase or lease on-site refueling infrastructure, including a storage tank, pump and fuel dispenser. Th e benefi t of propane is that infrastructure can easily grow with a fl eet, as the same pump and motor can handle multiple tanks and dispensers without changing the electrical requirements. In addition to onsite fueling, fl eets in the Western United States are beginning to take advantage of a growing network of public refueling stations, a good option for fl eets with limited space or with extensive routes. All public stations off er the advantage
MassTransit_AprilMay_2017
To see the actual publication please follow the link above