Pace Suburban Bus named Clean Fuels Champion by Chicago Area Clean Cities
Pace provides public transit services to the residents of 284 municipalities in Cook, Will, DuPage, Kane, Lake, and McHenry counties, covering nearly 3,500 square miles and serving several tens of thousands of daily riders.
In 2018, Pace completed a compressed natural gas (CNG) station and facility build out to support their recent deployment of 91 CNG buses operating out of their South Division in Markham, Illinois.
"We're thrilled to be recognized as a Clean Fuels Champion by Chicago Area Clean Cities," said Pace Chairman Rick Kwasneski. "Our new fleet of clean, low emissions CNG buses reduce air pollution without sacrificing performance. Our drivers and our customers love them."
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), the financial and oversight body for the three transit agencies in northeastern Illinois; the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, and Pace, teamed up with the Illinois Department of Transportation and Pace to help arrange $49 million in capital funding to allow Pace to purchase the new CNG buses. The CNG buses are anticipated to save $1.5 million per year in fuel and maintenance costs versus their diesel predecessors. In 2019, Pace is adding at least six new CNG buses.
"Pace's use of alternative fuels to reduce emissions in their fleet of transit buses is to be commended," said John W. Walton, chair of the Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition. "Their use of CNG to power buses is an example of a long term cost-effective solution for improving air quality and reducing harmful vehicle emissions. It's a pleasure to honor the Pace team with this award."
Source: Pace Suburban Bus