Canada’s Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Industry Recognizes Transit Agencies for NGV Leadership
December 13, 2019Calgary, Alberta
Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance
Canada’s Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Industry Recognizes Transit Agencies for NGV Leadership:
- Calgary Transit – for North America’s largest indoor refueling and maintenance facility
- BC Transit – for supporting NGVs in three communities
- Hamilton Street Railway – for Canada’s longest operating NGV transit fleet
The Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance (CNGVA) is pleased to award its inaugural NGV Leadership Awards to Calgary Transit, BC Transit and Hamilton Street Railway.
CNGVA’s first NGV Leadership Awards build on the collaborative efforts of industry and government in support of the NGV Deployment Roadmap: Natural Gas Use in the Medium and Heavy-Duty Transportation Sector – updated and recently released in collaboration with Natural Resources Canada. The awards celebrate market leadership in adopting natural gas as a fleet fuel and recognizing its environmental, economic and operational benefits. They recognize an operator’s investment in natural gas buses, training and infrastructure that has improved regional air quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and created local green jobs with an abundant, domestic resource. CNGVA applauds these fleet operators for their leadership and commitment to affordable, cleaner, quieter transportation.
Calgary Transit
Calgary Transit operates the public transit system in Alberta’s largest municipality. Operating a mixed fleet of LRT and bus vehicles, Calgary Transit is the first choice for getting around Calgary.
The Stoney Transit Facility is a leading example of public-private partnerships (P3). The 44,300 square metre facility is the largest of its kind in North America, with the ability to simultaneously fuel six buses indoors from empty to full in about four minutes. It can store approximately 450 buses, has 36 maintenance bays, two steam bays, on-site compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling infrastructure, and associated staff facilities. It also supports diesel bus operations, recognizing the transition period needed to introduce additional CNG buses into Calgary Transit’s fleet.
BC Transit
BC Transit provides transportation service to over 57 million passengers annually and operates in 130 communities across British Columbia. BC Transit has a fleet of over 1,100 buses.
Beginning in 2014, BC Transit deployed CNG buses in the Regional District of Nanaimo, as well as in the Kamloops Transit System. In 2018, CNG buses were deployed in the Whistler Transit System. CNG fleet buses include 128 New Flyer XN40 Xcelsior heavy-duty buses. BC Transit will be adding CNG buses to its Victoria and Central Fraser Valley (Abbotsford and Mission) fleets in 2020. CNG and renewable natural gas (RNG) play a key role in BC Transit’s Low Carbon Fleet Program.
Hamilton Street Railway
Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) provides transit service to the third largest municipal region in Ontario serving more than 21 million passengers annually.
HSR’s CNG journey began in 1985 when (with the assistance of government, natural gas distribution utility Enbridge Gas Inc. and engine manufacturer Cummins) seven diesel buses were converted to operate on natural gas. Later, HSR placed the first order for commercial CNG buses purchased from Ontario Bus Industries. Over the years HSR has operated a number of different CNG engine technologies. Today more than 50 per cent of the current fleet is comprised of 137 CNG buses – Xcelsior 60 foot, Nova Low Floor and Grande West Vicinity 30 foot buses.
Quotes
“Incorporating natural gas as part of Calgary Transit’s fuel diversification strategy demonstrates a fiscally-responsible commitment to affordable transit that provides Calgarians with quiet bus operation, improved air quality and significant reductions in GHG emissions. ATCO was pleased to nominate Calgary Transit for this award which recognizes thier leadership in alternative transportation fuels.”
Ryan Germaine
Vice President, Operations, Calgary & Edmonton Regions
Natural Gas Division, ATCO Utilities
“BC Transit and FortisBC have enjoyed a collaborative and constructive relationship over many years, particularly since the adoption of natural gas as a fuel for their CNG fleet starting in Nanaimo. FortisBC looks forward to supporting BC Transit’s continued adoption of cleaner burning transportation fuels over the coming years across their large service territory. FortisBC is proud to nominate BC Transit for this award and to recognize their leadership in sustainable public transportation. Congratulations and well deserved!”
Sarah Smith
Director, Natural Gas for Transportation, Regional LNG and Renewable Gas
FortisBC
“Congratulations to the City of Hamilton on being recognized by the Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance for its continued leadership. By adopting natural gas as a fleet fuel, the City of Hamilton has demonstrated its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while benefitting the local economy and collectively advancing the adoption of natural gas for heavy-duty transportation and fleets across North America.”
Malini Giridhar
Vice President, Business Development and Regulatory
Enbridge Gas Inc.
“Canada’s public transit sector has led in the development and deployment of NGVs in Canada. It is fitting that CNGVA selected public transit recipients for our first NGV Leadership Awards, and we are celebrating these fleets as they gather for their annual industry conference – Canadian Urban Transit Association’s Annual Conference and Transit Show.”
Bruce Winchester
Executive Director
Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance
“Industry was pleased to collaborate with Natural Resources Canada and provincial governments in developing NGV Deployment Roadmap 2.0. The Roadmap indicated the need for continued education and outreach to highlight Canada’s Natural Gas Vehicle Opportunity for transportation fleets. CNGVA’s inaugural and subsequent Leadership Awards will contribute significantly to this goal and bring visibility to models for replicating success. The affordability and environmental benefits of natural gas provide Canadians a significant opportunity to address the public policy challenge of rising emissions in the transportation fleet sector.”
David Conn
CNGVA Board Chair
Manager, Natural Gas Policy
Natural Gas Division, ATCO Utilities
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About CNGVA:
The Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance (CNGVA) represents Canada’s Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) industry. NGV technologies provide proven, commercially available transportation solutions for fleets that reduce emissions while using lower cost fuel. The CNGVA’s membership includes leading Canadian companies involved in manufacturing, fuel and infrastructure supply, vehicle technology, consulting, research, and international project management. Our mission is to promote the sustainable growth of natural gas vehicles, refueling infrastructure, and renewable gaseous fuels for the benefit of Canada’s economy and environment.
For more information contact:
Bruce Winchester
Executive Director,
Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance
(613) 564-0181
bruce.winchester@cngva.org