The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) said eight Ohio Diesel Emissions Reduction Grant (DERG) allocations totaling almost $10 million would replace 40 diesel transit buses.
The effort would yield newer, cleaner diesel or alternative fuel technology. Twenty-three of the buses would be powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), nine by propane, and eight by new cleaner diesel technology.
Funded projects include Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) in Franklin County receiving $1.89 million to cover 80 percent of the cost to replace four 2009 diesel-powered buses with four new compressed natural gas-powered buses; Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) in Cuyahoga County securing $1.97 million for 61 percent of the cost to replace six 2005 diesel-powered buses with six new compressed natural gas-powered buses; Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority (GDRTA) in Montgomery County receiving $793,000 for 80 percent of the cost to replace two 2010 diesel-powered transit buses with two new diesel-powered buses; and Lake Transit Authority (LAKETRAN) in Lake County being allocated $996,000 for 80 percent of the cost to replace nine 2015 diesel-powered buses with nine new propane-powered transit buses.
The Ohio EPA has estimated the initiative would result in an annual reduction of more than six tons of air pollutants. The benefits will continue to accrue each year the new buses remain in service.