Pierce Transit

Pierce Transit Honored with U.S. Department of Energy 1999 Clean Cities Partner Award  Pierce Transit is one of the country's first public transportation fleets to convert to alternative fuels and is seen as a pioneer in this area.

A Breath of Fresh Air:
Pierce Transit powers its bus fleet
with compressed natural gas

Pierce Transit's commitment to CNG began in 1986 when the agency launched a four-year demonstration project to test the feasibility of it as a fuel source for its bus fleet. CNG was chosen for its environmental benefits and safety record. Working with the Washington State Energy Office and Washington Natural Gas (now Puget Sound Energy), Pierce Transit converted two 1974 GMC buses to run on both diesel and CNG. When results were compared with six diesel buses of the same age, the agency found it cost less per mile in most cases to operate CNG buses. The engines also ran quieter, helping curb noise pollution in neighborhoods.

In 1992, a fast-fill compressor station was added, capable of refueling three CNG buses simultaneously in less than 10 minutes; a second station is planned for development within the next year. While the fueling stations and their accompanying natural gas detectors and ventilation systems in the shop are expensive, fuel costs for CNG-powered buses can be much lower than for diesel-powered vehicles. The CNG buses cost 7 cents per mile to fuel while diesel buses cost 13.6 cents per mile.

Pierce Transit is now completely committed to CNG. The agency now has 207 buses, 196 of which are powered by CNG. This includes 45 new low-floor buses, the first in the state powered by CNG, added in February 1999. The agency's entire fleet will be powered by natural gas at the end of 2004.

Ron Shipley, Director of Maintenance since 1989, states: "At Pierce Transit, we're proud to be known for our lean, green, "Clean Machines." That's the nickname given to our buses powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) because they reduce nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide emissions by 90 percent compared to their diesel-powered counterparts. Smog-producing hydrocarbon emissions are 80 percent lower, and CNG buses produce no black soot or other harmful particulates. By contrast, diesel buses release a gallon of soot for every 570 miles traveled."

Pierce Transit's clean-air efforts have garnered a number of awards from such groups as the American Lung Association, the Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition, American Gas Association and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Most recently, the U.S. Department of Energy honored Pierce Transit with a Clean Cities National Partner Award. The Department of Energy's Clean Cities awards promote the use of alternative, nonpolluting fuels. Pierce Transit was nominated for its award by the Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition, a regional government/industry partnership led by the City of Seattle to promote the use of alternative fuels.

"As one of the country's first public transportation fleets to convert to alternative fuels, Pierce Transit is an alternative fuels pioneer," stated the award letter from Thomas J. Gross, the Department of Energy's deputy assistant secretary for transportation technologies. "Market surveys show that customers, as well as the general public, are familiar with and appreciate Pierce Transit's commitment to keeping the environment clean. Your efforts are significant and very much appreciated."

Pierce Transit will continue to explore ways to share resources and expertise, believing the data they have accumulated makes a strong case for the increased use of alternative fuels. More importantly, Pierce Transit’s experience with CNG shows that corporate citizenship and bottom-line efficiency can co-exist.

The Pierce Transit Story  Published by the U.S. Department of Energy, this case study of Pierce Transit's experience provides details on the agency's program, including cost, maintenance, and reliability analyses.

Pierce Transit Recognized as National Clean Bus Leader In 2003, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) recognized seven local initiatives for leading the nation in investment of cleaner fuels and vehicle technologies in bus transit systems. Public transit agencies and local government initiatives are highlighting the importance of cleaner public transportation to reducing congestion, improving air quality and protecting public health. Pierce Transit was recognized for its seventeen-year use of natural gas buses and its work as a pioneer in helping develop natural gas engine technology for transit buses.