Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Fueled Vehicles

Representatives from MGE/Laclede Gas, the Federal Transit Administration and Clean Engery help illustrate the savings that CNG will provide.

KCATA unveiled its first two CNG buses in 2013, marking a new era in clean air technology for KC transit. In Spring 2014, KCATA has added 15 CNG buses to its fleet and anticipates delivery of an additional eight CNG buses in the fall. Over the next 12 years, new CNG buses will be phased in as current clean diesel buses are retired. 

In August 2014, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority opened the all-new “Fast Fill” Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling station for KCATA’s CNG fleet and support vehicles. The agency has partnered with Clean Energy Corporation, which will be responsible for the monitoring and maintenance of the fueling station, and Missouri Gas Energy/Laclede Gas Company, who install the gas main extension nearly a half mile to KCATA’s facility.

The CNG Fueling station is termed “Fast Fill” because of its high pressure and capacity to simultaneously fill two CNG buses in less than seven minutes. KCATA’s CNG station is currently the largest in the Kansas City region and all of Missouri. The fuel station technology has proven to be reliable and safe; however, if the need arises, five emergency shut down buttons are interspaced along the length of the station.

KCATA projects a fuel cost savings of $500,000 in 2015 and $4,000,000 annually once its fleet of 260 buses and service vehicles have been fully converted over the next 12 years.

See a video from the Kansas City Star about how the CNG station works: