SARTA Contracts with Clean Energy for CNG Public Access Fueling Station to Support New CNG Buses

SEAL BEACH, CA--August 15, 2011: Ohio's Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) has signed an agreement with Clean Energy Fuels Corp. to develop and operate a new compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel station to support the transition of half of SARTA's bus fleet to natural gas power.

“SARTA places high value on the reduced fuel costs and environmental benefits offered by natural gas. Across the United States, Clean Energy is partnering with many leading public transit agencies like SARTA to reliably fuel over 5,500 buses daily nationwide”

Located in Canton, Stark County, Ohio, the new fast-fill public access Clean Energy CNG station will operate 24/7 to support SARTA buses as well as other CNG vehicles operating in the area. Station opening is projected for the fourth quarter, 2011.

Over the next two years, the transit agency expects to deploy 9 new CNG fixed-route 32-passenger buses and 17 CNG paratransit buses as replacements for 50% of the diesel models in its fleet.

"SARTA places high value on the reduced fuel costs and environmental benefits offered by natural gas. Across the United States, Clean Energy is partnering with many leading public transit agencies like SARTA to reliably fuel over 5,500 buses daily nationwide," said James Harger, Chief Marketing Officer, Clean Energy. "We commend the SARTA leadership for taking such strong, positive action to bring the benefits of natural gas fuel to the communities they serve."

SARTA CEO Kirt Conrad said, "SARTA strives to be energy and cost efficient. By switching at least half our fleet over the next two years to CNG buses, it will allow us to reduce our fuel costs by over $300,000. SARTA can also begin using a domestic fuel source and reduce carbon emissions. In addition, we are proud to be the first in Stark County to provide a public CNG fueling station."

Costing less than diesel, natural gas fuel produces up to 23%-percent lower greenhouse gas emissions in medium to heavy-duty vehicles. U.S. Department of Energy reports estimate that 98% of the natural gas consumed in the U.S. is sourced in the U.S. and Canada. Using natural gas fuel can prevent tons of emissions from entering the atmosphere throughout the operating life of a typical bus fleet, while also lowering a transit agency's operating costs significantly.

SARTA provides an average of 2.1 million passenger rides each year. In addition to deploying fixed-route service in Canton, Massillon, Jackson, Alliance, North Canton, Louisville and Hartville, SARTA offers the Proline paratransit bus service throughout Stark County.

In October 2006, SARTA was recognized as the "Most Outstanding Public Transportation System" in the United States among agencies of similar size. This national award is given annually by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) to public transportation systems that have demonstrated achievement in efficiency and effectiveness in deploying transit services.

About Clean Energy Fuels Clean Energy is the largest provider of natural gas fuel for transportation in North America and a global leader in the expanding natural gas vehicle market. We have operations in CNG and LNG vehicle fueling, construction and operation of CNG and LNG fueling stations, biomethane production, vehicle conversion and compressor technology.