Tiger Transit goes Green
The Auburn University Tiger Transit fleet is now using biodiesel instead of regular diesel fuel. More than 40 vehicles will burn the cleaner alternative fuel produced from renewable, domestic resources. Auburn University is the first university in the state to make the switch.
Auburn University’s orange and blue Tiger Transit buses are now green. The transit fleet of more than 40 vehicles has made the switch from using regular diesel fuel to biodiesel, a cleaner burning alternative fuel produced from domestic, renewable resources. AU is the first university in the state to make the switch. (Wire Eagle)
“Tiger Transit’s switch to biodiesel illustrates our commitment to improving energy security for the United States and promoting economic growth through development and use of renewable bioenergy,” said Auburn University President Jay Gogue.
Currently the fleet is using B10-grade biodiesel. That is a mix of 10 percent biodiesel and 90 percent diesel. Soon, the fleeet will move to a B20-grade biodiesel blend. The type used is made from soybean oil. Groome Transportation is the contract provider of the transit fleet.
Ridership of the Tiger Transit is at an all-time high. During the first week of class, 17,000 riders rode to class in one day. Now more than 5,000 riders a day use cell phones or the internet to find out when their ride will arrive.
“The Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition congratulates Auburn University for its leadership in moving to cleaner and more environmentally friendly alternative fuel for its fleet of transit vehicles,” said Mark Bentley, executive director of the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition.
The cost of the biodiesel is similar to regular diesel fuel. Biodiesel also helps keep the inside of engines cleaner, and reduces exhaust fumes.
“There is hardly any odor as compared to the smell of regular diesel fuel,” said Dave George, AU’s director of parking and transit services. “And we get better fuel mileage with biodiesel compared to regular diesel.”
“A lot of people just do not realize how Tiger Transit is helping the city by keeping cars off the road. And now the buses will be doing that while burning cleaner fuel,” said Clarence Cobb, operations manager for Groome Transportation.
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November 2nd, 2007 at 10:12 pm
This is cool if what you really mean is that you have switched to biodiesel and away from diesel. Your lead sentence seems to miss the point.