Angelica, N.Y. — Allegany County is the first public transit system in New York state to convert to propane autogas buses.
Officials cut the ribbon Thursday on the new fleet at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Angelica.
The buses are billed as a model for rural transit agencies looking to switch to affordable low-emission transportation.
The county said Access Allegany provides more than 50,000 trips annually. Brooke Harris, chairman of the Allegany County Board of Legislators, said operating a public transit service in a rural area is expensive, and officials sought an innovative option.
“We took a chance on this project, and I think it’s going to end up being a wise decision,” Harris said. “It seems like in Albany that can continues to be kicked down the road, and so it’s great to be on the front line for the leading edge of this initiative and demonstrate to other counties that there’s way to be green and be cost-effective for your taxpayers.”
Roush CleanTech, which manufactures the propane autogas fuel system being used in the fleet, said the switch can reduce fuel costs by more than 40 percent.