One of the largest tribes of the United States is replacing its aging transit buses with new NGVs thanks to a $300,000 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant, which is part of $5 million awarded to 42 American Indian and Alaska Native tribes in 19 states to improve transit services. Cherokee Nation currently has one bus running on natural gas, and now will use funds to buy four more.
“Oklahoma has become the natural gas hub of the country. The conversion to CNG makes our bus fleet greener and helps us reduce substantial fuel costs,” said Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr. “We have always led by example, and hope more and more tribes begin to utilize alternative fuel vehicles. CNG buses will save the Cherokee Nation money, use a locally produced fuel and be cleaner for the environment.”
Cherokee Nation contracts with Ki Bois Area Transit System, Pelivan Transit, Muskogee County Transit and Cimarron Public Transit to provide low-cost transportation throughout the tribe’s northeastern Oklahoma jurisdiction. More than 50,000 rides were provided through Cherokee Nation subsidized transit routes in the 2013 fiscal year. Native Americans and tribal employees can access rides on fixed routes and on demand service transit buses for $1 roundtrip.
“Cherokee Nation Transit Services is extremely pleased that our grant application for replacement transit buses was approved by the FTA,” said Michael Lynn, Cherokee Nation roads director. “By replacing aging buses with new CNG-equipped buses, we will lessen our footprint on the environment and impact on the tribe’s budget.”
Source: Cherokee Nation
