Phase one of the project will involve the transition of 17,500 vehicles, including maxi-taxis, buses, government vehicles and high mileage vehicles, to CNG. According to Ramnarine, the cost for the conversion will be covered by the NGC, which will invest $500 million (US$78 million), as there will be no cost to the state agencies. For this, a subsidiary company of the NGC will be launched.
The second stage, which has not been approved yet, will involve the construction of 22 natural gas stand-alone stations and the installation of pumps in existing fueling sites. The Minister also explained that when both phases come on stream the price of CNG would be reduced.
“The benefit is a saving in subsidy for the Government. In 2012, the fuel subsidy was $404 billion. If we reduce it we can do other things. It would also free up the fuel usually used locally for export. Besides, CNG is a low carbon fuel, known as a green fuel,” Ramnarine said.
Source: Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
