CNG-fuelled Bus Completes 322,000 Km Altoona Test – All Clear

A CNG fueled cutaway bus recently completed the demanding Altoona Bus Test without any unscheduled maintenance or repairs to the CNG fuel system. Built on the Ford E-450 chassis, the cutaway bus is 25′ in length and has a passenger capacity of twenty one. The proprietary compressed natural gas fuel system was designed and installed in California by Creative Bus Sales, a company that specializes in CNG bus conversions.

The 200,000 mile (322,000 km) test began on June 10, 2009 and was completed on August 31, 2009. Overall the bus experienced very few mechanical problems, none of which were at all related to the CNG fuel system.

Testing took place at the prestigious Pennsylvania Transportation institute at Penn State. Penn State’s Vehicle Systems & Safety Program is responsible for the operation of the Federal Transit Administration’s new model bus testing program. Creative Bus Sales’ CNG fuel system was designed to meet NFPA 52 standards and complies with the requirements set forth in California Title 13. It is designed for installation on the Ford E-450 chassis, and uses components from Luxfer Cylinders, Swagelok, and BAF Technologies.