Enterprise Rent-A-Car (ERAC) is one of the major automobile rental agencies operating at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Because LAX car rental facilities are located offsite from the airport, ERAC utilizes a fleet of shuttle buses to transport travelers between the airport and car rental facility. In 2010, the MSRC awarded $300,000 to ERAC to purchase ten compressed natural gas (CNG) fueled shuttles in support of passenger transportation at LAX. This report documents ERAC's purchase of two additional CNG shuttle buses to support LAX operations.
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ERAC partnered with Clean Energy to purchase, deploy and fuel the fleet of CNG shuttle buses. The CNG shuttle vehicles are manufactured by Gillig LLC and are equipped with the Cummins ISL G 8.9 liter natural gas engine. This engine has a NOx certification of 0.13 g/bhp-hr and does not emit any diesel particulate matter. The two shuttle vehicles were placed into service in July 2011. ERAC and Clean Energy developed a public outreach plan to publish a blog post on the ERAC sustainability website and blog "Driving Futures" that included information about compressed natural gas, the MSRC, and the air quality benefits achieved through the use of CNG in fleet operations. Each CNG shuttle was also clearly labeled with a decal noting the use of CNG and the support of the MSRC and its Clean Transportation Funding program.
The objective of this MSRC-sponsored project was to replace to two older, diesel-fueled shuttle buses with new shuttles incorporating state-of-the-art CNG engines. The addition of the two new buses brings ERAC's LAX-based CNG shuttle fleet to 12 vehicles.
The use of CNG results in lower emissions for both criteria air pollutants as well as greenhouse gases. The two shuttle vehicles are expected to consume a combined total of approximately 9,877 diesel equivalent gallons annually based on historical fleet average fuel consumption.
The two shuttles have been operating in daily service since July 2011. ERAC has not encountered any major problems with the CNG vehicles since their deployment. The new shuttles have provided highly reliable service and have received positive feedback from both drivers and ERAC customers.