CyRide to expand facility, convert 20 buses to 100% biodiesel with federal grant

Photo: CyRide

CyRide, the public bus system for Ames, Iowa—a collaboration between the city of Ames and Iowa State University—has been awarded $14.6 million through the Federal Transit Administration’s Bus and Bus Facilities Competitive Program to expand its administrative, maintenance and bus-storage facility and convert 20 buses to 100 percent biodiesel (B100).

“We are incredibly grateful for this investment in CyRide and in the Ames community,” said Transit Director Barbara Neal.

“This project will give our employees the space and resources needed to support our transit system, and it allows us to expand our use of B100, a clean, Iowa-grown fuel that benefits the environment and strengthens our state’s agricultural economy,” she said.

To support a major expansion of CyRide’s administrative, maintenance and bus-storage facility, the project will:

• Provide indoor storage for the entire fleet.

• Add maintenance capacity to serve articulated and clean-fuel vehicles.

• Expand training and administrative space to support a workforce that has grown more than 40 percent since 2008.

• Enhance operational capacity to support long-term growth.

Funding will also be used to convert 20 buses to operate on 100 percent biodiesel (B100).

This includes installation of an underground B100 fuel tank and on-site blending equipment to support year-round use.

CyRide is currently operating five buses on B100 as part of a pilot program launched last year.

Early results have been promising, showing strong performance and reduced emissions.

“B100 continues to perform well in our pilot, and this funding allows us to build on that success across more of our fleet,” Neal said.

“It is a practical, cost-effective approach to lowering emissions using a fuel produced here in Iowa,” she added.

The project received broad community support from local, state, university and industry partners, demonstrating strong regional commitment to the facility expansion and clean-fuel initiatives.

CyRide will work with the Federal Transit Administration on next steps as the project moves into final design and development.