Roush CleanTech vehicle eligible for FTA funds

Roush CleanTech has completed the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) New Model Bus Testing Program, also referred to as “Altoona Testing,” on a Ford E-450 vehicle fueled by propane autogas. FTA provides funding for the purchase, operation and maintenance of public transportation systems. Altoona Testing, named for the primary test facility location, rates new transit bus models on safety, structural integrity and durability, reliability, performance, maintainability, noise and fuel economy.

The completion of the testing means all paratransit body configurations that are compatible with the Roush CleanTech autogas powered Ford E-450 chassis are eligible for FTA funding.

“Altoona Testing of the Ford E-450 will allow all agencies to apply for FTA funding to assist with conversion costs of that vehicle,” says Lynn McLean, director of maintenance for Flint Mass Transit Authority, which operates two Roush CleanTech autogas buses and plans to add 60 more vehicles to its fleet by 2013. “This means huge financial assistance for any paratransit fleet looking to operate on a fuel like autogas.”