University Also Eliminates Large Coach-Style Buses from Routes New York University today announced that it has introduced two new compressed natural gas fueled vehicles to its transportation system. The purple trolley-style vehicles will go into service today, joining a previously retrofitted trolley that has been in operation since the fall and bringing to three the number of alternative fuel buses in the NYU campus transportation system.
The University, working with its transportation contractor, Gray Line Inc., will have six alternative fuel buses serving students, faculty and staff by the end of the spring semester. This will constitute more than one-third of all vehicles operating at peak hours, a percentage significantly in excess of the city’s public bus fleet. Following the introduction of all six, the University will also work with Gray Line to explore the prospect of replacing the remaining diesel buses with alternative fuel buses on NYU routes.
The University campus transportation office also announced it has eliminated all large over-the-road coach-style buses from service. The fleet now consists of trolleys, Blue Bird buses, and MTA style rapid-transit buses. All buses either are painted in NYU colors or will display signage identifying them as part the NYU campus transportation system. It is expected there will be no more usage of coach-style buses except in extreme circumstances in which there are no smaller buses available for use on the routes.
Jules A. Martin, who as assistant vice president for protection services oversees campus transportation services, said, “From the beginning, we have said that the best operation of this system involves a balancing of interests. We must maintain a delicate balance between the need for an effective, efficient, safe system that serves our students and one that addresses concerns from our neighbors in the community.
“In eliminating the large coach-style buses, in increasing the portion of the fleet that is alternatively fueled, and in many other actions we have taken such as hiring a professional manager, reducing the number of buses needed, keeping buses off West Third St. during evening hours, and relocating the start and stop points of the routes, among others we are constantly striving to meet our responsibilities to our students and be good neighbors.”