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BlueGo will not be replacing its fleet with natural gas-powered buses as originally planned, apparently because manufacturers are no longer making such vehicles.
Instead, the South Shore transportation service plans on looking into using $4 million in federal money over the next four years to buy new diesel buses, and powering them with biodiesel.
BlueGo delayed a decision at its board meeting Tuesday on how to spend the first $1 million it will receive in federal transportation dollars this year.
Staff at the Tahoe Re gional Planning Agency, acting as the Metropolitan Planning Organization, recommended BlueGo use the money to purchase six new casino shuttles, and, for Heavenly, four ski shuttle vans and two buses.
BlueGo is a unique public-private partnership transportation service.
No city or county buses were on this year's list for replacement. TRPA's chief transportation planner Nick Haven said those are in line to be replaced over the next four years.
This year's new buses will not be owned by Heavenly and the casinos, he said, but rather the Tahoe Transportation District, which could use them for other purposes in the summer months.
"We are looking at it strictly from a need standpoint: getting the dirtiest buses off the road," Haven said after the meeting.
Haven said they will be looking into powering the buses with B-20, a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent diesel, and using low-sulfur diesel on the whole fleet. That could reduce the large particles that are thought to impact Lake Tahoe's clarity.
Bently Agrowdynamics in the Carson Valley has been talking about developing biodiesel in Northern Nevada and could be a provider for a pumping station on South Shore, Haven said.
In other news, the board considered three proposals for a van service from Minden, a bus service to and from Sacramento, and an around-the-lake bus service during summer months.
The board voted to prioritize the Minden van service because it would not likely involve a large subsidy.
Heavenly's vice president of planning Andrew Strain told the board it's important to focus on one thing at a time.
"We should add a new component and make it work perfectly, rather than trying to do three things poorly," Strain said.
The agency is also ramping up for a busy summer season.
Ken Daley gave a report on the trolley service, which he plans to start running May 26, and last until September 10. Daley is general manager for Area Transit Management, a private company which contracts with the city, county, ski resorts and casinos to operate the BlueGo system.
About 33,000 people rode the trolley last summer, Daley said, and almost all of those bought a $3 day pass that was interchangeable with other buses. The trolley runs along BlueGo's fixed route and takes passengers from Camp Richardson to Emerald Bay.
Reconfiguration of BlueGo's casino service was agendized and discussed, but no action was taken.
If you go
What: Meeting of BlueGo board
When: Friday, May 5, 9 a.m.
Where: TRPA offices, 128 Market Street, Stateline
Meetings are scheduled for the first Friday of the month and begin with a public comment session.
Instead, the South Shore transportation service plans on looking into using $4 million in federal money over the next four years to buy new diesel buses, and powering them with biodiesel.
BlueGo delayed a decision at its board meeting Tuesday on how to spend the first $1 million it will receive in federal transportation dollars this year.
Staff at the Tahoe Re gional Planning Agency, acting as the Metropolitan Planning Organization, recommended BlueGo use the money to purchase six new casino shuttles, and, for Heavenly, four ski shuttle vans and two buses.
BlueGo is a unique public-private partnership transportation service.
No city or county buses were on this year's list for replacement. TRPA's chief transportation planner Nick Haven said those are in line to be replaced over the next four years.
This year's new buses will not be owned by Heavenly and the casinos, he said, but rather the Tahoe Transportation District, which could use them for other purposes in the summer months.
"We are looking at it strictly from a need standpoint: getting the dirtiest buses off the road," Haven said after the meeting.
Haven said they will be looking into powering the buses with B-20, a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent diesel, and using low-sulfur diesel on the whole fleet. That could reduce the large particles that are thought to impact Lake Tahoe's clarity.
Bently Agrowdynamics in the Carson Valley has been talking about developing biodiesel in Northern Nevada and could be a provider for a pumping station on South Shore, Haven said.
In other news, the board considered three proposals for a van service from Minden, a bus service to and from Sacramento, and an around-the-lake bus service during summer months.
The board voted to prioritize the Minden van service because it would not likely involve a large subsidy.
Heavenly's vice president of planning Andrew Strain told the board it's important to focus on one thing at a time.
"We should add a new component and make it work perfectly, rather than trying to do three things poorly," Strain said.
The agency is also ramping up for a busy summer season.
Ken Daley gave a report on the trolley service, which he plans to start running May 26, and last until September 10. Daley is general manager for Area Transit Management, a private company which contracts with the city, county, ski resorts and casinos to operate the BlueGo system.
About 33,000 people rode the trolley last summer, Daley said, and almost all of those bought a $3 day pass that was interchangeable with other buses. The trolley runs along BlueGo's fixed route and takes passengers from Camp Richardson to Emerald Bay.
Reconfiguration of BlueGo's casino service was agendized and discussed, but no action was taken.
If you go
What: Meeting of BlueGo board
When: Friday, May 5, 9 a.m.
Where: TRPA offices, 128 Market Street, Stateline
Meetings are scheduled for the first Friday of the month and begin with a public comment session.
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