The Schuylkill Transportation System unveiled five new compressed natural gas vehicles it has added to its fleet.

STS Executive Director Dave Bekisz touted the new buses as a great investment that will “reduce maintenance costs, expand vehicle life cycle, and reduce harmful emissions in the air.”

The five new buses replace five diesel-powered units that have reached their useful life. Three of the buses are 35 feet in length with 33 seats and two are 30 feet long with 26 seats.

The cost is $2.8 million,  paid  with federal, state, and local dollars

Bekisz expects the buses to be in use in the next few weeks, Bekisz said.

“The vehicles need to be inspected and the drivers trained on the new vehicles.”

While Bekisz did not have exact figures on potential fuel savings, he did indicate that the greatest savings will be realized when a CNG station is added to the STS station. He also noted that it will eliminate the unpredictability of diesel fuel prices.

STS plans to add four more CNG vehicles next year.

County Commissioners George Halcovage and Gary Hess were on hand for the unveiling. Halcovage praised the STS as well as the various government entities that worked together to make the purchase happen. Commissioner Gary Hess agreed and added, “When the county handed over transportation to the STS authority, they took it to the next level. They’ve done an excellent job.”

The introduction of the vehicles was the culmination of a three-year effort to bring the CNG-fueled vehicles to Schuylkill County.

STS serves approximately 1,000 riders daily.