Transit Agency Expands Earth-Friendly Role with New Bus-Washing System

PORT HURON, MI, August 04, 2012 (Press-News.org) Blue Water Area Transit has started washing their buses with a new earth-friendly system that recycles most of the water used in the process. The agency installed the new state-of-the-art system last month, replacing the method they have used for more than 25 years.

"We are constantly seeking ways to be more efficient and earth-friendly and this new bus-washing system will help us do both," explains Jim Wilson, BWAT general manager. "The capability to wash our buses this way was built into the design of our current building."

Purchasing the new $175,000 system was made possible by a grant from the Federal Transit Administration's "State of Good Repair" program. The grant was part of a federal initiative to improve our nation's rail and bus transit systems with $776 million authorized by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act.

"We expect to save more than three million gallons of water per year and shave 80% off of our water bill," says Dave Frasier, BWAT director of maintenance and procurement.

In addition to conserving water, the new method also recycles engine oil to reheat the water that is used to wash buses.

BWAT washes an average of 70 buses per day — some of them twice a day. BWAT personnel clean them inside, outside, and underneath.

"Clean buses are an important part of the service we provide," Frasier adds. "Our passengers, drivers, and mechanics all appreciate clean buses."

BWAT's new bus-washing method uses a Westmatic water filtration system and high speed air blower to provide water recycling, ozone odor elimination, a clean water rinse, and undercarriage washing. Westmatic systems are made in America at their North American headquarters in Buffalo, New York, where the company complies with all "Buy America" requirements.

"Expanding our commitment to earth-friendly methods with American-made equipment is a wonderful use of federal dollars," according to Linda Bruckner, Blue Water Area Transportation Commission Board vice chair and Fort Gratiot Township trustee.

The Blue Water Area is also one of Michigan's three gateways to Canada, with the Blue Water Bridges connecting the city of Port Huron with Sarnia.

Blue Water Area Transit operates the largest fleet of alternative fuel buses in Michigan, and is the largest producer of compressed natural gas within the state.