These are some of the renewable fuels that Metrolink, a regional commuter rail network in Southern California, is using to power its locomotives. Metrolink is the first transit agency in the nation to transition completely to renewables. This move has earned the rail service Gold Level recognition in the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Sustainability Commitment program.
The move away from diesel means less emissions and particulate matter, say Metrolink officials.
“Renewable fuel contains no petroleum,” said Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle during an April press conference to make the announcement. “It is natural fats and vegetable oils that burns much cleaner and reduces harmful criteria pollutants in the Southern California region.”
The renewable fuel reduces CO2 emissions by up to 80 percent, and particulate matter by 30 percent, said Metrolink officials.
Metrolink has also installed a water reclamation system at its train-wash site, and has moved toward purchasing more electric vehicles.
Sustainability steps like these are not just part of the agency’s vision to reduce its carbon footprint, but move the equity needle as well. Kome Ajise, executive director of the Southern California Association of Governments, has stressed SCAG’s aim to “start to think about equity through just about everything we do.”
“We needed to fix the framework from what was wrong in the past,” said Ajise, speaking recently at the CoMotion MIAMI transportation conference.
Removing diesel from its locomotives, said Larry McCallon, Metrolink vice chair, will “improve the air quality for all of the communities along our 538 miles of track. And at the same time, the whole Southern California region.”
“It is certainly the right thing that we needed to do for the health of our children, and for our quality of life,” he added.
Metrolink trains go through some 8 million gallons of fuel a year, and the switch to renewable plant and animal fats translates to removing 14,000 cars from Southern California highways, said Metrolink officials.
Renewable fuel is described as a “drop-in replacement” for diesel, which means the locomotives continue to operate with no noticeable changes in performance.
Caltrain, a regional commuter rail service in the San Francisco Bay Area, has purchased 19 seven-car electric trains as it moves away from fossil-fuel-burning locomotives. The transition replaces 75 percent of the diesel fleet operating between San Francisco and San Jose to the south. The electric trains, which began arriving this year, will travel faster, cleaner and quieter.
