NGC fuels NP Starlite with CNG

The country’s CNG station network is continuing to expand with the opening of the twelfth CNG supply point at the NP Starlite station in Diego Martin on Tuesday.

Speaking at the handover of two newly converted, CNG dual fuel Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa buses at the Diamond Motors showroom in Port-of-Spain yesterday, Roger Sant, Communications Manager NGC CNG, said it would be the first CNG supply point in the northwestern part of Trinidad.

Another supply point was opened in June this year at the Tumpuna station, Arima and in a few weeks the thirteenth would be opened at NP Chaguanas. In addition, Sant said five other stations were under construction and mobile refuelling units would be deployed to service the public.

Tobago would not be left out. He said early next year, NGC was expected to have a mobile unit in Tobago for the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) and several for public use by March as the first step towards a permanent station in Tobago.Sant said the expansion was necessary as people were showing interest in purchasing CNG vehicles as well as converting their gasoline and diesel vehicles to CNG. “Since the 2018 budget we have seen a dramatic increase in CNG inquiries from the public and companies. In fact the three licensed converters are booked solid with conversions for several weeks. Just this past week, NGC CNG had interventions with the converters looking for ways to increase capacity.”

He said NGC was also offering incentives for CNG maxi purchases, taxi conversions and private school buses, as well as to employees of select state owned enterprises to cover a percentage of their conversion cost.

“NGC CNG has also been working with various financial institutions to offer preferential rates for loans to convert to CNG or purchase OEM CNG vehicles. In the near future we expect to consummate a partnership with a major Credit Union who will be offering financing for CNG conversions.”

Also speaking at the event was Sajid Ali-Baksh, Brand Manager of FUSO and Freightliner. He said in anticipation of the needs of their customers since the removal of the fuel subsidies on gas and diesel, ANSA Automotive Ltd was offering CNG retrofitting of vehicles to provide alternative solutions to reducing fuel costs.

“With the strong support from our principle dealers we are able to provide some of the best brands, coupled with the latest in combustion technology fused with CNG, to provide a cost-effective fuel option.”

The CNG retro-fit on the Fuso Rosa buses was facilitated by Ansa’s Burmac CNG team. Service Engineer Rishi Ramroopsingh said installation started at $12,000 but would vary by the type of engine.