CASE STUDY: New York City Transit - Jackie Gleason Facility

BACKGROUND
In November 2001, Trillium received a contract from the New York City Transit Authority to take over operation and maintenance of the Jackie Gleason Bus Depot in Brooklyn, NY.  This was the first instance of a performance- based takeover of an existing large-scale CNG station.  Along with the typical maintenance respons- ibilities, Trillium was charged with improving overall performance of the station.  This required an extensive overhaul of major CNG components during the day while fueling 150 buses at night to meet morning rollout.  Furthermore, Trillium agreed to pay penalties or liquidated damages in case the equipment was not                          

performing to contract specifications.

The Jackie Gleason Depot had four compressors, capable of an output of 1,200 SCFM each.  Their bus fill times averaged about six minutes with all four compressors typically running.  Routine and unscheduled maint- enance had been performed by the local gas company, but the system had not been optimized to meet NYCT's demands.

IMPROVEMENTS
Trillium incorporated a variety of technical modifications and equipment upgrades for the station's CNG fueling system.  This work was designed to improve reliability, efficiency, and provide the flexibility to meet and exceed the demands of NYCT's CNG bus fueling operation.

The changes made to the facility included upgrades to the computer controls, a drastically simplified valve system, and radically improved compressor skid accessibility.

MAJOR EQUIPMENT
Trillium's upgrade plan for this station did not include any replacement of or addition to the major existing equipment such as compressors & engines.  Fueling times were cut by about 30% without installing additional compression.

POST-UPGRADE PERFORMANCE
There are several methods to assess the performance of the station since the takeover in 2002.  At the most basic level, Trillium's responsibility was to meet the specifications of the RFP and provide CNG fuel for all of                          

the buses located at the Jackie Gleason Depot on a daily basis.  Trillium has been successful by this criterion - buses have made roll out, on schedule, every morning during the time that Trillium has managed the operation of the station.

Another measure of success is average bus fueling time.  Before the takeover by Trillium, the Jackie Gleason Depot had 150 buses, and they averaged a six-minute fill time.  Since the takeover, the station now serves a fleet of 300 buses and completes fills within an average of 3.5 minutes.  Furthermore, Trillium does this by normally running only two, occasionally three, of the four compressors available.