U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis were two of many who spoke in St. Cloud Friday to help St. Cloud Metro Bus unveil a new line of clean fuel buses.

Senator Klobuchar and Ryan Daniel, Executive Director of Metro Bus, comment on the project and how it helps the community and St. Cloud State University. 

The compressed natural gas (CNG) project will include the purchase of 23 new fixed route and six paratransit buses, making Metro Bus the first public transit agency in Minnesota to have a bus fleet fueled by CNG.

Compressed natural gas is a cheaper alternative to diesel. Metro Bus expects to save about $300,000 a year over the first 10 years.

The buses are possible with the help from Senator Klobuchar who presented the business with the $3.35 million U.S. Department of Transportation Clean Fuels grant with former U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in 2012. 

The new buses will be built in St. Cloud at the New Flyer bus company.