LIVONIA — ROUSH CleanTech, an industry leader in propane autogas vehicle technology, announces the appointment of Randy Veenhoven as executive director of sales for public transit. Veenhoven will emphasize sustainability solutions for the public transit industry by evaluating their operations to incorporate vehicles fueled by economical, environmentally friendly and domestically produced propane autogas.
“Randy is a seasoned professional in the public transit industry, possessing a wealth of knowledge, experience and real-world connections,” said Todd Mouw, vice president of sales and marketing for ROUSH CleanTech. “The public transit industry is challenged to service a wide variety of local and urban transportation needs — not an easy task in today’s economic environment. Propane autogas is an ideal alternative fuel choice, as it substantially reduces operating, maintenance costs and emissions.”
Working with state departments of transportation, original equipment manufacturers, local public transit agencies and state transportation boards, Veenhoven has spent 25 years servicing the mass transit industry. He most recently acted as regional sales manager for USSC Group. For American Seating, located in Grand Rapids, his various assignments included regional sales, dealer development and education. He has served on several state transportation boards, including Florida, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. Veenhoven’s alternative fuel experience includes hybrid bus sales for ISE Corp.
“I am happy to join ROUSH CleanTech and can’t wait to use my skills and strong network of contacts in the transit industry to promote this American-made, economical energy source,” said Veenhoven. “Plus, with the ROUSH CleanTech Ford E-450’s recent Altoona testing, transit agencies can apply for Federal Transit Administration funding to assist with conversion costs. That savings can then be used for operational expenses, providing a great solution for clean air and fuel economy.”
Many public transit agencies already have experienced the benefits of fueling with propane autogas. “Propane autogas is a good fit for us,” said Edgar Benning, general manager of Flint Mass Transportation Authority. “We anticipate purchasing propane fuel for half the price of diesel. It will reduce our dependency on diesel and drive down our cost of operation.”
In his new role at ROUSH CleanTech, Veenhoven will demonstrate how a typical public transit agency can expect to save more than $20,000 over the lifetime of each vehicle by choosing propane autogas instead of gasoline. The savings are even higher when compared to diesel, the standard fuel of choice in the transit industry.
