CHICAGO – GO Airport Express, a Chicago-based ground transportation provider, was one of 15 companies that received a “Green Fleet” designation by the Illinois EPA, in coordination with the Chicago Area Clean Cities coalition at a recognition luncheon held Feb. 22.

The company provides airport shuttles to and from O'Hare International Airport and Midway Airports, for more than 1 million passengers annually.

The Illinois Green Fleets program provides for “Green Environment, Green Energy, & Green Economics for a Green Illinois,” through the use of clean alternate fuels, such as natural gas, biodiesel, ethanol, propane, and electricity in their fleet vehicles, as well as retrofitting existing diesel trucks with clean technology options to reduce diesel particulates.

GO Airport Express was acknowledged for its conversion of two of its vans to propane and two to natural gas-powered. Plans are in place to convert its entire fleet within the next three years.

“We are honored to be recognized for our efforts in operating a green fleet through conversion to propane and natural gas, as well as our regular upgrades and maintenance that ensures our vehicles run at the utmost efficiency,” said Rob Hann, vice president, sales and marketing, GO Airport Express. “By nature, shared rides are green rides. With six people on board, a van uses only 30 percent of the fuel that six cars would use and creates 54 percent fewer carbon emissions. We are committed to offering a safe, economical, and green transportation option for residents and visitors.”

According to Darwin Burkhart, program manager for the Illinois EPA and chairman of the Chicago Area Clean Cities, GO Airport Express joins an “an elite fraternity of over 100 designated fleets throughout the state. We see more and more family-owned small businesses that are taking the initiative to purchase and convert their vehicles and equipment to run on a clean American fuel.”