Biodiesel Fuel Causes Mechanical Issues for Three of Loyola’s Shuttles

(Loyola Phoenix (Chicago)) One of Loyola’s intercampus shuttles stopped running on the road, and another couldn’t drive faster than 20 miles per hour after biodiesel froze in their engines Friday, Loyola officials said. A third shuttle stopped running Tuesday for the same reason, according to the university, leaving students to wait for another shuttle or find a different way home.

During warmer months, the shuttles run entirely on biodiesel fuel — an environmentally friendly fuel made from animal fat or vegetable oil — according to Loyola communication specialist Sarah Howell. However, since biodiesel fuel freezes during the winter months, the shuttles transition to diesel fuel starting in early October. The process takes time and involves blending diesel fuel with biodiesel, Howell said.

This year, low temperatures hit earlier than the school expected, and the shuttles — which transport students between the Lake Shore and Water Tower campuses — were still in the process of transitioning to diesel fuel, according to Howell. She said the engines still held traces of biodiesel fuel, which froze and caused the mechanical issues.

The first two shuttles were repaired last weekend, Howell said, and the third is being inspected by mechanics. The university keeps two backup shuttles in case there are issues with circulating buses, The Phoenix previously reported. READ MORE