|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) Hosts Meeting To Focus on Advanced BRT
Vehicle Design Competition
February 9, 2001
Media Advisory
Contact: Scott Lorenz
Westwind Communications
Phone: 734-667-2090
Cell: 248-705-2214
scottlorenz@westwindcos.com
One Participant- TransTeq
Wants to Revolutionize Urban Transportation
Members Of The Media Are Invited To Meet Dale Hill, President
Transportation Techniques, LCC (Transteq) Manufacturers Of One
Of The World’s Most Energy Efficient And Environmentally
Friendly Busses
On Friday, February 9, 2001, the Federal Transit Administration
will host a 1-day meeting on vehicle issues relating the
upcoming Design Competition. The meeting will focus on building
awareness of the BRT (“Bus Rapid Transit”) Consortium and Bus
Manufacturers towards the Vehicle Design Competition and the
relationship of new design ideas to the future implementation of
BRT systems.
BRT, or Bus Rapid Transit, is an emerging system whereby
advanced technology equipped buses provide a cost-effective
upgraded transit service. BRT is viewed by many as a third way
combining the best qualities of bus and light rail. Some key
characteristics of BRT systems include attractive, rail-like
vehicles, exclusive rights-of-way, attractive infrastructure,
streamlined fare collection and fast dwell times. Advantages of
BRT over light rail include lower cost, far less time to
implement and self-contained power generation (versus
electricity hungry light rail). The BRT Consortium includes 17
cities throughout the U.S.
One of the participants in the meeting will be Dale Hill,
President Transportation Techniques, LCC (TransTeq)
manufacturers of one of the world’s most energy efficient and
environmentally friendly vehicles. The 116-passenger bus, called
the EcoMark, uses a 70 HP engine fueled by clean compressed
natural gas (CNG) and has lower emissions than a car.
The EcoMark’s 70 HP engine charges on-board batteries, which
power a pair of 220–horsepower DC motors. The bus is so
efficient that it literally saves energy when it stops,
capturing the energy normally lost during braking to re-charge
its batteries. The EcoMark also has a unique ability to be
operated as a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) on battery power alone
in areas where engines are banned.
Just last week the EcoMark was selected in a public opinion poll
in Ft. Worth, Texas as the number one choice to provide Ft.
Worth's downtown transportation solution for connecting their
two light rail terminals. Transit Executives and Governmental
Leaders have visited TransTeq from as far away as China, Korea
and Spain to see this breakthrough low emission technology.
Numerous transit authorities, airports/airlines and national
parks are looking at TransTeq’s ability to provide solutions to
urban congestion, improved fuel economy and lower pollution.
The EcoMark fleet enters 2001 as the largest full-size hybrid
electric (HEV) bus fleet and operates on Denver's renowned 16th
Street Mall, one of the first BRT routes in the nation. The
route, which carries 50,000 passengers daily, is the backbone of
the Regional Transportation District's (RTD) system and connects
major light rail lines and bus terminals in downtown Denver.
“The EcoMark bus is the first HEV and the largest to
successfully complete the rigorous Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) "Altoona" test for noise, fuel economy,
reliability, safety, maintainability and performance,” says
Hill, “this allows for the FTA to fund 83 percent of the
purchase price of the EcoMark. “
TransTeq is pursuing 34 individual projects from throughout the
world with a total contract value of $300 million. "For those
who need an environmentally superior vehicle," says Hill, "our
technology offers improved emissions, lower life cycle costs,
lower costs per passenger and more than 30 innovative features
to enhance the rider’s experience.”
The BRT Vehicle Design Meeting will take place February 9, 2001
from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the U.S. Department of
Transportation Federal Transit Administration, 400 Seventh
Street, SW., Room 2101, Washington, D.C. 20590
NOTE: TransTeq President Dale Hill will be in Washington
Thursday for meetings with Transit Executives. He is available
via cell phone @ (303) 591-7501 to answer questions from the
media.
For additional information visit:
http://www.transteq.com
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|