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.