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01-08-05, 04:07 PM
FOR RELEASE: 2005-01-07 GM Delivers Hybrid Power to Tampa's HARTline
Hybrid-Powered Buses Save On Fuel And Reduce Emissions
TAMPA, Fla. - The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) demonstrated its on-going commitment to clean air today by announcing the addition of three hybrid buses to its mass transit fleet. HART and the city of Tampa join the growing ranks of communities investing in transit buses powered by General Motor's hybrid technology, which offers greater fuel economy and cleaner emissions than conventional diesel buses.
"Our full hybrid diesel electric drive system for buses is the most efficient hybrid architecture available in the world today," said Tom Stephens, group vice president of GM Powertrain. "Transit buses with GM's hybrid propulsion system deliver significantly better fuel economy than traditional transit buses and reduce certain emissions by up to 90 percent."
In a media event today at HARTline's Marion Transit Center in downtown Tampa, David Mechanik, chairman of HARTline's board of directors presented the GM hybrid-powered buses to the city. In attendance were representatives from HARTline, the Sierra Club and General Motors Corp.
"The use of this new technology will provide fuel savings for HARTline, a quieter, more pleasant ride for our patrons, and cleaner air for the people of Hillsborough County," said Sharon Dent, executive director for HARTline. "Combining this hybrid drive system with a modern low-floor bus means that everyone wins. Come ride the future, today."
The buses begin servicing the city today and blend perfectly into the mission of HART, to provide public transportation services, which are safe, dependable and cost effective thereby enhancing the quality of life in its community.
GM-hybrid-equipped buses are operating in about 18 U.S. cities including Seattle, Minneapolis, Portland, Salt Lake City, Houston and Austin.
"GM's hybrid technology offers significantly improved fuel economy, along with reduced noise and emissions - qualities that are particularly important and beneficial in cities like Tampa," said Beth Lowery, GM vice president of environment and energy. "We applaud HART for its efforts to protect the environment today, and to help preserve it for generations to come."
In addition to improved fuel economy and dramatically lower emissions, the GM hybrid system delivers superior torque, derived from the dual electric motors used to launch from a stop, 50 percent better acceleration than conventional diesel buses and operation sound levels equal to passenger cars even in tunnels. The hybrid powertrain also helps to extend brake, engine oil and transmission oil life. Gillig Corp. of Hayward, Calif., manufactures the buses.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, employs about 325,000 people globally. Founded in 1908, GM has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM today has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 192 countries. In 2003, GM sold nearly 8.6 million cars and trucks, about 15 percent of the global vehicle market. GM's global headquarters are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM and its products can be found on the company's corporate website at www.gm.com. GM's corporate responsibility web site, www.gmability.com, contains additional information about GM's environmental initiatives. The mission of the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) is to provide public transportation services, which are safe, dependable, and cost effective thereby enhancing the quality of life in our community. Each weekday HART transports more than 30,000 passenger trips on 39 fixed routes, 9 express routes, and 2 limited express routes. The service is provided with a fleet of 187 buses and 22 paratransit vans. In 2004, HART carried 8.9 million bus passenger trips. HART transit services reduce congestion and protect the environment by reducing the number of single occupant vehicles on Tampa's roadways. For more information about HART and its services, visit www.hartline.org.
Hybrid-Powered Buses Save On Fuel And Reduce Emissions
TAMPA, Fla. - The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) demonstrated its on-going commitment to clean air today by announcing the addition of three hybrid buses to its mass transit fleet. HART and the city of Tampa join the growing ranks of communities investing in transit buses powered by General Motor's hybrid technology, which offers greater fuel economy and cleaner emissions than conventional diesel buses.
"Our full hybrid diesel electric drive system for buses is the most efficient hybrid architecture available in the world today," said Tom Stephens, group vice president of GM Powertrain. "Transit buses with GM's hybrid propulsion system deliver significantly better fuel economy than traditional transit buses and reduce certain emissions by up to 90 percent."
In a media event today at HARTline's Marion Transit Center in downtown Tampa, David Mechanik, chairman of HARTline's board of directors presented the GM hybrid-powered buses to the city. In attendance were representatives from HARTline, the Sierra Club and General Motors Corp.
"The use of this new technology will provide fuel savings for HARTline, a quieter, more pleasant ride for our patrons, and cleaner air for the people of Hillsborough County," said Sharon Dent, executive director for HARTline. "Combining this hybrid drive system with a modern low-floor bus means that everyone wins. Come ride the future, today."
The buses begin servicing the city today and blend perfectly into the mission of HART, to provide public transportation services, which are safe, dependable and cost effective thereby enhancing the quality of life in its community.
GM-hybrid-equipped buses are operating in about 18 U.S. cities including Seattle, Minneapolis, Portland, Salt Lake City, Houston and Austin.
"GM's hybrid technology offers significantly improved fuel economy, along with reduced noise and emissions - qualities that are particularly important and beneficial in cities like Tampa," said Beth Lowery, GM vice president of environment and energy. "We applaud HART for its efforts to protect the environment today, and to help preserve it for generations to come."
In addition to improved fuel economy and dramatically lower emissions, the GM hybrid system delivers superior torque, derived from the dual electric motors used to launch from a stop, 50 percent better acceleration than conventional diesel buses and operation sound levels equal to passenger cars even in tunnels. The hybrid powertrain also helps to extend brake, engine oil and transmission oil life. Gillig Corp. of Hayward, Calif., manufactures the buses.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, employs about 325,000 people globally. Founded in 1908, GM has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM today has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 192 countries. In 2003, GM sold nearly 8.6 million cars and trucks, about 15 percent of the global vehicle market. GM's global headquarters are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM and its products can be found on the company's corporate website at www.gm.com. GM's corporate responsibility web site, www.gmability.com, contains additional information about GM's environmental initiatives. The mission of the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) is to provide public transportation services, which are safe, dependable, and cost effective thereby enhancing the quality of life in our community. Each weekday HART transports more than 30,000 passenger trips on 39 fixed routes, 9 express routes, and 2 limited express routes. The service is provided with a fleet of 187 buses and 22 paratransit vans. In 2004, HART carried 8.9 million bus passenger trips. HART transit services reduce congestion and protect the environment by reducing the number of single occupant vehicles on Tampa's roadways. For more information about HART and its services, visit www.hartline.org.