SAN DIEGO, CA, February 24, 2006 — Long Beach Transit's fleet of ISE-built gasoline hybrid buses recently reached the million-mile mark during the first week of January 2006. Long Beach Transit (LBT) purchased 47 hybrids, which were placed into everyday revenue service in June 2005. LBT's vehicles are just part of a larger order of 76 gasoline hybrid 40-foot buses delivered by New Flyer Industries to several other transit agencies in California.
According to Jim Ditch, Executive Director of Maintenance at Long Beach Transit, the new coaches have achieved an availability rate of 94% - meaning the vehicles are ready and available for service each day - far exceeding LBT's expectations. "Initially, LBT anticipated more problems, and more intense maintenance and driver resistance, but none of that has happened", said Ditch. "We are very pleased with the amount of service and support provided by ISE".
These hybrid buses feature ISE's ThunderVolt® gasoline hybrid drive system, which was certified as an "alternative fuel" system by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in November 2003. Several other California transit agencies have also purchased these vehicles, including Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), Norwalk Transit, Montebello Bus Lines, Gardena Municipal Bus Lines, and Fresno Area Express (FAX).
The ISE gasoline hybrid system is the cleanest running hybrid bus available. LBT has become the first transit agency in the U.S. to place a large number of gasoline hybrid buses into everyday revenue service. By replacing 20% of their oldest and highest emitting diesel buses with these new hybrids, LBT has reduced harmful pollutants by 48 tons of NOx and 0.40 tons of PM (using calculations from data CARB staff report dated Sep. 6, 2002).
About ISE Corporation:
ISE Corporation, based in San Diego, is a leading supplier of hybrid drive systems and components for heavy-duty vehicles such as buses, trucks, trams, airport equipment, and military vehicles. ISE is a world leader in electric, hybrid-electric, and fuel cell technologies, and the U.S. distributor for Siemens ELFA™ electric and hybrid-electric drive components.
Contact:
Mr. Gary Willms
gwillms@isecorp.com
(858) 413-1736
www.isecorp.com
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