Miami-Dade County, Fla., March 9 -- The Miami-Dade County government issued the following news release:
Miami-Dade Transit (MDT) recently was awarded the Thermo King Energy Efficiency Leader Award for its commitment to improving fuel efficiency by electrifying accessories in its diesel-electric hybrid buses.
In an innovative move to improve energy efficiency and reduce operational costs, MDT, the nation's 14th largest public transit system, has electrified key accessories on 13 new county buses - becoming one of the first transit agencies in the nation to electrify bus accessories. This modification is expected to make the buses 25 percent more fuel efficient.
"By electrifying accessories, like the air conditioning system in our buses, we're not only operating our buses more efficiently, but also demonstrating our long-term commitment to increasing sustainability by improving fuel economy," said Harpal S. Kapoor, MDT director.
The department currently operates 38 hybrid buses of which 25 are articulated buses. In April 2011, MDT will be the first transit agency to place in service five diesel-electric Gillig buses with advanced hybrid technology featuring a beltless alternator, where the bus's electrical system pulls power from the hybrid batteries.
ABOUT MIAMI-DADE TRANSIT
Miami-Dade Transit (MDT) is the 14th largest public transit system in the nation and the largest in Florida. Miami-Dade Transit operates four transportation modes: Metrobus, Metrorail, Metromover and Special Transportation Service (STS).
Metrobus provides bus service throughout Miami-Dade County, and some parts of Monroe and Broward counties. Metrobus has a fleet size of 817 buses. Metrorail is a 22-mile elevated system with 136 vehicles, and 22 stations. Metromover is a fully automated people mover system consisting of 4.4 miles of elevated guideway with 21 stations. It offers convenient access to a variety of government, businesses, entertainment and cultural centers in the downtown Miami, Omni and Brickell areas. Special Transportation Service provides approximately 130,000 trips on a monthly basis. For more information about MDT, visit www.miamidade.gov/transit.
ABOUT INGERSOLL RAND
Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) is a world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and efficient environments in commercial, residential and industrial markets. Our people and our family of brands - including Club Car, Hussmann, Ingersoll Rand, Schlage, Thermo King and Trane - work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings, transport and protect food and perishables, secure homes and commercial properties, and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. Thermo King manufactures transport temperature control systems for a variety of mobile applications, including trailers, truck bodies, buses, shipboard containers and railway cars. Ingersoll Rand is a $14 billion global business committed to sustainable business practices within our company and for our customers. For more information, visit www.ingersollrand.com. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at [email protected]
