MARTA Selects eMotion Mobility to Develop Atlanta Station Car Program
ATLANTA--Dec. 21, 2001--Executives from eMotion Mobility today announced an exclusive strategic planning agreement with Metro Atlanta Regional Transportation Authority (MARTA) to develop a station car program in Atlanta.
Pending approval of the plan by the MARTA Board of Directors, eMotion and MARTA will begin implementing a station car system during 2002.
To provide additional benefits to users of the MARTA rail and bus system, MARTA and eMotion Mobility will develop a plan to operate and market a station car program that will compliment existing transportation systems in metropolitan Atlanta. Station car systems provide vehicles for short-term use on a pay-per-trip basis so commuters can use mass transit and still have access to a vehicle throughout the day for meetings and trips away from the office.
"We are extremely pleased to be working with MARTA to develop a station car program that will provide MARTA users with greater freedom and flexibility when traveling around metro Atlanta," said John Wilson, president and CEO of eMotion Mobility LLC. "The station car system will be built upon state-of-the-art technology, zero emission electric vehicles and superior customer service."
As part of the proposal submitted to MARTA, eMotion Mobility's station car program would provide MARTA rail users with access to eMotion Mobility zero emission smart cars parked at MARTA rail stations. Customers would subscribe to the program and be issued "smart keys" and identification to allow instant car reservations on the Internet and through eMotion Mobility's call center.
"We believe a station car system will provide MARTA riders with added convenience while reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality in Atlanta," said Terry Griffis, assistant general manager of finance for MARTA. "eMotion Mobility has developed a comprehensive proposal that compliments the MARTA system very well."
The zero emission smart cars will combine the latest in automotive technology with the convenience of centrally located charging stations at MARTA stations and other public areas around town. eMotion will also locate car stations at major shopping malls and office complexes so customers can leave their car parked and ride transit.
"eMotion Mobility is committed to developing a personal mobility system that takes advantage of the huge investments our communities have made in transit - a system that will grow with the new transit systems of the future, including light rail, commuter rail and high-speed trains," said Wilson. "Our goal is to build a network of mobility stations linked to designated transit facilities that will provide state-of-the-art personal mobility through clean, quiet, electric cars."
Last week, eMotion Mobility broke ground on a 30,000 square foot facility in the Hinesville Industrial Park in South Georgia that will house a micro-assembly process for building eMotion Mobility cars. The facility will install electric batteries, motors and other parts into `gliders,' or semi-completed cars based on the very successful European MCC smart car produced by DaimlerChrysler. Vehicle production is scheduled to begin September 1, 2002.
eMotion Mobility, LLC, creates and applies new technologies to the arena of personal transportation. eMotion Mobility will begin its service in Atlanta in late 2002 with over 100 vehicles at selected transit stations. In five years, Atlanta will have over 2500 vehicles and systems will have been launched in California and the northeast totaling over 16,000 vehicles. eMotion Mobility is based in Atlanta, Ga. For more information, visit www.emotionmobility.com.