Fisher Coachworks GTB-40 Buses to be Deployed by MTA Flint

OAK PARK, Mich.--Today, the Obama administration announced $100-million in funding awards against the Federal Transit Administration’s TIGGER program, including $2.2 million to Mass Transportation Authority in Flint, Michigan (MTA Flint) for acquisition of two Fisher Coachworks GTB-40 all-electric, plug-in hybrid mass transit buses which will be deployed in 2010.

The FTA TIGGER program is an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 initiative to drive implementation of advanced energy and emission efficient mass transit solutions. TIGGER stands for “Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas & Energy Reduction”. The criteria used by the FTA to evaluate applications included return on investment, project readiness, capabilities of applicant, degree of innovation and national applicability.

Expected to be the most energy and emissions efficient mass transit bus in the market, the Fisher GTB-40 bus is nearing production readiness. “We are delighted that MTA Flint specified our GTB-40 in their TIGGER application”, said Greg Fisher, President and CEO of Fisher Coachworks. Fisher added, “Bob Foy and his team at MTA Flint are recognized local leaders in development and deployment of advanced mass transit technologies that benefit the environment and their operations. MTA Flint will be an excellent home for what may be our first in-service deployments.”

Fisher Coachworks and MTA Flint have been in discussions about the GTB-40 and deployments of such for over one-year. “We share Fisher’s enthusiasm on the TIGGER grant”, said Bob Foy, MTA Flint General Manager. He continued, “We believe the GTB-40 has the potential to change the bus transit industry, and we are eager to get these two units into our fleet. The GTB-40’s unique combination of all-electric technology and ultra-lightweight chassis technology are a perfect response to the TIGGER Program goal for reduced greenhouse gas and energy reduction.”

The Fisher Coachworks GTB-40 bus is uniquely placed to meet the TIGGER program objectives. As an all-electric model, the bus will be a Zero Emission vehicle, expected to meet California ARB’s ZBus requirements. And as a range-extended electric model, the bus will meet the daily mileage range of the most demanding urban transit fleets. Both models will achieve significant energy savings versus current hybrid, diesel and alternative fuel buses in the market.

About Fisher Coachworks, LLC

Fisher Coachworks is rekindling 100-years of Body by Fisher ^TM vehicle manufacturing leadership. The company was formed in late 2007 to bring game-changing commercial vehicles to the global marketplace. Fisher Coachworks is commercializing patented structural systems and manufacturing technology for ultra-lightweight series hybrid vehicles, targeting the urban commercial vehicle market sector. By applying a total vehicle optimization engineering approach, and an ultra-lightweight stainless steel unibody chassis/ body structure, the company is able to significantly reduce vehicle mass. The result is step-change improvements in fuel economy, emissions and operating cost efficiency. Fisher’s launch product is the GTB-40, a Plug-in Hybrid Mass Transit Bus, which began road testing in August 2008. Currently based in Oak Park, Michigan, the company will soon relocate to larger facilities to prepare for ramped vehicle production beginning in 2010.

About MTA Flint

The Mass Transportation Authority is the agency authorized to provide public transportation services in Flint and Genesee County, Michigan. The MTA's services include primary fixed routes, peak period routes, para transit services, specialized services for the elderly and the operation of thirteen Service Centers, along with intercity bus and Amtrak Rail Stations in Flint.