Burbank Unveils Advanced Fleet of Four Electric Shuttle Buses
15 July 1998
ADVISORY/Burbank Unveils Advanced Fleet of Four Electric Shuttle Buses; Next Generation of Cleaner, Quieter, Efficient Bus Connects Metrolink Trains to Media District
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Good Photo Opportunities WHAT: Four state-of-the-art electric shuttle buses will be "quietly" unveiled for service on Thursday, July 16. This advanced-transportation project places new, 26-foot electric buses into shuttle service as a "clean link" between Metrolink trains and Burbank's booming Media District. This cooperative project teams Burbank; the California Energy Commission; CALSTART; and APS Systems, the California-based bus builder. WHERE: Burbank Regional Intermodal Transportation Center (RITC) 201 N. Front St. Burbank (new Metrolink station) WHEN: Thursday, July 16 4 p.m. -- unveiling, news conference 2 p.m. -- buses available to media WHO: -- David Golonski, Burbank mayor -- McKinley Addy, California Energy Commission -- Other members of the project team, including bus maker -- Representatives of the Southern California Regional Rail Authority VISUALS: The advanced buses will roll in together to the news conference, which also celebrates the new Metrolink station. The buses will be operating and available for viewing and media rides. BACKGROUND:
For quality of life, efficiency and pollution reduction, several cities are looking at innovative solutions to providing mobility. Burbank has become one of the new leaders in the use of clean, efficient vehicle technologies with its official launch of the electric shuttle system. The buses, built by California firm APS Systems, represent a new class of bus being eyed by transit districts across America for their convenience and flexibility on urban shuttle routes. Five of these buses already operate in Santa Barbara; three are in Santa Monica; and three run Grand Canyon routes. Burbank is already planning to add two more to its fleet, which also includes several other electric vehicles. The benefits of these and other advanced-transportation technologies: cleaner air, more efficient transportation, reduced global-warming impacts and high-tech jobs in a new industry.
--30--DB/la LES/la CONTACT: City of Burbank Joy Tuncay, 818/238-5268 or CALSTART, Burbank Bill Van Amburg, 818/565-5600 http://www.calstart.org KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: AUTOMOTIVE TRANSPORTATION ENERGY ENVIRONMENT ENMED GOVERNMENT ADVISORY