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Indianapolis Indiana – An inaugural ceremony was held at the Eiteljorg
Museum on August 5, 2003 marking the introduction of the IndyGo Blue Line
featuring five new distinctively wrapped Ebus, hybrid-electric buses. The Blue
Line is a circulator route serving downtown Indianapolis including the Arts
District, museums and zoo as well as other important downtown attractions such
as restaurants and clubs. With both environmental and noise pollution along with
a desire to promote advanced technology being the driving factors in the
selection process, IndyGo chose the Ebus 22’, 22 seated passenger buses
employing a series hybrid electric drive train powered by a diesel fueled
Capstone MicroTurbine™. With a series hybrid electric bus, the bus is driven by
an electric motor, which receives its electricity from a battery pack. The
batteries in turn are recharged as needed by an “on-board” auxiliary power unit
(APU). The Capstone MicroTurbine™ has the least emissions of any engine in
production today with a noise level that is almost undistinguishable. This
combination of technology provides a bus that travels throughout the downtown
area with minimal contribution to ambient noise and environmental pollution.
“Indianapolis is the largest city in
the country to use this cutting-edge technology. It is also one of the first
projects of its kind in the nation that ties public transportation, commerce and
the arts together,” stated Gilbert Holmes, President and CEO for IndyGo.
After riding the bus, Congresswoman
Julia Carson who lives in Indianapolis and was instrumental in securing funding
for the project stated, “I remember riding trolleys that moved on tracks and
were hot. Now, I can ride a bus that helps the environment, is energy efficient
and is air conditioned!”
Ebus, Inc., located in Downey, CA is
the nation’s largest manufacturer of battery powered and Capstone powered
hybrid-electric buses available in three body styles including transit bus,
vintage trolley and shuttle.
Digital photos
and video available upon request. |
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