WestStart-CALSTART Announces an Innovative $2 Million Effort to Demonstrate Clean Vehicle Technology

PASADENA, Calif.--May 1, 20048, 2004--

`Clean Mobility' Activities Complement New Systems to Help Fill Transit's `Last Mile' Gap to Increase Ridership

WestStart-CALSTART, a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grantee, has been provided federal financial assistance to develop and demonstrate innovative systems and clean vehicles, to better connect commuters and travelers with transit, and to assist in the smart development of non-polluting fuel cell power systems for future transit bus use.

This $2 million effort has several key components, but its primary objectives are to identify and develop innovative solutions to meet the "last mile" gap for transit riders and to enhance the development of hydrogen and fuel cell bus activities within the U.S.

Public transportation is an efficient and clean mode of travel that can cut both emissions and congestion. However, to contribute its full benefits, it needs to increase ridership. One of the key challenges limiting that expansion is the "last mile" issue - the difficulty of making the connection from home to transit routes, or from the transit station to the employment site.

WestStart-CALSTART'S clean mobility efforts are targeting this "last mile" barrier. The organization will be developing an innovative approach to encourage and work with transit properties to develop technological approaches to providing automated personal mobility options from selected stations.

"We must have increased choices for commuting and travel," Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), Minority Leader of the House of Representatives said. "CALSTART's efforts to use Silicon Valley technologies to provide innovative transportation are a vital step forward. Increasing transit ridership is one of the most effective ways to improve our air quality and reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil."

"Our goal is to make transit the 'mode of choice' in communities across America. We look forward to working with CALSTART to determine how advanced technology can help increase transit ridership and address the 'last mile' gap," noted Barbara Sisson, FTA's Associate Administrator for Research, Demonstration and Innovation.

In addition to innovative mobility solutions, WestStart-CALSTART will also be analyzing and working on various options to advance the maturity of hydrogen bus technology. Among other activities, FTA funding will be provided to develop the nation's first hybrid hydrogen internal combustion bus. Hybrid hydrogen buses have extremely low emissions and relatively low greenhouse gases. They can be a more affordable means of introducing hydrogen into the public transportation sector.

"We greatly appreciate the support provided by Congresswoman Pelosi. She is one of the strongest champions of advanced transportation technology in Congress today. We also look forward to continuing to work with the FTA in our on-going mutual effort to facilitate the growth of the advanced transportation technology industry," said WestStart-CALSTART's President and CEO, John Boesel.

WestStart-CALSTART is North America's leading advanced transportation technologies consortium. It is a fuel neutral, participant-supported organization of more than 115 companies and agencies, dedicated to expanding and supporting a high-tech transportation industry that cleans the air, creates jobs and improves energy efficiency. WestStart-CALSTART is playing a leading national role in facilitating the development of advanced propulsion systems and alternative fuels in the transit and heavy-duty vehicle industry. The California operating division does business as CALSTART. Visit www.weststart.org for more information.