Transit Community Spurs Development of Clean, Energy Efficient Public Transportation Technologies on Display at EXPO 2005

Concerns Over Gas Prices Put Spotlight On World's Largest Public Transportation Expo Showcasing New Energy and Environmental Transit Technologies

Contacts: Virginia Miller (202) 496-4816 vmiller@apta.com

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Faced with record-breaking gasoline prices and growing concern about air quality, America's public transportation industry continues to spearhead the development of technologies that enhance energy efficiency and air quality, and the upcoming American Public Transportation Association (APTA) International Public Transportation Expo (EXPO 2005) offers a first-hand look at these energy and environmental innovations.

Set for September 26-28 at the Dallas Convention Center, EXPO 2005 takes in conjunction with the September 25-28 APTA Annual Meeting, and is expected to attract 17,000+ leaders from public transportation systems all over the world, as well as 750+ exhibits from manufacturers and suppliers of transit innovation - products, services and technologies designed to enhance passengers' experience, as well as enable transit systems to operate more efficiently. EXPO takes place just once every three years, which makes it a critical venue for national, local and trade reporters who cover energy and environmental issues.

Today's soaring gasoline prices have highlighted the vital role public transportation can play in helping reduce America's energy consumption. Public transportation is a major contributor to energy conservation, since multiple-occupancy vehicles use less energy than automobiles on a passenger-mile basis. For every passenger mile traveled, public transportation uses about 50% of the fuel consumed by cars, and about 65% less than used by sport utility vehicles and light trucks.

"Greater use of public transportation offers the single most effective strategy currently available for achieving significant energy savings and improving air quality, without imposing new taxes, government mandates or regulations," said APTA President, William W. Millar.

In addition to offering potential to reduce dependency on gasoline, today's transit systems also offer significant environmental benefits. Most rail transit vehicles and trolleybuses emit little or no pollution since they are electronically propelled. Most buses, ferryboats, commuter rail locomotives, and many demand response vans use clean diesel fuel and retrofit technologies. A number of newer buses are fueled by alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas and propane to improve air quality and comply with federal and state pollution-reduction requirements. Many transit agencies are the only entities in their areas that are currently buying alternative fuel vehicles.

"Public transportation has always played an integral role in the solution for providing clean, environmentally friendly mobility for all Americans, and today's record gas prices have made that mission more important than ever," said Millar. "The transit community leads the way in developing cleaner, more environmentally friendly transportation technologies, and our industry's leadership role in environmental and energy-saving innovation is apparent in many of the exhibits at EXPO 2005."

EXPO 2005 offers a first-hand look at the environmental and energy-saving benefits offered by public transportation, and the technologies that are helping to make America's transit systems cleaner and more fuel-efficient than ever. Members of the media who are planning to cover the EXPO 2005 can now pre-register for media credentials by downloading a registration application from the media section of www.ntpshow.com/shows/apta2005, or contacting Mary Ellen Menton at 202/289-2001 or mmenton@stratacomm.net. There is no cost for media to register for EXPO 2005 or the educational sessions at the APTA Annual Meeting.

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APTA is a nonprofit international association of more than 1,500 member organizations including public transportation systems; planning, design, construction and finance firms; product and service providers; academic institutions, and state associations and departments of transportation. APTA members serve the public interest by providing safe, efficient and economical public transportation services and products. Over ninety percent of persons using public transportation in the United States and Canada are served by APTA members.