MARTA Leaders Select Highly Efficient Thermo King Solutions for New Coach & Equipment Shuttle Buses
Bloomington, Minn., Sept. 18, 2013 /3BLMedia/ — The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) recently awarded a bid for 93 paratransit shuttle buses featuring Thermo King solutions to Coach & Equipment, a small-bus manufacturer based in Penn Yan, N.Y.
Based on proven performance, reliability and durability on their large buses, MARTA also requested that the new buses feature high-efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units from Thermo King, a manufacturer of transport temperature control systems for a variety of mobile applications and a brand of Ingersoll Rand.
“MARTA leaders requested Thermo King units because they wanted to optimize energy and operational efficiency for the shuttle buses while ensuring critical guest and driver comfort throughout each ride,” said Steve L. Perry Jr., general superintendent for MARTA.
“Based on MARTA’s previous experience, we agreed that Thermo King units are best suited to withstand the demands of Atlanta metropolitan-area weather – even during the hottest months of the year.”
The 93 new buses include BE-550 bulkhead evaporators with IntelligAIRE III controls. The new lightweight BE-550 bulkhead evaporator for small to mid-size shuttle and school bus applications helps ensure passenger comfort in vehicles where headroom clearance is an issue.
The new bulkhead evaporator is a split system solution that can be mounted in the front, rear, or both bulkhead areas of a vehicle. In general, this unit offers advantages over similar industry solutions that include:
- Approximately 40 percent smaller by volume and more than 20 percent lighter in weight;
- Approximate airflow improvement of more than 5 percent; and,
- Approximately 20 percent greater in capacity.
Three speed blowers provide optimal pulldown on the evaporator to maximize passenger comfort. The blowers and the return-air filter are easily accessible to allow for efficient maintenance.
The evaporator can accommodate either right-side or left-side refrigeration and electrical connections. It features a flexible mounting arrangement and is compatible with skirt-mount and roof condensers.
The new bulkhead evaporator system uses efficient microchannel coils, yielding 40 percent less refrigerant use over conventional systems. The system also reduces operational, maintenance and upfront costs as well as environmental impact.
The new shuttle buses will also feature the IntelligAIRE III microprocessor with advanced diagnostics and J1939 CANBus communication capability.
MARTA currently uses IntelligAIRE III on their large bus systems, and having it on their paratransit fleet enables the transit to standardize HVAC controls across all their fleets and increase ease of maintenance and driver interaction.
The IntelligAIRE III with SAE J1939 Communications Network is an advanced microprocessor-based controller for bus climate control systems which can be programmed for either manual or automatic operation. This third-generation solution helps improve operational efficiency for lower lifecycle costs.
MARTA expects to introduce the new fleet to the streets of Atlanta this month.
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About MARTA
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is the 9th largest transit system in the United States, providing more than 400,000 passenger trips every weekday. Its member jurisdictions include the City of Atlanta, Fulton and DeKalb counties. MARTA operates a 38-station, 48-mile rapid rail system. It also has 91 fixed bus routes and provides mobility (paratransit) service. MARTA effectively eliminates roughly 185,000 passenger vehicles from roadways in the Atlanta region, thereby improving air quality and reducing congestion. MARTA accounts for an estimated $2.6 billion in economic activity statewide each year and supports about 24,000 jobs. The Authority is undertaking a top-to-bottom transformation plan to ensure financial stability, become more efficient, and to provide a better transit experience for its customers.
About Coach & Equipment
Coach & Equipment is a bus manufacturer located in Penn Yan, NY that specializes in manufacturing small and mini buses that serve municipalities, assisted living and touring.
About Ingersoll Rand and Thermo King
Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) advances the quality of life by creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and efficient environments. Our people and our family of brands—including Club Car®, Ingersoll Rand®,Schlage®,Thermo King® and Trane® —work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings, transport and protect food and perishables, secure homes and commercial properties, and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. Thermo King manufactures transport temperature control systems for a variety of mobile applications, including trailers, truck bodies, buses, shipboard containers and railway cars. Ingersoll Rand is a $14 billion global business committed to a world of sustainable progress and enduring results. For more information, visit ingersollrand.com or thermoking.com.
Thermo King Corporation, a business unit of diversified industrial firm Ingersoll Rand Company Limited, was founded in 1938 and manufactures transport temperature control systems for a variety of mobile applications, including trailers, truck bodies, buses, shipboard containers and railway cars. The company operates 10 manufacturing facilities and 17 parts distribution centers worldwide. Sales and service is provided by a global dealer network of 865 independently owned companies in 75 countries.
Contact
Joan Schimml, Thermo King, a brand of Ingersoll Rand
+1.651.407.3897
joan.schimml@irco.com
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