Metro Magazine

AUG 2014

Magazine serving the bus and rail transit & motorcoach operations since 1904

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65 AUGUST 2014 m ETRO m AGAZINE > supplier spotlight cue. These centers give presentations at different schools to educate about birds of prey. Te Teton Science School has also participated to send kids ev- ery year to commune and spend time with nature. "It 's all about the kids and nature and what life should be about," Rob- erts says. "It's amazing how many kids in cities don't really know what nature is really like. The Spirit of Alexandria Foundation is giving them an opportu- nity to go out and see it." built by E A Technologies, which are completely E-Coated to prevent cor- rosion. Te results will be a totally new look, easily recognized as an ARBOC. Ro b e r t s says t h e c o mpa ny i s a l s o pursuing other market possibilities, such as hybrid and electric models, in addition to ofering gas, diesel, propane and CNG options, currently. ARBOC, as the largest under 30-foot bus manufac- turer, has sold vehicles to more than 120 transit agencies in the last fve years, in- cluding the Dallas Area Rapid Tran- sit system, which operates 123 ARBOC CNG buses. Any changes or improvements AR- BOC makes to its vehicles are entire- ly customer driven, Roberts says. He and his team don't wait for a model change if a new initiative needs to be implemented. Instead, they'll change it right away. Te latest applied and specially-pat- ented technology is a 12-degree angled door on the Spirit of Freedom. Tis pat- ented design allows for a passenger in a wheelchair to follow the natural curve of the bus rather than having to turn 90-degrees upon loading. Te compa- ny exceeds all federal ADA regulations because of its 1:6 ramp angle. THE SPIRIT OF GIVING ARBO C's commitment to improv- ing lives does not end with its vehicles. Te company strives to give back as well and as often as they can. When the granddaughter of Jim Bartel passed away suddenly in 2006, the fami- ly created a foundation in her honor. For the last nine years, ARBOC has helped fund the Spirit of Alexandria Charitable Foundation as the organization works to connect children to nature. Alexan- dria Bartel loved being outdoors, at- tending road trips with Roberts and her grandfather to places like Yellowstone National Park as they demoed early ver- sions of their buses. Since her death, the foundation has connected over 80,000 children to nature. Since the Spir it of Alexandr ia be- gan, the foundation has used convert- ed ARBOC vehicles into classrooms at the Howell Nature Center in Michigan and the Raptor Center birds of prey res- Through its Spirit of Alexandria Charitable Foundation, ARBOC has connected over 80,000 children to nature.

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