Metro Magazine

NOV-DEC 2014

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

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gine to generate electricity to automatical- ly charge the batteries, giving it a range of 35 miles on batteries and up to 400 miles or more through regenerated power. There were also plenty of new pro- pane unveilings on the BusCon show foor as well. ICOM North America LLC is partner- ing with Winnebago Industries for the in- stallation and distribution of its ICOM JTG II bi-fuel and mono-fuel liquid propane autogas (LPG) injection system in Win- nebago's Metro Link buses, with a version of the bus on display for the frst time any- where at the show. The partnership, in conjunction with Winnebago Metro Link North Ameri- can master distributor Metro Worldwide LLC, will allow work-ready, alternatively- fueled buses to be delivered direct to deal- ers and end users. Metro Worldwide will also offer ICOM liquid propane autogas with a 182.5 kWh battery capacity, an AC synchronous motor, and a ZF low-foor axle/BYD in-wheel traction motor axle chassis, while Ameritrans introduced its Eco-Charge coach, which transports up to 12 passengers and features cus- tom built-to-order options to the mid- size vehicle market. Phoenix Motorcars also featured its ZEUS electric vehicle for the shuttle mar- ket, which gives operators 100 miles per charge and can reduce fuel and mainte- nance costs by 80% and 50%, respectively, according to the company. Additionally, two of the approximate 18 vans on the show foor were propelled by electricity. Zenith Motors' Electric Shut- tle Van featured a modified Dodge Ram 2500 with an airport shuttle interior, which used lithium-ion batteries with regenera- tive braking and has a range of 110 miles. VIA Motors' shuttle van features an eco- nomical 4.8L V8 GEN IV combustion en- conversions for existing bus feets, as well as full-line sales, service, installation and warranty services. "Te advantage of the bi-fuel system is fleets can actually test and evaluate the system themselves, because they are able to run on either gasoline or LPG and com- pare the mileage, compare the perfor- mance and compare the drivability," said Perry Ressler, strategic alliance and mar- keting manager for Metro Worldwide. "Also, if there is an issue on the gas or LPG side, the unit doesn't become inoperable in the feet because users are able to oper- ate on the opposite fuel source until that issue is resolved." Meanwhile, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. (FCCC), which won the BusCon award for Best Vehicle or Chassis, showcased a propane-autogas concept version of its popular S2C chassis. Te S2C LPG concept FCCC showcased 26 < m ETRO m AGAZINE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 metro-magazine.com BUSCON 2014 at BusCon is powered by the "PIthon," an 8.0 LPG engine from Powertrain Integra- tion with a factory-installed CleanFuel USA LPG system. Te 60-gallon, between- the-rails LPG tanks can provide a range of up to 300 miles. Key features and benefits of the S2C LPG concept, include a quieter-running engine; reduced maintenance costs and downtime; signifcantly reduced fuel costs for buses in continuous-running applica- tions; and excellent cold-weather starting and faster warm-up times. Tere were also several other vehicles showcased on the show floor, including Champion Bus' LF Transport with FLEX- BUS technologies ; the new L X luxury model of Mobility Ventures' MV-1 vehi- cle; New Flyer's MiDi bus and the debut of Tomas Built Buses' TRANSIT-LINERâ„¢ C2 bus. For all the newest products at Bus- Con, see pg. 30. This year's BusCon featured informative learning sessions; plenty of alternatively-propelled vehicles, including Complete Coach Works' electric trolley; and the PERC awards, which honored operators who have made a commitment to propane autogas usage.

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