New Gardena Municipal Bus Lines (GMBL) hybrid buses featuring innovative all-electric heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are increasing fuel efficiency by 8 percent and lowering operating costs while providing 13,500 consistently comfortable rides on an average weekday.
The suburban Los Angeles area transit system operated by the City of Gardena is one of the few transit systems nationwide to feature all-electric HVAC systems on its 53 hybrid buses. Municipal leaders selected and installed the all-electric HVAC systems to reflect a city-wide commitment to increased sustainability, greater reliability and reduced energy and repair costs, and to adhere to forthcoming California Air Resource Board regulations.
In recognition of GMBL's commitment to operational and energy efficiency and sustainability, the city's Transportation Department will receive the "Energy Efficiency Leader Award" from Thermo King, a manufacturer of temperature control systems for a variety of mobile applications and a brand of Ingersoll Rand.
Details of the award presentation:
- Ray Pittard, president of Thermo King North America, will present the award to Tony Cohen, equipment maintenance superintendent for the GMBL
- The awards presentation will be at 1 p.m. on March 14 in the bus yard of the Gardena Transit Operations and Maintenance Facility at 13999 South Western Avenue, Gardena, Calif.
- One of the electrified buses will be onsite at the awards presentation
"Beyond the cost savings and the sustainability benefits, the consistent reliability of the electrified HVAC systems has been a huge benefit for the agency," said Tony Cohen, equipment maintenance superintendent for GMBL. "The hybrid buses are so dependable that we've seen most repair costs and passenger complaints become a thing of the past."
The first electrified HVAC units were installed in 2009 with all hybrid buses electrified as of 2010. The all-electric HVAC continues an ongoing commitment to sustainability. GMBL operations are housed in a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified building which was completed in 2009 on a former brownfield site. The construction resulted in the creation of new jobs and expansion of the previous Gardena bus line operations, including the addition of the new hybrid buses.
