Sector – Service – Transportation

Green Year 1 – 08

North Bay Transit

Consumer Message

North Bay Transit is a public transportation service we all should utililize.  The transit service is “moving forward” with programs that are Making A Difference Environmentally.    It is recognized for its long-term commitment to reducing emissions and reducing fuel consumption within its fleet of buses.

Recognition Summary for Consumers

As a community service North Bay Transit is incorporating changes that will reduce emissions, while promoting efficient fuel consumption for its fleet of buses.  It is an essential transportation service for community residents that includes more than 2 500 000 passenger trips (2006).  Bus patrons – utilizing the service – have become part of the solution.  The utilization of community transit is an integral part of how locally and globally we can efficiently move around a community, while reducing the impact on the environment.

 Specific Consumer “link(s)” to an  North Bay Transit initiative

Smart Driver – Canadian Urban Transit Association  - www.cutaactu.ca

See the Training and HR tab and then SmartDRIVER.

North Bay Transit ensures their drivers undertake the  SmartDRIVER program. The program requires drivers to “raise the bar” in relation to their driving efficiencies.   Drivers must maintain their, knowledge and skills as a professional driver, a driver who is acutely aware of his/her surroundings. SmartDRIVER focuses on 'how' a driver operates their bus efficiently. The course measures driving habits with computers built into the bus -- the same ones that the mechanics use to diagnose a problem in the vehicle. There are many indicators which give feedback that have been linked by a team of trainers and transit curriculum experts to driving habits. These statistics or performance indicators will objectively indicate how a driver can improve their driving techniques.

Two of the benefits of the SmartDRIVER program are:

· Reduced fuel consumption per trip compared to the average operator.

· Fewer emissions from exhaust, reducing the effect air quality.

Complementary Resource

City of North Bay - Vehicle No Idling Policy – Policy 7-03; as attached.  This document outlines the municipality’s commitment to reducing emissions.

Future Initiatives by North Bay Transit

North Bay Transit is moving towards including the following, complementary initiatives.

1.  www.fleetchallenge.ca This is the next step North Bay Transit is anticipating becoming part of.

The Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance (www.energyefficiency.org), in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and the Ontario Ministry of Finance's Strengthening Our Partnerships Initiative, jointly promote and administer the Fleet Challenge Ontario program. This program assists Ontario municipalities to reduce their fleet fuel consumption, operating costs and tailpipe emissions through sharing of modern fleet management techniques and proven best management practices.

2.  There are monitoring systems that complement the SmartDRIVER program.  Standard applications for such systems include speed recording, RPM, fuel consumption, acceleration and deceleration, machine health, idle, vital engine fluids, temperatures, and idle shutdown.  There is a plan to incorporate a monitoring system on the fleet of North Bay buses.

3.  There are other government programs North Bay Transit is considering becoming part of.   These initiatives aim to reduce emissions from the urban passenger transportation sector by helping municipalities attract residents to less polluting forms of transportation. By increasing the modal share of transportation options such as walking, cycling, public transit and ridesharing (e.g. carpools), harmful emissions can be reduced and other challenges such as congestion and personal health can be addressed. 

4.   North Bay Transit is endeavouring to promote public transit through the school system, teachers and their classes will be encouraged “to take the bus” around the city. 

5.  And for the future, North Bay Transit is examining a hydrogen injection system for its buses.   It will be a modified hydrogen solution, which will be the precursor to the hydrogen fuel cell.  The current technology enhances combustion by injecting hydrogen into the bus engine. The improved efficiency reduces emissions, reduces fuel consumption by at least 10%, and the superior combustion increases the engine's power while reducing wear.  It is a bolt-on aftermarket part that produces its own hydrogen during operation. Hydrogen is not stored on board. It works with any internal combustion engine, and in all climates.

For more information contact:

Dorothea Carvell, Transit Manager

dorthea.carvell@cityofnorthbay.ca

705 - 474-0626 (ext. 165)

See North Bay Transit  www.cityofnorthbay.on.ca  click on the Living in North Bay tab – see transit.

190 Wlyd St., North Bay, ON P1B 1Z2

Media Release