FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Joan Schimml
(651) 260-4983, joan.schimml@irco.com
Gardena, Calif., Makes Buses 8 Percent More Fuel
Efficient Using Electric HVAC
One of nation’s only transit systems featuring 100 percent electric heating,
ventilation and air conditioning systems on its hybrid buses
Gardena, Calif., March 12, 2012 – 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.”
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Gardena, Calif., Makes Buses 8 Percent More Fuel Efficient Using Electric HVAC - 2
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.
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The Gardena Municipal Bus Lines
Gardena Municipal Bus Lines (GMBL) has been in operation since 1940 as a department of the City of Gardena and
operates as an enterprise fund. The department has a fleet of 53 hybrid buses and 10 demand response vehicles. GMBL
works with neighboring cities and the county of Los Angeles in a joint effort to develop and coordinate a functional regional
transportation plan. Utilizing 40 peak-hour buses, the GMBL is an integral part of the Los Angeles regional transit system.
GMBL provides low -cost, easily accessible public transportation for 13,500 rides on an average weekday. By connecting
with the Metro rail system (The Blue and Green Lines), the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) bus system, and
other area municipal bus services, riders can easily commute throughout the South Bay into downtown Los Angeles and to a
variety of surrounding locations. For more information, visit www.gardenabus.com.
About Ingersoll Rand
Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) is a world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and efficient environments in
commercial, residential and industrial markets. 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 sustainable business practices within our company and for our customers. For more information, visit
www.ingersollrand.com