FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Antelope Valley Transit Authority

Contact: Pam Holland, 729-2222

AVTA Public Information Officer

23 July 2003

“Compobus” AVTA’s newest addition to local transit fleet

LANCASTER – Nearly half a million dollars will be delivered to the Antelope Valley on Monday, July 28, 2003. But don’t expect to see it coming in a Brink’s truck – this money will be rolling into Lancaster on the wheels of two brand new buses and the familiar blue lines of the Antelope Valley Transit Authority.

The buses are part of a $2-million order placed more than a year ago with North American Bus Industries (NABI) in Anniston, Alabama. Known as a Compobus, the new buses are a single piece structure made of a glass-fiber reinforced, vinyl-ester resin laminate. The cost of each bus is nearly $20-thousand more than traditional steel structured buses.

What do AVTA and its passengers get for the additional 20 Grand?

The new composite buses add up to a dramatic reduction in operating costs for AVTA. The lightweight, single unit composite structure allows the use of lower power / lower emission engines - without sacrificing performance.

The combination of lighter weight and reduced power will significantly reduce the cost of fuel and maintenance – saving the company $35,000 over the life of the vehicle.

For the passenger, a quieter, smoother ride is promised. The buses feature padded seats and wheelchair accommodations, along with the kneeling floor system to make boarding and deboarding more convenient.

The two new Compobuses will serve as expansion vehicles which AVTA needs to facilitate service additions to be implemented on August 30, 2003.

A third bus is expected to arrive by the end of August and will also serve as an expansion vehicle. AVTA expects the final three buses, which will be used to replace older vehicles in the fleet, to be delivered by the end of the year.

For more information or photo opportunity, please contact Pam Holland, AVTA Public Information Officer, 661-729-2222.