(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Megabus wins award for its efforts to go green.
The American Bus Association presented the company with its 2014 Green Operator Award during its annual marketplace in Nashville.
January 20, 2014 at 11:37AM
Megabus.com is the winner of the American Bus Association's 2014 Green Operator Award.
The inter-city express bus service which has fares as low as $1 received the honor this week during the association's annual marketplace in Nashville.
In choosing Megabus.com, the association praised the company for its commitment to environmentally friendly ways to drive, not idling buses when they are not in use, using green methods to recycle oil and other engine fluids, and business practices that promote environmental protection and awareness.
ABA officials said Megabus' fleet of 81 double-decker buses save fuel and reduce carbon emissions because they provide 305 passenger-miles-per-gallon and can serve twice as many riders as conventional coach buses on one tank of fuel.
The association also cited the company's use of SmarTire, which helps drivers and maintenance crews select the correct tire pressure, increase fuel economy and reduce emissions.
Megabus.com provides service in 120 cities across the United States, including a route connecting Minneapolis and St. Paul with Milwaukee and Chicago. Bus stops are located in Ramp C at 318 3rd Avenue N in Minneapolis and Midway Shopping Center in St. Paul.
Megabus is part of the University of Vermont's Certification for Sustainable Transportation program, which help companies be a good environmental steward, reduce overall costs and save energy similar to the Energy Star program that identifies energy efficient appliances. It has been designated as "Green Coach Certified."
"Buses operated by Megabus play a variety of positive roles, from less congestion on our roads to reducing the carbon footprint travel," said David Kestenbaum, who leads the University of Vermont program and helped the ABA in selecting the award winner. "If travelers started to move from place to place with this type of efficiency, as a country we'd be well on our way to meeting and or exceeding some of the most ambitious Green House Gas reduction target for this sector."
The governor said it may be 2027 or 2028 by the time the market catches up to demand.
