DATE: May 29, 2014
MEDIA CONTACT: Doris Williams, Broward County Transit
PHONE: 954-357-6786
EMAIL: dvwilliams@broward.org
BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. - Broward County was recently recognized by the Southeast Florida Clean Cities Coalition as one of five organizations that made outstanding contributions in support of the Coalition's goal of reducing dependence on imported oil and improving the environment by creating a sustainable fuel market.
Two agencies -- Broward County Transit (BCT) and Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department -- accepted the Outstanding Leadership in Sustainability award on behalf of the Broward County Commission for "steadily working over the decades with the Coalition to reduce dependency on foreign oil and to complete projects and programs aimed at cleaner air quality." Examples include:
- In 2008, BCT first introduced hybrid diesel/electric buses to the fleet. Now, these new hybrid buses make up 25 percent of BCT's fleet. In addition to the 20-30 percent fuel savings, these hybrid buses are equipped with engine technology that reduces up to 90 percent of air pollution emissions.
- Beginning in 2010, BCT also implemented “mini-hybrid” technology that retrofitted the mechanically/hydraulically driven engine cooling systems on 120 buses helping BCT achieve an additional 8 percent fuel savings.
- BCT’s leadership in the use of alternative fuel vehicles is continuing in 2014 with plans to purchase 138 propane fueled mini-buses for the Transportation Options (TOPs) Paratransit program. "When these vehicles go into service in January 2015, this will give BCT the distinction of having the largest alternative fuel Paratransit fleet in the entire nation," said Tim Garling, deputy director of Broward County's Transportation Department.
- Broward's Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department has worked with local, regional, state and federal partners to develop a strategy to increase plug-in electric vehicles (PEV) public infrastructure and ownership in Broward County. The strategy supports one of the policies of the Broward County Comprehensive Plan Climate Change Element adopted by the Board of County Commissioners last year.
Other organizations recognized by the Southeast Florida Clean Cities Coalition were:
- Broward County Public Schools was recognized for its innovation in school bus transportation and received the award for Outstanding Propane Autogas Leadership
- City Furniture earned the Outstanding Leadership award for its move to build a compressed natural gas (CNG) station and convert its fleet of furniture delivery trucks to CNG
- Florida Power & Light Company was awarded Outstanding Fleet and Public Awareness Leadership for operating the largest biodiesel fleet in the state
- TECO Energy was awarded the Alternative Fuels Champion for his active support of the Clean Cities mission over the past 20 years throughout Florida
Photo Caption:
Receiving the Outstanding Leadership in Sustainability award for Broward County, left to right, are Tim Garling, BCT; Maribel Feliciano, Environmental Protection and Growth Management; Paul Strobis, BCT Paratransit Manager; Broward County Commissioner Kristin Jacobs; and Chris Walton and Cindy Corbett-Elder, both of Broward County Transportation Department.
About Broward County Transit
Broward County Transit (BCT), the second largest public transportation system in Florida, provides convenient, economical and eco-friendly alternatives to driving a car. Close to 40 million annual passengers commute on fixed-route, limited stop and express bus services and many connect to Miami-Dade Transit, Palm-Tran and Tri-Rail. The fleet consists of 313 buses of which 81 are diesel/hybrid, and all are equipped with wheelchair/scooter lifts and bike racks. Mini-buses provide Community Bus Service in partnership with 18 Broward municipalities. The Paratransit (TOPS) program provides transportation for persons unable to use the fixed-route bus system. Customer service is available seven days a week, including holidays, at 954-357-8400; TTY 954-357-8302. The Broward County Transit website contains information on all services, a link to Google™ Transit and an option to receive the Transit Flash e-newsletter. Customers can also follow BCT on Facebook and YouTube.
About Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department
The mission of the Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department is to safeguard lives, natural resources and property of residents and visitors to the County. This is done by providing for natural resource planning; managing, protecting and planning for appropriate land use patterns and housing mix, establishing an incident command system and emergency operations plans; enforcing environmental, development and construction regulations; and providing for consumer protection. For more information, call 954-357-6612 or visit Broward.org/EnvironmentalAndGrowth.
About Southeast Florida Clean Cities Coalition
The Clean Cities Program began in 1994 with the creation of the Southeast Florida Clean Cities Coalition by Executive Order of the Governor and the subsequent Clean Cities designation by the U.S. Department of Energy. The Southeast Florida Clean Cities Coalition, hosted by the South Florida Regional Planning Council, is a public/private partnership of individuals, companies, and government agencies committed to maximizing the use of vehicles operating on clean, alternative fuels.
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