An announcement was made by megabus.com on 2 December, 2009 about its participation in the Green Coach Certification Pilot Program (GCC) developed by the University of Vermont (UVM). Megabus.com has been selected to participate in this program because they offer a cheap bus express service at only $1. This program conducted as part of a research program is scheduled for two years and is expected to provide the basis for a long-term environmental certification program for the passenger transportation sector and the motorcoach industry. Green Coach Certified ecolabels are provided to the companies participating in this program and these labels can be placed on specifically qualified vehicles projecting their benefits to the environment.
A “Green Coach Clean Engine Technology” certification was presented to megabus.com for its ability to run EPA 2007 compliant engines. A “Green Coach Passenger Miles” certification was also received by megabus.com for possessing the ability to exceed or to meet an average of 148 passenger miles per gallon. For a single gallon of fuel the double-decker buses from megabus.com receive 305 passenger miles. Referring to these certifications, Dale Moser, COO and President of magabus.com, stated that by using the buses from megabus.com customers are creating positive impacts in the environment instead of using other kinds of intercity transportation.
In comparison with the number of passengers transported by three standard 54-57-passenger coaches, two double-decker buses from megabus.com transport more number of passengers thus reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions. These double-decker buses are provided with a SmarTire system that reduces carbon emissions, increases fuel economy and enables the maintenance crew and the driver to sustain appropriate pressure. The idling time of the double-decker buses are monitored by the management of megabus.com which helps to reduce carbon emissions. The engine can be remotely shut down with the usage of a GPS system. These double-decker buses are recently taken as runner ups in the “How Green is Your Fleet” contest conducted by BusRide Magazine.
David Kestenbaum, member of the GCC research team, remarked that the Green Coach Certification Pilot Program will help consumers to realize the importance of eco-friendly transportation forms. Kestenbaum also insisted that an increased amount of greenhouse gas emissions can be achieved through the usage of megabus.com buses.