PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Dan Rodriguez, Vice President of Public Affairs at Coach USA
3:38:06
·
148 sec
Dan Rodriguez, representing Coach USA, requests a full exemption from the proposed bills related to idling restrictions. He argues that Coach USA already takes significant measures to reduce idling and emissions, and that certain circumstances require longer idling times for their buses.
- Coach USA uses technology to monitor and minimize idling, with dispatch teams intervening when necessary
- Their buses emit less carbon per passenger mile compared to SUVs
- Federal regulations require maintaining specific cabin temperatures, sometimes necessitating longer idling times
- Onboarding and offboarding passengers, especially those with disabilities, can lead to extended idling periods
- Rodriguez emphasizes the importance of bus transportation for New York and the industry's struggle to recover from the pandemic
Dan Rodriguez
3:38:06
My name is Dan Rodriguez.
3:38:08
I am the vice president of public affairs for Coach USA.
3:38:11
I'm here today to request a full exemption from the proposed bills.
3:38:15
At Coach USA, we take idling very seriously as we 1st and foremost wanna mitigate carbon emissions to the lowest possible levels We use state of the art technology to ensure this happens every single day by monitoring every single bus and coach we operate.
3:38:35
If, for example, a bus is idling for longer than the approved times, our dispatch teams look to see why.
3:38:43
And if unnecessary ensure it stops.
3:38:46
We have been cited for our efforts in this regard by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
3:38:53
For example, our clean diesel engines emit less than 4 pass £4 per passenger mile as opposed to £14 per passenger mile by your common SUV.
3:39:08
We are required by the United States Department of Transportation through regulation 49 CFR to maintain bus and coach cabin temperature at certain levels.
3:39:21
For example, during the summer months, cool temperatures while in the winter months at warm temperatures.
3:39:29
This at times necessitates that our buses and coaches idle longer than the allotted time.
3:39:35
We also have instances where we are cited during the off and onboarding of passengers.
3:39:43
During those times, the bus is idling longer than usual as sometimes there are passengers who require additional time to get on or off due to a disability.
3:39:54
Our buses are equipped with cameras inside and out of them as the violation goes, counter to the American with Disabilities Act.
3:40:03
With a visual proof, those 2 are dismissed.
3:40:07
We are in an industry that has been struggling to get back on its feet and because of the pandemic.
3:40:14
You may recall this as
James F. Gennaro
3:40:15
time as a lapse, but I I would just ask you to finish your thought.
Dan Rodriguez
3:40:21
You may recall the saying too big to fail.
3:40:24
Well, we're too important to fail.
3:40:26
Bus transportation is vital a vital component for many New Yorkers and others visiting or going to work here.
3:40:34
Thank you.
