ARB has posted dates, times, and locations below for a series of public training seminars to discuss the March 31, 2010 reporting requirements for the Truck and Bus regulation and the Tractor and Trailer Greenhouse Gas regulation. The seminars will be offered in the day, in the evening, and also by webcast. The training seminars will provide: Update and overview on the regulations, with information on the early reporting required for owners of agricultural vehicles and two-engine sweepers; How to use the fleet calculator; How to use the ARB on-line reporting system.

LAST TRAINING SEMINAR
3/16/10                 Location:
1pm - 3pm           Holiday Inn 8000 Parkway Drive La Mesa, CA 91942
  
The presentation, as well as any additional material, will be available prior to the seminars at the Truck and Bus regulation website: www.arb.ca.gov/dieseltruck and the Tractor and Trailer Greenhouse Gas (GHG) regulation website: www.arb.ca.gov/cc/hdghg/hdghg.htm. The hard copy materials will also be available on the day of the meeting.

For those unable to attend in person, live internet broadcasts (webcasts) will be available for the February 16, March 2 and March 18, 2010 sessions and can be accessed on the date and time of the seminar at www.calepa.gov/broadcast/?BDO=1. An email address will also be available during these sessions to submit questions.

The Excel spreadsheet reporting form is now available for fleets to enter their vehicle information for the Truck and Bus Regulation and for the Tractor Trailer Greenhouse Gas Regulation.

This spreadsheet allows the user to enter fleet information for the initial 2010 reporting required for the Truck and Bus regulation and the Tractor/Trailer Greenhouse Gas regulation.

There are no fees associated with reporting. The spreadsheet is designed to allow fleets to enter the appropriate information and to upload the data on the internet by using the Truck Regulation, Upload, and Compliance Reporting System (TRUCRS) online portal before the reporting deadlines.

The spreadsheet is available at:
www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/onrdiesel/reporting.htm

The regulation requires that fleets that qualify for agricultural vehicle provisions and fleets with two engine street sweepers with Tier 0 auxiliary engines to report information about their vehicles by March 31, 2010. The regulation applies only to diesel trucks and buses with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 14,000 lbs. Out-of-state trucks and buses that operate in California are also subject to the regulation. The Air Resources Board is making amendments to the regulation that would not require any other fleets to report until January 1, 2011.

BusWest is pleased to announce they have received an award by Morongo Basin Transit Authority and the CalAct Vehicle Purchasing Cooperative . The competitively awarded contract is compliant with all FTA requirements and allows flexibility in purchasing of paratransit buses.  The contract is available for exercise by all agencies and cities. Vehicles awarded  range from 8 to 20 passengers with up to 6 wheel-chair positions.  Alternatively fueled CNG powered buses are also available through BusWest.  BusWest and Elkhart Coach worked diligently with our industry vendors to generate a competitively priced bus without compromising custom features and benefits which are required by the diverse California customer base.

BusWest expects a significant rush of orders in the next 60 days.  If you have an immediate need, please contact any one of our sales managers listed below.  BusWest will work with you to reserve production slots and assure your bus is built to your exact specification. The goal is to put your agency in line for quick deliveries. Our objective is your objective…  "helping you move people".

BusWest is proud to be THE one stop service and warranty shop for paratransit vehicles. In 2009, BusWest added Trans-West Ford making it the 12th Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG) facility in California and Nevada. The shop mirrors the other eleven VVG facilities in sales and capabilities while offering full service and warranty repair on all vehicles sold by BusWest. BusWest provides Ford Motor Company authorized warranty and non-warranty support for the full line of Ford Commercial products. BusWest will even perform warranty on Ford chassis with non-BusWest bodies.

In 2009, BusWest and Elkhart Coach teamed up in the states of Arizona and California to make a strong presence on the West Coast. Elkhart Coach is located in Elkhart, IN and is part of the Forest River family. The bus features a full steel roll cage with vacuum laminated sidewalls and roof. The electrical system features a custom multi-function electronic mother board with built-in diagnostics, incorporating fast idle control, wheelchair interlock and labeled GX/SXL wiring. The fully welded cage is custom engineered per order to meet the exact customer specification.

• Passed OAL and entered into California Code of Regulations; Goes live on 1/8/2010
• NO DELAY – Board denied requests to stall/delay the implementation of the regulation
• Staff directed to investigate possible credits, delay measures FOR SMALLER FLEETS and report back to Board in April 2010
  • Definition of “small” is not yet defined
  • Staff telling people to continue on as if no change – because there is no change yet
  • Delay mechanism would be temporary – required to “catch up” by 2014, resulting in a “balloon payment” in 2013/2014 anyway
  • Staff directed to draft new PM2.5 Mortality Risk Assessment – Replace Hien Tran-authored document
• Reporting Deadline Approaching
  • Fleets seeking credit for early vehicle retirements, fleets with 2-engine sweepers, fleets that installed DPFs early and fleets with Ag vehicles
  • Deadline to report is 3/31/2010

Emissions Strategy Planning – ESP

• Based on ARB-authored fleet calculator Analyzes three different compliance options within the Truck & Bus Regulation
  • BACT
  • BACT Percentage Limits
  • Fleet Average
• Compares financial impact of the three programs on an annual basis
• Helps fleet owners understand the complex regulation in an easily presentable fashion

If your fleet has sold or scrapped trucks since 2008, your fleet may qualify for Vehicle Retirement Credits.

These credits will allow you to claim that retired truck as a 2010-compliant vehicle until December 31, 2013.
This credit only applies if your fleet size has been reduced since 2008.

Vehicles that were REPLACED with newer vehicles will not receive this credit; the replacement vehicles’ emissions factors will be used instead. Call today to find out if your fleet could benefit from using Vehicle Retirement Credits.

To view the text of the regulation, visit:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/regact/2008/truckbus08/revfro.pdf

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has passed the Truck & Bus Regulation.
The regulation was approved by the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) on December 9, 2009.
OAL submitted it to the California Secretary of State and becomes effective January 8, 2010.

To view the text of the regulation, visit:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/regact/2008/truckbus08/revfro.pdf

This is CARB’s actual tag line:
KNOW THE LAW. AVOID THE FINES.
 

Dear Transit industry...

Over the last three years, BusWest has worked with a large number of para‐transit bus operators in
California and delivered well in excess of 1,000 Starcraft type I, II and III buses. BusWest would like
to thank you for your business and your commitment to working with us during the Caltrans State
Contract.

There are currently a number of procurements that BusWest is competing for and we expect to
have viable options for purchasing vehicles by year end. This will allow you the benefits BusWest
achieved from working the California State contract to work for you by providing additional
flexibility and enhanced service. Once these procurements are in place your BusWest representative
will be in contact with you to understand how BusWest can best meet your bus needs.
BusWest expects quite a rush of orders in the next few months that will carry production and
delivery easily through the first half of 2010. If you have an immediate need, please contact any one
of our associates and BusWest will work with you to reserve production slots. This is a no obligation
opportunity to put your agency in line for quick deliveries once all the proper mechanisms and documentation are in place.

MORE NEWS:
BusWest is happy to announce adding a Ford dealership to our family. Trans‐West Ford is located in
Fontana and makes it the twelfth Velocity Vehicle Group (VVG) facility in the states of California and
Nevada. The facility will mirror the other eleven VVG facilities providing parts, service and warranty
for all commercial and transit vehicles. BusWest can now provide Ford Motor authorized warranty
and non‐warranty support on the full line of Ford Commercial products. This makes BusWest unique
in California as a FULL SERVICE dealer for cutaways. BusWest will even perform warranty on Ford
chassis with non‐BusWest bodies.

BusWest and Elkhart Coach have teamed up in the states of Arizona and California to make a strong
presence on the West Coast. Elkhart Coach is located in Elkhart, Indiana and is part of the Forest
River family. This bus features a full steel roll cage with vacuum laminated sidewalls and roof. The
electrical system features a custom multi‐function electronic mother board with built‐in diagnostics,
incorporating fast idle control, wheelchair interlock and labeled GXL/SXL wiring. The fully welded
cage is custom engineered per order to meet the exact customer specification.

We are pleased to welcome Charlie Cox & Bob Towle to our Emissions Specialists Team

Charlie Cox is an Emissions Compliance Specialist with Velocity Vehicle Group.  Charlie has a great deal of experience designing compliance strategies for clients who are subject to diesel emission regulations from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), as well as local air pollution authorities like the South Coast AQMD.  He is a member of CARB's Off-Road Implementation Advisory Group (ORIAG) and currently serves as the first chairman of the ORIAG retrofit subcommittee.  He has developed emissions compliance plans for several of the largest construction and trucking companies in the United States representing more than 100,000 vehicles and has contributed to several industry publications on the subject of emissions regulations and retrofit technology.

Charlie's experience in working with grants and funding programs makes his consulting experience highly relevant in the current regulatory climate.  He has been invited to speak before local, state and regional-level events conducted by the Associated General Contractors of California, Faster Freight/Cleaner Air, Californa Trucking Association, Great West Truck Show, AQMD, California Bus Association, California Dump Truck Owners Association, Clean Cities Coalition, National Pavement Expo and numerous educational events on the subject of emissions compliance.

Bob Towle has been worked in the diesel filtration market for twenty years and diesel emission reduction for the past seven.

His involvement in the emission technology started in the voluntary markets from the Ports of Long Beach to Oakland along with School Bus fleets. When the first regulations from the California Air Resource Board were mandated to the Solid Waste Collection industry, he worked with the majority of these fleets on a statewide basis.

As regulations developed with municipalities, utilities, off road and LSI, he has continued to worked with some of the largest fleets in the state with compliance strategies and programs. With new regulations addressing PM and NOx, he felt that it was important to offer all aspects needed to be in compliance.

With Velocity Vehicle Group, Bob can assist with sound compliance strategies that offer PM retrofits, EPA 07 Gliders, newer used vehicles,  and new vehicles. This “total package approach” is what is needed to meet the new regulations.

Emissions Hotline (888) 578-2430 www.cleanandgreenvehicles.com

VELOCITY VEHICLE GROUP PROVIDES TOTAL SALES, PARTS AND SERVICE SUPPORT ALL THE BRANDS BELOW,
THROUGH OUR VAST RANGE OF DIVISIONS
• LA Freightliner • South Bay Truck Center • San Diego Freightliner • Silver State Truck & Trailer • High Desert Truck & Trailer • Crossroads Equipment Lease & Finance • BusWest • Fleetlogic • SelecTrucks • TransWest Truck Center

We are very pleased to announce the we have added Trans-West Truck Center in Fontana to the Velocity Vehicle Group.

The addition of Ford with their broad line of commercial vehicles will greatly expand the range of products that we can offer our existing customer base.  Trans-West has access to almost the full line of Ford products, including trucks from Ranger, F150 and up to F750, vans from the new little Transit van to the E350, cab and chassis products for our bus division and SUVS and Crossovers including the Expedition, Explorer, Escape and the hot new Edge and Flex.  Sorry no Mustangs or Tauruses as the “car” products are not covered by this dealership. The company will be owned by a new wholly-owned subsidiary of Los Angeles Truck Centers, Transwest Truck Center, LLC.

This marks the second acquisition this year for VVG after the earlier purchase of Diversified Truck Center’s Autocar business.  The company is pleased to be in a position to take advantage of opportunities to grow and position ourselves to increase our leadership position in the commercial vehicle industry.

Please note, in the coming weeks we shall be updating all of V.V.G.s websites to reflect the additional truck sales, parts and service location in Fontana, including a revamped Trans-West website coming soon.

It’s a Hot Hybrid Summer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BusWest Introduces High-end Galaxy Coach Product Line

Carson, California, June 12, 2009 —BusWest, headquartered in Carson, CA, is pleased to announce its appointment as authorized dealer for Galaxy Coach Enterprises for the entire State of California.  Galaxy Coach Enterprises is located in Santa Ana, California and has been manufacturing specialized motor vehicles since 2003.

The high-end Galaxy product offers all the advantages of styling, visibility and drivability of a full size coach for smaller group transportation.  The beautiful 35-foot Coachliner is designed from the start for luxury transportation.  The Coachliner is manufactured to world class standards with European aerodynamic looks which are aesthetically pleasing.  The interior amenities make travel easy and stress free for passengers with great sightseeing capabilities.  The Coachliner features industry standard components including Carrier Air Conditioning, Freedman Seats, RCA Floor Rubber, Kenwood Audio and REI Video systems.  Abundant under-floor and overhead luggage space puts the Galaxy Coachliner on par with full-size motorcoaches.

Brent Phillips, Vice President of Sales for BusWest comments, “We are excited to partner with Galaxy Coach. BusWest and Galaxy Coach share the same commitment when it comes to delivering a quality, competitively priced coach and above all serving our customer.”

“It is comforting to partner with Galaxy Coach who not just shares our customer commitment but who can quickly manufacture a custom coach to the demanding needs of the marketplace without compromising quality and reliability,” adds James Bernacchi, President of BusWest.  “The integration of the Freightliner Custom Chassis has been carefully performed and this through assures our ability to support the customer as an authorized Freightliner service center.”

“As we begin to strategically sign dealers nationwide, we are fortunate to partner with BusWest a company with an excellent reputation for customer service with such a clear vision of the future of the bus industry,” Tim Tang, President of Galaxy Coach stated.  “The bus industry is evolving rapidly and BusWest recognizes the fact their customers are continually expecting better value.”

Galaxy Coach will manufacture and warrant the buses ordered by customers through BusWest.  BusWest will arrange for delivery, financing and provides factory authorized service and product support.

BusWest the passenger transport equipment division of Velocity Vehicle Group.  BusWest has four dedicated bus facilities in California and Nevada and works closely with sister Freightliner locations to ensure the highest level of product service and parts support.  Velocity Vehicle Group companies include BusWest, Los Angeles Freightliner, Las Vegas Freightliner, San Diego Freightliner, Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance, Performance Truck and Trailer, Refuse, Parts and Maintenance and others. Velocity Vehicle Group also distributes commercial vehicles for Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star, Autocar, Hino, Isuzu, and Mitsubishi. Velocity Vehicle Group is a leader in clean fuel technology for commercial vehicles.

# # #

BusWest, headquartered in Carson, CA, is pleased to announce completion of the delivery of 14 Type II Para-transit buses with CNG conversion kits to the City of Santa Clarita Transit, Santa Clarita, CA. The 14 units were purchased off the Caltrans contract and were converted to CNG as a fuel source.

Mike Candelaria, BusWest Transit Sales Manager, notes. “The City of Santa Clarita Transit is home to Six Flags Amusement Park and is one of the fastest growing transit systems located 35 miles North of Downtown Los Angeles. The Para-transit buses they purchased provide fixed route and ADA services throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. The Agency understands the necessity to help keep the sky line clean. They continue to do their part within their community by running buses that operate off CNG fuel type powered engines.” Adrian Aguilar, Transit Coordinator for the City of Santa Clarita, comments. “Our fleet of buses is moving towards 2010 emission standards. To help comply with this standard we purchased CNG powered vehicles. Caltrans allowed us to purchase 14 buses without having to go out to bid. The big benefit for our organization is we receive the price based on such large bus procurement instead of just our quantity of 14 buses. Based on our market study, the cost for us to procure 14 units would have cost our agencies two buses plus the CNG systems based on the time to procure and the small quantity of buses purchased. In short, BusWest has done an excellent job helping Santa Clarita purchase off the Caltrans contract. The BusWest sales team worked directly with our staff to assure the buses were out of revenue service for the least amount time while they were cycling them through A-1 Electric for the installation of the CNG conversion kits.”

The Allstar bus, manufactured by Starcraft out of Goshen, IN., will features two wheelchair positions that meet American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. BusWest proposed enhanced flexibility and safety with regard to the wheelchair accommodations with input from key Transit staff. The Starcraft Allstar has been federally tested for 7 year/200,000 mile service durability. The BAF technologies CNG conversion system installed after the units delivered.

BusWest has five locations in California and Nevada and sells and services buses by Thomas Built Buses, Starcraft, Caio North America, Tiffany Coach, and DesignLine International. BusWest serves customers in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Hawaii. They have mobile services in the Bay Area and throughout Southern California.

BusWest is the passenger transportation equipment division of the Velocity Vehicle Group headquartered in Whittier, California. Velocity Vehicle Group companies include: BusWest, Los Angeles Freightliner, Las Vegas Freightliner, San Diego Freightliner, Crossroads Financial, Performance Truck and Trailer and others. Velocity Vehicle Group also distribute

— Southbay Truck Center Service has been selected for the 2008 Best of Carson Award in the Repair Shops category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA).

The USLBA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2008 USLBA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USLBA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA)

U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USLBA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USLBA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Local Business Association

CONTACT:
U.S. Local Business Association
Email: PublicRelations@USLBA.net
URL: http://www.USLBA.net

###

BusWest, headquartered in Carson, CA, is pleased to announce the issuance of a Purchase Order by the City of Tucson (AZ) for the delivery of 42 Starcraft Allstar Paratransit buses. James Gaston, Senior Contract Officer for the City, confirmed that BusWest was selected as the contract provider after thorough review of all competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) submissions.

"We are excited to continue to provide the City of Tucson with additional Starcrafts,” mentioned Michael Candelaria referring to the fact that Tucson has previously purchased buses from BusWest. “We’ve been able to provide the City with satisfactory on-going support thus far, and we are prepared to further improve upon that".
The Allstar buses will feature three wheelchair positions that meet American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. BusWest proposed enhanced flexibility and safety with regard to the wheelchair accommodations with input from key City staff. The Starcraft Allstar has been federally tested for 7 year/200,000 mile service durability.

BusWest has five locations in California and Nevada and sells and services buses by Thomas Built Buses, Starcraft, Caio North America and DesignLine International. BusWest serves customers in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Hawaii.

BusWest is the passenger transportation equipment division of Velocity Vehicle Group headquartered in Whittier, California. Velocity Vehicle Group companies include: BusWest, Los Angeles Freightliner, Las Vegas Freightliner, San Diego Freightliner, Crossroads Financial, Performance Truck and Trailer and others. Velocity Vehicle Group also distributes commercial vehicles for Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star, Autocar, Hino, Isuzu and Mitsubishi.

# # #

Rancho Mirage, California, November 3, 2008 —Today, BusWest took delivery of the first Caio Induscar G3400 coach manufactured for North America at the California Bus Assocation Annual Convention held in Rancho Mirage. This unit was delivered to Jim Bernacchi, President of BusWest by Mark Middleton, Director of Caio, NA.

“This vehicle is loaded with features and benefits normally only found on much larger vehicles, and offers unrivaled value for the operators who will purchase these coaches,” said Bernacchi. Bernacchi was pleased to point out the exceptional interior roominess of the coach, the high level of fit and finish of the plush interior, large passenger windows, and the beautiful exterior styling.

“BusWest is fortunate to be a full service dealer for the Caio products and we offer a wide range of services to support the sales of these coaches, including the Freightliner Custom Chassis,” stated Brent Phillips, Vice President of Commercial Sales for BusWest. Through its parent company, Velocity Vehicle Group, BusWest is an authorized Freightliner dealer and warranty center for Cummins and Allison .

“Our highly experienced sales and service personnel will have all the tools at their disposal to make this a successful product introduction for BusWest and our customers,” said Phillips.

The Caio G3400 is a 37 foot high-end mid-sized coach featuring: 38 plush reclining passenger seats with arm and foot rests, a spacious lavatory, completely integrated heating and air-conditioning, AM/FM Stereo Radio/PA with six monitor DVD entertainment system, Alcoa aluminum wheels, Cummins 280 HP engine coupled to an Allison B300 fully automatic transmission and approximately 270 cubic feet of underfloor baggage. The Caio features the best ratio of baggage capacity per passenger.

For an appointment to see this coach please call Marcus Watts at 562-704-0282.

Caio Induscar is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger buses of various configurations and is renowned for exporting its high quality vehicles to many nations all over the globe.

BusWest has four dedicated locations in California and Nevada and sells and services buses by Thomas Built Buses, Starcraft, Caio North America, and DesignLine International USA. BusWest serves customers in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Hawaii.

BusWest is the passenger transportation equipment division of Velocity Vehicle Group headquartered in Whittier, California. Velocity Vehicle Group companies include: BusWest, Los Angeles Freightliner, Las Vegas Freightliner, San Diego Freightliner, Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance, Performance Truck and Trailer, Refuse Parts & Maintenance and others. Velocity Vehicle Group also distributes commercial vehicles for Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star, Autocar, Hino, Isuzu and Mitsubishi. Velocity Vehicle Group is a leader in clean fuel technology for commercial vehicles.