Joint Partnership

Federal Transit Administration [FTA]
FTA is one of eleven modal administrations within the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Federal government, through the FTA, provides financial assistance to develop new transit systems and improve, maintain, and operate existing systems. The FTA has made this endeavor possible through the historic formation of its first-ever Joint Partner Project.

Consortium Members

Metropolitan Energy Center [MEC]
The MEC is one of the premier resources in the Kansas City area that connects energy efficiency, environmental stewardship and economic improvement through community partnerships for the benefit of all citizens of the region.

Electric Power Research Institute [EPRI]
The EPRI, with 30 years of proven success, is recognized as a world leader in creating technology and environmental solutions for the energy industry and society. The EPRI conducted the feasibility study for the hybrid electric bus project and will continue to monitor the studies as they progress.

Kansas City Area Transportation Authority [KCATA]
The KCATA is the largest of three public transportation agencies serving the Greater Kansas City metropolitan region. Created in 1965 though special state legislative action in Missouri and Kansas, the KCATA today operates a fleet of 264 Metro buses providing more than 43,000 customer trips per weekday. The KCATA will be administering the Hybrid Electric Bus Project for the FTA. One bus will be built to the KCATA's specifications and then be tested by the KCATA.

Project Partners

Kansas City Power & Light
Operating from headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, Kansas City Power & Light has evolved into a full-service energy provider and resource. Our proven reliability and affordable rates have helped build satisfaction among our residential and commercial customers in Missouri and Kansas.

University of Kansas
Founded in 1864, the main KU campus consists of 950 acres atop historic Mount Oread in Lawrence, Kansas. KU serves as a major comprehensive research and teaching institution as well as a center for learning, scholarship, and creative endeavor. The KU Car Care program will be responsible for testing the buses for exhaust emissions under a range of operating scenarios.

Long Island Power Authority [LIPA]
The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) became Long Island's non-profit electric utility on May 28, 1998. Today, LIPA delivers electricity to nearly 1.1 million customers and is highly rated for service restoration. LIPA is in the top tier for uninterrupted service among all NYS utilities with aboveground service in addition to reducing electric rates by an average of 20 percent in 1998.

DaimlerChrysler
DaimlerChrysler's product portfolio ranges from small cars to sports cars and luxury sedans; and from versatile vans to heavy-duty trucks or comfortable coaches. DaimlerChrysler's passenger car brands include Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Smart. Commercial vehicle brands include Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star and Setra. It offers financial and other automotive services through DaimlerChrysler Services.