Study: Motorcoaches most fuel-efficient mode

A new study authored by Nathan Associates and released Monday by the American Bus Association Foundation found that motorcoaches are the most fuel-efficient transportation mode in the United States. The motorcoach industry provided 148.4 passenger miles per gallon of fuel in 2004, the study reported, more than double the second most fuel-efficient sector, intercity trains, which provided 74.1 passenger MPG. Total transit achieved 55.8 passenger MPG, air carriers achieved 40.9 passenger MPG and automobiles achieved 35.4 passenger MPG. The industry carried 631 million passengers in the U.S. and Canada in 2005, one-fourth more than airlines and twice the amount of Amtrak and commuter rail combined, according to the study. To read the full report, visit http://www.buses.org.