Megabus.com announced its participation in the University of Vermont's (UVM) Green Coach Certification Pilot Program (GCC). Megabus.com, which offers daily, express bus service for as low as $1 was selected based on their existing and emerging efforts to increase their environmental stewardship.

UVM's multi-year pilot program is being conducted as part of a larger research program and, amongst other objectives, hopes to provide the foundation for a long-term environmental certification program for the motorcoach industry and the passenger transportation sector.

It is the first in the passenger transportation sector to recognize, via an official certification program, excellence in environmental performance. Participating companies are provided "Green Coach Certified" ecolabels that can be placed on qualifying vehicles to highlight their environmental benefits.

Megabus.com received a "Green Coach Passenger Miles" certification for meeting or exceeding an average of 148 passenger miles per gallon and a "Green Coach Clean Engine Technology" certification for running EPA 2007 compliant engines.

Megabus.com's fleet of 81-passenger, double-decker buses receive 305 passenger miles per gallon of fuel. Additionally, two double-decker buses transport nearly as many passengers as three standard 54 to 57 passenger coaches, reducing carbon emissions and fuel usage by one engine.

The double-decker buses are also equipped with SmarTire to aid the driver and maintenance crew in sustaining correct tire pressure, increasing fuel economy and reducing emissions.

Megabus.com management also monitors the idling time of the double-decker buses to help reduce carbon emissions. Using a GPS system, they can remotely shut down the engine, reducing idling time by 57 percent in the last year.

For additional information about the GCC, click here.