First Transit and GreenRoad Bring Advanced Approach to Public Transport Safety and Fuel Efficiency in San Diego

REDWOOD SHORES, Calif., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- GreenRoad, a leader in driver-centric safety and fuel efficiency, today announced that First Transit, which operates San Diego's North County Transit District (NCTD), has employed the GreenRoad 360™ service – including the leading real-time feedback technology that improves driving decisions and performance – in its fleet of "BREEZE" buses.

While traditional driving safety tools such as regulation and life-saving features like air bags stem the impact of unsafe driving, they do not address the most critical factor – the driver. GreenRoad is the only company that effectively targets driving decisions – leading to permanent improvement in safety and passenger comfort.

"At First Transit, safety is our company's core value. GreenRoad's technology ensures our drivers are the safest and most fuel-efficient – giving passengers greater comfort and peace of mind," said Nick Promponas, senior vice president of the west region, First Transit.

In addition to BREEZE buses, First Transit plans to install GreenRoad in its paratransit buses in the near future.

GreenRoad Results

GreenRoad's innovative approach to improving driving decisions is changing the way the industry views both safety and efficiency. Its proprietary technology-based service, GreenRoad 360™, provides drivers and fleet managers with real-time, comprehensive feedback, online reporting, analysis and coaching on their abilities, maneuvers and patterns. As a result, GreenRoad 360 positively impacts both conscious and unconscious driving behaviors – the key to creating more fuel-efficient and safer drivers.

A typical GreenRoad customer sees up to a 10% reduction in fuel-consumption and emissions as well as a 50% reduction on crash costs.

"First Transit truly understands the value of putting safety first and we could not ask for a better partner.  The public deserves the highest level of safety and fuel-efficiency in all its transit operators – and that is exactly what they will get with our technology and First Transit's innovative leadership," said Dan Steere, CEO of GreenRoad.

In addition to real-time feedback, drivers and transportation managers at First Transit are given access to web-based performance reports and analysis as part of GreenRoad's solution. It chose the system for its ability to empower its drivers and fleets to reduce accidents, improve fuel economy and reduce overall vehicle operating costs.

About GreenRoad

GreenRoad delivers the future of driving: smarter, safer and more fuel efficient. We offer the industry's most sophisticated, customizable technology solutions and services to maximize driving safety and efficiency, generating immediate cost savings. GreenRoad 360™ provides real-time feedback integrated with comprehensive online visibility. We engage drivers on an ongoing basis to deliver lasting improvement to driver and fleet performance. The company is headquartered in Redwood City, California, with offices throughout the US and UK, and Israel. Investors include Benchmark Capital, Virgin Green Fund, Amadeus, Balderton Capital, DAG Ventures and Generation Investment Management LLP. For more information, visit www.greenroad.com.

About First Transit

First Transit, Inc., part of FirstGroup America, is a leading provider of passenger transportation contract and management services in the United States. In 2008, FirstGroup America was awarded the National Safety Council's highest award for safety. With more than 51 years of experience, First Transit provides operation, management and consulting for 225 locations in 45 states and Puerto Rico for transit authorities, state departments of transportation, federal agencies, municipal organizations and private companies. For more information, visit www.firsttransit.com or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/FirstGrpAmerica.

About NCTD

On July 1, 1976 the NorthCounty Transit District (NCTD) was established through the consolidation of the original municipal transit systems in Oceanside and Escondido. Its buses are called "BREEZE" because of the blue, teal, and white color scheme. In over 30 years of service, the BREEZE has grown to an annual ridership of just under 10 million. The BREEZE serves 30,000 customers on weekdays who depend on our service to get where they need to go.

SOURCE GreenRoad