PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
[starts]
Tram Good For The City
“The sooner we have a
prototype Tram on the road the better”, says Paul O’Brien, Chairman of the
Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce and acting Chairman of the proposed
Manawatu Tram Initiative.
“Once people can see what it is we are doing, they’ll start to
appreciate the opportunities for the city and the region.”
Describing himself as the facilitator bringing together a group
enthusiastic and enterprising people, once the Trust agreement has been signed,
hopefully within the next fortnight says Mr O’Brien, funding for research and
development can begin.
Last week the Trust was addressed by Massey University Professor of
Sustainable Energy, Ralph Sims. After
outlining various energy sources available and which were applicable to the
Trusts purpose, he discussed the concept of running the vehicle from several energy
sources, including bio-mass, solar and electricity (battery), one acting as a
backup for the other.
Above all, it was agreed by the Trustees and Professor Sims, the
vehicle must be novel, so as to attract public attention, if the initiative is
to succeed.
“That’s one reason why we went for a Tram. The classic grace, elegance
and craftsmanship of a by-gone era, with 21st Century technology and
convenience.”
Although all Trust members are voluntary, the need to appoint a
Project Manager will arise, but not until we are closer to putting a Tram on
the road, says Mr O’Brien.
At that stage, the Trust will be looking at a second Tram for
further development, “to make an even better Tram”, says Mr O’Brien.
“We could simply buy a classic replica from overseas and have a
service up and running in a few months, but that is not our goal.
“We are looking to show the world that you can operate a viable
public transport vehicle on eco-friendly sustainable energy. If we can do the research and development here,
in Manawatu, we can become the eco-friendly energy centre of the southern
hemisphere.”
[ends]
Contact:
Jon Hogan – Words That Work
027 649 0987
- 06 355 9087
jon@jonhogan.co.nz
