TORONTO, Ont. — Fleets that want recognition for helping to reduce emissions are being encouraged to register now for the 2003 “Repair Our Air” Fleet Challenge.

The 2003 engine emissions reduction program will be launched Feb. 23. The challenge for fleets is to be the best-in-class by having the lowest incidence of idling in their category. Fleets without anti-idling programs idle 20 to 60 per cent of their operating time compared to fleets with programs, which idle significantly less. In the challenge, idling will be measured by an onboard computer.

Fleet categories include Utilities, Municipalities, Light- and Heavy-Duty Trucking, Motor Coach and Mixed.

Fleets that participate in the 2003 Challenge will have 10 vehicles equipped with idling measurement technology. If the vehicles are not already equipped with it, Bell Fleet Services will be providing their GPS-enabled Telepods on a first-come, first-served basis. The pods will be installed in February at a Bell Canada garage, and removed during the first week of June.

Fleet operators who want to register their fleet for the 2003 Repair Our Air challenge should contact Darlene Varaleau at 416 538-6127, or by e-mail, varaleau@power-projects.com.