Verizon Reduces Traffic Congestion, CO2 Emissions through MAGIC

In an effort to decrease traffic congestion and carbon dioxide emissions, Verizon (News - Alert) recently launched a fleet of 25 buses that will transport company technicians to and from job sites every morning.

The Mobile Area Garage Installation Center (MAGIC) fleet, which can seat up to 12 technicians per vehicle, will remove approximately 250 Verizon trucks from city roads and reduce traffic congestion brought on by searching for parking spots, which makes up an estimated 30 percent of city traffic according to recent data from the International Parking Institute. Removing the need to find a parking spot will not only lessen traffic congestion, but also allows technicians to devote more of their time and effort to serving its customers.

In addition to eliminating traffic, the fuel-efficient MAGIC fleet buses will save Verizon more than 70,000 gallons of gasoline per year and decrease CO2 by more than 645 metric tons.

"We took an innovative approach to design vehicles that would not only be greener, but would also help us serve our customers more efficiently while reducing traffic and CO2 emissions in New York City," James Gowen, chief sustainability officer of Verizon, said in a statement. "To curb greenhouse emissions and reduce gasoline consumption, two of the MAGIC buses were designed to be fueled by compressed natural gas, and also have plug-in electric systems."

The MAGIC fleet joins one of many sustainable solutions Verizon has implemented over the years. Other solutions have included all-electric, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles, and processes such as reduced idling and improved tire-efficiency. The company has also held recycling rallies to collect e-waste and a wireless phone trade-in program.

"The MAGIC bus system is an innovative program that underscores Verizon's long-standing commitment to sustainability," Marcia Bystryn, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters added. "This initiative will help get vehicles off the road while reducing energy use and lowering harmful emissions. We hope Verizon's example will also inspire other corporations to seek innovative solutions that will green their vehicle fleets and operations."