HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 22 /PRNewswire/ --Pennsylvania's enhanced,
customerfocused emissions inspection program continues to move toward the
Oct. 1 start date, with over 1,100 service station and garage owners having
placed equipment orders and the state starting a direct mail notification to
participating motorists.
    MCI, the international telecommunications company that is managing the
program for Pennsylvania, recently held three recruitment programs in the
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh regions.  The events drew nearly 2,000 station and
garage owners, who received detailed information about the program, including
enrollment materials and a hands-on look at the enhanced testing equipment.
    As of Aug. 15, 1,122 service station and garage owners have ordered the
new equipment.
    "We are thrilled to see so many stations participating," said Betty
Serian, PennDOT's deputy secretary for Safety Administration.  "Their
participation ensures the choice and competition that we wanted for
Pennsylvania motorists."
    Meanwhile, PennDOT is mailing a detailed explanation of the program to the
26 first 0,000 motorists whose vehicles are up for their annual emissions
inspection by Oct. 31.  Similar mailings will go out monthly for the next year
as motorists covered by the enhanced program come due to have their vehicles
inspected.
    After Oct. 1, emissions stations will need new equipment to continue
testing vehicles for emissions.  The enhanced program takes effect that day in
the five-county Philadelphia and four-county Pittsburgh regions, where testing
has been in place since 1984.
    "We are on track to start this program on time," Serian said.  "We have
worked hard with AAA and the repair industry to build a program that helps
clean the air, but does so in a way that is tailored to the needs of
Pennsylvania motorists."
    Motorists will see virtually no change in their routines to comply with
the enhanced emissions requirement.  In the enhanced program, they will take
their vehicles to the participating service station or garage of their choice,
just as they have done since the original emissions program was instituted in
1984.  The test fee will be set by the competitive marketplace and motorists
can shop for the best value.
    As service stations and garage owners join the enhanced emissions
inspection program, they will receive copies of a motorist's brochure to give
to their customers.  The brochure explains the program in detail and why
enhanced emissions are crucial to Pennsylvania's campaign to protect its
residents -- particularly children and the elderly -- by curbing pollutants
that contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone.  Gasoline powered cars
and light trucks are responsible for about a third of those pollutants.
    The emissions inspection and maintenance program is part of an overall
strategy to meet health-based ozone standards.
    The enhanced program starts Oct. 1 in Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery,
Delaware and Chester counties in southeastern Pennsylvania, and Alleqheny,
Beaver, Washington and Westmoreland counties in southwestern Pennsylvania.
    Service station and garage owners who wish to participate should call the
Pennsylvania Emissions Team station operator toll-free hot line at
26 1-888-5-5909.
    Information about the program is also available from the toll-free 26
customer hotline, 1-800-5-0921, or the program website:
http://www.drivecleanpa.state.pa.us

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