Vancouver, BC, Canada – (October 21, 2004) – Carmanah Technologies Corporation (TSX VE: CMH; Berlin and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges: QCX), is pleased to announce that 10 public transit authorities in North America have purchased the entire first production run of the company’s solar-powered LED (light emitting diode) illuminated transit stops.
These transit authorities are installing a total of approximately 100 field trial units of Carmanah’s i-STOP(tm) before Christmas. The first i-STOP(tm) was installed last week in San Bernardino, CA, followed by installs in Medford, OR, and Denton, TX. Carmanah’s hometown of Victoria, BC, plans to install 10 units this week, representing the first order in Canada.
i-STOP(tm) units will also be installed at bus stops in Sacramento, CA; Arlington, VA; Seattle, WA; Long Beach, CA; and by a water taxi company in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Several employees at Omnitrans in San Bernardino, CA, stated that they were impressed with the quality of the i-STOP(tm) design, and how easily it is installed. Other installations have experienced immediate positive feedback from both passengers and bus drivers. All agencies are evaluating the i-STOP(tm) with the intention of adding larger orders if satisfied with the product’s performance.
“Ever since we unveiled this technology in early September, there has been an exceptional level of interest from transit authorities,” states Art Aylesworth, Carmanah’s CEO. “They are seeking out new opportunities to enhance their levels of customer service and our i-STOP(tm) is providing them with a high tech, economical solution that uses an alternative energy source.”
There are approximately 2500 transit agencies in the US and Canada that Carmanah is targeting for its i-STOP(tm) product. It is estimated that there are more than a million transit stops in use today in North America.
i-STOP(tm) is a completely new concept in transit customer service and safety. It is a compact, fully integrated illuminated transit stop system incorporating:
- A patented flashing beacon to notify an oncoming bus that a stop is requested;
- Security down lighting so waiting passengers don’t have to stand in darkness, and;
- An illuminated transit timetable for nighttime readability.
As the i-STOP(tm) is solar-powered, it requires no external wiring, trenching or disruption to traffic patterns during installation. It also enables transit agencies to avoid the time-consuming permit process typical of hardwired lighting systems. For more information, visit www.carmanah.com/istop.
About Carmanah Technologies Inc.
Carmanah is an award winning alternative energy manufacturer specializing in patented solar-powered LED lighting solutions for the marine, transit, roadway and railway markets. To-date, the company has more than 50,000 units installed in 110 countries. The shares of Carmanah Technologies Corporation (parent company) are publicly traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “CMH” and on the Berlin and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges under the symbol “QCX”. For more information, visit www.carmanah.com/investors.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors
Carmanah Technologies Corporation
Praveen Varshney, Director
For further information, please contact.
Media Contact:
Mr. David Davies
Harbourwerks Communications
Telephone: (250) 382-4332
E-mail: ddavies@harbourwerks.com
Corporate and Investor Contact:
Mr. Praveen Varshney, Director
Telephone: (604) 629-0264
Toll-Free: 1-866-629-0264
E-mail: investors@carmanah.com
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are described under the caption “Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements” and “Key Information – Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and which are incorporated herein by reference. These risks and uncertainties are also described under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Information Form dated December 31, 2002, as filed with the British Columbia Securities Commission and which are incorporated herein by reference. We do not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.