A BUYER'S GUIDE TO BIG AND NOT SO BIG BUS-INESS

This paper offers suggestions and advice for purchasing transit vehicles. The following key issues should be addressed: the importance of matching the equipment selected to the requirements of the service for which it will be used; the importance of providing a fleet which will support the development of solid basic service before specialized equipment is added for diversifying the services; the importance of providing a strong positive image for transit through equipment selection; and the importance of balancing capital and operating costs. Four categories of transit buses according to size and need are listed: heavy duty full sized transit buses--Advanced Design 870's or RTS-II-s, "new look" buses, and a new 35 foot City Cruiser; heavy duty medium sized transit buses--City Cruiser, Bluebird; heavy small transit buses--Chance; and small body on truck chassis buses--Wayne Transette, Coach and Equipment. A 15 year capital cost comparision of the aforementioned buses is included--which list their length, capacity, unit purchase price, life expectancy, number of repurchases, and fifteen year capital cost. As an example, a discussion of the Citifare Transit System in, Nevada--which is currently reviewing equipment options to meet the requirements of an expanded service plan--is also included in the paper.

• Corporate Authors:

  ATE Management and Service Company, Incorporated

  617 Vine Street, Suite 800
  Cincinnati, OH  United States  45202
• Authors:
  • Hunkins, L
• Publication Date: 1980

Media Info

• Features: Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 41-52
• Serial:
  • TRANSITIONS
  • Publisher: Rutgers University, New Brunswick

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Buses; Customers; Fleet management; Handbooks; Length; Needs assessment; Operating costs; Prices; Public transit; Transportation; Transportation system management; Vehicle design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Capacity; Fleets
• Subject Areas: Transportation (General); Vehicles and Equipment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00322652
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 30 1981 12:00AM