Useful Life of Transit Buses and Vans

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) sponsored this research to assess both the appropriateness of its existing minimum service-life policy for transit buses and vans, and the need to change that policy. The research evaluated the federal minimum service-life requirements based upon the actual experience of both transit operators and vehicle manufacturers. The analyses in this research provide the transit industry and the FTA with a better understanding of (1) the current useful life of transit buses and vans, (2) the appropriateness of FTA’s minimum service-life policy, and (3) the policy’s impact on transit vehicle life expectancies and vehicle retirement decisions at the agency level. Actual ages of buses retired from service generally exceed FTA minimums. Transit agencies interviewed cited availability of capital funds for bus replacement as the primary determinant of retirement age.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/Useful_Life_of_Buses_Final_Report_4-26-07_rv1.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Booz Allen Hamilton, Incorporated

  8283 Greensboro Drive
  McLean, VA  United States  22102

  Federal Transit Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Laver, Richard
  • Schneck, Donald
  • Skorupski, Douglas
  • Brady, Stephen
  • Cham, Laura
• Publication Date: 2007-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Bibliography; Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 199p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Fleet management; Policy; Public transit; Service life; Transit buses; Vans
• Uncontrolled Terms: Remaining useful life; Retirement (Vehicles)
• Subject Areas: Design; Maintenance and Preservation; Policy; Public Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01079293
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FTA-VA-26-7229-07.1
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Oct 22 2007 10:13AM