(by Matthew Daus)
While several questions remain unanswered, Congestion Pricing has been approved for New York City. Here is some of the basic information as well as a look ahead to what still remains to be resolved.
Spring Fling 2024 (by Dave Millhouser) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Annual Spring Fling at the bus museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania was celebrated in conjunction with the 100th Anniversary of the Pennsylvania Bus Association and included 22 visiting buses as well as the museum’s 56 buses
Bring Your Group to Bally’s Quad Cities . . . .
Bally’s Quad Cities Casino and Hotel has a lot to offer bus groups. In addition to some of the best gaming, Bally’s has great hotel accommodations and several dining options in a relaxing setting
Be
(by Dave Millhouser) . . . . . . . . . . .26
Bus industry pundit Dave Millhouser considers the pros and cons of alligators, seals and turkeys while discussing the need to avoid overregulation that can harm bus operators, particularly the smaller ones
M C I D e l i v e r s t h e F i r s t C a n a d i a n
Zero-Emission J4500 CHARGE™
M o t o r C o a c h I n d u s t r i e s ( M C I ) , a s u bsidiar y of NFI Group Inc (NFI), and Nor th A m e r i c a ’s m o t o rc o a c h l e a d e r b a c k e d b y re l i a b l e i n - fi e l d t e c h n i c a l e x p e r t i s e , 2 4 / 7 r o a d s i d e a s s i s t a n c e a n d p a r t s s u p p o r t , announced on June 12 that Universal Coach Line, based in Richmond, British Columbia, i s b r e a k i n g n e w g r o u n d a s t h e fi r s t i n Canada to take delivery of a zero-emission, b a t t e r y - e l e c t r i c M C I J 4 5 0 0 C H A R G E ™ coach
Universal Coach Lines, one of Canada’s largest private motorcoach operators, views the zero-emission, 45-foot, 52-passenger coach as a game changer for its Vancouver airport, commuter and shuttle service routes
“We expect our new electric MCI J4500 m o d e l w i l l b e t h e fi r s t o f m a n y, ” s a i d T h e o d o r e C h e n g , r e g i o n a l m a n a g e r f o r Western Canada and a member of Universal C o a c h L i n e ’s n e x t g e n e r a t i o n l e a d e r s h i p We are enthusiastic about the opportunities z e r o - e m i s s i o n c o a c h e s c r e a t e , ” a d d e d Cheng “Batter y-electric helps us fulfill the e n v i ro n m e n t a l g o a l s o f o u r c o n t r a c t a n d charter clients, as well as our own The techn o l o g y i s a t t r a c t i v e t o r i d e r s , d e s i r a b l e t o
d r i v e r s a n d w i l l t r a n s f o r m o p e r a t i o n s b y reducing energy and maintenance costs
T h e c o n t r i b u t i o n o f o u r l o c a l o f fi c i a l s a n d suppliers, together with MCI’s training, are appreciated by everyone at Universal Coach Line It is an honor to bring higher level of clean, sustainable transportation to Vancouver as our busy summer travel and tourism season gets underway ”
A trailblazer in electric, Universal Coach Line completed a test demonstration of the M C I J 4 5 0 0 C H A R G E i n 2 0 2 1 , i n s t a l l e d a c h a r g i n g s t a t i o n f ro m E l e c t r u m C h a r g i n g S o l u t i o n s a t i t s m a i n t e n a n c e f a c i l i t y a n d already operates two electric minibuses
S u p p o r t e d b y p r o v i n c i a l g r a n t s a n d s a l e s t a x re b a t e s , t h e J 4 5 0 0 C H A R G E I s a z e ro - e m i s s i o n v e r s i o n o f t h e i n d u s t r y ’s best-selling tour and char ter luxur y coach and the primar y model in Universal Coach Line’s fleet The electric edition leverages a d v a n c e d E V t e c h n o l o g y f r o m N F I s u bsidiar y New Flyer, features Advanced Driv e r A s s i s t a n c e S y s t e m s ( A D A S ) , o ff e r i n g t h e l a t e s t s a f e t y t e c h n o l o g y a n d d e l i v e r s s u b s t a n t i a l c l e a n a i r b e n e f i t s , a v o i d i n g a p p r o x i m a t e l y 8 0 m e t r i c t o n s o f g r e e nh o u s e g a s a n n u a l l y P a s s e n g e r s c a n expect a quiet ride, best-in-class legroom,
Universal Coach Line, based in Richmond, British Columbia, is the first Canadian company to take delivery of a zero-emission, battery-electric MCI J4500 CHARGE™ coach. The company plans to use the electric coach on its Vancouver airport, commuter and shuttle service routes Universal Coach Lines completed a test demonstration of the MCI J4500 CHARGE in 2021 and has already installed a charging station at its maintenance facility
d r a m a t i c l i g h t i n g a n d c o m f o r t f e a t u r e s t h ro u g h o u t t h e c a b i n
“Our relationship with Universal Coach Line spans two decades,” said Brent Maitland, vice president of private sector sales a n d m a r k e t i n g , M C I “ We l o o k f o r w a rd t o s u p p o r t i n g U n i v e r s a l C o a c h L i n e ’s z e roe m i s s i o n v i s i o n w i t h o u r r e l i a b l e , h i g hp e r f o r m a n c e b a t t e r y - e l e c t r i c J 4 5 0 0 CHARGE coach while providing exceptional training and service suppor t It is great to see Universal Coach Line leading the move to sustainable commuter transpor tation ”
MCI is North America’s public and private market motorcoach leader Products include the luxur y J Series (an industr y best-seller for more than a decade), the workhorse D Series and the brand new zero-emission luxu r y a n d c o m m u t e r c o a c h e s : t h e b a t t e r ye l e c t r i c J 4 5 0 0 C H A R G E ™ , D 4 5 C R T CHARGE™ and D45 CRT LE CHARGE™
MCI also provides maintenance, repair, 24hour roadside assistance, par ts and technician training through the industr y’s only A u t o m o t i v e S e r v i c e E x c e l l e n c e ( A S E ) accredited and award-winning MCI Academy
Leveraging 450 years of combined experience, NFI is leading the electrification of mass mobility around the world With zeroemission buses and coaches infrastructure a n d t e c h n o l o g y N F I m e e t s t o d a y ’s u r b a n demands for scalable smar t mobility solutions Together, NFI is enabling more livable c i t i e s t h ro u g h c o n n e c t e d , c l e a n a n d s u stainable transpor tation
With 7,700 team members in 10 countries, NFI is a leading global bus manufacturer of mass mobility solutions under the b r a n d s N e w F l y e r ® ( h e a v y - d u t y t r a n s i t buses), MCI® (motorcoaches), Alexander D e n n i s L i m i t e d ( s i n g l e - a n d d o u b l e - d e c k buses), Plaxton (motorcoaches), ARBOC® ( l o w - fl o o r c u t a w a y a n d m e d i u m - d u t y buses) and NFI Parts™ NFI currently offers the widest range of sustainable drive syst e m s a v a i l a b l e , i n c l u d i n g z e r o - e m i s s i o n electric (trolley, battery and fuel cell) natural g a s , e l e c t r i c h y b r i d a n d c l e a n d i e s e l I n total NFI supports its installed base of more than 100,000 buses and coaches around the world
NFI Suppor ts CWB Welding Foundation’s Youth Camp
NFI Group Inc (NFI), a leading independ e n t b u s a n d c o a c h m a n u f a c t u re r a n d a leader in electric mass mobility solutions,
on June 6 announced that it recently suppor ted a Mind Over Metal™ youth camp in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in partnership with the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) Welding Foundation, a national not-for-profit charity that supports the Canadian welding industry These camps engage youth across Canada by introducing them to the welding trade in a fun, safe environment, providing infor mat i o n re g a rd i n g t h e p o s s i b l e c a re e r p a t h s through a welding education and encoura g i n g p a r t i c i p a n t s t o c o n s i d e r c a re e r s i n the welding industr y
F r o m A p r i l 2 5 t h r o u g h M a y 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 , G r a d e 7 a n d 8 s t u d e n t s a t Te c Vo c H i g h School in Winnipeg, Manitoba, explored the w o r l d o f w e l d i n g a n d d e v e l o p e d w e l d i n g skills through state-of-the-ar t training
L a u n c h e d i n 2 0 1 5 , M i n d O v e r M e t a l camps were developed to address the curre n t a n d p ro j e c t e d w e l d i n g s k i l l e d t r a d e shor tage across Canadian industries Targ e t e d a t y o u t h a g e s 1 2 t h r o u g h 1 7 , t h e c a m p s a i m t o c h a n g e t h e p e rc e p t i o n s o f y o u t h a n d t h e i r p a r e n t s a b o u t w e l d i n g , welding-related and skilled trades careers through hands-on-lear ning
“NFI is committed to suppor ting education and workforce development to drive the new mobility era and was proud to sponsor this Mind Over Metal camp in Winnipeg, providing students an oppor tunity to envision a future in welding and skilled trades,” said P a m G r u s h k a , g r o u p d i r e c t o r, H u m a n Resources, NFI “This program opens doors for youth to experience the welding trade, helping them to build confidence and skills
ories made,” said Tobias Punton, work education coordinator, heavy vocational department head, Tec-Voc High School
“The 40-hour, hands-on welding course e x p o s e d t h e s t u d e n t s t o t h e w e l d i n g p rof e s s i o n a n d t h e o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r c a r e e r o p t i o n s a ff o rd e d t o t h e m f ro m l e a r n i n g a t r a d e S t u d e n t s i n t h e p r o g r a m l e a r n e d about the basic fundamentals of welding, with a primar y focus on safety Students in the program had the oppor tunity to design a n d b u i l d a c u s t o m fi re p i t t h a t t h e y w e re able to take home and enjoy in their backyards for our amazing Manitoba summers We want to extend a huge thank you to NFI Group Inc and all their staff for their support in this amazing oppor tunity for our youth ”
to embark on a welding-related career – the foundation for building a high-skilled welding workforce in Canada ”
“ Te c - Vo c H i g h S c h o o l w a s h o n o re d t o host the Mind Over Metal camp Students from six different middle schools in the Winnipeg School Division joined together to create a fun lear ning atmosphere where new friendships were forged and lifelong mem-
On July 12, 2023, EvoBus GmbH, a whollyowned subsidiary of the Daimler Buses segment at Daimler Truck, was renamed to Daiml e r B u s e s G m b H T h e n a m e c h a n g e t o o k place throughout Europe and applies accordingly to all national companies The associated service centers, previously known as “BusWorld Home,” will also be given a new name and rebranded as Daimler Buses Service
C e n t e r s s t a r t i n g i n m i d - J u l y T h e f o r m e r EvoBus GmbH will benefit from the brand’s awareness throughout all business units and underscore its affiliation with the Daimler Truck Group at the same time
Till Oberwörder, CEO of Daimler Buses, said: “With EvoBus, we have been very succ e s s f u l f o r a l m o s t t h re e d e c a d e s a n d w e
On July 12, 20-23, EvoBus GmbH became Daimler Buses GmbH The EvoBus name was adopted 28 years ago when Mercedes-Benz Omnibusse merged with the Kässbohrer Setra Brand to represent the new organization Today, the company has a workforce of about 10,000 and 13 subsidiaries throughout Europe
are proud of that We are now looking forw a rd t o a n e w c h a p t e r a s D a i m l e r B u s e s GmbH – and we have a lot in store for ourselves We want to lead the transfor mation of our industry to emission-free mobility and w i n o v e r c u s t o m e r s a n d t a l e n t T h e n e w name will help us achieve this because operating under this brand will mean we won’t have to do much explaining ”
A f t e r t h e m e r g e r o f M e r c e d e s - B e n z O m n i b u s s e w i t h t h e K ä s s b o h r e r S e t r a brand, the bus and coach manufacturers merged under the EvoBus umbrella brand 28 years ago Since then, the company has g ro w n c o n t i n u o u s l y a n d s t a n d s f o r h i g hquality buses and coaches in all segments To d a y, i t h a s a w o r k f o rc e o f a b o u t 1 0 , 0 0 0 and 13 subsidiaries throughout Europe
A s o n e o f t h e w o r l d ’s l e a d i n g b u s a n d c o a c h m a n u f a c t u r e r s w i t h n u m e r o u s national companies, the Daimler Buses segment at Daimler Truck is responsible for the g l o b a l a c t i v i t i e s o f t h e M e r c e d e s - B e n z , Setra, OMNIplus and BusStore bus, coach and service brands Daimler Buses’ product lineup ranges from coaches, intercity buses, c i t y b u s e s a n d s p e c i a l - p u r p o s e b u s e s t o bus chassis In addition to the production and sales of new buses as well as coaches, Daimler Buses also boasts a global service network and offers comprehensive services centering around the vehicles to a marketplace for used buses as well as coaches
D a i m l e r B u s e s s i t e s i n c l u d e D a i m l e r Buses GmbH with numerous subsidiaries
t h ro u g h o u t E u ro p e , D a i m l e r B u s e s L a t i n America in Brazil, Daimler Buses Mexico, D a i m l e r C o a c h e s N o r t h A m e r i c a a n d t h e bus business of Mercedes-Benz Türk A in Turkey
All infor mation about Daimler Buses will b e a v a i l a b l e i n b u n d l e d f o r m a t buses daimlertruck com from July 12, 2023
FMCA Announces Retur n to Redmond for Summer 2024
FMCA, an inter national organization for RV owners, will be making a retur n visit to the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond, Oregon, next year RV owners from across the United States and Canada will gather in the Pacific Northwest as FMCA hosts its 109th Inter national Convention & RV Expo in Redmond August 14 through 17, 2024
FMCA has hosted five previous successf u l e v e n t s a t t h e D e s c
Fairgrounds
“We’re very excited to be returning to the Northwest and to the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond FMCA hasn’t hosted an event there since 2014, and I can tell you, the town has really grown up during the past 10 years Our attendees will love everything the area has to offer,” said Doug Uhlenbrock, FMCA director of events
“The Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center is a fantastic facility for an FMCA conv e n t i o n , a n
The Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) has announced its summer convention and RV expo for 2024 will be held in Redmond, Washington Dates for this 109th International Convention are August 14-71, 2024 at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center FMCA has hosted five previous events at this same location
with the outstanding staff there to come up with plans for our show,” he added “They are thrilled to have us back and will roll out the red carpet for our attendees It’s going to be an incredible event ”
Set on 320-plus acres in the heart of central Oregon, the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center seems tailor-made for an FMCA RV o w n e r s g a t h e r i n g A p p ro x i m a t e l y 1 0 0 acres of parking are available, and RV owners enjoy a spectacular view of seven snowcapped mountain peaks during their stay Clean, attractive facilities accommodate the v a r i o u s c o n v e n t i o n a c t i v i t i e s , a n d b e a u t ifully-landscaped grounds make for pleasant strolling between venues and events Plus, t h e w a r m , s u n n y d a y s a n d c o o l n i g h t s afforded by central Oregon’s climate add to the appeal
FMCA conventions are not just for members The association invites all RV owners to join the festivities Those who are considering the RV lifestyle or are just curious have an oppor tunity to take par t as well During a n F M C A c o n v e n t i o n , RV o w n e r s ro l l i n t o the host facility in their homes on wheels and set up camp, creating a new neighborhood seemingly over night
One key element of the event is the RV Expo Major RV manufacturers and dealers bring the latest models and invite convention attendees and area residents to stop by for a t o u r RV s i n a l l s h a p e s a n d s i z e s w i l l b e open for inspection during show hours RVrelated accessories, components, services and other products of interest to travelers will be available as well
When they are not shopping, attendees take in seminars, enjoy enter tainment and socialize with others who share their love of the RV lifestyle
Association leaders and staff currently are preparing for a retur n visit to the CAMP L E X M u l t i - E v e n t F a c i l i t i e s i n G i l l e t t e , Wyoming, August 23 through 26, 2023, for the 107th convention Registration for the event is underway For details or to register, visit www fmca com/fmca-gillette-2023-learn more Plans also are in the works for a return to the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, A r i z o n a , f o r F M C A’s 1 0 8 t h c o n v e n t i o n , March 20 through 23, 2024
To l e a r n m o re a b o u t F M C A , i n c l u d i n g e v e n t s , v i s i t F M C A c o m o r p h o n e ( 5 1 3 ) 474-3622 or (800) 543-3622
Scheduled for August 20-26
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance ( C V S A ) h a s s c h e d u l e d t h i s y e a r ’s B r a k e Safety Week for August 20-26 with a focus on brake lining/pad violations
During Brake Safety Week commercial m o t o r v e h i c l e i n s p e c t o r s h i g h l i g h t t h e impor tance of brake systems by conducti n g i n s p e c t i o n s o f t h e i r c o m p o n e n t s a n d removing commercial motor vehicles found to have brake-related out-of-service violat i o n s f ro m t h e ro a d w a y s u n t i l t h o s e v i o l ations are corrected
Throughout Brake Safety Week, CVSAcer tified inspectors will conduct their usual inspections; however, in addition, they will be repor ting brake-related inspection and violation data to the Alliance CVSA will compile that date and publish a press release this fall with the results
“ T h e f o c u s o f t h i s y e a r ’s B r a k e S a f e t y Week is on the condition of the brake lining and pad,” said CVSA President Major Chris Nordloh with the Texas Department of Public S a f e t y “ B r a k e l i n i n g a n d p a d i s s u e s m a y result in vehicle violations and could affect a motor carrier’s safety rating ”
When inspectors conduct the brake portion of a Level I or Level V inspection, they will:
• C h e c k f o r m i s s i n g , n o n - f u n c t i o n i n g , loose or cracked par ts
• C h e c k f o r c o n t a m i n a t e d , w o r n , cracked and missing linings or pads
• Check fo S-cam flipover
• L i s t e n f o r a u d i b l e a i r l e a k s a r o u n d brake components and lines
• C h e c k t h a t s l a c k a d j u s t e r s a r e t h e same length (from center of S-cam to center of clevis pin) and the air chambers on each axle are the size
• Ensure the brake system maintains air pressure between 90-100 psi (620-690 kPa) and measure pushrod travel
• Inspect for non-manufactured holes (e g , rust holes, holes created by rubbing or friction, etc ) and broken springs in the spring brake housing section of the parking brake
• Inspect required brake system war ning devices, such as anti-lock braking system (ABS) malfunction lamp(s) and low airpressure war ning devices
• Inspect the tractor protection system, i n c l u d i n g t h e b l e e d b a c k s y s t e m o n t h e trailer
• Ensure the breakaway system is operable on the trailer
Brake safety awareness, education and outreach are major elements of the Brake Safety Week campaign CVSA has outlined t h e b r
ensure their commercial motor vehicles are safe and compliant with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations Improperly installed o r p o o r l y m a i n t a i n e d b r a k e s y s t e m s c a n reduce the braking capacity and stopping distance of trucks or buses, which poses a serious safety risk
CVSA’s Operation Airbrake Program is dedicated to improving commercial vehicle brake safety throughout North America The g o a l i s t o re d u c e t h e n u m b e r o f h i g h w a y crashes caused by faulty braking systems on commercial motor vehicles by conducti n g ro a d s i d e i n s p e c t i o n s a n d e d u c a t i n g drivers, mechanics, owner-operators and others on the impor tance of proper brake inspection, maintenance and operation
Nashville’s WeGo Showcases Its Beautiful New Flyer Ar ticulated Buses
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e c t i o n p r o c e d u r e (noted above) so that drivers and motor carriers know exactly what inspectors will be checking during roadside inspections This
WeGo Public Transit, operated by Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority, recently shared its line-up of New Flyer’s articulated Xcelsior® clean-diesel, 60-foot, heavy-duty transit buses set against the beautiful Nashville city landscape New Flyer’s Xcelsior buses offer industry-leading passenger carrying capacity and feature the latest EPA-compliant engine tech-
nology, delivering up to 95 percent reduction of NOx emissions
B a s e d i n N a s h v i l l e , Te n n e s s e e , We G o carries more than seven million passengers ever y year, providing reliable and sustainable public transpor tation across Nashville and Davidson counties
O v e r t h e 2 0 - y e a r p a r t n e r s h i p , N F I h a s delivered nearly 100 buses and coaches to WeGo, providing safe, efficient and reliable mobility for the Nashville community
2023 Pacific Bus Museum Open House Set for Sunday, August 20
J o i n t h e P a c i fi c B u s M u s e u m ’s a n n u a l Open House on Sunday, August 20, 2023 The event will feature vintage buses on display, a flea market of bus memorabilia and bus-related merchandise, a BBQ luncheon and raffles
The open house will be held at the Pacific B u s M u s e u m a t 3 7 9 7 4 S h i n n S t re e t , F remont, California on Sunday, August 20, 2023 from 11 a m to 3 p m Admission is free In addition to the museum’s operational bus fleet and numerous visiting buses on display, visitors this year will see Country and Western recording star Tammy Wynett’s personal t o u r c o a c h a n d a l s o a s u r p r i s e , o n e - o f - akind, restored 1950s-era coach
See them up close and experience the glor y and magnificence of these machines a n d l e a r n h o w y o u c a n b e a v i t a l p a r t o f ensuring that they are not lost to time Members and guests are encouraged to bring buses to display and should plan to arrive at the bus yard star ting at 9 a m the day of the event to allow adequate time for parking each bus
Tables will be available at the flea mark e t f o r b u s m e m o r a b i l i a a n d b u s - re l a t e d m e rc h a n d i s e O n e t a b l e i s f re e t o a P B M m e m b e r N o n - m e m b e r s a n d e x t r a t a b l e s are $25 Flea market setup will star t at 9:45 a m
Beginning shortly after 11 a m , the BBQ will be serving your choice of a hamburger, cheeseburger, or BBQ chicken breast, macaroni, potato and green sales, water or soda and dessert The cost for the BBQ is $14 for adults and $6 for children
R a f fl e s w i l l b e h e l d a f t e r t h e B B Q , a n d tickets for each of the raffles will go on sale at 11 a m
Additional information is available on the museum’s Web site at www pacbus org or o n t h e m u s e u m ’s f a c e b o o k p a g e a t w w w f a c e b o o k c o m / P a c i fi c b u s m u s e u m The museum is located at 37974 Shinn St , Fremont California 94536 All proceeds from this event go to the Pacific Bus Museum, a Califor nia tax-exempt, non-profit 501(c) 3 organization
T h e P a c i f i c B u s M u s e u m ’ s a n n u a l Open House is set for Sunday, August 20 It will run from 11 a m to 3 p.m. at 37974 Shinn S t r e e t i n F r e m o n t , California Shown here i s t h e m u s e u m ’ s b e a u t i f u l l y r e s t o r e d Scenicruiser
Marcopolo, a major bus builder headquartered in Brazil, recently announced that it will i n c re a s e i t s s t a k e i n N e w F l y e r I n d u s t r i e s (NFI) Marcopolo first invested in NFI in 2013 but cut back in 2016 Now, the company has announced that it will acquire more NFI stock through Marcopolo Canada Holdings Group
It was suggested that Marcopolo could end up with about a 19 percent interest after the acquisition of 3 1 million in shares
M a t t h e w D a u s r e p o r t s t h a t t h e a u t o industry is beginning to crank out more electric vehicles to challenge Tesla, but there is one big problem – not enough buyers The growing mismatch between EV supply and d e m a n d i s a s i g n t h a t , e v e n t h o u g h c o nsumers are showing more interest in EVs, t h e y a re s t i l l w a r y a b o u t p u rc h a s i n g o n e because of price or charging concer ns
I t i s a “ F i e l d o f D r e a m s ” m o m e n t f o r automakers making big bets on electrification They have built the cars, and now they are waiting for buyers to come, says
Jonathan Gregor y, senior manager of economic and industry insights at Cox AutomotiveT h e n a t i o n w i d e s u p p l y o f E V s i n s t o c k has swelled nearly 350 percent this year, to m o r e t h a n 9 2 , 0 0 0 u n i t s t h a t i s a 9 2 - d a y supply – roughly three months worth of EVs and nearly twice the industry average More charging infrastructure is coming, and EV p r i c e s s h o u l d re a c h p a r i t y w i t h g a s o l i n e vehicles around 2025
NFI Group Inc (NFI), a leading independ e n t b u s a n d c o a c h m a n u f a c t u re r a n d a leader in electric mass mobility solutions on June 23 announced that Miami-Dade Transit ( M D T ) , o p e r a t e d b y M i a m i - D a d e C o u n t y Transpor tation and Public Works, awarded i t s s u b s i d i a r y N e w F l y e r o f A m e r i c a I n c (New Flyer) with a fir m order for 100 zeroemission, battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE
NG™ 60-foot, heavy-duty transit buses (200 equivalent units or EUs) The new order also includes two on-route Heliox 450 kW chargers and 50 Heliox Flex 180 kW depot power cabinets by NFI Infrastructure Solutions ™ to support zero-emission bus (ZEB) deploym e n t i n M i a m i C o u n t y T h e s e b u s e s w e re added to NFI’s backlog in the first quar ter of 2023
MDT is one of the largest transit systems in the United States, delivering more than 3 6 m i l l i o n a n n u a l p a s s e n g e r t r i p s M D T serves Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida, and the fourth largest urban area in the nation with more than 5 5 million people
The high-capacity, zero-emission ar ticu l a t e d b u s e s w i l l b e e q u i p p e d w i t h l o n grange 763 kWh batteries, providing an addi-
Miami-Dade Transit recently placed a firm order for 100 NFI zero-emission, battery-electric Xcelsior CHARGE NG™ heavy-duty transit buses These buses will be 60 feet long with three axles and three doors Miami-Dade Transit operates in the fourth largest urban area in the nation and carries 36 million annual passengers
tional range to deliver increased efficiency and reliability to the MDT fleet
Sixty of these high-per for mance buses will operate on the 20-mile South Dade TransitWay BRT corridor, which connects numero u s m u n i c i p a l i t i e s f ro m D a d e l a n d S o u t h Metrorail Station to Florida City To serve the transitway, the Xcelsior CHARGE NG buses will be designed with four doors to ensure easy access for passengers on station platforms to allow level boarding from both sides of the bus The remaining 40 buses will serve p a s s e n g e r s o n o t h e r b u s r o u t e s a c r o s s Miami-Dade County
Through this ZEB order, MDT will fulfil its Resilient305 Strategy, a pathway to reduce emissions, shorten travel times and minimize t r a f fi c c o n g e s t i o n , d e v e l o p e d u n d e r a unique par tnership of Miami-Dade County, t h e C i t y o f M i a m i a n d t h e C i t y o f M i a m i Beach In addition, the purchase of ZEBs will deliver on the Miami-Dade County Clim a t e A c t i o n S t r a t e g y, a i m i n g t o r e d u c e greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and to become a net-zero carbon community by 2050
“Since 1995, we have delivered over 1,460 buses to MDT and now we continue this partnership by enabling the agency’s transition to zero-emission mobility and supporting its vision of creating a more resilient future through our long-range EVs and infrastructure,” said Chris Stoddart, president, North American Bus and Coach, NFI “Xcelsior CHARGE NG is the most a d v a n c e d E V o n t h e m a r k e t , t h a n k s t o i t s
streamlined design reducing maintenance, high-performance capabilities and significant clean air benefits ”
I n t r o d u c e d i n 2 0 2 1 , t h e X c e l s i o r CHARGE NG bus incorporates three distinct technology advancements, including highe n e r g y b a t t e r i e s , a d v a n c e d p r o t e c t i v e batter y packaging for easy installation and simpler serviceability and a new lightweight electric traction drive system with up to 90 percent energy recovery For more information visit newflyer com/ng
NFI is a leader in zero-emission mobility, with electric vehicles operating (or on order) in more than 130 cities in six countries NFI offers the widest range of zero-emission batt e r y a n d f u e l c e l l - e l e c t r i c b u s e s a n d coaches, and its vehicles have completed more than 115 million EV service miles
NFI Infrastructure Solutions is a service d e d i c a t e d t o p ro v i d i n g s a f e a n d re l i a b l e infrastructure services for smart, sustainable mobility projects, with more than 390 chargers installed to date For more infor mation, visit nfigroup com/IS
Today, NFI supports growing North American cities with scalable, clean and sustainable mobility solutions through a four-pillar approach that includes buses and coaches, t e c h n o l o g y i n f r a s t r u c t u re a n d w o r k f o rc e development NFI also operates the Vehicle Innovation Center (VIC), the first and only i n n o v a t i o n l a b o f i t s k i n d d e d i c a t e d t o advancing bus and coach technology and p ro v i d i n g w o r k f o rc e d e v e l o p m e n t S i n c e o p e n i n g i n l a t e 2 0 1 7 , t h e V I C h a s h o s t e d more than 350 interactive events, welcoming 7,000 industry professionals for EV and infrastructure training
The Routing Company (TRC), a global o n - d e m a n d v e h i c l e ro u t i n g a n d m a n a g ement platform partnering with cities to power the future of public transit, on June 16 cele b r a t e d S o n o m a - M a r i n A re a R a i l Tr a n s i t ( S M A RT ) a s i t c u t t h e r i b b o n o n i t s b r a n d new on-demand SMART Connect Service, p o w e re d b y T R C ’s R i d e P i n g o T h e e v e n t marks the launch of a five-year contract originally announced by TRC in March 2023
TRC par ticipated in today’s ribbon cutting at SMART’s Sonoma County Airport stat i o n a l o n g s i d e C a l i f o r n i a S e n a t e M a j o r i t y
Leader Mike McGuire, SMART Board Chair E r i c L u c a n , S M A R T B o a r d V i c e C h a i r
Melanie Bagby, SMART General Manager
Eddy Cumins and Sonoma County Airpor t
Manager Jon Stout
SMART is the North Bay’s passenger rail serving Marin and Sonoma counties its cur-
rent 45-mile system is responsible for nearly 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 p a s s e n g e r t r i p s a n n u a l l y a n d i n c l u d e s s t a t i o n s i n S a n t a R o s e , R o h n e r t Park, Cotati, Petaluma, Novato, San Rafael and Larkspur
T R C p a r t n e r e d w i t h S M A R T t o o f f e r accessible on-demand service and transit c o n n e c t i o n s t h r o u g h S M A R T C o n n e c t –ultimately providing first-and-last mile solutions for North Bay residents The service is beginning with the Sonoma County Airpor t S t a t i o n w i t h t h e p o t e n t i a l t o e x p a n d t o remaining stations
“ To d a y ’s r i b b o n c u t t i n g i s m o re t h a n a c e l e b r a t i o n ; i t i s t h e l a u n c h o f g r o u n db re a k i n g m u l t i - m o d a l t r a n s i t p o w e re d b y S M A R T t h a t d i r e c t l y r e s p o n d s t o l o c a l d e m a n d f o r i m p ro v e d re l i a b i l i t y, f l e x i b i l i t y a n d c o n v e n i e n c e i n t r a n s i t , ” s a i d J a m e s Cox, chief executive officer, TRC “Today’s celebration also fur thers innovation in trans i t i n C a l i f o r n i a , t h e c o n n e c t i o n o f u r b a n and rural communities, and ultimately, the a d v a n c e m e n t o f e q u i t y a n d a c c e s s i b i l i t y i n t r a n s p o r t a t i o n ”
S M A R T ’s d e p l o y m e n t u s e s T R C ’s f u l l Pingo suite including the Ride Pingo™ app for riders, Drive Pingo™ app for drivers and the cloud-based Pingo Dashboard™ for fleet o p e r a t o r s F e a t u re s i n c l u d e Tr a n s i t C o nnect™, which uses real-time data to guara n t e e t r a n s i t c o n n e c t i o n s f o r r i d e r s a n d P i n g o J o u r n e y ™ , a b re a k t h ro u g h i n - a p p p ro d u c t t h a t a l l o w s r i d e r s t o p l a n e n d - t oe n d m u l t i - m o d a l j o u r n e y s a n d h a i l o n -
demand transit, all in one place With guaranteed transit connections, the rider experience is enhanced
“We are excited to welcome passengers on board SMART Connect and look forward to providing a seamless and efficient trainto-airport connection Additionally, this innovative microtransit service will reduce car trips and support local employers by helping people get to and from this busy business corridor,” said Lucan
Launched in October 2022, Pingo Journey integrates TRC’s real-time routing technology with public transpor t infrastructure, allowing riders to hail on-demand transpor t rides and plan multimodal transport journeys all from the single Ride Pingo app The feature makes Pingo the world’s only app offering on-demand transpor t and end-to-end jour ney planning in one place
T R C ’s a w a r d - w i n n i n g P i n g o p l a t f o r m i n c l u d e s t h e D r i v e P i n g o a n d R i d e P i n g o apps and the Pingo Dashboard operations t o o l , w h i c h t o g e t h e r p ro v i d e o n - d e m a n d , paratransit, fixed and flexible transpor t that enhances ridership of existing transport networks Pingo has moved more than 300,000 passengers to date
Unfortunately, Coach & Bus UK, originally scheduled on November 8-9, 2023 in Birmingham, England, will no longer be taking place this year
This decision has not been taken lightly, a n d h a s b e e n d r i v e n b y a u n i q u e s e t o f m a r k e t f o r c e s S u p p l y c h a i n d i f f i c u l t i e s , f u l l o r d e r b o o k s , s i g n i f i c a n t b u s i n e s s m o d e l c h a n g e s a n d b u d g e t c o n s t r a i n t s f o l l o w i n g t h e p a n d e m i c a re a l l i m p a c t i n g manufacturers’ needs to exhibit A Coach & B u s U K w i t h o u t i t s v e h i c l e s w o u l d n o t be a true representation of the sector, and t h e re f o re w o u l d n o t m e e t t h e e x p e c t a t i o n o f v i s i t o r s , o r d e l i v e r b e s t r e t u r n s f o r e x h i b i t o r s
While this is disappointing, ever y confidence is that the industr y will be ready for a b i g g e r a n d b e t t e r s h o w c a s e n e x t y e a r P l a n s a re a l re a d y u n d e r w a y f o r E u ro B u s E x p o o n N o v e m b e r 1 2 - 1 4 , 2 0 2 4 To k e e p up to date with developments or to inquire about a stand, visit eurobusxpo com
In the meantime, it is hopeful the industry w i l l b e o u t i n f o rc e a t t h e 2 0 2 3 R o u t e o n e Awards, where the great work happening across the sector will be celebrated Taking place on November 8 at the Hilton Metropole Bir mingham, it is a night not to be missed To book tickets, visit routeoneawards com
A l e x a n d e r D e n n i s , a s u b s i d i a r y o f N F I Group Inc , one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, on June 2 handed over the first five of 100 electric double-deck buses ordered by Transpor t f o r G r e a t e r M a n c h e s t e r t o t h e m a y o r o f Greater Manchester, Andy Bur nham
The first 50 zero-emission buses will enter service in Wigan, Bolton and parts of Salford and Bur y in September, when the new Bee Network star ts to bring buses under local control for the first time in nearly 40 years A further 50 will be delivered in March 2024, w h e n b u s f r a n c h i s i n g w i l l b e e x t e n d e d t o Bur y, Rochdale and Oldham and par ts of Manchester, Salford and Tameside, before s e r v i c e s a c ro s s t h e re s t o f G re a t e r M a nchester follow in Januar y 2025
E a c h o f t h e B Y D - A l e x a n d e r D e n n i s Enviro400EV zero-emission buses is 10 8 meters long and seats 62 passengers They will be fully inclusive, with two wheelchair b a y s , h e a r i n g i n d u c t i o n l o o p s , a u d i o a n d v i s u a l a n n o u n c e m e n t s s y s t e m s a n d a n t islip flooring The new buses will be funded from the government’s City Region Sustainable Transpor t Settlement
A l e x a n d e r D e n n i s G ro u p C o m m e rc i a l D i re c t o r M a r t i n We s t s a i d : “ We a re p ro u d to be manufacturing the brand new buses t h a t w i l l u p g r a d e b u s s e r v i c e s i n G re a t e r M a n c h e s t e r a s p a r t o f t h e B e e N e t w o r k T h e s e p ro v e n a n d re l i a b l e e l e c t r i c b u s e s w i l l d e l i v e r s m o o t h j o u r n e y s f o r p a s s e ng e r s w h i l e c u t t i n g o u t t a i l p i p e e m i s s i o n s w h e re t h e y g o
“The assembly of these buses in the UK s u p p o r t s t h e j o b s a n d a p p re n t i c e s h i p s o f m o r e t h a n 2 , 0 0 0 t e a m m e m b e r s i n o u r company, who are proud to be leading the t r a n s i t i o n t o z e r o - e m i s s i o n m o b i l i t y T h ro u g h o u r d o m e s t i c s u p p l y c h a i n , t h i s Bee Network investment benefits commu-
n i t i e s i n t h e N o r t h o f E n g l a n d a n d r i g h t a c ro s s t h e c o u n t r y ”
Transformed bus services are a key part of Greater Manchester’s Bee Network plan for a more accessible and integrated netw o r k , b r i n g i n g t o g e t h e r l o c a l t r a m s a n d buses – and ultimately local train services –w i t h t h e l a r g e s t w a l k i n g , w h e e l i n g a n d cycling network anywhere in the UK
Burnham said: “By bringing buses under local control and investing in new vehicles, routes and services, we will start to transform how people get around Greater Manchester Key to that is a world-class fleet of moder n, a c c e s s i b l e a n d e n v i ro n m e n t a l l y - f r i e n d l y buses – which is what these are It was great to see the first ones off the production line and I can’t wait to see them full of passeng e r s w h e n t h e fi r s t s e r v i c e s c o m e u n d e r local control from September The contract with Alexander Dennis is a brilliant example o f t h e f a r- re a c h i n g b e n e fi t s o t h e w o r k w e a r e d o i n g t o i m p r o v e p u b l i c t r a n s p o r t i n Greater Manchester has to the UK economy Through our supply chains we are helping to secure skilled jobs and training, and I was delighted to have the oppor tunity to speak w i t h t h e y o u n g a p p r e n t i c e s , w h o l o o k t o have a great career ahead of them ”
Orleans Métropole Orders ie Tram Buses from Irizar
Irizar e-mobility has signed another new contract with Orleans Métropole to supply seven 12-meter, 100 percent electric, zeroemissions Irizar ie tram model buses With this new order, the French metropolis is once again putting their trust in Irizar e-mobility to renew their fleet of buses
The delivery of the first units is expected to be at the end of next year
In addition to being silent and environmentally friendly, the vehicles stand apar t b e c a u s e o f t h e i r i n n o v a t i v e a n d m o d e r n design similar to a tram They have cameras instead of rear-view mirrors, hubcaps and driving assistance systems, etc The interior i s n o t a b l e f o r b e i n g a n a c c e s s i b l e , b r i g h t and pleasant space
In the words of Irizar e-mobility Managing Director Iñigo Etxeberria, “We’re very thankful to Orléans Métropole for this new order and for putting their trust in Irizar e-mobility once again It’s a metropolis that is making a significant commitment to electrifying public transport And we’re proud to be by their side once again in the process of technological transfor mation and to contribute all our technology and innovation ”
The buses will be equipped with the late s t I r i z a r G ro u p t e c h n o l o g y a n d t h e y w i l l have three doors, 22 seats, two spaces for National Bus Trader / August, 2023 • 11
wheelchairs or prams and a ramp They will have latest generation batteries with greater on-board energy than the previous buses They will be charged at night by slow charging in depots
The vehicles will be operated by Keolis Métropole Orléans Keolis is present in 14 countries around the world and they are one o f t h e m a i n p u b l i c t r a n s p o r t o p e r a t o r s i n France, Europe and the rest of the word
It is a continuation of Irizar e-mobility’s strategic commitment to their brand and to personalized projects in France, where they have already done several projects in vario u s c i t i e s l i k e P a r i s , M a r s e i l l e s , A i x - e nP ro v e n c e , A m i e n s a n d B a y o n n e , a m o n g others
VDL Bus & Coach Shows
Forerunner’s Role in Mobility at Busworld
VDL Bus & Coach will be present at Busworld 2023, Europe’s largest bus and coach t r a d e f a i r, w h i c h t a k e s p l a c e e v e r y o t h e r year This year, Busworld will be held in Bruss e l s f r o m O c t o b e r 7 - 1 0 W i t h t h e t h e m e “ E x p e r i e n c e t o m o r ro w ’s m o b i l i t y, t o d a y, ” VDL Bus & Coach demonstrates its strategy and role as a forerunner with regard to sustainable mobility This is reflected, among other things, in a new, already operational carbon-neutral factor y, the new generation Citea for public transport and the innovation philosophy regarding coaches
After an intensive development period, VDL Bus & Coach introduced its new gene r a t i o n C i t e a t o t h e g e n e r a l p u b l i c a t t h e Innotrans trade fair in Berlin, in September 2 0 2 2 T h e k e y i n n o v a t i o n s o f t h i s z e r oemission bus will be highlighted further during Busworld These developments are an elaboration of VDL Bus & Coach’s long-term strategy and philosophy in the field of sustainable mobility, in which the company is a forerunner in achieving various passenger transport objectives For example, VDL Bus & C o a c h i s a c t i v e l y w o r k i n g o n t h e m e s related to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and i s f u r t h e r d e v e l o p i n g a f u l l z e ro - e m i s s i o n por tfolio with a view to the European Green Deal In addition, the “easy-to-integrate” philosophy is followed in the fur ther development of moder n diagnostic tooling, and the premise of the European Union’s General S a f e t y R e g u l a t i o n ( G S R ) i s h i g h o n t h e agenda
T h e s h o w c a s e o f t h e n e w, c o m p l e t e l y energy-neutral production facility in Roeselare, Belgium, is also one of the elaborations of this objective The factor y is the epitome of sustainability and innovation: a production site of more than 20,000 square meters with a roof full of solar panels, underfloor heating and green roofs The new generation Citea
i s a l re a d y ro l l i n g o ff t h e l i n e h e re a n d t h e premises will be officially opened in the first half of 2024 VDL Bus & Coach is thus leading the way in writing the next chapter of an e n e r g y - e f fi c i e n t f u t u r e i n t h e w o r l d o f (e)-mobility
A third theme at the Brussels fair will be t h e p re s e n t a t i o n o f V D L’s f u t u re v i s i o n f o r coaches The third-generation VDL Futura innovation platform will play a prominent role during Busworld and visitors will be taken through its philosophy on long-distance and intercity transpor t
VDL Bus & Coach strongly believes that sustainable mobility requires an integrated
a p p ro a c h i n w h i c h c o o p e r a t i o n b e t w e e n c h a i n p a r t n e r s i s c e n t r a l T h e O E M i s increasingly changing from manufacturer to system partner This goes beyond simply providing a vehicle With that in mind, products from other VDL companies active in the world of energy transition will also be displayed at Busworld
Rampini Delivers Two Electric Buses to Stadtwerke Marbur g in Ger many
Tw o f u l l y e l e c t r i c b u s e s f ro m R a m p i n i were delivered to the city of Marburg (Germany) on July 11 This deliver y follows the one made in 2021 of two E80 models, which initiated the city’s decarbonization strategy
I n t h e p re s e n c e o f T h o m a s S p i e s a n d Nadine Bernshausen, the highest institutional authorities of the city, and the managment of R a m p i n i S p A , t h e t w o n e w b u s e s w e re handed over to Holger Armbrüster and Bernhard Müller, CEOs of Stadtwerke Marburg, during the press event Caterina Rampini, vice president and CEO of Rampini S p A , stated: We are honored to be able to deliver a second batch of electric buses with new technology to the beautiful city of Marburg Eltron is an extremely compact and maneuverable bus, and it’s also completely ‘Made in Europe ’ We are proud that our buses represent the basis for the progressive decarbonization of the city of Marburg ”
The new Eltron not only features innovat i v e d e s i g n a n d a e s t h e t i c s b u t a l s o a n i m p r o v e d t e c h n o l o g y F o r e x a m p l e , i t i s equipped with lithium iron phosphate batt e r i e s o n t h e ro o f , p ro v i d e d b y t h e g l o b a l market leader CATL, with a 281 kWh capacity The new model is equipped with a highly efficient synchronous motor, centrally posit i o n e d , w i t h a p e a k p o w e r o f 2 4 0 k W I t s range of 340 kilometers is unmatched in its s e g m e n t , a s i s t h e t u r n i n g r a d i u s o f 1 4 8 m e t e r s , w h i c h i s o p t i m a l f o r p u b l i c t r a n spor tation in urban centers Additionally, the bus introduces a camera system to replace conventional mirrors for the first time
Marburg believes in the benefits gained through the use of electric buses In 2021, the public transpor tation company in Narburg introduced two Rampni electric buses, named after two important historical figures of the city: “Emil” and “Elisa ” Wolfgang Otto,
C E O o f M a r b u r g e r Ve r k e h r s g e s e l l s c h a f t mbH (MVG), the company that, in collabor a t i o n w i t h t h e Ve r e i n N a h v e r k s h r sgeschichte Marburg e V (Historical Associaton of Local Transpor tation in Marburg), organized a 11⁄2-hour tour on the streets of M a r b u r g a b o a rd t h e n e w R a m p i n i E l t ro n During the presentation, he explained: “One o f t h e s t re n g t h s o f t h e s e v e h i c l e s i s t h e i r m a n e u v e r a b i l i t y, e s p e c i a l l y o n t h e s t e e p route leading to the castle on Line 10 The m a n e u v e r a b i l i t y a n d d r i v i n g e x p e r i e n c e have been positively rated by our drivers, w h i l e o u r p a s s e n g e r s a p p e c i a t e t h e h i g h levels of comfor t ”
“We thank Rampni for the collaboration and eagerly await the commissioning of the new buses For Stadtwerke Marburg, this is another important step towards zero-impact transportation by 2030,” explained the CEOs of Stadtwerke, Ar mbrüster and Müller
In 2024, Marburg is expecting the arrival of another electric bus, which will bring the fleet to a total of five zero-impact buses that will serve on lines 10, 16 and 20 By 2025, Marburg has already planned to put more e-buses into service, reaching a fleet of 16 electric buses This choice will require an expansion of the charging infrastructure “In this way, Stadtwerke Marburg wants to play an active role and become a model of sustainable mobility, contributing to the improvem e n t o f t h e c i t y ’s
l i t y d e m a n d e x p e c t e d b y 2030’ ”
Rampini S p A designs, manufactures and sells the most innovative range of zeroe m i s s i o n b u s e s t h ro u g h o u t E u ro p e T h e extensive product offering includes electric buses of six and eight meters and an eightmeter hydrogen model, unique in Europe Rampini S p A employs approximately 100 people in its factory in Passignano sul Trasimeno (pg), Italy, covering an area of 80,000 square meters, with an annual tur nover of more than 25 million euros Founded in 1945, R a m p i n i S p A h a s m a d e s u s t a i n a b i l i t y a cor nerstone of its business by focusing on the production of completely “green” transpor t solutions
Go-Ahead London Adds Nearly 300 Electric Buses from BYD-Alexander Dennis
BYD UK and Alexander Dennis, a subsidiar y of leading independent global bus m a n u f a c t u r e r N F I G r o u p I n c , j o i n t l y announced on July 6 that their electric vehicle par tnership has taken a repeat order from Go-Ahead London for a further 141 batteryelectric buses, taking the total to be delivered to the operator during 2023 to 299 vehicles
This new order follows Go-Ahead London’s success in winning contracts for bus routes tendered by Transpor t for London TfL’s vision is to accelerate the deliver y of an entirely zero-emission bus fleet by 2030, a target that requires continued government investment
I n t o t a l , 1 6 9 B Y D - A l e x a n d e r D e n n i s Enviro400EV double-deckers and 130 BYDA l e x a n d e r D e n n i s E n v i r o 2 0 0 E V s i n g l edeckers are expected to be supplied by the end of 2023, with deliveries already underw a y A l l t h e d o u b l e - d e c k e r s w i l l b e 1 0 8 meters long, while the single-deckers will be built to three different lengths of 9 6 meters, 10 2 meters and 10 9 meters to suit different route profiles and passenger volumes
All the electric buses on order will benefit f ro m t h e c o l l e c t i v e e x p e r t i s e o f B Y D a n d Alexander Dennis The buses combine BYD’s world-leading iron-phosphate battery technology and innovation in highly integrated electric powertrains developed for safety, efficiency and reliability, with the renowned expertise of Alexander Dennis for quality bodywork and assembly They will take the total number of BYD-Alexander Dennis electric buses in the Go-Ahead London fleet to 577, confirming the company as the largest operator of the partnership’s clean buses
More than two-thirds of all zero-emission buses currently in service or on order for Transport for London routes have been supplied by the BYD-Alexander Dennis partnership
Go-Ahead London Engineering Director Richard Harrington said: “As the capital’s largest and most experienced electric bus company, we are in the process of introducing around 300 zero-emission vehicles this year This pace of innovation would not be possible without dependable industry partners like BYD and Alexander Dennis, who are building these new buses to our exacting s p e c i fi c a t i o n T h i s n o w i n c l u d e s a n e y ecatching new interior with high-backed seats and additional amenities, which is proving ver y popular with the traveling public ”
B Y D U K M a n a g i n g D i r e c t o r F r a n k T h o r p e s a i d : “ We a re p l e a s e d t o s u p p o r t Go-Ahead London once again with another significant electric bus order, as it continues to expand its zero-emission fleets It underlines how effectively BYD-Alexander Dennis buses are providing an efficient and reliable solution for operators seeking to introduce more eco-friendly bus services BYD is dedicated to developing innovative and effective EV technology for a more sustainable future a n d t o s e e h o w o p e r a t o r s , s u c h a s G oAhead, are embracing ‘electric’ is making the ‘green dream’ come alive ”
Alexander Dennis President and Managing Director Paul Davies said: “We’re delighted t h a t t h e l a r g e s t s i n g l e o p e r a t o r o f e l e c t r i c buses in the UK has again chosen the BYDAlexander Dennis partnership This takes the number of our zero-emission buses in the GoAhead London fleet to well over 500, representing a stunning vote of confidence in these reliable, cost-effective buses We look forward
to continuing to develop our relationship with Go-Ahead London and supporting the further electrification of its fleet ”
C o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e f u t u re o f m o b i l i t y, M a rc o p o l o , t h ro u g h M a rc o p o l o N e x t , t h e area responsible for accelerating the company’s innovation projects, in par tnership with Lume Robotics, a Brazilian autonomous mobility startup, presents the first prototype of autonomous minibus in South America
The result of two years of studies, in partnership with national companies, the project integrated the Volare Attack 8 model to operate completely autonomously, without the need for intervention or remote monitoring T h e t e c h n o l o g y c a n b e p r o g r a m m e d t o operate in the optimal range of efficiency, w h i c h re d u c e s f u e l c o n s u m p t i o n a n d t h e emission of pollutants, with a high level of safety and comfor t
“We have strengthened our leading role in the development of mobility solutions and h a v e t a k e n a n o t h e r i m p o r t a n t s t e p i n t h e c o m p a n y ’s h i s t o r y We i n v e s t i n s o l u t i o n s designed for passengers, in the challenges of modern cities, and the autonomous vehicle is an example of innovation aligned with a global trend,” André Vidal Ar maganijan, CEO of Marcopolo, points out
“At the company, we look closely at the future of mobility and seek to act with cutting-
Go-Ahead London has added another 141 battery-electric buses to their order from Alexander Dennis, bringing the total to 299 vehicles Included in the order are 130 single-deck Enviro200EV buses provided in three different lengths as well as 169 Enviro400EV electric double-deck buses with a length of 10 8 meters This will bring the number of Alexander Dennis buses in the Go-Ahead London fleet to 577
edge technologies, identifying market opportunities, new areas of action and innovations In addition to being a trend, since passenger v e h i c l e s a re a l re a d y a d v a n c i n g t o w a rd s autonomous driving, we believe it is a modern and effective alternative,” he adds
The development of the prototype, with a c a p a c i t y f o r 2 1 p a s s e n g e r s , r e c e i v e d financial support from Fundação de Amparo à Inovação do Espírito Santo [Espírito Santo S t a t e F o u n d a t i o n f o r t h e S u p p o r t o f Research and Innovation] (FAPES) and has a n a d v a n c e d r o b o t i c s y s t e m t o t r a v e l autonomously in specific situations, such as low-speed closed circuits
For Râmik Guidolini, CEO of Lume Roboti c s , t h e fi r s t a u t o n o m o u s m i n i b u s i n t h e S o u t h e r n H e m i s p h e re i s a t e c h n o l o g i c a l m i l e s t o n e “ T h a n k s t o t h e p a r t n e r s h i p between Lume and Marcopolo, Brazil ranks among a select group of countries that dominate the technology We are talking about a project capable of delivering safety gains and operational efficiency to mobility systems,” he says
T h e d e v e l o p m e n t a l s o h a s p a r t n e r s s u c h a s C u r t i s - Wr i g h t , f o r t h e i n s t a l l a t i o n o f t h e e l e c t r i c e x c h a n g e s e l e c t o r, a n d S o h a , a s t a r t u p s p e c i a l i z e d i n I n t e r n e t o f Things (IoT), which has developed sensors t o m o n i t o r s e a t o c c u p a n c y a n d s e a t b e l t use in real time
T h e p r o t o t y p e t e s t c y c l e s b e g a n i n December 2022 With the success of the initial stage, the first evaluation took place in a real operating environment in March of this year, at the ArcelorMittal steel mill in Tubarão, selected as a tester-partner customer “The fi r s t s t u d i e s f o r t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e autonomous mini bus reinforce the knowle d g e a n d i n n o v a t i o n p o t e n t i a l o f n a t i o n a l engineering In addition, this inser ts us in a select group of countries that study the feasibility of the technology, such as the United S t a t e s , G e r m a n y a n d C h i n a , ” s a i d J o ã o Paulo Ledur, Marcopolo’s director of strategy and digital transfor mation
Autonomous technology can be applied to any of Marcopolo’s buses, as long as they have automatic transmissions However, the Volare Attack 8 was considered ideal for this stage of studies because it is versatile and well established in the market All hardware a n d s o f t w a r e a r e d i r e c t l y o n b o a r d t h e vehicle and do not require an Inter net connection, reinforcing the prototype’s cybersecurity, since all driving functions are done without Inter net access
Electrical and pneumatic control modules h a v e b e e n i n s t a l l e d t o c o n t r o l s t e e r i n g , brakes, throttle and shift The vehicle also has a data processing computer and a set
National Bus Trader / August, 2023 • 15
of sensors – composed of four LiDAR (Light D e t e c t i o n a n d R a n g i n g ) , i n s t a l l e d o n t h e front and rear sides, a camera, inertial measurement unit (IMU) and GPS – that make it possible to observe the surrounding environment, such as instantaneous speed, gear s t a t e , f u e l l e v e l , p o s s i b l e f a i l u re s , a m o n g
Equipment News
others All data is passed to the data processing computer, which controls the operation of the mini bus
vehicles, as in the perception of passenger s a f e t y a n d i n t h e c o n n e c t i o n a n d i n t e r a ct i o n o f t h e m i n i b u s w i t h t h e e x t e r n a l e n v iro n m e n t F u r t h e r t e s t s a n d re s e a rc h w i l l b e c a r r i e d o u t s o t h a t , i n t h e f u t u r e , t h e model will be a reality for the market,” João P a u l o L e d u r re i n f o rc e s q
Marcopolo in Brazil is testing the first protot y p e a u t o n o m o u s minibus in South America. The project added autonomous capabilities to the Volare Attack 8 m o d e l t h a t h a s a capacity of 21 passeng e r s A n a d v a n c e d robotic system allows t h e b u s t o t r a v e l autonomously in specific situations
th e c e n t r a l B u s i n e s s D i s t r i c t ( c B D ) tolling program is probably the most controversial proposal for reducing traffic and raising funds for public transportation in new York city. the variable tolling prog r a m w o u l d c h a rg e v e h i c l e s t h a t e n t e r o r remain in the Manhattan cBD, which is the area south of 60th street (excluding the FDr Drive, which runs along the east river, and the West side Highway). the revenue will be used to fund $15 billion worth of improvements to the subway, bus and commuter rail systems in the Metropolitan transportation authority (Mta) capital plans
the cBD tolling program requires federal approval and environmental review before i t c a n b e i m p l e m e n t e d t h i s i s a l e n g t h y process that is nearing the end on June 26, 2023, the Federal Highway administration (FHWa) gave its final approval of the cBD tolling program, issuing a final Finding of no significant impact (Fonsi) 1 this comes o v e r a m o n t h a f t e r F H Wa a p p r o v e d t h e release of the Final environmental assessment (ea) 2 the FHWa now must make its final decision on the program if approved, tolling could begin 310 days later after the design, construction, testing and activation
by Matthew W Daus, Esqof the tolling equipment in that time, the toll amount and structure will also be determined and approved by the Mta
as a result of the input received during the formal public comment period during t he summer of 2022, t he Mta made some changes to the final ea notably, the Mta now promises that taxis and for-hire vehicles (FHVs) will be charged no more than once per day i e , the same frequency that regular passenger vehicles will be tolled this n e w m i t i g a t i o n m e a s u r e w a s a d d e d t o a d d re s s c o n c e r n s t h a t t h e m e a s u re s p roposed in the draft ea affecting potential job insecurity – which included retraining taxi a n d F H V d r i v e r s t o d r i v e M ta b u s e s –would be insufficient to address the disproportionate harm that congestion pricing will have on these drivers if tolls were assessed more than once a day.
the toll rates have not been set yet, but the Mta is considering different scenarios that would charge $5 to $23 depending on t h e t i m e o f d a y. t h e b i g g e s t c r i t i c i s m o f making taxis and FHVs pay even $5 a day is that congestion pricing will be in addition to the congestion surcharge that the Mta has been collecting from riders since 2019 these riders have paid the Mta more than $ 1 b i l l i o n i n t a x e s o n t r i p s s o u t h o f 9 6 t h s t re e t i n M a n h a t t a n ( $ 2 5 0 f o r t a x i s , $ 2 7 5 for FHVs and $.75 per pooled ride passenger) the current surcharge is paid by passengers (not drivers), and it applies to taxis, b l a c k c a r s , l i m o s , l i v e r i e s , a n d U b e r a n d Lyft vehicles When combined with the $ 50 Mta taxi surcharge in place since 2009, the M ta h a s c o l l e c t e d n e a r l y $ 2 b i l l i o n f ro m taxi and FHV passengers
Congestion pricing and the congestion surcharge were born out of a single plan to re d u c e t r a f fi c c o n g e s t i o n a n d r a i s e f u n d s f o r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n a n d t r a n s i t p ro j e c t s i n New York City. Revealed in 2018, the “Fix NYC” plan had three phases 3 Phase Two was to impose a congestion surcharge on taxi and FHV trips. Phase Three is implem e n t i n g a v a r i a b l e t o l l i n g p r o g r a m t o c h a r g e a l l v e h i c l e s t o d r i v e i n t h e C B D There is a question about whether the origi n a l p l a n i n t e n d e d f o r t a x i s a n d F H V s t o pay the congestion pricing toll when they h a v e a p a s s e n g e r w h o i s a l re a d y p a y i n g the congestion surcharge
To l l i n g t a x i a n d F H V v e h i c l e s o n c e a d a y r a i s e s s e v e r a l q u e s t i o n s a b o u t l o g i st i c s . T h e b i g g e s t q u e s t i o n i s w h o w i l l b e re s p o n s i b l e f o r p a y i n g t h e t o l l ? S t a t e l a w re q u i re s t h e c o n g e s t i o n s u rc h a rg e f e e b e passed on to the passenger taking the trip H o w e v e r, i t s e e m s u n f a i r t o p u t t h e o n u s o f p a y i n g t h e t o l l o n t o t h e u n l u c k y p a ss e n g e r w h o h a p p e n s t o b e i n t h e v e h i c l e the first time it passes into the CDB tolling zone. Such a scenario could result in some p a s s e n g e r s ( a t l e a s t a t t e m p t i n g ) t o s h o p around for a taxi or Uber/Lyft driver that has already paid the toll for the day However, at this point, it does not look like the M TA w i l l m a k e p a s s e n g e r s d i r e c t l y re s p o n s i b l e f o r p a y i n g t h e t o l l
T h e d r i v e r s a t t h i s p o i n t a p p e a r t o b e o n t h e h o o k f o r p a y i n g t h e t o l l , w h i c h could lead to some drivers refusing service i n t o M a n h a t t a n O b v i o u s l y, t a x i s a re n o t s u p p o s e d t o re f u s e s e r v i c e o n t h a t b a s i s , a n d U b e r, Ly f t a n d o t h e r F H V d r i v e r s c o u l d f a c e r e p e r c u s s i o n s f o r c a n c e l l i n g t r i p s D r i v e r s w o u l d h a v e t o d e c i d e
whether to enter Manhattan on their own – the same decision they have to make now if they want to cross a toll bridge when they are not transporting a passenger
On June 2, 2023, FHV drivers protested against congestion pricing in front of Gov Kathy Hochul’s New York City office to urge the governor and the MTA to exempt them f r o m w h a t t h e y v i e w a s a d o u b l e t a x o n t h e m . 4 T h e p r o t e s t w a s a r r a n g e d b y t h e I n d e p e n d e n t D r i v e r s G u i l d ( I D G ) , w h i c h also sent a letter to the governor and other
officials imploring them to put the congestion toll on passengers, not FHV drivers, to reduce congestion.5
Supporters of congestion pricing argue that it would discourage unnecessary driving, improve air quality and generate revenue for the MTA However, there are also politicians on both sides of the aisle – and o n b o t h s i d e s o f t h e H u d s o n – w h o a r e f i g h t i n g t o s t o p c o n g e s t i o n p r i c i n g
For those not familiar with the New York City area, it might be noted that the south portion of Manhattan is a true island with limited vehicle access. This photo looks north or maybe a little northeast at the southern tip of Manhattan which is often called the Battery The East River runs on the east side of Manhattan (right) while the Hudson River separates Manhattan from New Jersey on the west (left).
Representatives nicole Malliotakis (RStaten Island/South brooklyn) and Josh Gottheimer (D-nJ) formed the “Anti-Congest i o n ta x C a u c u s ” t o p u s h f o r a d d i t i o n a l study of the controversial program in hopes o f s l o w i n g o r s t o p p i n g i m p l e m e n t a t i o n 6 Representatives Mike Lawler (R-nY) and tom Kean Jr. (R-nJ) joined the group, which i s u s i n g f e d e r a l l e g i s l a t i o n , c o n g re s s i o n a l oversight and the threat of lawsuits to try to stop congestion pricing.7
So far, the bipartisan group of legislators introduced the Make transportation Authori t i e s A c c o u n t a b l e a n d tr a n s p a r e n t A c t (H.R.159), which would require the Office o f t h e I n s p e c t o r G e n e r a l t o c o n d u c t a f u l l audit of the MtA to see how it spent billions i n f e d e r a l a s s i s t a n c e , a n d t h e E c o n o m i c I m p a c t o f to l l i n g A c t ( H R 1 7 5 9 ) , w h i c h w o u l d p r o h i b i t t h e U S D e p a r t m e n t o f transportation (DOt) from congestion pricing program for any toll road, bridge or tunnel until an economic impact analysis is completed and made available to the public
Gottheimer and Lawler previously introd u c e d t h e A n t i - C o n g e s t i o n ta x A c t ( H R 4 2 2 ) , w h i c h w o u l d p ro h i b i t t h e U S DOt from awarding any new capital investment grants to MtA projects in new York until drivers from all new Jersey and new Yo r k c r o s s i n g s i n t o M a n h a t t a n r e c e i v e e x e m p t i o n s f ro m a n y c o n g e s t i o n p r i c i n g fees. this bill would also amend the U.S. tax code to offer commuters a federal tax credit at the end of the year equal to the amount they paid in congestion pricing fees
n e w J e r s e y G o v e r n o r P h i l M u r p h y i s apparently working with the Anti-Congestion tax Caucus “to halt implementation of
this misguided tolling plan,” and said that he is “closely assessing all legal options ”8 Murphy sent a 15-page letter to the FHWA urging the agency to require a more stringent E n v i ro n m e n t a l I m p a c t S t a t e m e n t ( E I S ) 9 Murphy believes the Final EA failed to take into account the significant impact that the tolling Program will have on the finances
of new Jersey transportation agencies and Garden State commuters He is also critical that the MtA’s plan “fails to guarantee new Jersey commuters full credit for tolls paid to c ro s s b r i d g e s a n d t u n n e l s i n t o n e w Yo r k C i t y, c o n t e m p l a t e s u n re a s o n a b l e t o l l s o n commuter buses and does not adequately address increased traffic and pollution that t h e p ro p o s a l w o u l d c a u s e i n n e w J e r s e y communities ”10
E v e n t h o u g h t h e F H WA i s s u e d a fi n a l F O n S I a l l o w i n g c o n g e s t i o n p r i c i n g t o m o v e f o r w a rd , n o t c h a rg i n g n e w J e r s e y d r i v e r s w h o a l re a d y p a y a t o l l t o t a k e t h e Holland and Lincoln tunnels is still a poss i b i l i t y. O n J u n e 9 , 2 0 2 3 , M tA C E O J a n n o Lieber told CbS new York that the MtA is taking “fairness to new Jersey into conside r a t i o n , ” b u t h e a d d e d t h a t “ w e ’ r e n o t going to advantage new Jersey over new Yo r k e r s . ” 11 L i e b e r w e n t o n t o c h i d e n e w J e r s e y, s a y i n g “ w i t h a l l d u e re s p e c t , t h e y d o n ’ t a s k o u r p e r m i s s i o n t o i n c re a s e t o l l s on the Garden State Parkway or the Jersey turnpike,” and “we are very much entitled to deal with our Central business District’s existential congestion problem.” nothing is certain yet, and,Lieber ’s comments were h a rd l y a c o m m i t m e n t t o h e l p n e w J e r s e y except to be “fair ”
the CbD tolling Program was required t o u n d e rg o a n e n v i ro n m e n t a l re v i e w a s a condition to its application to FHWA for the Va l u e P r i c i n g P i l o t P ro g r a m , w h i c h g i v e s transportation agencies the option to man-
age traffic congestion through road tolling
As part of this process, FHWA is required to consider how the program would result in disproportionately high and adverse effects on minority and/or low-income populations (referred to as environmental justice, or “EJ” populations)
Issuing a FONSI means that the FHWA has determined that, with the mitigation measures in place, the CBD Tolling Program will have no significant impact on the human or natural environment, including EJ populations An agency’s decision not to prepare an EIS carries considerable risk because it may be challenged in court. If the court decides that an EIS must be prepared, then the agency will have expended considerable time and resources on the litigation only to find that it is required to prepare an EIS
Now that the FHWA issued a final decision, the MTA can proceed with the Congest i o n P r i c i n g P ro j e c t . To l l i n g c o u l d s t a r t a s soon as 310 days after that happens, and the MTA is planning to launch congestion pricing by the second quarter of 2024. The earliest estimates are April 2024 12
B e f o re c o n g e s t i o n p r i c i n g c a n a c t u a l l y s t a r t , t h e re i s s t i l l w o r k t o b e d o n e A s i xmember Traffic Mobility Review Board will recommend the fees, exemptions and credits for tolls to the MTA The MTA will hold at l e a s t o n e p u b l i c h e a r i n g o n t h e p ro p o s e d tolling structure before making its determin a t i o n W h i l e t h e t o l l a m o u n t s a re b e i n g worked out, the contractor has to install necessary infrastructure and E-ZPass readers
C o n g e s t i o n p r i c i n g i s a b o l d a n d i n n ovative initiative that aims to reduce traffic c o n g e s t i o n , i m p ro v e a i r q u a l i t y a n d f u n d p u b l i c t r a n s i t i n t h e c i t y T h e p ro g r a m h a s f a c e d s o m e c h a l l e n g e s a n d c r i t i c i s m s –including equity concerns and implement a t i o n d e l a y s – a n d w i l l u n d o u b t e d l y f a c e l e g a l c h a l l e n g e s t h a t c o u l d d e l a y i m p l e m e n t a t i o n
It is not a question of “if” congestion prici n g i s c o m i n g t o N e w Yo r k , i t i s s i m p l y a question of “when and how much ” The program is seen as a model for other cities that are struggling with similar issues of urban mobility and sustainability. Once it is establ i s h e d h e re , w e w i l l l i k e l y s e e o t h e r c i t i e s i m p l e m e n t t h e i r o w n c o n g e s t i o n p r i c i n g schemes. q
Initial information suggests that buses may be excused from the Congestion Pricing fees In addition to regular transit, commuters, shoppers and tourists ride buses into this area Numerous popular tourist attractions are located here including the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Greenwich Village, Soho and the 9-11 Memorial and Museum. NBT
1https://www nytimes com/2023/06/26/nyregion/nyc-congestion-pricing html
2https://new mta info/project/CBDTP/environmental-assessment
3 https://www komanoff net/cars II/Fix-NYC-Panel-Report pdf
4 https://driversguild org/for-hire-drivers-rally-against-congestion-pricing-tax/
5 https://driversguild org/idg-letter-to-gov-hochul-double-congestion-tax-on-fhvs-is-unfair-illegal/
6 https://malliotakis house gov/media/in-the-news/ny-nj-lawmakers-join-forces-oppose-nyc-congestion-pricing-plan
7 https://abc7ny com/congestion-pricing-mta-nyc-commuting/12956952/
8https://www nj gov/governor/news/news/562023/20230505a shtml
9 https://d31hzlhk6di2h5 cloudfront net/20230613/9f/0d/9e/35/42c0d06d59250228e254a451/New Jersey Comments on CBDTP Draft FONSI and Final EA 2023 06 12 pdf
10https://www nj gov/governor/news/news/562023/20230613a shtml
11https://www cbsnews com/newyork/news/congestion-pricing-double-taxation-new-york-new-jersey/
12https://www bloomberg com/news/articles/2023-05-12/nyc-congestion-pricing-is-coming-to-manhattan-as-soon-as-april-2024
The annual Museum of Bus Transportation/AACA Museum “Spring Fling” h e l d o n J u n e 9 a n d 1 0 i n H e r s h e y, Pennsylvania was unique this year In addition to being the traditional annual homecoming of bus industry veterans and enthus i a s t s , t h e m u s e u m j o i n e d w i t h t h e Pennsylvania Bus Association in celebrating their hundredth year of service to the indust r y a n d t h e n a t i o n . P B A i s t h e o l d e s t b u s association in North America, and remains one of the most effective
D a n L e n z , c h a i r o f t h e m u s e u m ’ s B u s Committee. said: “Spring Fling 2023 is in the books We had a terrific Spring Fling, everything went smoothly Thank you to everyone w h o a t t e n d e d , a n d t r u l y m a d e t h i s e v e n t what it was meant to be, all about the people, the buses and more importantly, the history behind everything.
“The fact that we were able to coordinate our event with the Pennsylvania Bus Association’s 100th Year Anniversary puts it over the top. A special thanks to Randy Wilcox, the staff at the museum and all the volunteers who made this event a success ”
PBA’s Executive Director Pattie Cowley had a similar take: “What an awesome day. Sending a note of thanks to the entire Spring Fling team and to the bus museum for hosti n g a n d a c c o m m o d a t i n g u s t h i s w e e k e n d for our 100th anniversary family day “
Total attendance was more than 300 – down from pre-covid Flings, but respectable More than 22 visiting buses supplemented the museums historic fleet of 56, despite headwinds resulting from having to change weekends (resulting in some conflicts). Other factors that impacted attendance were high fuel prices, expensive accommodations and being in the epicenter of the Canadian wildfire smoke
Enthusiasts could see, touch and smell everything from a 1912 White Transit to a new Van Hool double-deck entertainer bus Parked in front of the museum was a 1917 Packard motor home – the oldest in the world
One popular feature was the free shuttle bus to the George Sage Annex, again donated by Wolf’s Bus Line. The annex is not often open to the public, and is where the coaches not on exhibit in the museum are stored and maintained. Visitors hailed from all over the U.S. (including California) and Switzerland
T h e F r i d a y n i g h t To w n
Spring Fling and moved inside, but Saturday’s weather was literally perfect
Both the Town Hall and a noon celebration i n f ro n t o f t h e m u s e u m h i g h l i g h t e d t h e Museum of Bus Transportation's Volunteer of the Year. Boyd Raymond has only missed one workday in three years, despite having to travel from Syracuse, New York According to Randy Wilcox, the Fleet Committee chair t h e re i s n o t m u c h B o y d c a n n o t d o – f ro m cleaning buses, through driving them as well as becoming a fine mechanic on these rare and finicky vehicles Rumor has it he was on a trip with his mom, and hijacked her to the museum because some things needed to be done
The Town Hall also gave folks the chance to hear about the state of the museum and f u t u re p l a n s , b u t m o re i m p o r t a n t l y F l i n g Chairman Dave Schmidt and Wilcox introduced six new additions to the fleet In the past year the museum has had to trade or scrap four buses that were so far gone they could never be restored to even static display condition. Replacing them are five buses donated by highly regarded New England bus execu-
tive Tom McCaughey. McCaughey is retiring a n d w a n t e d t o b e s u re t h a t t h e b u s e s h e acquired and restored would have a happy home. All five, as well as the Gillig donated by Jack McVicker, not only are in great shape b u t a l s o r u n w e l l M o s t h a v e a p p e a re d i n movies
The museum is particularly grateful to Mike LoPresti’s Fuel and Tire Saver Systems Company LLC They provided the continental breakfast (as well as donuts and coffee at every workday) More significantly they have been servicing the historic fleet’s tires – filling them with nitrogen which provides considerable benefit, as well as making sure they are all properly inflated. That is a huge deal, and they have been donating their service
During both the Town Meeting and Satu r d a y ’ s c e l e b r a t i o n , t h e m u s e u m ’ s F l e e t Chair, Wilcox, went out of his way to recogn i z e t h e s m a l l a r m y o f v o l u n t e e r s w h o descended on the annex Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
They cleaned and washed buses, and serviced, jump started and moved a major perc e n t a g e o f t h e f l e e t u p t h e h i l l t o t h e museum. A massive undertaking – most of these treasures have no power steering or AC, virtual brakes, hinky clutches and mirrors that are often a bit cross-eyed
It was hot, sweaty work made worse by Canada targeting Hershey as the epicenter o f s e v e r e w i l d f i r e s m o k e F o l k s o n t h e r o u t e b e t w e e n t h e a n n e x a n d m u s e u m campus must have felt they were in a time warp as buses of yesteryear transited their n e i g h b o rh o o d
One gentleman flew in from Texas hopi n g f o r t h e c h a n c e t o d r i v e t h e m u s e u m ’ s Golden Eagle Mike Holster had driven that bus in service for Panhandle Trailways and wanted one more time in the seat He made t h e m i s t a k e o f g e t t i n g t o t h e a n n e x a d a y early and ended up working hard for two d a y s b e f o re h e g o t h i s s h o t M o re t h a n 4 0
years, and Holster made every shift – without ticking a gear
The format was somewhat different from p r e v i o u s F l i n g s O n e b i g a t t r a c t i o n w a s PBA’s tent where they served snacks and ice cream Nestled next to an impressive exhibit of buses that have served Pennsylvania from p re - w a r t o m o d e r n , t h e t e n t w a s p a c k e d . Pennsylvanians clearly know how to make friends
Next years’ Fling will revert to the tradit i o n a l F I R S T w e e k i n J u n e O n e c o m m i t t e e member made the point that, “Three hundred plus is respectable With some effort we should be able to crank this event back up to pre-pandemic levels We’re going to do a b etter job with pub licity, and make a serious impression with local media. This years quality was great thanks to dedicated volunteers and museum staff Now we need do as well on quantity If only those smokey Canadians will give us a break ” q
As expected, this year ’s event included a flea market of bus items and collectibles Several vendors had tables offering things from bus parts to bus publications. This photo shows several tables on the lower level of the museum building
Jump into the thrill at Bally’s Quad Cities Casino and Hotel, the Midwest’s leading g a m i n g a n d h o t e l d e s t i n a t i o n B a l l y ’ s Quad Cities offers some of the best casino games, restaurants and hotel accommodat i o n s a v a i l a b l e i n t h e Q u a d C i t i e s a n d t h e motorcoach programs offer both day trips and overnight stays.
Bally’s features more than 8 t a b l e g a m e s , a s w e l l a s t h e p o k e r r o o m i n t h e Q u a d C A m e n i t i e s i n c l u d e a 2 0 5 - r o h o t e l w i t h a n i n d o o r p o o l a n fitness center, four restaurants – i n c l u d i n g t h e n e w B a l l y ’ s S p o r t s B a r, a q u a d r i v i n g range and lakeside fire pit
You will be thrilled with the variety of slot games that Bally’s Quad Cities has to offer N e w g a m e s a r e c o n s t a n t l a d d i n g a f r e s h e x p e r i e n c e a Bally’s has more than a score o gressives to add to the mix F cent to $25 games, including a h room, Bally’s Quad Cities has yo g
video poker is to your liking, then you are in for a treat with many games from which to choose If you are new to Bally’s, stop by the players club to join Bally Rewards for free special offers all year round. The most offers, the most value and the most rewards – why play anywhere else?
Friendly dealers make playing the table g a m e s a t B a l l y ’ s s p e c i a l W h e t h e r y o u choose blackjack, roulette, craps, Ultimate Texas Hold ’em, Mississippi Stud or Three Card Poker, you will never want to leave the comfortable surroundings, and the six live poker tables are no exception
If you are hungry, Bally’s Quad Cities has with delicious dining options all-you-can-eat buffets every d a y t h r o u g h S u n d a y i n t h e yer ’s Buffet, hearty breakfast n d f o o d - o n - t h e - g o i n B l u e S q u a r e C a f é p l u s A m e r i c a n g a s t r o p u b f a r e i n t h e n e w Bally’s Sports Bar
B a l l y ’ s Q u a d C i t i e s Casino & Hotel has the best o f e v e r y t h i n g . L e t t h e s a l e s t e a m c o o r d i n a t e y o u r t r i p w i t h e x c l u s i v e o ff e r s a n d d i sunts today. Reach out to Stacy m a n a t ( 3 0 9 ) 7 5 6 - 4 6 8 0 o r n @ b a l l y s q u a d c i t i e s c o m f o r al group information. q
Quad City Casino & Hotel is a great place for bus tours. It is conveniently located adjacent to Interstate 280 in Rock Island, Illinois, and not far from
addition to gaming excitement, Bally’s offers a modern, connected 205-room hotel and several restaurant options Below: Located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Rock rivers, Bally’s Quad City Casino offers a peaceful location away from traffic. When not involved with other activities, guests can relax at this waterfront location The huge parking lot will easily accommodate tour buses
It was one of the stranger coach deliveries –a customer had just left our Florida facility with a brand new bus and took a two lane shortcut to the highway He said he heard a bump, looked in his rearview mirror and saw an eight- foot alligator rolling onto the shoulder Apparently his duals had run over its tail and set it spinning. Depending on how you feel about alligators, what followed may be good news – or bad Apparently just dazed, it sprinted safely into the grass.
I t s e e m s t h a t p r o t e c t i n g a l l i g a t o r s h a s worked There are now tons of them lurking in Florida, many creating mischief – and some doing worse In my area we have seals – lots o f t h e m . S i n c e t h e F e d e r a l G o v e r n m e n t started protecting marine mammals in 1972, we have more and more Like people, they love lobster, and compete with fishermen for t h e m a n d a l l s o r t s o f f i s h G e e , s o m e t i m e s t h e y c h e a t a n d b r e a k i n t o t r a p s a n d n e t s S i n c e s h a r k s l o v e s e a l s ( a s e n t re e s ) , G re a t Whites are steadily marching towards us
My folks used to say “Be careful what you wish for – you might get it,” which seems to apply to seals and alligators.
B e i n g c a re f u l a b o u t w h a t y o u w i s h f o r should involve considering the consequences of success It is not entirely unpredictable that an abundance of alligators might attack pets a n d ( t r a g i c a l l y ) c h i l d re n W h o c o u l d h a v e predicted that protecting seals would produce lots of – seals?
There seem to be two practical applications here When business tries new things, the big worry seems to be “what if we fail?” A good point, but you also need to ask – can we handle success?
Occasionally I would get desperate calls f r o m c u s t o m e r s w h o n e e d e d e q u i p m e n t quickly for a contract they just “won ” They h a d n o t c o n s i d e re d t h a t e q u i p m e n t t h e y needed might not be readily available.
Or, if you win this bid, can you hire (and train) enough drivers? Or get the financing necessary to ramp up? You get it; if you mess up this part, pain – or worse – follows.
One wonders if legislators and regulators have ever considered the consequences of success
F i r s t , y o u h a v e t o d e f i n e “ s u c c e s s ” A t one point a Federal bureaucrat defined it as “zero fatalities” in the motorcoach industry, and set out to achieve that goal
W h o c a n a r g u e w i t h s a f e t y ? W h o c a n argue with cuddly seals? Both are good, but overdoing it can be counterproductive In t h e c a s e o f s a f e t y, p re v e n t i n g a c c i d e n t s i s good, but some of the methods used may be harmful.
In order to impress you – a bit of Latin: “ R e d u c t i o a d A b s u r d u m . ” We c a n m a k e buses 100 percent safe by governing them (and every other vehicle that might hit them) at five m p h In fact, that works on two levels Accidents would be very gentle and no one would be willing to ride, so zero casualties SUCCESS
By tipping the regulatory balance too far, we make it difficult for small companies to survive, and raise the overhead for larger companies Compliance costs; make that cost too high and passenger counts drop We will have fewer bus accidents (and fewer buses), but more folks will die in cars
This argument is not for no regulation, but for less It seems regulators are marching towards “success” in all sorts of paperwork perfection, but is that success creating other
Turkeys can also be a problem when protected They can get into a lot of trouble when they travel in groups and do things to annoy people. However, in the hunting season they need to be careful since many consider them good eating. TAMINWI
problems? How much does it really impact safety? Who suffers if they do not figure on some predictable consequences? (Hint – it is not the bureaucrats )
Other than sharks, one hazard of diving i s a r u p t u r e d e a r d r u m W h e n i t o c c u r s underwater, divers get disoriented because cold water enters the inner ear and messes with their mind When it happens, the correct thing to do is – nothing. Wait 15 seconds. The water warms, and the brain reboots
Panicking and flailing about only make t h i n g s w o r s e L o t s o f p r o b l e m s r e s o l v e themselves without government intervention, and “success” can dangerous Before w e , o r t h e g o v e r n m e n t , g e t i n v o l v e d i n solving problems, it would be wise to give careful consideration to what we hope for, a n d w h a t i t w o u l d l o o k l i k e i f w e g o t t h a t w i s h .
You can only hunt wild turkeys in season a ro u n d h e re . A s a re s u l t , w e h a v e L O T S o f them They are intimidating because they are taller than my car, and they march down t h e m i d d l e o f t h e ro a d i n ro w d y g a n g s I t c a m e a s n e w s t o m e t h a t t h e y c a n f l y a n d spend the night perched in trees.
Knowing a bit of biology, it did not come a s a c o m p l e t e s u r p r i s e t o m e t h a t t h e y pooped, but the volume is staggering when they are in a tree above my parking spot.
W h e n w i s e r e g u l a t o r s w i s h e d f o r t h e t u r k e y p o p u l a t i o n t o re b o u n d b y l i m i t i n g h u n t i n g , I w i s h t h e y w o u l d h a v e p i c t u re d w h a t s u c c e s s w o u l d l o o k l i k e o n t h e ro o f o f m y c a r. P e rh a p s I s h o u l d s e n d t h e m a s a m p l e q
Ned Einstein
Making Public Transportation Work
Part 6 – High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes
High occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes are the sixth element of public transportation services to be covered in this NATIONAL BUS T R A D E R s e r i e s P re v i o u s s e g m e n t s o f t h i s series covered other missing elements: Altern a t i v e Wo r k S c h e d u l e s ( h t t p s : / / t ransalt com/article/making-public-transp o r t a t i o n - w o r k - p a r t - 1 - a l t e r n a t i v e - w o r kschedules/), Park-and-Ride Lots (https:// transalt.com/article/making-public-transportation-work-part-2-park-and-ride-lots/); Feeder Service (https://transalt com/artic l e / m a k i n g - p u b l i c - t r a n s p o r t a t i o n - w o r kpart-3-feeder-service/); System Design and Networks (https://transalt com/ article/ making-public-transportation-work-part4 - s y s t e m - d e s i g n - a n d - n e t w o r k s / ) a n d Ridesharing.
This segment covering HOV lanes somew h a t o v e r l a p s s o m e p o i n t s m a d e i n t h e Ridesharing installment. However, this is s o m e w h a t t r u e o f e v e r y e l e m e n t i n t h i s s e r i e s T h i s i s s o b e c a u s e , i n a n o p t i m a l s y s t e m , a l l e l e m e n t s m u s t w o r k t o g e t h e r Working together, one element necessarily overlaps or intersects with fellow elements This is more true for ridesharing and HOV lanes which should have been designed to encourage the greater use of buses, since the success of ridesharing to bus stops, train stat i o n s a n d p a r k - a n d - r i d e l o t s d e p e n d e d l a rg e l y o n t h e e x i s t e n c e o f f a s t e r- m o v i n g , higher-occupancy roadways in return – to offset the time lost by the “feeder vehicles” (i e , ridesharing) traveling to those train stations, bus stops or park-and-ride lots, or “collector points.”
trips), where the passengers could transfer to or from a transportation mode that could carry far more passengers per vehicle than could personal occupancy vehicles (POVs) –buses or trains. Our nation’s colossal failure to design an intelligible transportation network failed to provide the number of collect o r p o i n t s ( m o s t l y p a r k - a n d - r i d e l o t s ) needed, as well as the volume and diversity of quick-moving large vehicles to which the p a r k - a n d - r i d e p a s s e n g e r s c o u l d t r a n s f e r The goal (or what should have been the goal) – as noted in the previous installment – was the lowest number of vehicle miles per person travelled:
• F i f t y p e o p l e d r i v i n g 5 0 m i l e s e a c h , alone, in their personal cars, would translate into 2,500 vehicle miles (or 50 VM/P)
• With those same 50 people driving to a collector point five miles away and then transferring to a bus, their combined travel would translate into only 300 vehicle miles (or six miles per person (250 vehicle miles t o t h e c o l l e c t o r p o i n t ) p l u s o n l y 5 0 m o r e vehicle miles (with all 50 passengers traveling on a bus or train that transported them f r o m t h e c o l l e c t o r p o i n t t o t h e i r destination[s]).
public transportation system at all. Stupidly ( t h e t e r m “ f o o l i s h l y ” w o u l d b e t o o k i n d ) , r i d e s h a r i n g w a s d e s i g n e d t o s e r v e a s a n alternative to public transportation
This misdirection accounted largely for the limited success of HOV lanes and ridesharing – again, a failure enhanced by the parallel failure to provide the public transportation elements (more buses and trains, a n d m o r e p a r k - a n d - r i d e l o t s ) t o w h i c h ridesharing should have been directed As an asterisk, some park-and-ride lots still exist and operate successfully (mostly for conven i e n t a c c e s s t o m i d - d i s t a n c e d e s t i n a t i o n s where parking is confusing or costly) Examp l e s i n c l u d e p a r k - a n d - r i d e s e r v i c e t o a i rp o r t s , w h e re a i r p o r t p a r k i n g re q u i re s t h e d r i v e r t o n a v i g a t e t h ro u g h a l a b y r i n t h o f paths to the next vacant parking spot in the airport’s “fringe lots,” to remember where this spot was when the air traveler returns t o i t a i r p o r t - o f - o r i g i n , a n d t o t h e n t r a v e l between his or her vehicle and the airport via a shuttle service – typically one that runs infrequently
A s n o t e d , t h e e n l i g h t e n e d h o p e o f r i d e s h a r i n g w a s t h a t m a n y v e h i c l e s w i t h higher occupancies would travel to selected “collector points” (or from them on return
Where ridesharing and HOV lanes went o ff t h e r a i l s w a s t h a t t h e t w o p h e n o m e n a were not oriented toward the use of public t r a n s p o r t a t i o n I n s t e a d , m o s t r i d e s h a r i n g focused on shared rides as an alternative to s i n g l e - p e r s o n r i d e s i n p e r s o n a l v e h i c l e s –largely a failure of not only the combination o f t o o f e w p a r k - a n d - r i d e l o t s , i n s u f fi c i e n t p u b l i c t r a n s p o r t a t i o n m o d e s a n d p o o r l ydesigned public transportation networks, but the policy failures of HOV lanes Instead of setting HOV lane policies to encourage a mode split from POVs to public transportat i o n – w h i c h , a g a i n , w o u l d h a v e re q u i re d b o t h m o re b u s e s ( m o s t l y ) a n d t r a i n s a n d more park-and-ride lots – HOV policies simply resulted in a slightly-smaller number of single-occupancy vehicles In other words, ridesharing never became an element of a
More stupidly, travel by park-and-ride shuttles (and often separate payments for p a r k i n g i n t h o s e l o t s ) c o s t t h e t r a v e l e r s m o n e y – w h e re , t o a l l e v i a t e t r a f fi c a n d a t least encourage the use of shared-ride vehicles, the use of these facilities should have been free for motorists traveling with other passengers Even without ridesharing, these p a r k - a n d - r i d e l o t s a r e e x a m p l e s o f success:.They decrease vehicle miles per passenger to collector points with larger vehicles (in this example, airports) Even train stations with ample parking facilitate this goal – again, even without any ridesharing to or from the parking lot
Unsettling HOV lane policies have their origins in the early emergence of HOV lanes I had the interesting task of editing perhaps the first full-scale analysis of HOV lane successes and failures as a project manager for Public Technology, Inc , in the mid-1970s –a time when most of the great ideas for public transportation emerged, and after which all or most of their promises were quickly squandered The central lesson about HOV l a n e s w a s t h a t w h e n a n e x i s t i n g l a n e w a s transformed from a regular travel lane to a more-restricted HOV lane, the majority of re g u l a r p e r s o n a l c a r o r s m a l l t r u c k u s e r s ( S U V s d i d n o t e x i s t a t t h i s t i m e ) n o w
enlightened hope
t many vehicles with higher occupancies would travel
points ”
squeezed into one fewer lane resented the use of an entire lane for the small number of b u s e s a n d h i g h - o c c u p a n c y c a r s o r t r u c k s given the right to operate at higher speeds in the HOV lane. They rebelled politically. This is because, as a consequence, the traffic increased in the one-fewer travel lanes that t h e v a s t m a j o r i t y o f m o t o r i s t s w e r e n o w forced to travel in. In contrast, HOV lanes were more accepted when a community (or a state or county) constructed an additional lane on which these vehicles could travel
In either case, intelligent and/or creative things could have been done to soften this resentment – or to encourage more people to use HOV lanes. One of them, of course, would have been to add the other elements, noted above, that made HOV travel more desirable – more buses and trains, and more p a r k - a n d - r i d e l o t s . We c o u l d h a v e n o t charged parking fees at park-and-ride lots, or even allowed those vehicles using these lots to purchase a limited amount of fuel at a lower cost (if not simply allowing them to add a few gallons for free) – a practice actually employed at many Walmart stores Of course, we did neither Nor did we do anything else among a broad range of creative possibilities
Instead, we diluted the number of people who would need to ride in a vehicle allowed i n a n H O V l a n e – f o r e x a m p l e , f ro m t h re e (most common at first) or four passengers to two In the latter case, all those commuters ( o f t e n h u s b a n d s a n d w i v e s o r n e i g h b o r s ) who had simply paired up before the HOV lanes emerged simply began traveling in the H O V l a n e s – a c c o m p l i s h i n g n o t h i n g b u t a l l o w i n g t h o s e l u c k y f e w t o t r a v e l m u c h f a s t e r, a n d f u r t h e r d e t e r r i n g t h e i r n e e d t o t r a v e l b y b u s o r t r a i n T h e e n t i re r a n g e o f creative measures to encourage large personal vehicle occupancy – ranging from free fuel to even travel “rebates” – evaporated from the thought horizon, if such ideas ever materialized at all
The reader must again keep in mind that the entire ridesharing approach – and the c o l o s s a l w a s t e o f m o n e y f o r H O V l a n e s –b o t h m i s t a k e s t o b e g i n w i t h a s t h e y w e re used, since the intelligent goal was to place m o r e a n d m o r e c o m m u t e r s o n t o p u b l i c t r a n s p o r t a t i o n N e i t h e r r i d e s h a r i n g n o r HOV lanes accomplished this – although, in fairness, they did speed up travel times (for the HOV segment of a trip) for those travelers who rode buses (in the much-less-traffi c k e d H O V l a n e s ) . T h i s p e r k w a s h a rd l y enough to effect the “mode split” needed to reduce transit subsidies significantly Plus, as the number of passenger needed to enter HOV lanes was diminished to two passeng e r s p e r v e h i c l e , a n d e n f o r c e m e n t o f “cheaters” (i e , single-occupancy motorists)
d e c r e a s e d f r o m y e a r t o y e a r, s o m e H O V lanes actually experienced traffic No worse failure, and no greater waste of public funds, can be imagined
Ridesharing was an instit u t i o n a l a c k n o w l e d g em e n t t h a t p u b l i c t r a n spor tation was a failure
In simple terms, ridesharing was an institutional acknowledgement that public transportation was a failure – and, of course, the development of ridesharing contributed to this failure Similarly, the HOV lane experiment was an abysmal failure, and wasted hundreds of billions (or perhaps trillions) of taxpayers’ dollars
Failures at the Other End Illustrating once again the squandering of g reat ideas of t he 1970s, park ing lot s at the time (in the inner city) usually cost the same, per vehicle, irrespective of the number of occupants in those vehicles, The brilliant p r o f e s s o r ( D r J o s e p h F o a ) f o r w h o m I worked, as a teaching assistant, and then a teacher, at George Washington University from 1972 through 1976, felt that “progressive vehicle occupancy” should have been employed as a feature of parking lot pricing – and that any losses should be subsidized by the government – if they could not simply be adjusted as a rate-setting matter In simple t e r m s , D r F o a e n v i s i o n e d a re v e r s e - o c c upancy sliding scale:
• Vehicles arriving with a single occupant would be charged the most In today’s t e r m s , w h e re $ 7 0 / d a y i s t y p i c a l i n L o w e r Manhattan, a vehicle occupied by a single individual might be charged $150
• Vehicles arriving with two occupants could be charged $60 (where in many cases, t h i s f e e w o u l d b e l e s s e n e d f u r t h e r a s t h e vehicles’ occupants split the cost)
• Vehicles with three occupants could park for $30.
• Vehicles with four or more occupants would pay nothing
Ideally, once these dynamics were analyzed – including (a) how much (if any) government subsidies would be needed, (b) how much excess revenue was made by the parking lot owners and (c) what the impacts of s u c h p o l i c i e s h a d o n v e h i c l e o c c u p a n c y –t h e s e c h a rg e s c o u l d b e m o d i fi e d W h i l e i t has its challenges, when one thinks about this approach, perhaps the idea of free transit i s n o t a s z a n y a s m a n y m i g h t t h i n k O f course, in a nation controlled by the Uber-
R i c h , s u c h a n a p p ro a c h i s l i k e l y t o b e l e s s successful than it is popular For all but the super-Rich, such a structure could not help but increase ridesharing – although it would h a v e l i t t l e i m p a c t o n t h e m o d e - s p l i t f ro m POVs to public transportation services
Modern Elements and Protoplasm
No matter how much steel, rubber, glass and plastic one can muster, and regardless of how it is packaged into vehicles of various s i z e s , t h e s e e l e m e n t s a n d t h e i r p a c k a g i n g (including design, engineering and marketing, for starters) will not make a difference if the right numbers of the resulting vehicles are not deployed intelligibly – accompanied b y t h e f a c i l i t i e s n e e d e d t o a c c o m m o d a t e them (like more park-and-ride lots, adequate free parking at bus stops and train stations and intelligible inner-city parking fee structures). To be fair, this feat is much more difficult to accomplish in a country based on elections, where the selfishness of the masses translates into votes, and skews decisions that should be made in the interests of all.
While their populations bemoan the loss of freedom, solutions to problems like traffic a r e m a d e f a r m o r e e a s i l y i n n a t i o n s c o nt r o l l e d b y a u t o c r a t s o r “ s t r o n g m e n ” R e c e n t l y s o l u t i o n s t o t r a f fi c i n p l a c e s l i k e Nairobi, Kenya – like serious HOV lanes –are not terribly popular in more “democratic” countries Where forcefully employed, these innovations are creating a mode split that is badly needed in large, international cities. There is a reason why individuals who actually accomplish things are characterized as leaders Regardless, most modern countries where most people can afford private automobiles cannot seem to control traffic, e v e n w h e re t h e i r i n n e r c i t y p u b l i c t r a n sportation systems are excellent One example is Paris, which has an ingenious passeng e r r a i l s y s t e m w h o s e c r i s s c ro s s i n g l i n e s provide its passengers with multiple choices Ye t P a r i s i a n s t re e t s – a n d p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e highways leading to and from the city – are o v e r fl o w i n g w i t h c o n g e s t i o n b e c a u s e t h e s e r v i c e s i n t h e s u r r o u n d i n g s u b u r b s a r e grossly insufficient, similar to the problems in the United States, noted above Paris’ commuter traffic is considered, by some, to be the world’s worst
Interestingly, on the brink of total collapse f r o m t r a f fi c g r i d l o c k , t h e m u c h - n e e d e d , long-overdue reappearance of old ideas are emerging One striking example is the recent re - e m e rg e n c e o f t r a f fi c c o p s i n N e w Yo r k C i t y ( a n d p o s s i b l y o t h e r m a j o r U . S . c i t i e s where traffic is threatening to diminish the success of a range of businesses from high technology to tourism) One now finds traffi c c o p s n o t m e r e l y i n M a n h a t t a n , b u t i n high-density “boroughs” like Brooklyn and Queens
Desperation is a key common denominator in such solutions Keep in mind that while every science student beginner knows t h a t a s w i t c h ( l i k e a t r a f fi c c o p , w h o c a n make decisions based on minute-by-minute changes in traffic volumes) is far superior to a hub (like a traffic signal, which can be programmed to make only slight adjustments within a limited range of activity) A traffic cop can direct traffic onto the wrong side of t h e r o a d w a y t o b y p a s s a d o u b l e - p a r k e d v e h i c l e c l o g g i n g u p a l a n e O r m o v e h u ndreds of vehicles quickly through highlytraveled arterial streets while those few vehic l e s s t a c k i n g u p o n s i d e s t r e e t s w a i t f o r several minutes – after which all of the latter are released
No traffic signal can do things like this –and the likelihood that some form of artificial intelligence may some day do so is a long way off technologically – and a longer way off politically. We have drones that can “take out” an undesirable foreign official (or direct another weapon to do so) and note that the target was smiling when struck, while not a drop of blood gets splattered on the target’s companion a few feet away Yet we do not deploy such technology to even “ticket” the selfish criminals who weave in and out on our freeways at 90 m.p.h. while rarely signaling Yet robots abound to ticket inner-city motorists traveling a single mile per hour above the speed limit
My explanation for this seeming irony is that the vehicles caught speeding “by a hair” in the inner city are either ordinary motorists – including plenty of the “Powerless Poor” – while the perpetrators on the freeway tend t o o p e r a t e o n l y t w o t y p e s o f v e h i c l e s : ( a ) high-end SUVs and (b) sports cars The owners of both tend to be relatively or extremely rich A similar phenomenon is reflected in t a i l g a t i n g – l i k e o w n e r s o f p i c k u p t ru c k s , w h o t e n d t o v i e w t h o s e o p e r a t i n g m e r e sedans as so many “liberals.” As the owner o f b o t h a s e d a n a n d a p i c k u p t ru c k , t h o usands of episodes of these experiences have g i v e n m e a n a c c e p t a b l e s a m p l e I n m y pickup truck, I am never tailgated by anyone, in any type of vehicle In my sedan, I a m c o n s t a n t l y t a i l g a t e d b y p i c k u p t ru c k s a n d 1 8 - w h e e l e r s ( B e c a u s e p i c k u p t r u c k s and 18-wheelers do not have the acceleration c a p a b i l i t i e s , t h e y a re r a re l y a m o n g t h e 9 0 m p h , non-signaling freeway weavers)
reached 15,000 in New York City by the end of 2015 (and did not pay the then-$1 1 million medallion fee per taxi), when NATIONAL BUS TRADER began covering its decimation of that city’s (and the nation’s) 13,000-vehicle taxi systems, new mayor Eric Adams finally “capped” the number of Ubers in the city at 60,000 (in 2022)
Like most of the content in this installment, and many others in this series, it is beyond unfortunate that things are the way they are, that our people are the way they are, and that, as a consequence, our public transportation systems are on the brink of collapse Along the way, of course, lie not only the failures to adapt a host of brilliant solutions that would have worked had they been assembled intelligibly, and at the needed scale, but the intrusion of new modes and services which openly acknowledge their goals to be the disruption of existing modes and services I am speaking h e re l a rg e l y o f U b e r, Ly f t a n d o t h e r T N C s (transportation network companies) – see “Bad Regulations and Worse Responses, Part 1: Introduction” (https://transalt com/article/bad-regulations-and-worse-responsespart-1-introduction/); “Bad Regulations and Worse Responses, Part 2: The Rise, Fall and Transformation of SuperShuttle” (https:// transalt com/article/bad-regulations-andworse-responses-part -2-t he-rise-fall-andtransformation-of-supershuttle/); “Bad Regu l a t i o n s a n d Wo r s e R e s p o n s e s , P a r t 3 : Invasion f the TNCs” (https://transalt com/ article/bad-regulations-and-worse-responsespart-3-invasion-of-the-tncs/); “Bad Regulations and Worse Responses, Part 4: Judicial Heroism” https:// transalt com/article/badregulations-and-worse-responses-part-4-judicial-heroism/); “Bad Regulations and Worse R e s p o n s e s , P a r t 5 : E x e c u t i v e B r a n c h Responses” (https://transalt com/article/ bad-regulations-and-worse-responses-part5-executive-branch-responses/); “Bad Regulations and Worse Responses, Part 6: Industry a n d A s s o c i a t i o n R e s p o n s e s ” ( h t t p s : / / transalt com/article/bad-regulations-andworse-responses-part-6-industry-and-association-responses/), and “Bad Regulations and Worse Responses, Part 7: Conclusions” (https://transalt com/article/bad-regulat i o n s - a n d - w o r s e - r e s p o n s e s - p a r t - 7conclusions/)
o warn 4000 motorcoach owners and operat
years, penetrated the school bus, transit and motorcoach sectors Warning motorcoach operators about this plunder, or providing it with viable alternatives (which have been employed literally by airline companies) –has accomplished nothing The dominance of TNCs simply replacing taxis was recently
Of course, at that point, when many NYC residents would chop off a finger before ridi n g i n a n U b e r, a n d t a x i s a r e f e w a n d f a r between (despite their adoption of their own “app,” known as “Curb”), many frustrated travelers simply hold up their arms in taxifl a g g i n g s t y l e , a n d a re q u i c k l y a c c o m m odated by private motorists (usually operating clean, relatively-modern SUVs) without taxi permits, meters or even operable seat belts – which many residents and visitors (including myself) gladly hop into for a ride. At least my personal information, and that of every single person in my social media network, is not stolen, as it is by Uber and Lyft. Plus, such drivers receive no less traini n g ( o r m a rg i n a l l y l e s s t r a i n i n g ) t h a n a n y Uber or Lyft driver Of course, the drivers (not some crooked “broker”) get to keep 100 percent of the fares.
Frankly, to me at least, such vehicles are p re f e r a b l e t o a n y t h i n g b u t a l i c e n s e d t a x i – e v e n w h i l e t h e i n s u r a n c e c o v e r a g e o f t h e s e v e h i c l e s i s l i k e l y e v e n l e s s t h a n t h a t p r o v i d e d b y U b e r o r Ly f t d r i v e r s w h i l e t h e i r d r i v e r s a r e o p e r a t i n g “ o n t h e p l a tf o r m . ” ( F o r a l l o n e k n o w s , m a n y o f t h e s e drivers may be Uber or Lyft drivers simply operating “off the platform” – when Uber ’s o r Ly f t ’ s i n s u r a n c e d o e s n o t a p p l y, a n d where the driver gets to keep all the money, a c c e p t c a s h a n d c a n n o t s t e a l t h e p a s s e ng e r s ’ p e r s o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n ) H o w c o u l d Uber or Lyft possibly know about them as l o n g a s t h e i r d r i v e r s s i g n “ o f f t h e p l a tf o r m , ” s i n c e m o s t T N C d r i v e r s o p e r a t e t h e i r o w n p e r s o n a l c a r s , a n d n o T N C h a s t h e r i g h t t o d e t e r m i n e w h a t i t s d r i v e r s d o “ o f f t h e p l a t f o r m ” – w i t h t h e i r p e r s o n a l c a r s o r a n y o t h e r p e r s o n a l p ro p e r t y ?
In simple terms, the loss of institutional c o n t r o l h a s l e d t o i n s t i t u t i o n a l c h a o s I n modes like taxi service, much of the service is now provided by plain-old motorists The notion that our skeleton of law enforcement officials can make a dent on this circumvention of “official” vehicles is a laughingstock
Desperation is a key common denominator in such solutions.
Our public transpor tation systems are on the brink of collapse.
T h e l o s s o f i n s t i t u t i o n a l control has led to institutional chaos
Even further, the majority of voters may not even wish that such control be exercised –much less with their hard-earned taxpayers’ money
A s u m m a r y o f h o w A m e r i c a n c i t i e s h a v e l o s t t h e b a t t l e w i t h t r a ff i c , a n d h o w t h e i r p u b l i c t r a n s p o r t a t i o n s y s t e m s h a v e collapsed to cause it, will be covered in the f i n a l i n s t a l l m e n t o f t h i s s e r i e s , t o c o m e : “Making Public Transportation Work, Part 7 : T h e C o s t o f F a i l u re ” T h o s e N AT I O N A L B U S T R A D E R re a d e r s w h o h a v e k e p t p a c e w i t h t h e s e f a i l u r e s b y r e a d i n g p r e v i o u s installments about “Making Public Transp o r t a t i o n Wo r k ” ( a v a i l a b l e v i a t h e l i n k s m e n t i o n e d n e a r t h e t o p o f t h i s a r t i c l e , a s w e l l a s t h r o u g h o n l i n e b a c k - i s s u e s o f NATIONAL BUS TRADER) have a head start F i x i n g t h i s m e s s – w h i c h I c o n s i d e r u n d o a b l e – i s a n o t h e r t h i n g .
T h e m a r i o n e t t e s n e e d n o t w o r r y T h e y can escape traffic in their electric-powered, energy-draining helicopter taxis, which take off from, and land on, Manhattan’s tall building rooftops For those averse to the rumble of VTOL take-offs, as one learned from that classic folk song titled “The Old Gray Mare,” those pricy top floor penthouses “ain’t what they used to be ”
The opinions expressed in this article are that of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of National Bus Trader, Inc or its staff and management. q
Ned Einstein is the president of Transportation Alternatives (www transalt com [1]), a p u b l i c t r a n s p o r t a t i o n w i t n e s s fi r m . Einstein (einstein@transit com) specializes in catastrophic motorcoach accidents
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“ T h e C u r i o u s C o a c h o w n e r ” i s a q u e s t i o n a n d a n s w e r c o l u m n t h a t p ro v i d e s s i m p l e a n s w e r s t o s i m p l e q u e s t i o n s t h a t a re t o o shor t to warrant a full ar ticle or inclusion in one of our regular columns We will accept re a s o n a b l y s i m p l e t e c h n i c a l o r h i s t o r i c a l questions on coaches, buses or even conver ted coach shells by letter, fax, e-mail or phone If our staff is unable to answer them, w e w i l l c a l l u p o n o u r p a n e l o f e x p e r t s Names and addresses should be submitted w i t h y o u r q u e s t i o n s , b u t w e w i l l w i t h h o l d n a m e s f r o m p u b l i c a t i o n o n r e q u e s t W e reserve the right to modify questions to make them more useful to our readers
Q Is the recent Greyhound accident on Interstate 70 being blamed on ELDs?
A O n We d n e s d a y, J u l y 1 2 , a G re y h o u n d bus with 22 passengers turned into the Silver L a k e R e s t A r e a a l o n g I - 7 0 i n M a d i s o n County, Illinois just east of St Louis The bus struck trucks along the entrance ramp and ran into the trailer of one of them The resulting accident killed three of the passengers and injured 14 others including the driver
Subsequent investigation deter mined that t h e t r u c k t h a t w a s h i t w a s h a u l i n g J i m m y Dean sausages The driver said that his original plan was to reach Troy, Illinois, about 12 miles or 15 minutes down the road His ELD ( E l e c t ro n i c L o g g i n g D e v i c e ) t o l d h i m t h a t he had run out of his 11 allowable hours on the road Rather than violate the hours-ofs e r v i c e l a w s , h e p a r k e d o n t h e re s t a re a ramp
T h i s h a s b r o u g h t o u t s o m e d i s c u s s i o n b e t w e e n t r u c k i n g a n d re g u l a t i o n g ro u p s One is that there simply is not enough parking space provided for trucks The second is that had the truck driver still been using paper logs, he could have modified his log t o d r i v e a n a d d i t i o n a l 1 5 m i n u t e s t o Tro y Instead, complying with the ELD resulted in three deaths
T h e u s e o f E L D s w a s m a n d a t e d b y t h e F e d e r a l M o t o r C a r r i e r S a f e t y A d m i n i s t r at i o n i n 2 0 1 7 a n d b e g a n b e i n g e n f o rc e d i n 2 0 1 8 S i n c e i t w e n t i n t o e ff e c t , t h e E L D s h a v e c o m e u n d e r f i re f o r re d u c i n g s a f e t y a n d c a u s i n g a c c i d e n t s a n d d e a t h s P r i o r t o E L D s , m a n y t r u c k e r s u s e d p a p e r l o g s t h a t c o u l d e a s i l y b e m o d i f i e d t o e x t e n d
d r i v i n g h o u r s s l i g h t l y Yo u c a n n o t d o t h a t with the ELDs As a result many truck drivers began to drive faster in order to cover a f e w m o re m i l e s
A s a r e s u l t b i g t r u c k a c c i d e n t s h a v e exploded One repor t shows that fatalities involving vehicles more than 10,000 pounds (buses and motor homes were excluded) s k y r o c k e t e d a n a m a z i n g 7 1 p e r c e n t between 2009 and 2021
I n a d d i t i o n , re s e a rc h b y O v e r d r i v e M a ga z i n e f o u n d t h a t “ O w n e r- o p e r a t o r s g e ne r a l l y f e e l t h e E L D m a n d a t e i s a t l e a s t i n par t to blame, with a whopping 87 percent o f r e s p o n d e n t s p o l l e d n o t i n g n e g a t i v e s a f e t y i m p a c t s ”
A m a j o r p a r t o f t h e p ro b l e m i s t h a t t r u c k s (and buses) were deregulated and hence are competitive With trucks, the goal is to d e l i v e r t h e i r l o a d s f a s t e r, w h i c h u s u a l l y m e a n s d r i v i n g l o n g e r o r r u n n i n g f a s t e r S i n c e t h e E L D s d o n o t p e r m i t d r i v i n g longer, the only way to remain competitive i s t o d r i v e f a s t e r A p p a re n t l y, t h e F e d e r a l M o t o r C a r r i e r S a f e t y A d m i n i s t r a t i o n h a s y e t t o fi g u re o u t h o w t o e l i m i n a t e t h e c o nfl i c t b e t w e e n c o m p e t i t i o n a n d g e t t i n g t h e l o a d d e l i v e re d f a s t e r
Some of our readers have pointed out that the FMCSA provided a repor t to Congress i n e a r l y 2 0 2 3 t h a t w a s r e q u i r e d b y t h e 2 0 2 1 I n f r a s t r u c t u re I n v e s t m e n t a n d J o b s A c t T h e a g e n c y c i t e d “ c o n f o u n d i n g f a ct o r s ” t h a t h a v e o c c u r r e d t h a t h a v e impacted the use of ELDs, safety and HOS e n f o r c e m e n t T h e s e f a c t o r s “ h a v e i n c re a s e d t h e c h a l l e n g e s re l a t i n g t o a n y fur ther analysis of the ELD mandate, maki n g i t d i ff i c u l t t o t e a s e o u t t h e i r i n d i v i d u a l s a f e t y i m p a c t s ”
Q Has there been any more progress on h y d r o g e n f u e l c e l l b u s e s a n d r e l a t e d transportation equipment?
–– Reader in Michigan
A Our friends in Europe are telling us that hydrogen fuel cell power is becoming more popular each year Marcopolo from Brazil showed a hydrogen fuel cell coach at the recent IAA show in Hanover last year that apparently is available for purchase Beyond this, we recently received word that Europe’s first hydrogen-powered inland vessel, the WEVA Antonie 1, is using batteries provided by Ebusco
O n t h i s s i d e o f t h e A t l a n t i c , m o s t o f t h e major transit bus builders either are building or planning to build hydrogen fuel cell transit buses We have not yet heard of a production hydrogen fuel cell coach However, it is notewor thy that Alstom has been testing a hydrogen fuel cell regional train on the 90kilometer (56-mile) run from Quebec City to Bale-Saint-Paul The train reportedly reaches a top speed of 140 km/h (87 miles per hour) and has comparable acceleration and braki n g t o a d i e s e l t r a i n w i t h l e s s n o i s e a n d pollution
Q. Is it possible to recharge a batteryelectric bus while it is moving?
–– Transit OperatorA I a m t e m p t e d t o p o i n t o u t t h a t i n t h e “good old days” we used overhead trolley wires to power trolley cars and trolley buses While some people might have objected to t h e w i re s , t h e y c e r t a i n l y re d u c e d t h e fi re problems from batteries
I a m s o m e w h a t a w a re o f a s y s t e m t h a t i s actually in operation in Europe where light rail vehicles charge during the brief periods they are stopped at stations There are also bus routes with batter y-electric buses that can charge at the end of the line – but this takes several minutes Proterra has an operation in Califor nia that has been doing this for years
Sweden is working on a project that would allow charging on the go The highway chosen is the E20 motorway between Hallsberg and Örebro It actually runs between Stockholm in the north going through Gothenburg and continues to Malmö to the south The par ticular road was chosen because it has s u b s t a n t i a l c o m m e r c i a l t r a f fi c i n c l u d i n g trucks In addition, a suitable power supply is available
The project is being built by Trafikverket, the Swedish transpor t administration Options include overhead wires, electric rails embedded in the road or road-embedded inductive coils
T h e p ro j e c t i n c l u d e s t h i s 2 1 - k m ( 1 3 m i l e ) stretch of road and is expected to be perm a n e n t D e s i g n a n d c o n s t r u c t i o n i s e x p e c t e d t o b e d o n e b y 2 0 2 5 a n d w i l l g o into operation soon thereafter
A n s w e r s n o t c r e d i t e d t o o t h e r i n d i v i d u a l s are provided by Larry Plachno q
Here are two interesting historical photos that never made it in to the MCI 90th Anniversary article
A t l e f t : T h e M C - 1 2 m o d e l w a s a n anachronism because it retained the old 96-inch width and 40-foot length when everyone else was moving to a width of 102 inches and a length of 45 feet. Howe v e r, i t w a s v e r y c o m p a t i b l e w i t h t h e e x i s t i n g G r e y h o u n d fl e e t a n d s e r v e d them well for many years.
Below: This is an official builder ’s photo from MCI. Greyhound participated in the design of the G4500 and hence it had several different features geared to simp l i f y m a i n t e n a n c e . I t a l s o w e n t i n t o fleets other than Greyhound
NATIONAL BUS TRADER continues to receive requests on the availability of back issues so that readers can either locate desired information or obtain missing issues
While they last, the following back issues are available Issues beginning with June, 1979 thru c u r r e n t a r e $ 3 – U S , $ 4 5 0 – C a n a d a a n d $ 5 –International (US) each postpaid
Several issues are already “out of print,” hence we suggest that you indicate second choices We r e s e r v e t h e r i g h t t o r e f u n d m o n e y i f i s s u e s requested are no longer available
q Vol II, No 7 June, 1979
q Vol II, No 10 September, 1979
q Vol III, No 4 March, 1980
q Vol III, No 5 April, 1980
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q Vol. III, No. 9 August, 1980
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q Vol. III, No. 12 November, 1980
q Vol IV, No 5 April, 1981
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q Vol V, No 2 January, 1982
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q Vol V, No 11 October, 1982
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q Vol. VI, No. 9 August, 1983
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q Vol VIII, No 2 January, 1985
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q Vol XI, No 2 January, 1988
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q Vol XIV, No 2 January, 1991
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q Vol XV, No 2 January, 1992
q Vol XV, No 3 February, 1992
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q Vol. XV, No. 6 May, 1992
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q Vol. XV, No. 8 July, 1992
q Vol XV, No 9 August, 1992
q Vol. XV, No. 10 September, 1992
q Vol XVI, No 7 June, 1993
q Vol. XVI, No. 11 October, 1993
q Vol XVI, No 12 November, 1993
q Vol. XVII, No. 2 January, 1994
q Vol XVII, No 3 February, 1994
q Vol. XVII, No. 4 March, 1994
q Vol XVII, No 6 May, 1994
q Vol XVII, No 7 June, 1994
q Vol XVII, No 10 September, 1994
q Vol XVII, No 11 October, 1994
q Vol XVII, No 12 November, 1994
q Vol XVIII, No 2 January, 1995
q Vol. XVIII, No. 3 February, 1995
q Vol XVIII, No 4 March, 1995
q Vol. XVIII, No. 6 May, 1995
q Vol XVIII, No 8 July, 1995
q Vol. XIX, No. 2 January, 1996
q Vol XIX, No 3 February, 1996
q Vol. XIX, No. 4 March, 1996
q Vol XIX, No 8 July, 1996
q Vol. XIX, No. 11 October, 1996
q Vol XIX, No 12 November, 1996
q Vol. XX, No. 6 May, 1997
q Vol XX, No 6 May, 1997
q Vol XX, No 7 June, 1997
q Vol XX, No 8 July, 1997
q Vol XX, No 9 August, 1997
q Vol XX, No 10 September, 1997
q Vol XX, No 12 November, 1997
q Vol. XXI, No. 2 January, 1998
q Vol XXI, No 3 February, 1998
q Vol. XXI, No. 5 April, 1998
q Vol XXI, No 7 June, 1998
q Vol. XXI, No. 8 July, 1998
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q Vol XXVIII, No 6 May, 2005
q Vol. XXVIII, No. 7 June, 2005
q Vol. XXVIII, No. 9 August, 2005
q Vol XXVIII, No 10 September, 2005
q Vol XXVIII, No 11 October, 2005
q Vol XXVIII, No 12 November, 2005
q Vol XXVIV, No 2 January, 2006
q Vol. XXVIV, No. 3 February, 2006
q Vol. XXVIV, No. 4 March, 2006
q Vol XXVIV, No 5 April, 2006
q Vol XXVIV, No 6 May, 2006
q Vol XXVIV, No 7 June, 2006
q Vol XXVIV, No 8 July, 2006
q Vol XXVIV, No 9 August, 2006
q Vol. XXVIV, No. 10 September, 2006
q Vol. XXVIV, No. 11 October, 2006
q Vol XXVIV, No 12 November, 2006
q Vol XXX, No 1 December, 2006
q Vol XXX, No 2 January, 2007
q Vol XXX, No 3 February, 2007
q Vol. XXX, No. 4 March, 2007
q Vol. XXX, No. 5 April, 2007
q Vol XXX, No 6 May, 2007
q Vol XXX, No 7 June, 2007
q Vol XXX, No 8 July, 2007
q Vol XXX, No 9 August, 2007
q Vol. XXX, No. 10 September, 2007
q Vol. XXX No. 11 October, 2007
q Vol XXX, No 12 November, 2007
q Vol XXXI, No 1 December, 2007
q Vol XXXI, No 2 January, 2008
q Vol XXXI, No 3 February, 2008
q Vol. XXXI, No. 4 March, 2008
q Vol. XXXI, No. 5 April, 2008
q Vol XXXI, No 6 May, 2008
q Vol XXXI, No 7 June, 2008
q Vol XXXI, No 8 July, 2008
q Vol XXXI, No 9 August, 2008
q Vol. XXXI, No. 10 September, 2008
q Vol. XXXI, No. 11 October, 2008
q Vol XXXI, No 12 November, 2008
q Vol XXXII, No 1 December, 2008
q Vol XXXII, No 2 January, 2009
q Vol XXXII, No 3 February, 2009
q Vol. XXXII, No. 4 March, 2009
q Vol. XXXII, No. 5 April, 2009
q Vol. XXXII, No. 6 May, 2009
q Vol XXXII, No 7 June, 2009
q Vol XXXII, No 8 July, 2009
q Vol XXXII, No 9 August, 2009
q Vol XXXII, No 10 September, 2009
q Vol. XXXII, No. 11 October, 2009
q Vol. XXXII, No. 12 November, 2009
q Vol XXXIII, No 1 December, 2009
q Vol XXXIII, No 2 January, 2010
q Vol XXXIII, No 3 February, 2010
q Vol XXXIII, No 4 March, 2010
q Vol XXXIII, No 5 April, 2010
q Vol. XXXIII, No. 6 May, 2010
q Vol XXXIII, No 7 June, 2010
q Vol. XXXIII, No. 8 July, 2010
q Vol XXXIII, No 9 August, 2010
q Vol. XXXIII, No. 10 September, 2010
q Vol XXXIII, No 11 October, 2010
q Vol. XXXIII, No. 12 November, 2010
q Vol XXXIV, No 1 December, 2010
q Vol. XXXIV, No. 2 January, 2011
q Vol XXXIV, No 3 February, 2011
q Vol. XXXIV, No. 4 March, 2011
q Vol XXXIV, No 5 April, 2011
q Vol XXXIV, No 6 May, 2011
q Vol XXXIV, No 7 June, 2011
q Vol XXXIV, No 8 July, 2011
q Vol XXXIV, No 9 August, 2011
q Vol XXXIV, No 10 September, 2011
q Vol. XXXIV, No. 11 October, 2011
q Vol XXXIV, No 12 November, 2011
q Vol. XXXV, No. 1 December, 2011
q Vol XXXV, No 2 January, 2012
q Vol. XXXV, No. 3 February, 2012
q Vol XXXV, No 4 March, 2012
q Vol. XXXV, No. 5 April, 2012
q Vol XXXV, No 6 May, 2012
q Vol. XXXV, No. 7 June, 2012
q Vol XXXV, No 8 July, 2012
q Vol. XXXV, No. 9 August, 2012
q Vol XXXV, No 10 September, 2012
q Vol XXXV, No 11 October, 2012
q Vol XXXV, No 12 November, 2012
q Vol XXXVI, No 1 December, 2012
q Vol XXXVI, No 2 January, 2013
q Vol XXXVI, No 3 February, 2013
q Vol. XXXVI, No. 4 March, 2013
q Vol XXXVI, No 5 April, 2013
q Vol. XXXVI, No. 6 May, 2013
q Vol XXXVI, No 7 June, 2013
q Vol. XXXVI, No. 8 July, 2013
q Vol XXXVI, No 9 August, 2013
q Vol. XXXVI, No. 10 September, 2013
q Vol XXXVI, No 11 October, 2013
q Vol XXXVI, No 12 November, 2013
q Vol XXXVII, No 1 December, 2013
q Vol XXXVII, No 2 January, 2014
q Vol XXXVII, No 3 February, 2014
q Vol. XXXVII, No. 4 March, 2014
q Vol XXXVII, No 5 April, 2014
q Vol. XXXVII, No. 6 May, 2014
q Vol XXXVII, No 7 June, 2014
q Vol. XXXVII, No. 8 July, 2014
q Vol XXXVII, No 9 August, 2014
q Vol. XXXVII, No. 10 September, 2014
q Vol XXXVII, No 11 October, 2014
q Vol. XXXVII, No. 12 November, 2014
q Vol XXXVIII, No 1 December, 2014
q Vol. XXXVIII, No. 2 January, 2015
q Vol XXXVIII, No 3 February, 2015
q Vol XXXVIII, No 4 March, 2015
q Vol XXXVIII, No 5 April, 2015
q Vol XXXVIII, No 6 May, 2015
q Vol XXXVIII, No 7 June, 2015
q Vol XXXVIII, No 8 July, 2015
q Vol. XXXVIII, No. 9 August, 2015
q Vol XXXVIII, No 10 September, 2015
q Vol. XXXVIII, No. 11 October, 2015
q Vol XXXVIII, No 12 November, 2015
q Vol. XXXIX, No. 1 December, 2015
q Vol XXXIX, No 2 January, 2016
q Vol. XXXIX, No. 3 February, 2016
q Vol XXXIX, No 4 March, 2016
q Vol. XXXIX, No. 5 April, 2016
q Vol XXXIX, No 6 May, 2016
q Vol. XXXIX, No. 7 June, 2016
q Vol XXXIX, No 8 July, 2016
q Vol XXXIX, No 9 August, 2016
q Vol XXXIX, No 10 September, 2016
q Vol XXXIX, No 11 October, 2016
q Vol XXXIX, No 12 November, 2016
q Vol XL, No 1 December, 2016
q Vol. XL, No. 2 January, 2017
q Vol XL, No 3 February, 2017
q Vol. XL, No. 4 March, 2017
q Vol XXXX, No 5 April, 2017
q Vol. XXXX, No. 6 May, 2017
• UMA Motorcoach Expo in St Louis
• The Prize-Winning Aerocoach at the Museum of Bus Transportation
• Rochester City Lines Still Making, Preserving and Celebrating History
q Vol XXXX, No 7 June, 2017
• Industry History From UMA Shows – Installment I
• Extended Service Protection on Your Bus Fleet
• Bus History on a Wall
q Vol XXXX, No 8 July, 2017
• Vicinity – A Mid-Size Bus Success Story
• Prevost Conversion Shells for All Types of Coaches
• The Bus Accident in Red Lion, Delaware
q Vol XXXX, No 9 August, 2017
• “J” is for Jackpot with the 2018 J4500
• Industry History from UMA Shows – Installment II
• Book Review
q Vol XXXX, No 10 September, 2017
• Propane Continues to be Clean and Economical
• H&L Charter – The Best Comes in Small Packages
• Industry History from UMA Shows – Installment III
q Vol XXXX, No 11 October, 2017
• ABC & Van Hool Celebrate 30 Years
• Taking a Venture in Norfolk
•The Five “No’s” You Must Overcome to Sell Your Bus Business
q Vol. XXXX, No. 12 November, 2017
• MCI Reliability Rally 2017
• BusCon 2017 in Indianapolis
• Exit Planning Becoming More Complicated for Family-Owned Bus Businesses
q Vol XXXXI, No 1 December, 2017
• Complete Coach Works and the Carson Heritage
• The Busboys Vintage Bus Rally in Evansville, Indiana
• Virginia’s Commonwealth Coach and Trolley Museum Ravaged by Fire
• Re-Energizing the North American Diecast Model Bus Scene
q Vol XXXXI, No 2 January, 2018
• Prevost Again Moves Ahead in Support, Service and Parts
• New 2018 J4500 Highlights Busy Season for MCI
• Common Rail Technology and the GHG17 Volvo Engine
q Vol XXXXI, No 3 February, 2018
• Walking the Irizar Assembly Line in Ormaiztegi
• Busworld 2017 in Belgium
q Vol. XXXXI, No. 4 March, 2018
• UMA Motorcoach Expo 2018i
• Van Hool to Build Buses in Eastern Tennessee
• The New MCI D45 CRT LE
q Vol. XXXXI, No. 5 April, 2018
• Charging Ahead with Electric Buses
• Holiday Tours Puts Customers First
• How Chicago’s “Party Bus” Ordinance is Affecting Bus Tourism
q Vol. XXXXI, No. 6 May, 2018
• The CHTC HT45 amd HT35 Coaches
• The Pacific Bus Museum – From Hobby to Formal Museum
• Twenty Tips on Hiring Bus Drivers
• Van Hool Builds Bus Factoryin Morristown, Tennessee
q Vol XXXXI, No 7 June, 2018
• MCI Academy Wins Fans Across Industry
• Where are the Buses Built? #1
• The Campaign Bus for the President of the Philippines
• The Penn Highway Transit Company
q Vol XXXXI, No 8 July, 2018
• Farber Continues Custom Coach Traditions
• Prevost’s New Flat Floor Slide-Outs
• Liberty Coach Busch Bus
q Vol. XXXXI, No. 9 August, 2018
• ZF Components for Electric Buses
• Museum of Bus Transportation Spring Fling Open House Success
• “Friends” of the NJ Heritage Center Takes Eight Vintage Coaches to the 2018 MOBT Spring Fling
q Vol. XXXXI, No. 10 September, 2018
• Van Hool’s CX35 – Small in Size, Big in Quality
• Diecast Model Buses Impress in a Big Way
• Master ’s Transportation – Where to go to increase your fleet quickly or temporarily
q Vol XXXXI, No 11 October, 2018
• ZF Technology Day in Friedrichshafen
• MCI’s 2018 Reliability Rally
• How Will Autonomous Cars Impact the Bus Industry?
q Vol XXXXI, No 12 November, 2018
• Peter Pan Celebrates 85 Years on the Road
• Clean Up Your Fleet with a Bitimec Wash-Bot
q Vol. XXXXII, No. 1 December, 2018
• Prevost Unveils New Features and New Possibility on the Volvo 9700 at UMA Expo
• MCI’s New J3500 – Small in Size, Big in Features
• The e GO Mover – Filling a Gap in Transportation with ZF Technology
• Giving Buses a Second Life at Complete Coach Works
q Vol XXXXII, No 2 January, 2019
• BusCon 2018 in Indianapolis
• Panorama Tours Keeps Things in the Family
• How Will Demand or Congestion Toll Pricing Impact Bus Operations?
q Vol XXXXII, No 3 February, 2019
• Test Driving the New Electric MCI J4500e CHARGE
• Stagecoach Group Sells Coach USA and Coach Canada
• The Story of the Australian Scenicruiser
q Vol. XXXXII, No. 4 March, 2019
• UMA 2019 Motorcoach Expo in Fort Lauderdale
• Angel Tours Celebrates 20 Years
• The Saga of #5496, a 1937 Yellow Coach Model 733
q Vol. XXXXII, No. 5 April, 2019
• Buses at the 2019 ABA Marketplace in Louisville
• Are Pre-Owned Coach Sales Declining?
• The Six Levels of Autonomous Vehicles
q Vol XXXXII, No 6 May, 2019
• Temsa North America Inc – Temsa’s Increased Support for the American Market
• MCI Launches Motorcoach Technician Apprenticeship Program
• 2019 Spring Fling Announced
q Vol XXXXII, No 7 June, 2019
• Looking Beyond the Driver Shortage to Demography and the Global Economy
• Are the Reasons for Coach Seat Belts Changing?
• The Passengers Left Behind – Take the Accessible Information Test
q Vol XXXXII, No 8 July, 2019
• Prevost Motorhome Expo
• Featherlite Luxury Coaches
• Emerald Luxury Coaches Unveils First H3-45
Conversions
• Ten Things to Consider When Choosing a Luxury RV
q Vol XXXXII, No 9 August, 2019
• NFI Group Acquires Alexander Dennis
• Getting the Glow – Take a look inside the “New Look” of Liberty
• Book Review – Chicago Motor Coach
q Vol XXXXII, No 10 September, 2019
• The 2019 Spring Fling in Hershey
• Congestion Pricing May Affect Bus Operators
• In the Beginning – The Bus Industry Prior to Regulation in 1935
q Vol. XXXXII, No. 11 October, 2019
• Proterra Launches Proterra Powered™ Vehicle Electrification Solutions for Commercial Fleets
• Bendix Tech Tips: Avoiding the “Gotchas”
• The “Shorty” Flxibles of Pikes Peak
q Vol XXXXII, No 12 November, 2019
• 30 Years of Foxy Travel & FTI Coach
• Fleet Graphics is an Art at ABC Companies
• MCI debuts 2020 model line-up with a SNEAK PREVIEW of the battery-electric D45 CRTe LE CHARGE at Bay Area Reliability Symposium on October 1
q Vol. XXXXIII, No. 1 December, 2019
• Temsa’s Redesigned TS 30
• BusCon 2019 in Indianapolis
• Hammond Transportation
q Vol. XXXXIII, No. 2 January, 2020
• Anchor Transportation – 30 Years and Counting in a Growing Nashville
• David Thomas Tours and Their Short Temsa Coaches
• Museum of Bus Transportation to Merge with Antique Automobile Club of America Museum
q Vol XXXXIII, No 3 February, 2020
• Busworld 2019 in Brussels, Part I
• Heroes’ Honeymoon
• Philadelphia to New York Every Half Hour
q Vol XXXXIII, No 4 March, 2020
• Busworld 2019 in Brussels, Part II
• The Changing Bus Industry
q Vol. XXXXIII, No. 5 April, 2020
• ABA Marketplace 2020 in Omaha
• Procedure and Liability After a Collision with an Automated Vehicle
• Impaired Drivers
q Vol XXXXIII, No 6 May, 2020
• Bringing Back the Bus Industry
• Bus Industry Suggestions from Shriver Insurance
• What Can Bus Companies Do To Reduce Insurance Costs During COVID-19?
• UMA Motorcoach Expo 2020 in Nashville
• Bus Preservation After the Merger
q Vol XXXXIII, No 7 June, 2020
• Grants, Loans and Programs to Help Transportation Companies Survive COVID-19 Business Disruption
• Time to Think Tours
• Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness
q Vol. XXXXIII, No. 8 July, 2020
• What the IATR and Transportation Regulators are Doing to Respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic
• A Tribute to Kirwan Elmers and Custom Coach Corporation
• RiverLandings Motorcoach Resort, Where True Luxury Reaches New Heights
q Vol XXXXIII, No 9 August, 2020
• The Evolving MCI Product Line
• The Impact of COVID-19 on the Transportation Ecosystem
• Marijuana and Drivers
q Vol XXXXIII, No 10 September, 2020
• New Coach Review
• Seven Simple Steps to Show Your Customers You Are Open for Business
• Can Bus Operators Change to Survive?
q Vol. XXXXIII, No. 11 October, 2020
• Getting People Back on the Buses
• 10 Easy Ways to Update Your Web Site During COVID-19
• Didn’t See That Coming
• The Eucharistic Congress in Chicago
q Vol XXXXIII, No 12 November, 2020
• How Temsa Developed Their Programmable Electric Bus
• Can Bus Companies Get to and Survive in the “New Normal?”
• Talk’s Cheap – Let’s Play
q Vol XXXXIV, No 1 December, 2020
• Keolis Moves People
• Are Mergers the Answer?
• A Lesson from the Sea – Time to Choose a Strategy
• Now is Not the Time to Skip on Bus Maintenance
• The Small Business Reorganization Act – A New Option in Bankruptcy
Classified ad rate is $30 per issue for first 25 words, 25 cents for each additional word. Rate includes Internet access. Name, address, zip and phone number are not included in word count The total number of words in a classified ad can not exceed 70 Rates apply on each ad individually – the rate for multiple insertions is the total of each ad figured individually. Free classified ads are acceptable ONLY when submitted on or with your free classified ad certificate. Display advertising rates on request.
1 – BUSES WANTED seeking 102d3 converted by Custom Coach Prefer motor home interior with side aisle or semi-side aisle
Please provide details by e-mail to safety@busmag com or phone larry at (815) 946-2341
6 – MOTOR HOMES FOR SALE
MCi MC5a ’67 (shell) 8V-71, 4-speed For sale to highest bidder Call (928) 358-6415 or (505) 713-9242 in aZ I
1991 Hawkins motorcoach 3208t Cat, 35 ft with all awnings alcoa wheels, landing/docking lights, heated m i r r o r s , d u c t e d h e a t , l e v e l e r s , t w o a i r c o n d i t i o n e r s , propane generator, exhaust brake always stored indoors asking $15,000 Contact dallas in Mi at (269) 591-2564 I
1956 Flxible coach – old conversion Phone (802) 9482886 in Vt for details I
Please mention National Bus Trader when answering adver tisers
10 – PARTS AND EQUIPMENT
6V-92t detroit diesel engine Fresh overhaul in storage spent $4,700 Make offer Phone (815) 262-0587 in il
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Coming events of interest to readers of NATIONAL BUS TRADER. Submissions for the department should be directed to the editor Unless otherwise indicated, events are not open to the general public.
The next. The future. It’s here, now. The All-New H3-45.
ALL ROADS HAVE LED TO THIS
