National Bus Trader
The Magazine of Bus Equipment for the United States and Canada Volume XLVII, No. 3
February, 2024
Serving the bus industry since 1977. Visit us at www.busmag.com.
• Bus Roadeos Can Improve Safety • CAVForth: The Pioneer Autonomous Bus Route • Driver Survey Shows Cost of Bad Ergonomics • Sales Training
ALWAYS FORWARD We chose to be inspired by you.
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National Bus Trader The Magazine of Bus Equipment for the United States and Canada STAFF Editor & Publisher Larry Plachno
Business Manager Nancy Ann Plachno Typesetting/Page Layout Sherry Mekeel
Production/Design/Web Jake Ron Plaras
CONTRIBUTORS Safety and Liability Ned Einstein Dave Millhouser
N ATIONAL B US T RADER (ISSN 0194-939X) is published monthly by National Bus Trader, Inc., 9698 W. Judson Road, Polo, Illinois 61064-9015. Subscriptions, $30 (in US funds) annually, Canada & International $35 (in US funds). Printed in U.S.A. Periodicals postage paid in Polo, Illinois 61064 and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to National Bus Trader, 9698 W. Judson Road, Polo, Illinois 61064-9015. Change of Address: Please send old mailing label (or old address and computer number) as well as new address. Advertising: Classified ad rate is $30 for first 25 words, 25¢ for each additional word. Rate includes Internet access. Name, address, and phone number are not included in word count. Display advertising rates sent on request. Advertising deadline is the fifteenth day of the 2nd preceding month unless otherwise indicated. Affiliations and Memberships: American Bus Association, The Bus History Association, Family Motor Coach Association, International Bus Collectors, North American Trackless Trolley Association, Motor Bus Society, Omnibus Society of America, Tourist Railway Association, United Motorcoach Association. N ATIONAL B US T RADER is THE Magazine of Bus Equipment for the United States and Canada. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced either in whole or in part without the written consent of the publisher. The name National Bus Trader, the logo incorporating the outline of the United States, and the pricing guide to used buses are trade marks of National Bus Trader, Inc.
Volume XLVII
National Bus Trader 9698 W. Judson Road Polo, Illinois 61064-9015 Phone: (815) 946-2341 Web site: www.busmag.com
Number 3
February, 2024
Features Bus Roadeos Can Improve Safety (by Laura Dickerson) . . . . . . . . .16 Bus insurance companies are viewing driver roadeos in a positive light. In addition to increasing driver skills, these events show drivers where they need improvement and bring the staff closer together.
CAVForth: The Pioneer Autonomous Bus Route (by Larry Plachno) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Here is an update on the pioneer CAVForth autonomous bus route in Scotland that has been in regular operation since May of 2023.
Driver Survey Shows Cost of Bad Ergonomics (by Roger Bereton) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 A recent survey in the United Kingdom shows that improved cockpit design and ergonomics could have a significant positive impact on driver working conditions.
Sales Training (by Dave Millhouser) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Operating without a good maintenance program may not be a good idea even with a great deal of prayer and faith. If nothing else, this should give the reader some good reasons for developing and working with a sound and effective maintenance agenda.
Cover Photo Molly Anderson is judging the diminishing tennis ball station at a recent bus roadeo with Astro Travel and Tours of Tallahassee, Florida. Roadeos are increasingly being encouraged as a way to improve driver safety. See the article starting on page 16 for more information. ON YOUR MARK TRANSPORTATION.
Departments Equipment News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Survival and Prosperity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Curious Coachowner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Photographs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Advertiser’s Index appears on page 38
National Bus Trader / February, 2024 • 3
Equipment News Quebec Welcomes New MCI Luxury Motorcoaches MCI proudly delivered two new luxury J4500 motorcoaches to Autobus La Québécoise, a part of Groupe La Québécoise. Built on MCI’s legendary J-Series platform, the J4500 features the industry’s largest interior floor space, providing Autobus La Québécoise’s passengers with best-in-class legroom and comfortable seating. Since 1965, Autobus La Québécoise has been providing various types of transportation throughout the province of Quebec, extending transportation services into other parts of Canada and the United States. Congratulations, Autobus La Québécoise on expanding your fleet with MCI’s reliabilitybuilt motorcoaches. To learn more about MCI market-leading motorcoaches, find a rep at [https: //www.mcicoach.com /locate-a-rep/] . Ballard Announces Long-Term Supply Agreement with NFI Ballard Power Systems on January 3 announced the signing of a new Long-Term Supply Agreement (LTSA) with NFI Group Inc. (NFI), a leading independent bus and coach manufacturer and a leader in electric mass mobility solutions in North America and Europe. The agreement marks a new phase in the established partnership
MCI recently delivered two new J4500 coaches to Autobus La Québécoise, a part of Groupe La Québécoise in Quebec. Since 1965 Autobus La Québécoise has been providing bus service throughout the province of Quebec and into other parts of Canada and the United States. The popular J4500 model features the industry’s largest interior floor space.
between Ballard and NFI, focused on deployment-level volumes of fuel cellpowered buses across all of NFI’s major brands including New Flyer, Alexander Dennis and MCI.
Ballard Power Systems recently announced the signing of a new long-term supply agreement with NFI Group. The Ballard modules will be built at Ballard’s facility in Bend, Oregon and will comply with Buy America provisions. NFI will use the modules to power Xcelsior CHARGE FC™ hydrogen fuel cell buses.
As part of the LTSA, NFI has placed its first purchase order under the agreement for a minimum of 100 FCmove®-HD+modules for planned delivery in 2024. The models will primarily be produced in Ballard’s Bend, Oregon facility with Buy America compliance, and will power New Flyer’s next generation Xcelsior CHARGE FC™ hydrogen fuel cell buses for deployment across the U.S. and Canada, including California, Manitoba, Nevada, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. “This agreement is the next step in our multi-decade partnership with Ballard and a key component in advancing our leading fuel cell bus offerings,” said NFI Executive Vice President, Supply Management David White. “By working with Ballard across numerous bus products in multiple jurisdictions, we have been able to leverage best practices and generate design, engineering and sourcing synergies. With growing demand for fuel cell buses, we are excited to continue this partnership as we drive the transition to zero-emission transportation.”
4 • National Bus Trader / February, 2024
“We are proud NFI (and subsidiaries New Flyer, Alexander Dennis and MCI) has chosen Ballard as their committed partner for the next phase of growth in the fuel cell bus market,” said David Mucciacciaro, Ballard chief commercial officer. “We believe New Flyer is well positioned to deliver deployment scale volumes of fuel cell buses, particularly
Equipment News in the U.S. market, where operators increasingly prefer hydrogen fuel cell-powered buses for their range, short refueling times, high availability and cost-effective infrastructure requirements.” Alexander Dennis’ First Double-Deck Transit Buses to Spokane Transit Alexander Dennis will supply seven Enviro500 double-deck buses to Spokane Transit Authority (STA), marking the first double-deck transit buses in Spokane, Washington and its surrounding urban areas. The buses will be built in the United States as part of the recently announced partnership between Alexander Dennis and Big Rig Manufacturing. The Enviro500 buses will be supported in operation by Alexander Dennis’s team and through NFI subsidiary, NFI Parts™. “Spokane Transit is thrilled to add the iconic double-deckers to our fleet,” said Spokane Transit Authority CEO E. Susan Meyer. Trans-Bridge Lines Makes Final Move to Reservations Trans-Bridge Lines motorcoach company of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, announced that it will fully operate under a reservations system which began December 18, 2023. All trips offer passengers a confirmed bus for the travel date and time booked. “We are excited to move our Allentown/Clinton/New York schedules to the reservation system on the 18th,” says Jim JeBran, president/treasurer of TransBridge Lines. “This is our final transition in being a fully reservation-based company
As of December 18, 2023, Trans-Bridge Lines will fully operate under a passenger reservation system. On that day, Trans-Bridge moved its Allentown/Clinton, New York schedules to their new reservation system, completing the transition to a fully reservation-based company. Details are available on the company Web site at www.transbtigelines.com.
and it is the first time in our history that we will function completely with reservations.” The company, which has run with a firstcome, first-served model, will now provide passengers with the security of knowing that a seat on the bus is saved for them. Customers will no longer need to arrive extra early to secure their place in line for boarding. When a bus run reaches full capacity, sales for that route will no longer be open for booking or another bus may be added to accommodate more passengers, dependent upon motorcoach drivers and bus availability.
Alexander Dennis is providing seven Enviro500 double-deck buses to Spokane Transit Authority. These will be the first double-deck transit buses in Spokane and the surrounding area. The buses will be built in the United States through the Alexander Dennis partnership with Big Rig Manufacturing.
“Giving our riders a dependable and fluid travel experience is what we know is best for the future,” says JeBran. “Reservations are an industry-wide move that most bus companies have already made or are in the process of converting to. It is now the standard for bus travel.” “With this move, we are better able to track and predict travel trends,” says Mark Ertel, vice president of operations. “We now have the tools to better plan for heavier used routes and holiday travel.” In addition to confirmed seating, the company continues to work closely with their technology vendor, Transcor Data Services, to provide system enhancements specifically geared for their passengers’ needs. “We have the advantage of working with the TDS team on this smart platform,” JeBran said, “They allow the functionality of making precise adjustments to our system or to add completely new features that our customers request. We are encouraged in knowing we will always have that flexibility and our technology will always be up-to-date.” Trans-Bridge Lines encourages passengers to create online accounts in order to manage their own travel experiences in purchasing and rescheduling tickets, using credits and storing payment methods. Passengers will also still have the choice to buy tickets online or visit any of the company’s authorized ticket agent locations. National Bus Trader / February, 2024 • 5
Equipment News MCI Delivers to Oleta Coach Lines MCI proudly delivered a new cleandiesel J4500 motorcoach to Virginia’s Oleta Coach Lines. By adding this customized motorcoach, featuring top-tier luxury amenities and safety systems to its fleet, Oleta Coach Lines will provide customers with an unparalleled passenger experience while delivering comfortable, safe and reliable transportation.
Based in Williamsburg, Virginia, Oleta is a family-owned and operated business offering executive and wedding services, group tours and charters and school, airport and convention shuttles across 48 states in the U.S. as well as Canada. Greyhound, FlixBus and Trailways Forge Strategic Alliance to Provide Customers More Travel Options Greyhound, North America’s largest provider of intercity bus transportation, in
Oleta Coach Lines of Williamsburg, Virginia recently took delivery of a new, clean-diesel J4500 coach. The company offers executive and wedding services, group tours and charters as well as school, airport and convention shuttles into 48 states as well as Canada. MCI’s popular J4500 model delivers comfortable, safe and reliable transportation.
partnership with FlixBus, recently announced a strategic alliance with Trailways. This new partnership will add hundreds of Greyhound and FlixBus destinations to Trailways.com and Trailways.ca giving even more access to customers searching for convenient, comfortable and affordable bus travel. Beginning January 16, Trailways customers can buy tickets for Greyhound and FlixBus trips, with travel dates starting January 23, and beyond. “The Trailways alliance reaffirms Flix North America, Inc.’s commitment to partnering across the industry and delivering even more affordable travel options for customers,” said Kai Boysan, CEO of Flix North America, Inc. “We will continue to work with our partners throughout the country to elevate travel and nurture further growth. Trailways shares this vision, recognizing the power of collaboration and the benefit that the Flix platform unlocks in building a brighter future for travelers and the industry.” Greyhound and FlixBus currently connect thousands of communities and serve more than 2,300 destinations across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Trailways is the largest and oldest network of independent motorcoach operators in North America, and offers safe, affordable and eco-friendly transportation for groups and regularly scheduled city-to-city service.
FlixBus, Greyhound and Trailways recently entered into an alliance to provide customers with more travel options. Trailways web sites will offer Greyhound and FlixBus trips after January 23, 2024. Greyhound and FlixBus serve more than 2,300 destinations in the United States.
“This is an historic moment for Trailways. Connectivity is the backbone of North America and a critical piece of this partnership. By working in concert with one another and interlining our inventory, we’ll create hundreds of new routes that were previously unavailable,” said Alex Berardi, president of Trailways. Trailways customers looking for information about service, schedules, arrival and departure times and fares are encouraged to visit Trailways.com or Trailways.ca. Greyhound and FlixBus customers can find tickets at Greyhound.com, FlixBus.com or through the Greyhound and FlixBus apps.
6 • National Bus Trader / February, 2024
Keolis Reinforces Its Presence in the USA On January 1, Keolis began operating and maintaining a bus service in the East Valley of metro Phoenix for Valley Metro. Under the four-year contract, Keolis will carry more than 1.5 million passengers a year on the 30 fixed, express and circulator serving the cities of Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler, Fountain Hills, Gilbert and Mesa (Arizona), using a fleet of 300 natural gas buses and 650 bus operators.
Equipment News The group has also been awarded a fiveyear contract by the CapMetro transport authority to operate and maintain a bus network in Austin, Texas. Since January 1, Keolis has been operating 25 bus routes, including 12 dedicated to the University of Texas, with 530 vehicles (including 20 electrics) and 900 drivers.
The award of these two contracts marks the end of a prolific year for Keolis in the United States, with the renewal of its contract in Foothill (California) until 2027 and the award of a contract in Orange County (OCTA) (California). At Foothill, the group operates a fleet of 147 vehicles that already run on alternative energies and will ensure the full commissioning of 33 hydrogen-
Keolis was recently awarded a five-year contract by CapMetro to operate and maintain a bus network in Austin, Texas. Involved are 25 bus routes, 430 vehicles and 900 drivers.
powered buses, making it the largest hydrogen-powered fleet in the country. Nineteen buses have already been added to the fleet in 2023. In Orange County, Keolis operates almost 40 percent of the routes linking Santa Ana to Newport Beach and Irvine, a total of 209 vehicles.
Since January 1, 2024, Keolis has been operating and maintaining bus service in the East Valley of metro Phoenix for Valley Metro involving 30 routes, 300 buses and 650 operators.
National Bus Trader / February, 2024 • 7
Equipment News These two new contracts, with a combined turnover of 215 M€ per year, increase Keolis’ presence in the United States, where it has been operating since 2010. The group, which operates commuter rail, bus shuttle, on-demand transport and transport services for those with reduced mobility on behalf of 13 transit authorities in eight states, employs nearly 8,000 people in these countries. NFI Displays Its Innovative Transit Technology at the VIC NFI recently welcomed California’s Santa Rosa CityBus (CityBus) to its state-of-the-art innovation lab – the Vehicle Innovation Center (VIC). The VIC team and Regional Sales Manager New Flyer and MCI Derek White, hosted the CityBus team, providing a hands-on experience of NFI’s innovative mobility solutions through the VIC’s interactive presentations and cutting-edge technology displays. Visiting the VIC is one step in CityBus’ continuous zero emissions journey in transitioning its fleet to all-electric by 2040. During the twoday visit, the CityBus team gained valuable insights into NFI’s zero-emission bus manufacturing, advanced hydrogen technology, connected technology, workforce development and NFI Infrastructure Solutions™ services – all of NFI’s comprehensive mobility solutions offerings to support successful fleet conversion to zero emissions. The VIC visit was followed by a New Flyer Anniston manufacturing facility tour, allowing the CityBus team to experience the production process of New Flyer’s advanced battery-electric buses. Contact VIC@nfigroup.com to explore options to visit the VIC, North America’s first and only innovation lab. Lamers Bus Lines Expands Its Coach Fleet with a New J4500 Lamers Bus Lines keeps rolling with MCI. For more than 15 years, Lamers Bus Lines has trusted MCI’s proven motorcoach technology, a relationship that continues with MCI’s latest delivery of a new luxury J4500 coach. This delivery marks a milestone of more than 40 MCI coaches proudly delivered to Lamers Bus Lines since 2008. Based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Lamers Bus Lines is a premier transportation company that boasts 39 service locations and has been serving its communities since 1944. PSTA and Gillig Drive into 2024 with New Electric Buses Gillig, America’s leading manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses, celebrates the start of a new and greener year alongside the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) as they introduce the first six of 62 Gillig battery-electric buses. 8 • National Bus Trader / February, 2024
Staff from Santa Rosa CityBus recently visited the NFI Vehicle Information Center in Anniston, Alabama. They had a hands-on experience including NFI’s mobility solutions, interactive presentations and cutting-edge technology displays. This group from California also visited the New Flyer manufacturing facility in Anniston to see how battery-electric buses are built.
PSTA, recognized as the American Public Transit Association’s Outstanding Agency of the Year in 2023, will start the new year with this rollout, marking a meaningful milestone in PSTA’s dedicated journey toward creating a more sustainable, equitable and environmentally-friendly public transportation system for Pinellas County. PSTA’s five-year contract with Gillig for 62 battery-electric buses, awarded in late
2022, reflects PSTA’s ongoing dedication to modernizing and enhancing public transit, a vital initiative in their region, which is the most densely populated region in Florida. Brad Miller, CEO of PSTA, commented on the milestone: “For over three decades, our collaboration with Gillig has been instrumental in offering safe, reliable and now zero-emission sustainable transit options to
Lamers Bus Lines recently took delivery of another new MCI J4500 coach. This marks more than 40 MCI coaches acquired by Lamers since 2008. Based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Lamers has a history going back to 1944 and now has 39 service locations.
Equipment News our community. With the launch of Gillig’s battery-electric buses, we’re taking a major step in our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship. These buses represent a key move towards an even more sustainable and equitable future for PSTA, and we are excited to start the new year with these new zero-emission buses.”
This first wave of buses and the additional 56 to be built and delivered over the next four years will replace older dieselfueled models that are aging out of the PSTA fleet. PSTA estimates they will save approximately 11 million gallons of diesel fuel over the lifetime of the buses by replacing them with these battery-powered counterparts, significantly reducing emis-
Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority recently introduced the first six of 62 battery-electric buses from Gillig. The original contract for 62 buses was awarded in 2022 and will replace older diesel buses. PSTA currently operates 88 Gillig hybrid buses, Florida’s largest fleet of hybrids.
sion and improving air quality throughout Pinellas County. With PSTA already operating 88 Gillig hybrid buses in Florida’s largest fleet of hybrids, adding Gillig battery-electric, zeroemission buses is a natural progression in their ongoing efforts to foster sustainable public transportation in Pinellas County. Built on Gillig’s same proven low-floor platform as the Gillig hybrids, the new buses will seamlessly integrate into PSTA’s existing fleet, maintaining the durability and quality PSTA has come to expect from their Gillig buses. However, these new 40-foot buses are solely powered by ultra-high-capacity batteries, boasting a substantial 686 kWh of onboard energy storage for extended range on a single charge. Having earned the industry’s top performance, safety and reliability testing scores, these new battery-electric buses will provide reliable, quiet and zero-emission service for PSTA’s daily operations. PSTA’s investment also includes 15 ChargePoint chargers, purchased through Gillig’s Charging Solutions team which provides wraparound support to ensure a smooth transition to hybrid buses.
A recent ribbon-cutting ceremony in Oklahoma City introduced the region’s first bus rapid transit service. Nine low-emission NFI Xcelsior® CNG buses will be operated by Embark on the new RAPID Northwest route. The buses are equipped with luxury seating and amenities to provide an advanced passenger experience.
The enduring partnership between PSTA and Gillig, and this newest collaboration, underscores how transit agencies trust Gillig to be an adaptable leader, building transit solutions that are the right fit for the communities they will service. With their aggressive goal of eliminating all diesel buses from their fleet in the next decade, PSTA’s dedication to sustainability and their investment in Gillig’s battery-electric buses as their zeroemission solution will be a model for the growing change towards electrifying public transportation in the United States. Gillig is dedicated to partnering with transit agencies like PSTA as they drive America forward while keeping their communities connected with sustainable, effective and reliable public transit solutions. New Flyer Powers Oklahoma City’s First BRT Service Recently, New Flyer joined EMBARK and Oklahoma City’s ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch the RAPID – the region’s first bus rapid transit (BRT) service. The RAPID Northwest BRT route is proudly powered by nine low-emission, high-performance Xcelsior® CNG buses equipped with luxury seating and amenities to provide an advanced passenger experience. Congratulations to EMBARK and Oklahoma City on this milestone in providing their communities with cleaner, quieter and more efficient transportation.
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Equipment News With more than 25 years of innovating CNG technology, New Flyer has delivered more than 14,000 CNG buses to transit agencies across the United States and Canada. ADL Receives First Order for Enviro100EV Electric Bus Alexander Dennis named Scottish Shuttle Buses the first bus company to order its
recently launched next-generation Enviro100EV electric bus.
ment and passenger comfort as a bigger bus.
The zero-emission Enviro100EV has been designed from the ground up to meet the specific requirements of bus operation in the UK and Ireland. At just 8.5 meters long and 2.35 meters wide, it fits tight streets in housing estates and narrow country lanes that larger buses cannot reach while offering the same engineering quality, work environ-
Shuttle Buses Managing Director Ross Granger said: “We were very impressed by the Enviro100EV at the recent launch, particularly as it builds on Alexander Dennis’s experience in designing electric buses and operators’ experience running them. We’re confident that it will meet our need for a small EV with sensible range. We were the first Scottish operator of the classic Enviro200 back in 2006 and we’re delighted to be returning to Alexander Dennis and trailblazing the Enviro100EV.”
Scottish Shuttle Buses became the first bus company to order the new Alexander Dennis next-generation Enviro100EV electric bus. This small bus has a length of about 28 feet and a width of 92.5 inches that is ideal for tight streets, housing estates and narrow roads. Scottish Shuttle Buses was the first operator of the classic Alexander Dennis Enviro200 when it was introduced in 2006.
Yucatán in Mexico to Receive 32 100 Percent Electric Buses from Irizar Irizar e-mobility is diving into the international market and they will supply 32 100 percent electric zero-emissions buses to the state of Yucatán. The first units were put into operation on December 30, 2023 in the Va-y-Ven public transport system. It should be pointed out that the route will be 100 percent electric, unique in Latin America and the first in the entire Southeast of the country. The route where the vehicles will operate will transport more than 500,000 passengers a week. This is a pioneering project for the Mexican state, which will connect the Tren Maya terminal, Umán, Kanasin, the UADY engineering school and Teya with the Plancha park in Mérida using 100 percent electric routes.
Irizar is providing 32 electric buses to the state of Yucatán in Mexico. The Irizar ie tram buses will connect the Tren Maya terminal, Umán, Kanasin, the UADY Engineering School and Teya with the Plancha Park in Mérida. These are the first electric buses to go into operation in the Southeast of the country.
The model chosen was the Irizar ie tram, which is the company’s most emblematic bus that stands apart because ot its avantgarde design, low noise levels and its luminosity, safety, accessibility and high degree of personalization. It is a bus that is revolutionizing electromobility in cities. The official presentation ceremony for the first ie tram units took place December 13, 2023 at the IE-TRAM station located inside the Grand Parque de La Plancha in Mérida in Mexico. Governor Mauricio Vila Dosal; The head of the Yucatan Transportation Agency Lic. Rafael Hernandez Kotasek; General Director of Irizar e-mobility Iñigo Etxeberria and Commercial Director of Irizar e-mobility Iñigo Azcona all attended the event. In the words of Governor Mauricio Vila Dosal, “With these vehicles, 750 new units will be incorporated into the Va-y-Ven public transportation system, which will help to make transfers faster, as well as to improve and maintain the quality of public transportation service for our citizens.” At the ceremony General Director of Irizar e-mobility Exteberria noted, “At the National Bus Trader / February, 2024 • 11
Equipment News Irizar Group we’re going to make the most of the convergence of business channels already established in Mexico to give our full support to this project and thus become leaders in Latin America.” Exteberria wanted to express gratitude to the Yucatán government for their trust. “It’s a very important project for us, because it’s the first time we’ll be implementing our electromobility solutions beyond the Euro-
pean market. It’s a challenge we’re taking on with a lot of enthusiasm and we hope to be able to contribute to improving the quality of life for people in the Yucatán with it,” he added. The vehicles will be 12 meters long and they will have three doors, 33 seats (four will be for PRM), one wheelchair area, a ramp for disabled people and they will be able to hold
BYD recently began delivering the first batch of 20 electric buses to Mexico City Metrobus. The buses will operate on Line 4 which is 35 kilometers (22 miles) long and has 40 stations. These low-floor buses are about 49 feet long and have three axles.
Ebusco is providng the first electric buses for Verkehrsbetreib in Potsdam, Germany. Included in the order are 10 model 3.0 39-foot buses and 13 model 3.0 59-foot articulated buses. The company has a fleet of 59 buses and transports more than 30 milion passengers annually.
up to 80 passengers. They will have the option for inverted pantograph opportunity charging or in-garage charging with Combo 2 outlets. These routes and units will be operated by MOBILITY ADO, a Mexican company with operations in several countries. With the goal of improving safety and guaranteeing passengers have a comfortable ride, the buses will have cameras to replace the rearview mirrors that increase forward, side and rear visibility. BYD Delivers First Batch of Electric Buses to Mexico Recently, BYD Mexico delivered the first batch of 20 electric buses in Mexico City Metrobús, putting them into operation. This collaboration involves a total of 55 pure electric buses, marking the largest electric bus fleet delivered in a single shipment in Mexico thus far. Dr. Marti Batres Guadarrama, head of Government of Mexico City; Andrés Lajous Leoza, secretary of Mobility of Mexico City; Rosario Castro Escorcia, general director of the Mexico City Metrobús; Alberto Adib Carrera, institutional promotion executive of Nacional Financiera, Adrián Escamilla, CCA executive director, Airport Center Corridor, Rafael Burgos, director of Enel X, and Ray Zou, country manager of BYD Mexico, attended the delivery ceremony. The buses will be put into operation on Mexico City’s Line 4, helping the city realize a green transportation transition. Mexico City Line 4 is 35 kilometers long, with 40 stations, and will meet the daily commuting needs of about 120,000 passengers every day. The 55 BYD electric buses in operation will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 5,845 tons per year compared to traditional fuel vehicles, contributing to the improvement of air quality in Mexico City. 23 Ebusco 3.0 Buses for Stadtwerke Potsdam Ebusco, a pioneer and frontrunner in the development of electric buses, charging systems and energy storage, has signed a contract with Verkehrsbetrieb Potsdam (ViP) for 10 Ebusco 3.09 12-meter buses and 13 Ebusco 3.0 18-meter buses. The 12-meter buses will feature a low floor, three doors and will be powered by a battery pack exceeding 350 kWh. In addition the 18meter (59-foot) buses will be equipped with four doors and a battery pack surpassing 500 kWh. Notably, each bus will be equipped with a pantograph, setting them apart from any other Ebusco 3.0 bus. The buses are scheduled to commence service in 2025 and will operate in the Potsdam area.
12 • National Bus Trader / February, 2024
ViP manages a fleet of 59 buses and transports more than 30 million passengers annually. Stadtwerke Potsdam and ViP have com-
Equipment News mitted to a gradual reduction of the 5,000 tons of CO2 emission resulting from bus transportation, with the goal of achieving emission-free operation by 2031. To accomplish this goal, the first step has been taken by placing this order of 23 Ebusco 3.0 buses. Ebusco and ViP have together shaped an infrastructure based on pantograph charging. Therefore, this will be the first time Ebusco will apply a pantograph to the 3.0 model. Although this is a debut for the Ebusco 3.0 model, the pantograph itself is a well-known concept that has already been successfully implemented on many Ebusco 2.2 models for several years. Patrick Oosterveld, sales director of Ebusco, comments: “Ebusco has consistently played an important role in facilitating the initial adoption of electric buses. We are thrilled to continue contributing our wealth of knowledge and experience, playing a significant part in the successful implementation of electric buses. Through collaborative efforts with ViP, we’ve devised a solution that seamlessly enables their transition to an all-electric operation, and we eagerly anticipate the positive impact of this transition.” Victory Liner Introduces Luxurious Volvo B8R Buses in the Philippines Victory Liner, one of Manila’s leading bus operators with a fleet of more than 1,200 buses, has reached a significant milestone in its fleet upgrade with the delivery of 10 state-of-the-art Volvo B8R buses bodied by THACO Group in Vietnam. In celebration of its 78th anniversary, Victory Liner has unveiled the Royal Class
Sleeper Bus Lines, a groundbreaking addition to the history of travel in Luzon. Marivic del Polar, the president of Victory Liner, shared the inspiration behind this remarkable venture, stating, “We introduce our Royal Class bus line, designed to make a grand comeback from the pandemic. With travelers becoming more selective, we asked them about their dream road trips and created the perfect solution – the Royal Class edition.” The Royal Class features the best-inclass Volvo B8R coaches, equipped with the latest Volvo D8C Euro 5 engine (330 hp) for optimal performance. Each bus offers 28 passenger suites and one crew bed, ensuring a comfortable and luxurious journey for all on board. Its cutting-edge safety features, including Volvo’s Electronic Stability Program (EPS) set the Royal Class apart. This advanced technology proactively prevents skidding and loss of control by constantly monitoring vehicle speed, steering angles and wheel speeds. In the event of instability, the ESP automatically applies brakes to specific wheels and adjusts engine power, ensuring the driver maintains control and guarantees paramount safety on every journey. With Victory Liner’s Royal Class, trips from Manila going to Baguio, Tabuk and Tuguegarao become effortless and unforgettable. Embark on long journeys and disembark feeling rejuvenated and pampered. The Royal Class truly stands in a class of its own, offering a remarkable travel experience that combines luxury, comfort and utmost safety.
Victory Liner in Manila in the Philippines recently acquired some interesting Volvo B8R buses for special service. Each of the buses offers 28 passenger suites and one crew bed to provide a luxurious journey for Royal Class service. Schedules will connect Manila with Baguio, Tabuk and Tugegarao.
14 • National Bus Trader / February, 2024
Robbie Torres, president of Autodelta, Volvo Buses’ local distributor in the Philippines, expressed his pride in the partnership with Victory Liner, stating, “Continuing our close collaboration with Victory Liner to build up on their innovation and the remarkable evolution to Philippine transportation for the past 78 years. We’ve been able to problemsolve together and show Victory Liner that we’re in it for the long term – from conception to whole lifecycle – my team has been on the ground to work through this sleeper bus project with the Victory Line and Volvo Buses. It’s another excellent example of what true business partnership means to us here at Autodelta.” APAC North Director Emmanuel Jupet shared, “The Philipines hold a special place in Volvo Buses’ heart, and we are dedicated to providing exceptional service, building strong relationships and contributing to the growth and prosperity of this beautiful country. We are proud to be a part of the Philippines automotive industry together with Autodelta and look forward to collaborating with our customers and partners to achieve new milestones together.” q
Cumberland Valley Drone Photography Stefan Aleo, Drone Pilot 860-326-6736 or stefan.aleo@gmail.com FAA Part 107 licensed & insured Marketing, Real Estate, Property Surveys
Bus Roadeos Can Improve Safety
by Laura Dickerson Photos courtesy of On Your Mark Transportation Bus roadeo events are increasingly being viewed as a positive step towards improving safety. Bus insurance professionals look at companies with consistent driver training programs and driver roadeos in a favorable light. In addition to the positive safety features of a bus roadeo, the event can also be a great team building opportunity for the company.
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or companies operating in the motorcoach and bus industry, safety is quite obviously the number one priority. Safety concerns start with ensuring that all equipment is operating as intended and requires companies to complete routine equipment checks and updates as new technology is released. In addition, companies must also ensure that all drivers are properly trained and tested to handle all situations they might encounter while behind the wheel. This does not stop after the initial hiring test. It is critical for companies to incorporate regular road testing and safety training initiatives into their driver safety programs.
According to Bob Crescenzo, a consultant for Lancer Insurance, “Lancer Insurance Company views companies that participate in consistent driver training programs, such as driver roadeos in a positive light. These initiatives demonstrate a commitment to managing risk, developing driver skills and improving safety and compliance within the bus company’s operations. Every driver training program should incorporate continuous training opportunities for drivers at all skill levels. 16 • National Bus Trader / February, 2024
The program should be based on an understanding of current claims, incidents, geographic locations, venue locations and route challenges/risks. It is important to offer several training options, and a roadeo is one effective way to assess and hone driving skills. Its also vital to document any training efforts to communicate your company’s safety culture to your insurance broker, carrier and possibly a jury in the event of a claim.”
As companies consider incorporating all of these aspects into their driver safety program, one strategy that stands out as a unique opportunity to test drivers and enhance skills is a “Bus Roadeo.” In this scenario, the company would have all drivers participate in a driver roadeo. A course would be set up to test various driver skills. Throughout the event, each driver takes a written test as well as completing the road course. At the conclusion of the roadeo, each driver receives a score that highlights which skills need attention and further training.
Crescenzo confirmed, “The most common claims are sideswipe and rear-end collisions, followed by turning accidents. Therefore, some possible stations that Lancer
would consider important to include in a driver roadeo would be backing, turning and parking (closeness to the object). I would also add a mirror adjustment category and a height of vehicle management station to the standard stations.” While planning an effective roadeo takes considerable time and attention to detail to ensure all of these important aspects are included, it is well worth the investment.
On Your Mark Transportation, LLC recently conducted a driver roadeo for Astro Travel and Tours at the Tallahassee Community College Campus parking lot. Astro Travel and Tours President and CEO Matt Brown found, “This course that Mark and his team set up was just phenomenal. The attention to detail regarding exact placements of cones, barrels and other obstacles made the course super challenging, but also fun for our team to try to navigate each obstacle. Some drivers laughed and some got frustrated, but overall, it was just a fantastic team building experience. I will say that this event really highlighted our need to focus on right hand turning and tail swing. So, moving into the new year, we will certainly incorporate more focus on these two areas during our onboarding period.”
In addition, Kurt Woodward who helped organize the event internally stated, “I received nothing but positive feedback throughout the day. I also have received calls from our drivers today. All of them are begging for another shot at the course now that they’ve run it. Quite a few drivers commented on the written exam. It was eye opening for a few to revisit the rules and best practices that come along with being a professional motorcoach operator. We had some really great moments after the pre-trip exam, when some of our more experienced drivers were able to show some of our newer team members how they approached that portion of the test. Great team building opportunity.The main topic of discussion amongst the drivers was the level of difficulty on the course. They were impressed, honestly. And all of them thoroughly enjoyed the challenge.”
To help offset some of the costs of hosting this training event, the United Motorcoach Association provided a trailer with all materials needed to implement the driver roadeo. As a member of UMA, a national association of motorcoach operators, Astro Travel and Tours was eligible to borrow the trailer which has everything from barrels and cones to measuring tapes, pencils and clipboards. The trailer and all the contents were originally donated to the United Motorcoach Association by Krapf Coaches from West Chester, Pennsylvania. This trailer is open to any state or regional motorcoach association or any UMA member company upon request and permission of the UMA.
President and CEO of United Motorcoach Association Scott Michael encourages,
Much of the success of bus roadeos is based on good preparation. The course layout must be set properly and double-checked while measurements must be precise. Getting someone experienced with setting up, laying out and managing bus roadeos can be a major factor in their success.
“Companies or associations who want to host their own driver roadeo to reach out to UMA or to other groups who have hosted similar events for assistance. Thanks to the generosity of Krapf Coaches, UMA has a trailer with all the equipment necessary to support a driver competition, and we allow members and partners to borrow the equipment for their own event.”
This photo was taken during the recent bus roadeo held during the Midwest Bus and Motorcoach Association’s Annual Convention in Branson, Missouri. Several people commented that this particular roadeo was interesting because of the lack of flat land in the Branson area. As a result, many of the maneuvers were taking place while going uphill or downhill.
One of the reasons for increased interest in bus roadeos lately is that Dale Krapf of Krapf Coaches donated a trailer with roadeo equipment to the United Motorcoach Association that is available to members for their bus roadeos. Here is a look inside the trailer showing the equipment provided.
While taking the time to set up an event such as this requires an investment up-front, Brown says, “As the company’s owner, I truly feel that the most important asset we can and should invest in is our people. These operators are tasked with driving $600,000 vehicles with 56 passengers on board into cities, tourist attractions and stadiums, so training and practice should be of the utmost importance.”
On Your Mark Transportation, LLC has been doing driver training since its inception in 2012. However, company owner and founder, Mark Szyperski, has been doing driver training programs back to the 1980s. The company has put on driver roadeos from the company level to state and regional association events to the International Driver Skills Competition for the United Motorcoach Association. According to Mark, “Companies are looking for skilled and talented drivers. Rather than always recruiting new drivers, companies can invest in their current staff and help with retention by doing fun events such as driver competitions.”
Not only can companies host internal driver roadeos, there are additional opportunities for companies to send their drivers to compete at state and regional association events as well as the International Driver Skills Competition that is conducted each year at the United Motorcoach Association National roadeo.
According to Scott Michael, “The International Driver Competition at the UMA National Bus Trader / February, 2024• 17
Motorcoach EXPO is an incredible honor for participants to be recognized by their peers as among the best of the best in our industry. The winning competitors have passed a written knowledge test demonstrating their understanding of safe driving rules and have also mastered a behind-the-wheel skills test navigating a complicated course.”
Another notable event that takes place each year is the Midwest Bus and Motorcoach Association’s Annual Convention. This year, Timi’s Tours was one of the sponsors of the “driver roadeo.” Vice President of Timi’s Tours Jack Kaufman said, “These events are not only a great way for drivers to sharpen their skills, but it is also an awesome team building experience. It provides the opportunity to practice skills you may not encounter every day, and to refine those that you do encounter more frequently.”
When asked if anything surprised him regarding the results of the roadeo, Kaufman said “Well, I was "voluntold" to run the course myself, which was a bit humbling. The skills you are put through are certainly challenging. This year having the event in Branson, Missouri added an additional layer of difficulty, there are no flat parking lots in Branson, so maneuvers were taking place while going uphill or downhill, which is a real world obstacle, but made the cones and markers a lot harder to chase down if they were hit.”
Executive Director of Midwest Bus and Motorcoach Association Cherie Hime, who helps plan the roadeo event each year at the convention shared feedback from the most
Cherie Hime (left), the executive director of the Midwest Bus and Motorcoach Association poses with the winners of the bus roadeo at their Annual Convention in Branson, Missouri. From left to right: First Place Winner Andy Grecian of Windstar Lines, Second Place Winner Trent Stange of Compass Coach and Third Place Winner Aaron Hoke of Compass Coach.
recent event. “The companies and drivers really enjoy the bus roadeo with the ability to practice driving skills for situations they may encounter and a reminder of the rules of the road. The impact is a win-win for all, and we've had many return the next year,” he said.
This type of “real world” experience is critical to determining how to move forward as a company that prioritizes driver
safety. Both new and experienced drivers can benefit from driver roadeos. According to Szyperski, “When you hold a driver roadeo, you can see company-wide what skills are lacking in what drivers. You can go back later and work specifically on those skills, such as parallel parking, backing or turning.” Following the event, your company should provide training programs that are tailored to the skills each driver needs to improve. q
Timi’s Tours was one of the sponsors of the bus roadeo at the Midwest Bus and Motorcoach Association’s Annual Convention. Vice President Jack Kaufman ran the course himself and found it to be “humbling.” It is a great way to find out where drivers need help and practice.
18 • National Bus Trader / February, 2024
CAVForth: The Pioneer Autonomous Bus Route by Larry Plachno
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Photos courtesy of Alexander Dennis unless otherwise credited
Launched in May of 2023, the CAVForth AB1 bus route in Scotland is credited with being the first full-size autonomous bus operation on conventional roadways. It operates from a park-and-ride lot to a multimodel station on the west side of Edinburgh. Operating in AV Level 4, the bus runs on its own with a driver monitoring operations.
ould it be possible to list major milestones in the bus industry? If it were up to me I would include developing the first chassis for buses followed by integral construction and rear engines – both of which came at about the same time. From there I would include moving to diesel engines. There might also be some merit to include the combination of power steering, restrooms, air ride suspension and air conditioning that also appeared almost simultaneously. It would be difficult to include width and length increases as milestones. However, I do suggest that developing a reliable autonomous full-size bus route should be included as a modern milestone. Here is some of the background behind the pioneering CAVForth autonomous bus route.
While autonomous automobiles have been tested and on the road in several locations, autonomous full-size buses have been slow to evolve into regular traffic. There have been several examples of smaller pods with greater or lessor success. In addition, 20 • National Bus Trader / February, 2024
we have been examples of shuttle buses on private roads or parking lots. Mercedes-Benz even ran a full-size bus on a private busway to Schiphol Airport near Amsterdam with the press on board. It was impressive but did not really get out into regular traffic.
Some people suggest that interest in autonomous vehicles increased with the Greenwich Project in 2018. Led by the United Kingdom’s Transport Research Laboratory, autonomous pods were sent on a 3.4-kilometer route along the River Thames in the quiet London borough of Greenwich. Each pod contained two benches for passengers and an “engineer” in the corner who monitored the pod’s progress.
A major part of the project was determining public reaction to riding along without a driver. Reactions varied. Tourists would stop to take pictures. Many local residents simply ignored the pods. Some people got so relaxed around the pods that they started to walk in front of them. The final tally showed that 43 percent of the passengers
felt positive about the autonomous vehicles while 11 percent were negative. The remainder were undecided or were worried about hacking or road safety.
By this time both bus builder Alexander Dennis and bus operator Stagecoach developed an interest in looking to see how to make autonomous operation work with a full-size bus. Both were willing to invest time and money into the project. They partnered with Fusion Processing, a company that had developed the CAVstar® control and sensing system that was already up and running in a range of vehicles. The CAV designation comes from “Connected and Autonomous Vehicles.” From the start it was decided to use the 12-meter (39-foot) Alexander Dennis Enviro200 diesel-powered, single-deck bus. This is the most popular single-deck bus model in the UK and the ones used in autonomous service can carry up to 42 passengers. The initial plan was that Fusion Processing would install their CAVstar control, as well as Lidar, a suite of cameras and radar
on the bus. Then, Stagecoach would test it on their private property at one of their depots. Evaluations would include autonomous operations at the fueling pump, wash rack and parking.
However, even before the initial bus tests could get underway, the CAVForth project was announced in November of 2018. The UK Government came up with funding of £4.35 million plus additional money from Stagecoach, Transport Scotland, Alexander Dennis, Fusion Processing and ESP Group. New partners in the project included Transport Scotland, Edinburgh Napier University and Bristol Robotics Laboratory.
The CAVForth project would put the autonomous buses on a 14-mile shuttle bus route from a big park-and-ride lot north of the Forth River to a multi-modal rail, tram and bus station on the west side of Edinburgh. Located on the east side of Scotland, Edinburgh has a population of more than 500,000 and is the second-largest city in Scotland. It is approximately 400 miles north of London. There was no existing service on the proposed CAVForth route and it would obviously encourage drivers to park their car and ride public transportation into Edinburgh. It is interesting to note that these early announcements suggested that trials could begin as early as 2019.
Part of the CAVForth project included testing the autonomous bus. A series of technical trials was scheduled for March of 2019 at the Stagecoach Sharpston Depot in Manchester. The list of procedures included autonomous parking in a specific place, driving in the depot property and driving
CAVForth buses operate in AV Level 4. While the bus runs on its own, a driver is in place to monitor operations. An additional staff member, called a “captain,” rides on the bus to take tickets and answer questions.
through the bus wash. The bus would again face another trial in November of 2019 at the CAV Scotland Conference in Glasgow. All of the trials were apparently successful.
By this time plans were for Alexander Dennis to start building the autonomous buses at their plant in Guildford. Some news releases suggested that the first vehicles would go into service by 2020. However, the combination of the arrival of the pandemic as well as ongoing testing decimated
The CAVForth autonomous bus operation suffered several delays in getting started. Initial completion dates had to be set aside because of delays caused by the pandemic. Then, there was extensive testing starting off-road in a Stagecoach garage area followed by testing on the route with and without passengers.
schedules. It was not until November of 2021 that the new buses were completed by Alexander Dennis. They now became known as the Enviro200AV model. These new buses were given a special exterior livery to set them apart from the rest of the fleet, including the words “Autonomous Bus” painted on the sides. Even then, it was expected that the autonomous bus route would launch in 2022.
Putting safety first, the first trials on the route took place in April of 2022 at reduced speed and without passengers. Initial passenger-carrying trials started in January of 2023. The new route, numbered AB1, was launched on May 11, 2023 by Scottish Minister for Transport Kevin Stewart. Regular public operations began on May 15. The route has been in regular operation with the autonomous buses since. While technically a trial, the buses do run on public roads and anyone can ride. The United Kingdom government describes it as the first full-size public autonomous bus service in the world.
In addition to the special equipment from Fusion Processing provided for autonomous operation, the buses also carry additional electronics. Transport Scotland has added CCTV cameras to watch over the buses from a local control center. In addition, the bus has some connectivity with the traffic lights. The traffic signals broadcast their timing to the bus control so the bus will know in advance when the light will change and can modify speed accordingly.
The buses operate in what is known as AV Level 4 which means that while the bus operates autonomously, a driver is present in the driver’s seat while it is carrying pas-
National Bus Trader / February, 2024 • 21
sengers. Buses operate with a crew of two. One rides in the driver’s seat and monitors the bus operations. The other acts as a “captain” to take tickets and answer passenger questions. Both are qualified drivers and will alternate duties to prevent monotony.
An interesting side note is that Bristol Robotics has built a digital twin of the bus route. This is used for what is known as “hazard injection,” where the bus control system can be tested on rare risks without waiting for them to occur naturally. This effectively challenges the control system and monitors response.
Most of the bus route is either on the Forth Bridge over the Forth River or uses limited-access highways, although there are some regular streets and even a traffic circle. Essentially the entire route has regular traffic. On the north end, route AB1 starts at the Ferrytoll Park & Ride just north of the Forth River. This large park and ride lot is a joint initiative of the local Fife Council and Stagecoach and is part of the Cross Forth Transportation Plan. It was designed to reduce traffic on the Forth Road Bridge and encourage commuters to use public transportation.
Opened in November 2000 at a cost of £4.2-million, Ferrytoll has more than 1,000 free parking spaces, 28 disabled driver spaces, electric car charging points, cycle lockers and 11 pick-up and drop-off bays. A highlight is a heated waiting room with seating, toilets, vending machines, travel information and other useful items. Stagecoach runs other bus routes from Ferrytoll, but only the AB1 autonomous bus goes to Edmonton Park. Passengers board buses at the turning circle adjacent to the
The modern Edinburgh Park Station opened in 2003 as the first stop west of Edinburgh on ScotRail. Now electrified, approximately eight trains per hour serve the station including some going west to Glosgow. Some bus routes serve the station, and Edinburgh trams began serving the station in 2014. COOPYDOOD CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION 2.0.
waiting room. Buses leave via a dedicated southbound bus lane from Ferrytoll to the Forth Road Bridge where they enter regular traffic. Once across the Forth River Bridge, the CAVForth bus takes an exit and turns west entering road A904, a conventional road boarding a residential area and a farming area. Then, the buses use an inbound ramp to the limited-access M90 highway. This is followed south to Kirkliston where the CAV-
On the north, the AB1 route starts at Ferrytoll Park & Ride located just north of the Forth River. This facility is a joint project of Stagecoach and the Fife Council. It serves other Stagecoach bus routes, provides more than 1,000 free parking spaces and even has a heated waiting room.
Forth buses use a ramp to switch to highway M9, another limited acess roadway. At Newbridge, the buses exit on to the M8, another limited access highway, going east. After reaching the City of Edmonton Bypass or Ring Road, the CAVForth buses enter conventional streets and even a traffic circle before reaching the end of the line at Edinburgh Park on the west side of Edinburg.
The route is 14 miles long and takes about 20 minutes driving time since there are no intermediate stops. It is capable of providing as many as 10,000 passenger trips per week. While Edinburgh Park can boast a modern business park and the Hermiston Gait Shopping Center, the primary reason for terminating the AB1 route here is the relatively new and modern Edinburgh Park multimodal station. This new station opened in December of 2003 as the first stop west of downtown Edinburgh on ScotRail. The rail line was electrified in 2010, and the new Edinburgh Trams began serving the station in 2014.
In addition to local bus routes, connecting passengers can board the trams to ride east into downtown Edinburgh and other points on the line. You can also board a westbound tram that will take you to the airport. ScotRail has about eight trains per hour between the station and downtown Edinburgh. Westbound, there is 15-minute service on the 50-mile route west to Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland with a population of more than 630,000.
22 • National Bus Trader / February, 2024
Napier University has conducted a series of surveys to find out what people want from a self-driving bus. The three most pop-
ular answers were trust and safety, customer experience and value. While the route is geared primarily to commuters, there is an expectation that the novelty factor of the buses will encourage tourists to ride and they will also be popular with students and day trippers.
On November 17, 2023, Alexander Dennis was announced as a winner of the SelfDriving Awards 2023 along with autonomous system provider Fusion Processing and public transport operator
Stagecoach. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to developing and implementing self-driving technology across various sectors, and showcases leadership in driving innovation and fostering a future where autonomous transportation is a reality. The AB1 route has proven so successful that work has already started on enlarging the service. An additional £10.4 million has been allocated for an extension that will be named CAVForth2. This new exten-
sion will continue north from the Ferrytoll Park about six miles to Dunfermline. It will be served by autonomous diesel buses with similar equipment as those already in autonomous service. However, there are plans to use a smaller Alexander Dennis 100AEV battery-electric minibus with similar autonomous equipment for the engineering trials. All of this represents a milestone for the bus industry and a major step forward moving to autonomous buses. q
The CAVForth AB1 route is apparently the first autonomous operation to use fullsize buses on public roadways. Most of the route utilizes limitedaccess highways and the Forth bridge. However, as shown here, around Edinburgh Park Station the route operates on conventional streets.
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Driver Survey Shows Cost of Bad Ergonomics by Roger Bereton
With the shortage of bus drivers in recent years, there is increasing interest in redesigning and improving bus cockpit areas to make the job more appealing. A recent survey in the United Kingdom disclosed that improving the design of the driver’s working area could have a significant positive impact. This has become an increasingly important factor in finding and retaining bus drivers. PAILTON ENGINEERING.
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new survey from RMT Union in the United Kingdom has added weight to the argument that improved cabin design could have a significant positive impact on driver working conditions. Here, Roger Brereton examines the key findings of the RMT survey and argues that, while bus drivers will be the immediate beneficiaries of improved cabin design, investing in ergonomics could bring savings for bus operators too. 24 • National Bus Trader / February, 2024
The link between long hours behind the wheel of a bus and increased risk of musculoskeletal pain is already well-established by research. Prolonged postural stresses and vibrations from the vehicle lead to back pain, neck pain and shoulder pain for professional drivers. The possibility of an engineering solution that improves this state of affairs is something that drives many of our engineering
team at Pailton Engineering. However, we also wanted more recent data on driver working conditions to underpin our mission. By teaming up with RMT Union, one of the largest transport unions in the UK, we were able to do just that. RMT’s survey of nearly 400 bus driver members is not a scientific survey. It is, however, a large sample size that provides up to date information on working conditions in
a profession that is racked by chronic driver shortages. While most of the debate around working conditions and staff retention has focused on pay, the data from RMT clearly shows that ergonomics matters too.
Key findings More than 78 percent of respondents claimed their occupation caused them musculoskeletal complaints such as back pain, shoulder pain or neck pain. An even higher
More than three out of four respondents in the UK survey claimed that their bus driver occupation caused pain in their back, shoulder or neck. In addition, 94 percent of the respondents felt that their working conditions could be improved through improvements in the driver’s area. Almost all (95 percent) of the respondents believed the driver’s area could be designed in a more ergnomic way. PREVOST CAR.
number (94 percent) felt their working conditions could be improved or made more comfortable through the introduction of more adjustable seating, steering columns or driver dashboards. A similar percentage (95 percent) believed the driver cabin could be designed in a more ergonomic way to reduce the risk of discomfort and pain.
The survey also revealed that many drivers feel they are getting unequal treatment when compared to their peers in other professions. When asked if they felt they receive the same treatment as office workers when it comes to workplace adjustments for comfort and ergonomics, only five percent answered yes. Yet when asked if they felt bus drivers ought to get the same consideration as office workers in this area, 97 percent of respondents said yes.
Perhaps the most revealing revelation was the number of bus drivers who have had off work as a result of these poor working conditions. In answer to the question ‘‘Have you had time off work in the past year due to work-related back pain, neck pain or shoulder pain?’’ Twenty-three percent of drivers surveyed answered yes. 44
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Would you like to see an article published on your bus company? All you have to do is to take the time to provide us with the information and photos we need. Our staff can work from there. We have openings for articles in forthcoming issues.
National Bus Trader NationalBusTrader@gmail.com Or phone: (815) 946-2341
The message for operators and manufacturers The implications of this fact for bus operators and manufacturers are potentially profound. If nearly a quarter of the profession are regularly out of action due to musculoskeletal problems that are caused by poor working conditions and inadequate cabin design, then investing in improved ergonomics could save bus operators millions of dollars, as well as making a strategic contribution to the driver shortage problem.
Both bus manufacturers and operators can get ahead of the curve in anticipation of future demand. Cabins with adjustable dashboards, steering columns and improved ergonomic seating are only more expensive if you ignore the potential financial losses from increased driver sick days and chronic driver shortages. The additional cost of more expensive columns and ergonomic seating are easily offset by the savings from lower injury rates and improved staff retention.
At Pailton Engineering, we have been developing an electric steering column to offer improved ergonomics for drivers, which we showcased at Busworld in October 2023. We have also supplied the latest range of VDL Citea buses with a column that includes a unique titling head mechanism, making it the most ergonomically adjustable column on the market. As an office worker, I can expect adjustments to my workplace to reduce the risk of pain and discomfort, so why should bus drivers be treated any differently? Pailton Engineering specializes in custom steering parts and full steering systems for heavy vehicles. To find out more, visit pailton.com. q
National Bus Trader / February, 2024 • 25
Sales Training
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by Dave Millhouser
iving the dream. Standing in the aisle of a northbound Brill on Interstate 83, we were chugging up a long grade, and there was no traffic. My boss sidestepped out of the drivers seat with his foot planted on the throttle. I slid in behind him and grabbed the steering wheel, replaced his foot on gas pedal and I WAS A BUS DRIVER.
Staying on the road was tricky until I figured out that when a sticker on the bottom of the windshield was aligned with the stripe on the road, we were centered in the lane.
Truth be told, there is a big difference between being a driver – and a “wheel holder.” My sketchy ability to keep the coach centered on a wide highway was not the only skill involved in driving. Double clutching, braking and turning corners needed to be mastered. I am still working on some of that stuff.
Sometimes, in our industry, we use a similar method to train salespeople. We stick them in a seat with a telephone/computer, and show them to how to price tickets, charters and tours, then turn them loose in the marketplace. We call them salespeople, but sometimes they are the marketing version of a wheel holder – an order taker.
During the regulated era (when you sorta owned your market) some Northeastern operators answered the phone “Bus Company . . . ” based on the assumption that the customer knew who they had called, and had no other choices. With deregulation came new entries, some of whom turned out to be great at marketing, but stumbled on the operating end. The pendulum seems to have settled more in the middle, and surviving companies have learned to walk and chew gum simultaneously.
We have taken some giant technological leaps forward. Coaches offer amenities that were inconceivable years ago, and we are able to use buses more efficiently and safely than ever before. That is a great thing, but it brings to mind a couple of caveats (not Latin for a dental thing). 26 • National Bus Trader / February, 2024
Success with sales is a major factor in running a bus company today. While some people are simply order takers, today’s environment tends to favor those who put some effort into sales. This Van Galder J4500 was photographed at O’Hare International Airport while awaiting a run to Rockford, Illinois. NANCY PLACHNO.
First, why is it that we have not been better at convincing the public of that? With too few exceptions, we are generally folks’ last choice when it comes to how they get somewhere. Other than airlines’ raw speed, what do trains, planes and automobiles offer that we do not? Wi-Fi? Entertainment systems? Power outlets and comfortable ride? Wait – we are heavily invested in that stuff.
Second, would it make sense to be as diligent in teaching our staff sales skills as we have been at training employees in using new technology?
Part of the deal, in good companies, is for every worker who has even remote contact with the public to understand that they ARE salespeople. Heck you knew that, but it never hurts to remind employees that, without happy customers none of us have jobs. (Have I thanked you lately for reading my column?)
Today’s bus trips may be easier to sell because of numerous passenger amenities. Included are video monitors, electrical outlets and USB plugs as well as the traditional reclining seats and parcel racks. Training your staff in sales is always recommended. MCI.
The other part might be some sort of sales training for your folks. If your forte is operations or maintenance, there are consultants (some who specialize in the motorcoach industry) who you can engage.
If you, or others in your management team, are good at selling, you can do it yourself. Recognize that sales, like every other important discipline, needs to be learned. Some employees are naturals, engaging customers easily; for others that may require effort. In ye olden days I returned from a week of trying to sell bus parts, and my boss asked me how things had gone. I told him that the customers seemed to like me. He pointed out that the goal was selling parts, not being liked.
Engaging customers is just the first step, and it offers the opportunity to identify what they want and need from the relationship. It is critical to know how to take the next steps, and that is where training helps.
“Do you want fries with that?” is a punch line, but it is also marketing genius. It is important to try and add flavor and value to your customers’ experience, and that
In many cases, passengers are more likely to be sold on the experience rather than on the bus itself. After all, it is the travel experience that prompted them to consider a bus trip in the first place. Trained salespeople will know what sells and what does not. BURKE TOURS.
involves building a relationship in an effort to understand how you can help.
There also needs to be a sense of urgency. A quick response does two things – keeps competitors out of the equation, and signals to your client that their business is important. Trained salespeople do not have to stall while waiting for clarification from above.
Selling “value” requires training in what you do better than competitors. It also involves followup. School bus seats have twice as much padding on the back as the front for safety. Good salespeople spend extra time after the sale making sure customers are happy.
If we work at training sales people, the perception of our industry as a whole will likely improve.
Now, if I could just master right turns, I would be a driver, instead of a wheel holder, but they keep making the darn buses longer. q
Advertising works! National Bus Trader (815) 946-2341 National Bus Trader / February, 2024 • 27
Survival and Prosperity by Ned Einstein Small Contributions to Major Concerns
Freedom. The superficiality America promotes itself to have around the world. An easier con I cannot imagine. An obvious example in the motorcoach sector is our failure to regulate limits of shift inversion – which Canada, Europe and Australia employ and enforce. In contrast, we are still battling over issues related to electronic logs.
Our failure to regulate limits of shift inversion Shift inversion is not the theme of this article. It merely illustrates a broader theme that courses through our society, and which is, bit by bit, falling apart – and the world is noticing. This is certainly true of our transit service; I have written about this recently in NATIONAL BUS TRADER. The motorcoach industry is still hurting from ridership losses from COVID-19 – and from ignoring recent and past suggestions from NATIONAL BUS TRADER to take advantage of gaping opportunities.
Even in shift inversion, it is not fair to single out the motorcoach sector. While regulated at the state level (even while many trips are interstate), few states have meaningful shift limits for TNCs. Some, like California, have none – unless this has changed recently. Where hours-of-service limits are “on the books,” enforcement is barely existent: While TNC vehicles are required to have noticeably visible placards on the front and sides (or rear and sides), I do not recall ever seeing one. (Of course, I have never ridden with Lyft or Uber for reasons I have written about often in N ATIONAL B US T RADER (see https://transalt.com/article/uber-and-lyfteven-worse-than-expected/; https://transalt.com/article/bad-regulations-and-worse-responses-part-1-introduction/; https://transalt.com/article/badregulations-and-worse-responses-part-2-the -rise-fall-and-transformation-of-supershuttle/; https://transalt.com/article/bad-regulations-and-worse-responses-part-3-invasion-of-the-tncs/; https://transalt.com/ article/bad-regulations-and-worseresponses-part-4-judicial-heroism/; https://transalt.com/article/bad-regulations-and-worse-responses-part-5-execu28 • National Bus Trader / February, 2024
tive-branch-responses/; https://transalt. com/article/bad-regulations-and-worseresponses-part-6-industry-and-associationresponses/ and https:// transalt.com/article/bad-regulations-and-worse-responsespart-7-conclusions/.
TNCs are hardly alone. Taxi drivers are allowed, in most states, to operate 12 hours a day, six days a week – slightly more enforceable because of the ease and common sense of breaking a day into two pieces. In days of yore, drivers could catch a kittennap between runs or deadhead time (a bit less where service concepts repositioned vehicles between runs, to reduce response time). Longer catnaps are now possible since TNCs have reduced taxi dea¡¡dhead time to 30 to 40 percent (according to most drivers).
Transit drivers in most systems enjoy no breaks between routes because their schedules are often too tight – and almost every route in our major cities (see https://transalt.com/article/tight-schedules-part-1-the-other-achilles-heel/, and https://transalt.com/article/tight-schedules-part-3-fixed-route-transit-service-2/). Years ago, I served as an expert witness for a collection of contractors in California whose drivers have been deprived of lunch breaks, and where most schedules contained no recovery time, for five years; we settled for tens of millions.
The freedom to do whatever we want without rare consequences. These characteristics well illustrate the freedom our nation generally enjoys: The freedom to do whatever we want without rare consequences. These consequences depend largely on the rare attorney willing to seek and effect the changes. (I recently withdrew from a case that would have made AMTRAK’s rail yards safe, but where the attorney was afraid to ask for the costly remedies.) To be fair, many extremes in other nations are far more harsh. In Russia, one can go to prison for merely speaking ill of government policies. In some Middle Eastern countries,
one can have a hand chopped off for pickpocketing. Here, little things wrong are completely ignored until they explode into major problems – and only then are measures “considered,” yet rarely taken. About 10 years ago, when New York City had only 50,000 homeless residents, I tendered a solution to house half of them at no cost, and actually many benefits (see https://transalt.com/ article/making-more-money-part-10-thehomeless-bus-2/. Now the city has 125,000, and 50,000 are housed in underutilized fancy hotels (since so many former travelers now work remotely). When this smaller problem could have been addressed, it was ignored. Now it is unsolvable.
Similarly, in the heart of COVID, I suggested a solution that would have gotten students to physical school safely two days a week (see https://transalt.com/ article/getting-students-back-to-school/). Not a school in the country implemented this, admittedly, challenging solution – even while it would have created 5.5 million jobs – when we needed them.) More recently, N ATIONAL B US T RADER suggested an approach that could easily have put thousands of motorcoaches to work. This solution was also largely ignored – except by some commercial airline companies that jumped on it without any genuine changes that did not eliminate the inconvenience and discomfort of the passengers (see https://transalt.com/article/survival-andprosperity-part-1-magic-corridors/ and https://transalt.com/article/survival-andprosperity-part-2-the-magic-coach/).
Motorcoach Freedom In contrast, what sells in the Land of Freedom are motorcoaches fraught with danger and devoid of any meaningful regulations or enforcement, like the aforementioned party bus. Once in a blue moon, a dangerous new mode (that makes little operating sense) emerges only to bite the dust. This past December 20, electric scooter company Bird Rides filed for bankruptcy (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/20/bu siness/dealbook/bird-bankruptcy.html). I am hoping my expert assistance in a lawsuit against this company (Duker v. Bird Rides, CA, 2022) help sink this rocky boat just a bit.
Bad Ideas Certain To Emerge and Proliferate Numerous times in N ATIONAL B US TRADER I have mentioned that the problems
Survival and Prosperity we face lie beyond our ability to solve them. I usually see little evidence that we tried. The main theme of this article – a problem certain to come – will come first to the poor, also unsubsidized school bus sector – and only small shards of it will emerge in the motorcoach sector. The problem I speak of is an explosion of truancy. (That is right: Remember the days when one had to attend school.)
School attendance has drifted sharply from mandatory to voluntary. Educators (and a few parents) may recently have become aware of the fact that school attendance has drifted sharply from mandatory to voluntary – far from the “draconian” days of truant officers and parental punishment. “Nationwide, the rate of chronic absenteeism – nearly doubled between 2018-19 and 21-22 to 28 percent,” according to a study recently conducted by Stanford University (The New Yorker). Michigan’s rate was 39 percent, the third highest. Some states have rates well into 40 percent range. Some students simply skip the classes they do not like. Others skip school altogether. Those who attend ignore the teaching and play with their phones – which most school districts refuse to make them deposit them in a closet during class Again: The Land of Freedom. “This issue has also attracted surprisingly little attention from leaders, elected officials or otherwise . . . ” (The New Yorker). The problem appears to have begun when students began “attending school” remotely. Not only was attendance hard to monitor, but paying attention was harder. Many students logged into their classes remotely, but devoted their attention to social media, video games and all sorts of things that did not require them to even glance at the computer screens carrying their school activities. Prior to this, most schools took attendance. At minimum, attendance was noted on report cards – and responded to by those parents who bothered to read them (or who even got them). Logging into one school’s computer may have been traceable, but attendance at every class was challenging or impossible (if it was even done). Determining which students paid attention – even minimally – was impossible. Logging in and paying attention were school problems. Attending schools was a totally different problem – but to some
degree a transportation problem, since school buses did not run throughout the day, empty seats cost taxpayers money, and with ridership was unpredictable, adjustments in vehicle sizes could not be made. Most school children did not have drivers’ licenses. Few had access to a vehicle. To the degree they needed to travel, these trips were made mostly on subways and buses, and to a lesser agree by taxis or TNCs (for those students who could afford them) or occasionally by motorcoach.
These addtional trips would be even more disguised on systems where students did not receive discounted fares. In the latter case, charter trips (and almost as difficult, tour service) would seem to be impossible, while in contrast, certain intercity service was accessible. These additions to motorcoach ridership would naturally be slight, and likely unnoticeable to most drivers, and certainly to their companies. Any increases in ridership would likely be attributed to “recovery” from the decimation of ridership from COVID-19. These additional trips would be even more disguised on systems where students did not receive discounted fares. Recognition and Responsibility In the days of truant officers, if a school child boarded a motorcoach, the driver was likely to state, “Say, aren’t you guys supposed to be in school?” Nowadays, the drivers would simply collect the fares. Values have changed a lot – among them, the freedom of school children enjoy to depart from what used to be norms. It is not fair to blame motorcoach drivers for not “reporting them.” In truth, to whom would they even do this? Unlike schoolbus drivers, motorcoach drivers do not know which schools these students even attended (while they might have some good guesses from the pick-up points, and had access to a dispatcher who might render a good guess). Could or should they call the police? This is not meant as a joke, but I cannot imagine a police car flagging down a motorcoach to confront a teenage passenger on his or reasons for being out of school – especially where 30 or 40 percent of them do not even attend school, and no one seems to care. With such latitude about attendance, what good could be accomplished if the drivers notified their dispatchers to call the students’
schools? Drivers would be hard pressed to even get the students’ names, much less the schools they attended. In rare cases, a driver would place him- or herself at risk even asking such questions. The problem is that with barely any concern about this problem, there is certainly no structure for addressing it. Given the myriad of other serious problems overwhelming our nation at this time, I cannot see coordination in monitoring and enforcement between schools, parents, law enforcement officials and transportation providers – with any other institution from stores, malls, recreational centers or, certainly, from the venues of drug dealers. Frankly, what would be the point of a motorcoach driver even reacting? Were I a dispatcher receiving a call from a driver like, “Hey, there are a bunch of high school students on my coach,” I would most likely respond with, “So what do you want me to do about this?” Keep in mind, many former high school students of high school age have also dropped out of school altogether – are not truants, and have every right to ride motorcoaches or any other mode of transportation. Questionable Contributions God help us if we must await a study of this tiny shred of a much larger problem that most of us are barely aware of – like the University of Michigan did for the broad problem of truancy, nationally (from those states what even had data about the problem). Plus, frankly, motorcoach carriers would more likely simply welcome the additional ridership. That rare large motorcoach company that cares about life in America overall could make a contribution by noting and counting these riders, tabulating the results and submitting them to some source (NATIONAL BUS TRADER would be a good choice to trigger a small article, but not necessarily the most effective.) One could not remotely hope that a fixed route transit operation would instruct its drivers to make note of such phenomena, much less count and tabulate the results, and report them to some educational organization – although a local newspaper might result in at least a school board’s awareness of this phenomenon. Yet with such a large number of students not attending school, those riding motorcoaches or transit would be a small fraction, and barely worth noting. Small Ideas Start Somewhere Lest anyone forget, some rather large ideas and movements emanated from a single person or single source. The most obvious examples who come to mind are Jesus, Galileo and Darwyn – whose ideas hardly were compatible, but went a long way National Bus Trader / February, 2024 • 29
Survival and Prosperity Every idea has to start somewhere. toward near-universal adoption. Every idea has to start somewhere. Contributions to it can come from anywhere.
This piece is not meant to start a movement. Its purpose is mostly for those in the industry to become aware of slight changes – changes like a rare outburst of violence on the coach from teenage (or even middle school) riders traveling mid-day during the week. After all, those students skipping school to take a day trip are not likely members of the student counsel. Or even star athletes. They are the deviants. If nothing else, motorcoach drivers should take notice of even these slight aberrations in the “ridership profile.” At best, they can mention it to others in the broader community – particularly a rare elected official or school board representative they might bump into. Or even a note to a local newspaper, suggesting a short investigation followed by a short article.
30 • National Bus Trader / February, 2024
Flagging this “pebble” is worthwhile. For it represents a much larger and far more dangerous trend in American society. Imagine returning to an era where the majority of students do not attend school? If more than 40 percent of students in a few states do not attend school, we are not that far from such a future. Speculating on the short- and long-term consequences of this trend should not require much imagination. Even in tiny bits and pieces, one would do well to do what one can.
In 1971, famous psychologist B.F. Skinner – the author of famous Walden Two, wrote a shattering book named Beyond Freedom and Dignity, which described a Utopian world revolving around freedom – again, for which our nation is (or was) known and respected. I hardly think that people, here and abroad, will have the same feeling about this when, internationally, students throughout the world – especially female children – are fighting and begging for the right to attend school, while our students for whom it is free and available abandon it. Should we turn into a nation where our children roam free as a band of ragamuffins, I doubt this image of our nation’s “freedom” will last much longer.
Again, this is not a problem for the motorcoach industry, and will not likely become one,
even if and when it is noticeable. Keeping any eye out for even tiny ridership trends in this direction, and conveying them to others, will make a small contribution to a deeply-polarized country that most citizens feel is coming apart at every juncture, and slowing unraveling with every new opportunity – often beginning to those that seem infinitesimal – although 40+ percent of school children not attending school is hardly an example of such insignificance. Instead, we are genuinely unravelling. No one seems to notice or care. Better to catch small deviations of such trends where we find them than to admit, after the fact, that we saw signs of such things, but felt them too insignificant to notice or mention them – and now its too late, because suddenly its a big problem.
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 q and management. Ned Einstein is the president of Transportation Alternatives (www.transalt.com [1]), a public transportation witness firm. Einstein (einstein@transit.com) specializes in catastrophic motorcoach accidents.
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National Bus Trader / February, 2024 • 31
The Curious Coachowner Number 302 of a Series “The Curious Coachowner” is a question and answer column that provides simple answers to simple questions that are too short to warrant a full article or inclusion in one of our regular columns. We will accept reasonably simple technical or historical questions on coaches, buses or even converted coach shells by letter, fax, e-mail or phone. If our staff is unable to answer them, we will call upon our panel of experts. Names and addresses should be submitted with your questions, but we will withhold names from publication on request. We reserve the right to modify questions to make them more useful to our readers. Q. What is the story behind the bus problems in Edmonton, Alberta? –– Canadian Bus Operator
A. Back in the summer of 2020, Edmonton put 60 new Proterra electric buses in service. Like several other Proterra bus operators, Edmonton has faced problems. In late 2023, Edmonton’s lawyers indicated that these electric buses failed to meet contract qualifications in regard to range, battery life reliability and durability. In addition, there have been problems with the programs that control the vehicles. Edmonton has incurred damages of US $1.3 million that includes both replacement parts as well as labor costs. In addition, the city invested more than $200,000 on “battery blankets” to keep batteries working and warm. Edmonton’s colder climate obviously did not help matters. At one point in late 2023 only 16 of the 60 Proterra buses were able to go out on the streets. The remainder needed repairs or parts. It has not helped that Proterra entered bankruptcy in 2023, making it difficult for Edmonton to obtain support and parts.
on to looking at other alternatives. In late 2023 Edmonton and Strathcona County have started running some hydrogen fuel cell buses from New Flyer. Since New Flyer has provided Edmonton with most of its current diesel bus fleet, these have proven more popular with the staff and drivers. Initially, a few of the hydrogen valves experienced minor leaks because of freezing. Again, an indication that Edmonton’s colder climate does not help matters. However, these problems were soon resolved and the New Flyer hydrogen buses continue in operation. Meanwhile, as has been recently mentioned in this column, Edmonton is not the only bus operator having problems because of a lack of parts or service for Proterra buses. In Canada, BC Transit found problems with their buses and was awaiting the delivery of 10 more new buses. Bow Valley Regional Transit Services in Banff and Canmore is also involved in the Proterra bankruptcy proceeding. In addition, there are several bus operators in the United States that are involved with the Proterra buses in one way or another.
Q. Was Proterra able to sell its bus manufacturing operation to Phoenix Motors? –– Reader in Illinois A. Following the Proterra bankruptcy in 2023, Proterra offered to sell its electric bus manufacturing operation to Phoenix Motors. This was delayed when some transit operators became concerned that the new owner would be unable to complete current orders or provide support and parts for existing Proterra buses. In early January of 2024, a bankruptcy judge finally approved the sale to Phoenix Motors for $10 million. A lot of people will be watching to see what happens next.
Q. Is it just me or are battery-electric bus sales diminishing? –– Northeast Bus Operator
have full order books. Some of those new buses may be hydrogen fuel cell, Compressed Natural Gas or even clean diesel. Another reason may be increased concern that lithium ion batteries are a fire hazard. It is interesting that the New York City Fire Department now rates lithium ion batteries as the number one fire hazard, replacing cigarettes. In early January, an electric double-deck London bus caught fire in Wimbledon in the rush hour. In spite of flames and smoke, all of the passengers were safely evacuated. The operator, Go-Ahead London, reported that it has withdrawn the vehicle type in question. There has also been increased interest in hydrogen fuel cell buses. While there remains substantial discussion about the merits of the various ways to produce hydrogen, it is becoming more popular in buses. In particular, hydrogen seems to offer an advantage in range. Finally, the industry is starting to realize that clean diesel is clean diesel. Exhaust from the new clean diesel engines is remarkably clean. If you look at the cost of going with alternative fuels compared with how much pollution is saved, the cost is very high for a relatively minimal advantage. Recently, a transit agency replaced a feet of hybrid buses with clean diesel buses because the new clean diesel buses had less pollution than the older hydrids.
Q. Why was Marc Zwaaneveld appointed Co-CEO at Van Hool in Belgium? –– Reader in Massachusetts
A. The story that we received was that De Lijn, Belgium’s transit bus operation, was unable to place a large order for electric transit buses with Van Hool. As a result, the order was placed with BYD instead of with a Belgian company.
An interesting side note is that the driver’s union has taken issue with the drivers’ area on the Proterra buses. They say that the area only works well for drivers of medium height and that both short and tall drivers do not fit well. The solution so far has been to allow drivers the option of choosing shifts with the electric buses.
A. This same topic was mentioned by several people at the recent ABA Marketplace in Nashville. There may be several different reasons for it.
Zwaaneveld is apparently a temporary appointment to work alongside Filip Van Hool to help get Van Hool production back up again following the pandemic and supply chain problems. He has significant past experience in management in these particular areas.
While waiting for a resolution with the Proterra electric buses, Edmonton has moved
One possibility is that orders have declined recently. The major bus builders seem to
Answers not credited to other individuals are provided by Larry Plachno. q
32 • National Bus Trader / February, 2024
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Readers and advertisers are encouraged to send in photographs or slides of buses or equipment that may be of special interest to our readers. Please, include a list explaining what makes the pictured item different, unusual or interesting.
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Left: When our youngest daughter went on a class trip to Paris, she obligingly brought back several bus photos. We are still trying to figure out the story behind this bus. While obviously a double-deck bus, it was not immediately evident what it was intended to do.
Below: Late November and early December of 2023 saw the Antelope Valley Transit Authority of Lancaster, California run their “Stuff-a-Bus” program to collect toys and clothing for local children in need. Now an annual event for 29 years, the program has expanded to include meal supplies as well as toys, gifts and clothing. Several businesses provide support for the program.
34 • National Bus Trader / February, 2024
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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 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 mirrors, ducted heat, levelers, two air conditioners, 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
10 – PARTS AND EQUIPMENT 6V-92T Detroit Diesel engine. Fresh overhaul. In storage. Spent $4,700. Make offer. Phone (815) 262-0587 I in IL. 14 – NOTICES Visit our 45+ vintage bus collection most Saturday mornings at Lakewood NJ Bus Terminal. Join: Friends NJ Transport Heritage Center ($30 annually). See/learn: I www.friendsnjthc.org.
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Advertising works! National Bus Trader (815) 946-2341
Please mention National Bus Trader when answering advertisers
Advertiser’s Index
Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Aleo, Stefan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Atlantic City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Bus Conversion Magazine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Complete Coach Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Conway Scenic Railroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Dupree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
FMCA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Generac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Heartland Travel Showcase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Irizar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Mercier Orchards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Midwest Bus Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Motor Coach Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
PixelGraphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Prevost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Temsa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Wood Grill Buffet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
38 • National Bus Trader / February, 2024
Down The Road
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.
March 20-23, 2024. FMCA's 108th International Convention and RV Expo. Pima County Fairgrounds, Tucson, Arizona. Visit FMCA.com or phone (513) 474-3622 for more information.
March 25-26, 2024. Pennsylvania Bus Association Marketplace. Nittany Valley Sports Centre, State College, Pennsylvania.
May 31-June 1, 2024. Museum of Bus Transportation/AACA Museum Spring Fling 2024. For more information view www.aacamuseum/org/ event/musuem-of-bus-transportationspring-fling./
August 14-17, 2024. FMCA's 109th International Convention and RV Expo. Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, Redmong, Oregon. Visit FMCA.com or phone (513) 474-3622 for more information.
ALL ROADS HAVE LED TO THIS The next. The future. It’s here, now. The All-New H3-45.
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