HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-12-10 - AGENDA REPORTS - OVERCROWDING TRANSIT BUSES SC (2)AGENDA REPORT
Subsequent Need Item
CONSENT CALENDAR
DATE: December 10, 1996
City Manager Approv
Item to be presented
Ron Kilcoyne
SUBJECT: ACQUISITION OF THREE USED TRANSIT BUSES TO RELIEVE
OVERCROWDING ON SANTA CARITA TRANSIT'S LOCAL NETWORK
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
BACKGROUND
Santa Clarita Transit has been experiencing severe overcrowding on many local bus routes primarily
as a result of high school and junior high school students using the transit system to travel to and from
school. The City has received formula funds through the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Bus
Service Improvement Program (BSIP) which can only be used to relieve overcrowding on the transit
system. However, the City has been unable to use these funds due to a lack of equipment. The City
has been searching for suitable buses that would be both reliable and also could be acquired with the
limited resources available for purchase.
Staffhas narrowed down the possible vehicle choices to two likely possibilities: three 1969 school
buses leased from the Hart Unified School District, or three 1981 Grumman transit buses acquired
from Sonoma County Transit. Staff recommends acquiring the 1981 Grumman buses from Sonoma
County.
Acquisition ($6,000 per bus) painting and necessary work to assure reliable operation will total
$28,000 per bus ($84,000 total) for the Grumman's as compared with $40,700 per bus ($122,100.
total) for the school buses. The estimated lease cost per school bus is $2,000, however, considerable
preparatory work would be needed resulting in the higher cost. The transit buses could be available
for use on Jan. 6, the school buses would not be available for two months. ,
The school busesould only be used for relief on trippers, whereas the Sonoma buses could blen d
into the fleet an5ised for any purpose. This would give Santa Carita Transit considerable mo
flexibility and reliability.
If the school. buses were leased, there would be a need to stock up on a large number of parts not
currently needed, whereas Santa Clarita Transit already has four buses of the same model as the
Sonoma buses. The school buses also are stick shift, which will require additional training for transit
drivers.
Staff seeks action tonight on this issue so that overcrowding relief can begin when school resumes
in January.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council approve. the appropriation of funds in the amount of $34,798. from account number
205/5135 Proposition C BSIP to account number 5400/8081 Local Bus Contractual Service to
increase service hours to relieve overcrowding; $18,000 from account number 206/5140 Proposition
(A Local Return to account number 5400/7704 to. acquire three used transit buses from Sonoma
County Transit; and $66,000 from account number 206/5140 PropositioreLocal Return to account
number 5400/7332 Equipment Maintenance and Supplies to prepare these buses for service.
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ATCfVANCONI
Santa Clarita Transit
25663 W. Avenue Stanford
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
(805)286-4155
(805) 294-2530 (FAX)
Jeffery J. O'Keefe
General Manager
TO: Ron Kilcoyne, Transportation Manager
FROM: Jeff O'Keefe, General Manager
SUBJECT: Analysis of School Bus Equipment vs. Transit Bus Equipment
DATE: December 6, 1996
Enclosed is a comparison of costs associated with bringing in additional equipment to
alleviate our overcrowding issue. As you can see the costs to retrofit the school bus
equipment exceeds the cost of the transit equipment.
* There would be intensive labor and modifications required to add wheel chair lifts, air
conditioning and headsigns to the school bus equipment.
There is no guarantee that even after all of the modifcations that the CHP would
recognize the school bus as a public transit vehicle. They may require special
certification and training.
1981 Transit Bus
1969 School Bus
Purchase rice/lease
$6,000
$2,000
ADA Wheel Chair Lift*
-$0-
$8,000
Headsi *
-$0-
$1,200
Fareboxes GF
-$0-
$2,500
En ine/transmission
$15,000
$15,000
Painting/Decals
$4,000
$4,000
Air Conditioning*
-$0-
$5,000
Radio's
$1,000
$1000
Transmission
Standard
Stick Shift
Special Training
No
Yes
CHP compliant
Yes
Maybe
Avai ability for Service
3 weeks
Two months
Misc.
$2,000
$2,000
Total Costs
$28,000
$40;700
* There would be intensive labor and modifications required to add wheel chair lifts, air
conditioning and headsigns to the school bus equipment.
There is no guarantee that even after all of the modifcations that the CHP would
recognize the school bus as a public transit vehicle. They may require special
certification and training.
The school bus equipment, although ideal for transporting students, would not be ideal
for continued public transportation utilization.
My discussions with school district officials led me to believe that they may require us to
return the vehicles back to the school district if their application for federal grants are not
formalized. With the amount of investment that would be required this does not seem
feasible.
In view of these findings ATC believes that in the longer term Santa Clarita Transit and
the community in which it serves, would benefit a great a deal more by bringing in the
transit buses which already conform to public transit industry standards.
CC: Jim Wagner, Vice -President ATC/Vancom
Tom Dennin, Vice -President ATC/Vancom