Buses World News

In brief: Worldwide montly news & informations about Buses, Busmakers, Passengers' and the Transport Industry

27.11.08

Report * USA - Metro bus operating costs too high, strategy outdated

King County Metro Transit is hindered by high operating expenses and an outmoded service strategy, asserts a Municipal League of King County report issued today

Seattle,WASH,USA -The Seattle Times, by Mike Lindblom -25 Nov 2008: -- The findings are meant to provoke public debate, as County Council members try to pull Metro from a deep budget hole to prevent cuts in future bus rapid-transit service they promised to voters... The review, by the Municipal League of King County, calls for a "back-to-basics" approach to fit the weak economy. "As a community, we cannot afford to accept declining service, excessive costs and political definitions of equity," the report says... Metro provides 400,000 rides per weekday, a 7 percent from last year, and the report says "customer satisfaction is generally high"... The agency also has a "well-earned reputation for being an innovative leader in the transit industry" by providing hybrid buses, bike racks, van pools, and employer-sponsored passes, the Muni League says... But operating costs last year averaged $4.10 per trip, or 38 percent above the national average, as of 2005, the report said. Factors include Seattle's high living costs, automatic pay boosts in union contracts, articulated buses, park-and-ride lots, and a downtown tunnel...

Labels: buses' efficiency

20.9.08

EFFICIENCY * New Zealand - Some delays but city buses arrive 98 per cent on time

Maitland,New Zealand -The Maitland Mercury, by MICHAEL MORRISSEY -17 Sept 2008: -- Traffic problems, mechanical issues and the occasional driver oversleeping have all resulted in bus delays around Maitland but Hunter Valley Buses say they are on schedule 98 per cent of the time... The general manager of Hunter Valley Buses, Rodney Landers disputed the allegations and told the Mercury their records said the bus did go through on time... Mr Landers said that Hunter Valley Buses recorded any service that was more than five minutes late and reported to the State Government every month... He said that there were more issues on Thursdays and Fridays caused by the traffic congestion at the Maitland Park and hospital roundabouts... (Video from YouTube, by Beno201 - September 09, 2007: "Hunter Valley Buses (83) Leyland Leopard Part 3". Hunter Valley Buses, Thornton, Australia (83)m/o 3550 Leyland Leopard with 1976 Custom Coaches bodywork new to Clarkson's, Windsor)

Labels: buses' efficiency

1.5.08

EFFICIENT BUS SERVICE * Canada - Ottawa's rapid bus system a model

Ottawa,ONT,CAN -The Gazette, by RENE BRUEMMER -April 29, 2008: -- Ottawa has no métro or light-rail system, yet 20 per cent of its commuters use public transit, a figure roughly equal to that of Montreal and Toronto, cities endowed with efficient métro lines, transport experts say... What Ottawa does have is a world-renowned bus rapid-transit system that whisks passengers on segregated, reserved lanes past traffic jams...

Labels: buses' efficiency

4.9.07

Transportation Mode * USA - Buses Named The Most Fuel-Efficient

The report showed that motor coaches offered 148.4 passenger miles per gallon in 2004 - This figure shows that the mode of transportation is doing its share in the reduction of fuel consumption of the country

USA -pwaafro -August 29, 2007: -- Nathan Associates, a consulting firm, announced that buses are the most fuel-efficient transportation mode in the United States. According to the study, the second most fuel efficient sector is inter-city trains which provided 74.1 passenger miles per gallon. Air carriers meanwhile also offered 40.9 passenger miles per gallon. Automobiles only achieved 35.4 passenger miles per gallon for the same year... The American Bus Association President, Peter J. Pantuso, has this to say about the result of the study: As energy conservation and environmental issues take center stage in Congress and with the traveling public, the motor coach industry is proud to be the leader in transportation fuel efficiency... While most buses today are running on petroleum diesel, their switch to biodiesel is forthcoming. This means that the sector can increase their efficiency and at the same time take care of the environment... According to the study, the motor coach transportation service industry is the number one people mover. In 2005 the industry carried 631,000,000 passengers in the United States and Canada alone. The motor coach transportation service industry carries one-fourth more passengers than the airline industry and twice more than Amtrak and commuter rail combined...

Labels: buses' efficiency