TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager
SUBJECT: Bus Donation
ACTION ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider adoption of Resolution No. 21-014 authorizing the General Manager to transfer ownership of one surplus transit bus to the Transportation Learning Center.
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Safe and Secure Operations
Initiative - Service Quality
This donation of one surplus transit bus does not directly impact the District’s Strategic goals; however, it does align with the safe and secure operations goal by supporting the Transportation Learning Center project to re-design the driver compartment and passenger areas to improve both operator and rider safety and comfort.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to the District.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
On January 29, 2021, the Transportation Learning Center (TLC) was awarded a grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to begin work on the Redesign of Transit Bus Operator Compartment to Improve Safety, Operational Efficiency, and Passenger Accessibility Program. This project is more commonly referred to as the, “Bus of the Future” program. TLC is a nonprofit organization funded by the FTA, United States Department of Labor (DOL), and the Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) to develop and support technical partnerships for public transportation and its front-line workforce. TLC is the project manager responsible for all facets of the project, including all requisite communication and reporting to the FTA.
This program is intended specifically to redesign the driver compartment and passenger areas to improve both operator and rider safety and comfort. The efficacy of this program resides in multiple partnerships that include original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) International Safety Specialist, and subject matter expert (SME) teams. The District is committed to provide program support in two ways:
1. Repurpose and transfer ownership of a Van Hool A300 bus which has exceeded its useful life.
2. Provide a SME team comprised of key operations management staff to include safety personnel, maintenance, and bus operators.
AC Transit’s provision of a Van Hool A300 bus is critical to the project. The bus serves as the physical model to scan and use in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) blueprints. The blueprints will be used for re-engineering. Additionally, the District’s SME team will be consulted beginning late Fall 2021, to discuss preliminary designs to consult throughout the re-design process. TSMEs support will assist in maintaining a focus on occupational health and safety areas in operator physical protection, improved driving visibility, reduced distractions, enhanced bus seat ergonomics as well as improved accessibility for passengers with disabilities. The project is expected to conclude with a final presentation hosted in Washington, D.C. at the FTA headquarters in mid-to-late 2022. As of this staff report, the exact date is unknown.
Pursuant to Board Policy 461 - Disposition of District Owned Surplus, Equipment, Supplies, and Other Tangible District Property, once the useful service life requirements have been met, equipment with a unit market value of $5,000 or less may be retained, sold or otherwise disposed of without the need to reimburse the FTA. Additionally, Board Policy 461 details six methods of disposition. To this staff report, step three (3) applies in that a “transfer to non-profit agencies or organizations consistent with established legal parameters” is acceptable.
A Van Hool A300 bus is under consideration for this transfer. Bus number 1050 is a forty-foot transit coach, with a Cummins ISL 280 horsepower engine and a Voith D864.3 transmission. The bus was retired from service in April 2019 and has an estimated fair market value of less than $3,000 if sold at auction.
The Transportation Learning Center has a sub-contract with STYL & TECH, an engineering and design team in Quebec, Canada. TLC is responsible for the transportation of the bus from the AC Transit’s Central Maintenance Facility to its final destination. Ownership and all liability are assumed by TLC once the donated bus is picked up and ready for transport.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
The advantage of donating one surplus transit bus is to ensure the project has a vehicle in which to scan for the purpose of re-engineering the bus of the future. Exploring redesign ideas may contribute to advancements in vehicle technology to improve the safety, health, and comfort of bus operators and enhanced accessibility for passengers.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
There are no alternatives to the course of action recommended in this report as the benefits of donating the bus far outweigh the monetary value of the asset.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
Staff Report 19-230b; BP 461 Disposition of District Owned Surplus, Equipment, Supplies, and Other Tangible District Property.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 21-014
Prepared by:
Michael Flocchini, Training and Education Manager
Approved/Reviewed by:
Salvador Llamas, Chief Operating Officer
Cecil Blandon, Director of Maintenance
Fred Walls, Director of Procurement and Materials