TOP 100 Transit Bus Fleets SPONSORED BY: BAE Systems Clever Devices Daimler Buses North America Luminator Thermo King MET9top100_cover.indd 19 9/8/08 9:26:05 AM
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK at the ORION VII The World Needs Visit us in booth #2433 at APTA Sustainable Transit Solutions (... That really work!) As sustainability has evolved from an obscure concept to a fundamental business principle, solutions powered by Clever Devices are enabling transit agencies to provide high quality service that meet increased ridership demands, while simultaneously increasing operating efficiencies. More importantly, these efficiencies are realized while achieving fundamental sustainability initiatives such as improving the quality of mass transit, passenger/ operator safety, air quality and energy consumption. Above all, Clever Devices solutions are an efficient and effective expenditure of transit funds while realizing the highest return on investment. To learn more, visit us during the APTA EXPO in booth #2433. www.cleverdevices.com DAIMLER BUSES NORTH AMERICA 800.882.8054 sales@dcbusna.com www.dcbusna.com MET9top100_cover.indd 20 9/8/08 9:26:07 AM
Ridership, Fuel Cost Hikes Force Top 100 to Make Adjustments Nearly 72.5 percent of agencies listed find it difficult to balance service demands with higher fuel costs. Raising fares, adjusting routes and extending service life of vehicles are some fixes being employed. >BY ALEX ROMAN, Senior Editor FUEL PRICES AND FUNDING CONTINUE TO IMPACT TRANSIT agencies throughout North America at a time when ridership numbers continue to soar. In fact, nearly 72.5 percent of the agencies in METRO s Top 100 Transit Bus Fleets survey say they are having a difficult time balancing rising service demands with higher fuel costs. Despite needing funds to purchase more buses, there was moderate growth in fleet size, with this year s respondents totaling 63,831 buses; an increase of 657 buses compared with 2007 s numbers. New York City Transit once again tops the list with 4,548 buses; a moderate decline from last year. Chicago s Pace Suburban Bus (2,647) snatches the number two slot this year, while the rest of the top five is filled with familiar faces Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (2,635), New Jersey Transit (2,347) and Chicago Transit Authority (2,117). Pace is the only agency in this year s top five that actually grew their fleet, with the other five showing moderate shrinkage. The Mass Transportation Authority of Flint, Mich., rounds out the Top 100 with 146 buses, while Mississauga Transit of Ontario, Canada holds the No. 50 slot with 393 buses. Iowa-based Des Moines Area Regional Transit makes its debut in the Top 100 at No. 96 with 153 buses and the Greater Hartford Transit District (No. 93) rejoins this year s list with 167 buses. SLIGHT SHIFTS Despite Everett, Wash.-based Community Transit dropping from No. 47 in 2007 to No. 64 in 2008, there were very few agencies that plunged or soared in this year s survey. The aforementioned jump by Pace from No. 7 to No. 2 was the largest move up 2008 s Top 100. Other agencies making slight drops include Charlotte, N.C.-based Charlotte Area Transit System No. 58, with 342 buses and the Sacramento, Calif-based Sacramento Regional Transit District, No. 76 with 253 buses. A closer look at the fleet mix numbers reveals 47,193 buses are 35 feet or longer and 43 percent, or 27,253, of the total vehicles are low-floor applications. RISING COSTS, DEMAND Sixteen percent of this year s top bus fleets are either going to raise fares or are considering raising them to help offset the high cost of fuel, with demand continuing to rise. Other solutions being employed include making adjustments to underperforming or over-capacity routes (6 percent) and locking in fuel contracts (4 percent). Finding ways to expedite new vehicle delivery, as well as extending the lifecycle of buses were also mentioned as ways to meet rising service demand. Transit agencies are also ramping up their bus purchases over the next year, with a reported 6,419 total buses on order, an 11 percent increase over 2007. Soaring fuel costs have also opened the door for many agencies to expand their customer bases through increased marketing campaigns. For example, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (No. 28) launched its Gas Pains campaign via broadcast, print and online mediums to stress its services as the lower-cost alternative to driving. Other campaigns include Broward County (Fla.) Transit s (No. 51) push to market to specific groups likely to use transit, such as youths, seniors and college students, and Victoria, B.C.-based BC Transit s (No. 26) Be Part of the Solution, which builds transit awareness for potential riders and congratulates current riders for choosing transit and lessening their environmental impact, while supporting the local economy. If you know a fleet that belongs on this list or have suggestions on how to improve our future lists, please let us know. Fleet Mix Buses 35 feet and longer are still the top choice for transit agencies, totaling 47,193 vehicles. Trolley bus replicas make up only one percent. Trolley bus replicas Articulated 1% 7% Under 35 feet 18% 35 feet and over 74% SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2008 metro magazine > 21 MET9top100_story.indd 21 9/8/08 9:26:51 AM
TOP 100 Transit Bus FLEETS 2008 2007 Agency 35 ft. Over Artic. Trolley 2008 2007 +/- and under 35 ft. Total 1 1 MTA New York City Transit 0 3,919 629 0 4,548-49 New York City 2 7 Pace Suburban Bus 2,163 477 0 7 2,647 1076 Chicago 3 3 Metro 153 2,097 385 0 2,635-51 Los Angeles 4 2 New Jersey Transit Corp. 116 2,146 85 0 2,347-728 Newark, N.J. 5 4 Chicago Transit Authority 45 1,851 221 0 2,117-83 Chicago 6 5 Toronto Transit Commission 0 1,653 0 0 1,653 54 Toronto 7 6 Montreal Urban Transit 4 1,591 0 0 1,595 20 Montreal 8 8 Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority 125 1,320 56 0 1,501 2 Washington, D.C. 9 11 King County DOT/Metro Transit 138 654 637 0 1,429 115 Seattle 10 9 Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority 110 1,066 155 38 1,369-2 Philadelphia 11 10 MTA Bus Company, New York City 0 1,361 0 0 1,361 37 New York City 12 12 Coast Mountain Bus Company 145 1,064 133 0 1,342 56 Vancouver, B.C. 13 13 Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County 87 973 159 0 1,219 63 Houston 14 14 Valley Metro 476 635 30 16 1,157 47 Phoenix 15 18 OC Transpo 92 780 227 0 1,099 125 Ottawa, Ontario 16 16 Regional Transportation District 154 789 119 0 1,062 - Denver 17 15 Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority 0 947 76 0 1,023-49 Boston 22 < metro magazine SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2008 metro-magazine.com MET9top100_list.indd 22 9/8/08 9:29:41 AM
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK at the ORION VII Look closer the world s leading diesel-electric hybrid just got better. Daimler Buses introduces a significantly lighter lithium-ion energy storage system on the new Orion VII diesel-electric hybrid. Beyond a lighter load, the new battery is more efficient, helps reduce emissions and lasts longer than the leading alternatives in use today. The system also is self-monitoring and easy to service for reduced maintenance costs. There are more Orion VII diesel-electric hybrid buses in service nationwide than any other hybrid bus. With improved lithium-ion technology, it s time you take a closer look at the hybrid market leader. DAIMLER BUSES NORTH AMERICA 800.882.8054 sales@dcbusna.com www.dcbusna.com MET9top100_list.indd 23 9/8/08 9:29:44 AM
TOP 100 Transit Bus FLEETS 2008 2007 Agency 35 ft. Over Artic. Trolley 2008 2007 +/- and under 35 ft. Total 18 20 Maryland Transit Administration 235 712 30 0 977 98 Baltimore 19 17 Miami-Dade Transit Authority 122 769 0 33 924-120 Miami 20 19 Orange County Transportation Authority 348 522 50 0 920 19 Orange, Calif. 21 21 Edmonton Transit System 39 813 13 41 906 36 Edmonton, Alberta 22 23 Calgary Transit 104 777 21 0 902 38 Calgary, Alberta 23 22 Metro Transit 0 743 155 0 898 33 Minneapolis 24 26 Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District 296 591 0 0 887 50 Portland, Ore. 25 25 Port Authority of Allegheny County 158 653 50 0 861 18 Pittsburgh 26 27 BC Transit 438 399 0 0 837 59 Victoria, B.C. 27 24 San Francisco Municipal Railway 30 591 215 0 836-17 San Francisco 28 29 Dallas Area Rapid Transit 76 664 0 0 740-11 Dallas 29 28 Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority 163 540 0 11 714-47 Cleveland 30 30 MTS Bus Operations 221 437 39 2 699 1 San Diego 31 37 Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada 271 319 95 0 685 145 Las Vegas 32 34 Utah Transit Authority 271 358 12 0 641 50 Salt Lake City 33 31 AC Transit 100 420 112 0 632-38 Oakland, Calif. 34 33 Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority 22 579 0 0 601-8 Atlanta 24 < metro magazine SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2008 metro-magazine.com MET9top100_list.indd 24 9/8/08 9:29:44 AM
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK at the ORION VII LED Lighting by Luminator You know our signs, so we d like to introduce Quantum, our 100% LED Interior Lighting par excellence. Quantum s solid state design, using long life LEDs, provides your riders with a lighting system that is pleasing to the eye. The reduction in maintenance time will be pleasing to your budget. Quantum s indirect lighting is unobtrusive, yet exceeds APTA white book requirements. Quantum, clean light for an environmentally friendly world. DAIMLER BUSES NORTH AMERICA 800.882.8054 sales@dcbusna.com www.dcbusna.com MET9top100_list.indd 25 9/8/08 9:29:46 AM
TOP 100 Transit Bus FLEETS 2008 2007 Agency 35 ft. Over Artic. Trolley 2008 2007 +/- and under 35 ft. Total 35 32 Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation 466 123 0 1 590-45 Detroit 36 39 Department of Transportation Services 76 407 81 0 564 39 Honolulu 37 36 Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority 78 445 40 0 563 22 San Jose, Calif. 38 38 Winnipeg Transit System 35 500 0 0 535 0 Winnipeg, Manitoba 39 35 Detroit Department of Transportation 0 512 0 0 512-38 Detroit 40 41 Milwaukee County Transit System 29 451 0 4 484 5 Milwaukee 41 42 South West Ohio Regional Transit Authority 58 388 0 2 448 3 Cincinnati 42 40 VIA Metropolitan Transit 0 415 0 19 434-70 San Antonio 42 43 Delaware Transit Corp. 281 148 0 5 434-1 Wilmington, Del. 44 44 MTA Long Island Bus 92 328 0 0 420 3 Garden City, N.Y. 45 48 Capital Metro 208 184 0 26 418 12 Austin, Texas 46 52 Metro 141 270 0 0 411 22 St. Louis 47 44 Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority 158 224 20 0 402-15 Rochester, N.Y. 48 49 CTTRANSIT 14 387 0 0 401 2 Hartford, Conn. 49 49 Los Angeles Department of Transportation 288 105 0 3 396-3 Los Angeles 50 55 Mississauga Transit 12 336 45 0 393 14 Mississauga, Ontario 51 53 Broward County Transit 94 274 6 14 388 4 Pompano, Fla. 26 < metro magazine SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2008 metro-magazine.com MET9top100_list.indd 26 9/8/08 9:29:47 AM
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK at the ORION VII Thermo King, a leading HVAC supplier to the North American transit market, has been providing HVAC solutions for buses since 1956. At Thermo King, we understand that one size does not fit all, so we focus on the customer s needs to develop customized, value-added solutions. Thermo King s commitment to continuously invest in research and development has led to many innovative solutions using leadingedge technologies. Thermo King offers a complete line of products, including new Green technologies that help protect the environment while adding value for our customers. Thermo King is proud to be a supplier to Daimler Buses North America. To learn more about Thermo King s products and services, please visit our website at www.thermoking.com. DAIMLER BUSES NORTH AMERICA 800.882.8054 sales@dcbusna.com www.dcbusna.com MET9top100_list.indd 27 9/8/08 9:29:49 AM
TOP 100 Transit Bus FLEETS 2008 2007 Agency 35 ft. Over Artic. Trolley 2008 2007 +/- and under 35 ft. Total 52 56 Montgomery County Transit 298 77 0 0 375 2 Rockville, Md. 53 63 GO Transit 0 363 0 0 363 53 Toronto 54 57 Westchester County Department of Transportation 56 223 78 0 357 2 Mount Vernon, N.Y. 55 59 Hampton Roads Transit 138 189 0 20 347 4 Hampton, Va. 56 69 Pierce Transit 150 195 0 0 345 61 Tacoma, Wash. 57 58 Transit Authority of River City 115 210 0 19 344-4 Louisville, Ky. 58 46 Charlotte Area Transit System 50 272 0 20 342-70 Charlotte, N.C. 59 61 Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority 22 310 0 5 337 7 Buffalo, N.Y. 60 54 San Mateo County Transit District 3 277 55 0 335-46 San Mateo, Calif. 60 60 Metropolitan Bus Authority 133 202 0 0 335 - San Juan, P.R. 62 51 Reseau de transport de Longueuil 0 287 38 0 325-66 Longueuil, Quebec 63 68 COTA Central Ohio Transit Agency 154 165 0 3 322 37 Columbus, Ohio 64 47 Community Transit 48 139 130 0 317-92 Everett, Wash. 65 62 Foothill Transit 7 277 30 0 314 - West Covina, Calif. 66 67 Capital District Transportation Authority 95 211 0 3 309 23 Albany, N.Y. 67 65 Kansas City Area Transportation Authority 138 163 0 0 301 6 Kansas City, Mo. 68 71 LYNX 50 240 0 0 290 35 Orlando, Fla. 28 < metro magazine SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2008 metro-magazine.com MET9top100_list.indd 28 9/8/08 9:29:49 AM
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK at the ORION VII RELIABILITY Look closer proven reliability you can count on. But we believe reliability is more than just a word. Daimler Buses designs Orion buses to exceed expectations and perform well for years to come. Built with premium materials, proven components and ISOcertified and Daimler-certified processes, our Orion buses are constructed to handle the most punishing routes. Whether it s the snowy streets of Toronto, stop-and-go traffic in New York City, the hills of San Francisco or the sweltering heat of New Orleans, we know our buses can be counted on today, next week, next month and next year. Building the most durable buses and providing reliability are how Daimler became the world s largest bus manufacturer it s time you take a closer look at the Orion VII from Daimler Buses North America. DAIMLER BUSES NORTH AMERICA 800.882.8054 sales@dcbusna.com www.dcbusna.com MET9top100_list.indd 29 9/8/08 9:29:51 AM
TOP 100 Transit Bus FLEETS 2008 2007 Agency 35 ft. Over Artic. Trolley 2008 2007 +/- and under 35 ft. Total 69 73 Halifax Metro Transit 27 241 14 0 282 26 Halifax, Nova Scotia 70 76 Memphis Area Transit Authority 86 169 7 19 281 39 Memphis, Tenn. 71 66 Jacksonville Transportation Authority 123 146 0 11 280-13 Jacksonville, Fla. 72 75 Rhode Island Public Transit Authority 47 210 0 20 277 36 Providence, R.I. 73 74 Societe de Transport de l Outaouais City 0 268 0 0 268 14 Gatineau, Quebec 74 70 Omnitrans 101 166 0 0 267 - San Bernardino, Calif. 75 72 Central New York Regional Transportation Authority 89 172 0 0 261-1 Syracuse, N.Y. 76 64 Sacramento Regional Transit District 35 218 0 0 253-44 Sacramento, Calif. 77 79 Sound Transit 0 163 75 0 238 10 Seattle 78 79 Long Beach Transit 30 185 13 0 228 0 Long Beach, Calif. 79 78 Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority 57 162 0 0 219-11 Toledo, Ohio 80 88 Fairfax Connector, FCDOT 62 153 0 0 215 - Fairfax, Va. 81 83 Hamilton Street Railway 0 200 7 2 209 5 Hamilton, Ontario 82 82 Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority 71 118 0 16 205-3 Clearwater, Fla. 83 81 Madison Metro Transit 19 185 0 0 204-19 Madison, Wis. 84 87 Sun Tran 0 203 0 0 203 4 Tucson, Ariz. 85 85 Golden Gate Transit 4 186 10 0 200-2 San Rafael, Calif. 30 < metro magazine SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2008 metro-magazine.com MET9top100_list.indd 30 9/8/08 9:29:51 AM
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK at the ORION VII MODERN STYLING Look closer... the Orion VII has exceeded expectations to become one of the most trusted transit buses in North America. This legacy continues with the market introduction of the Orion VII that is built on the same durable platform. This redesigned urban bus incorporates Europeaninspired features with a redefined, sleeker modern appeal. It s time you take a closer look at the Orion VII from Daimler Buses North America. DAIMLER BUSES NORTH AMERICA 800.882.8054 sales@dcbusna.com www.dcbusna.com MET9top100_list.indd 31 9/8/08 9:29:53 AM
TOP 100 Transit Bus FLEETS 2008 2007 Agency 35 ft. Over Artic. Trolley 2008 2007 +/- and under 35 ft. Total 86 86 Big Blue Bus 10 186 0 0 196-5 Santa Monica, Calif. 87 90 London Transit Commission 7 179 6 0 192 2 London, Ontario 88 89 Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority 92 90 0 5 187-9 Tampa, Fla. 88 91 Metro Regional Transit Authority 141 46 0 0 187 0 Akron, Ohio 90 76 Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority 91 38 0 52 181-51 Dayton, Ohio 91 92 SATCO/VATCO 13 164 0 2 179 1 Springfield, Mass. 92 94 Kitsap Transit 118 55 0 0 173-1 Bremerton, Wash. 93 - Greater Hartford Transit District 134 33 0 0 167 72 Hartford, Conn. 94 95 GRTC Transit System 68 90 0 0 158 3 Richmond, Va. 95 95 North County Transit District 23 132 0 0 155 - Oceanside, Calif. 96 - Des Moines Area Regional Transit 38 102 7 6 153 - Des Moines, Iowa 97 93 Regional Transit Authority 46 106 0 0 152-24 New Orleans 98 99 Indianapolis Public Transportation Corp. (IndyGo) 59 91 0 0 150 0 Indianapolis 98 97 ABQ Ride 0 131 18 1 150-3 Albuquerque 100 97 Mass Transportation Authority 48 98 0 0 146-7 Flint, Mich. 32 < metro magazine SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2008 metro-magazine.com MET9top100_list.indd 32 9/8/08 9:29:54 AM
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK at the SPRINTER SHUTTLE Look closer two doors are better than one. The recently re-introduced Sprinter shuttle already boasts a modern look and space for up to 16 passengers, or eight with two wheelchairs. Now with bi-fold passenger doors plus a flush-side wheelchair lift, it also saves time by speeding shuttle entry and exit. The Sprinter just successfully completed the seven year Altoona test and still provides unsurpassed fuel savings and requires less scheduled maintenance all to help your bottom line. Sleeker style, reliability, comfortable passengers and operators that save money it s time you take a closer look at the Sprinter shuttle from Daimler Buses. DAIMLER BUSES NORTH AMERICA 800.882.8054 sales@dcbusna.com www.dcbusna.com MET9top100_list.indd 33 9/8/08 9:29:56 AM
DOES YOUR CITY DESERVE THE BEST? WE THINK IT DOES. Your city wants clean, modern transit. You need reliable, efficient buses. Daimler Buses North America provides the best of both in the sleeker, smarter Orion VII hybrid bus. Powered by the HybriDrive propulsion system from BAE Systems, its series diesel-electric hybrid architecture provides up to 35 percent better fuel economy and significantly reduced emissions compared to standard diesel systems. This new and improved bus also offers proven reductions in operation and maintenance costs, and is the first hybrid bus available with advanced lithium-ion battery technology. Sleeker on the outside, smarter on the inside. The Orion VII hybrid delivers what your city deserves: the best. www.dcbusna.com sales@dcbusna.com Toll Free: 800-882-8054 www.hybridrive.com MET9top100_list.indd 34 9/8/08 9:29:56 AM