TORONTO BUS OPERATIONS
Adam Giambrone, Toronto Councillor and TTC Chair Toronto’s Transit Network
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Subway Toronto’s Transit Network
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Streetcar Streetcars Toronto’s Transit Network
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Bus 5
Commuter Rail Four TTC Modes: Subway
6 Four TTC Modes: ICTS (Mark I)
7 Four TTC Modes: Streetcar/LRT… 8 Four TTC modes: Buses
9 Wheel-Trans Service
Specialized service for people unable to use conventional system
147 low floor bus fleet
High demand growth due to aging population
Entire fleet being replaced by 2010 197 new buses (34% increase)
Conventional system (bus, LRT, subway) to be fully accessible by 2018 Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)
11 rd 3 -largest system in North America
Exclusive right to operate public transit in Toronto
910 million riders in 2008 13,000 employees
85% of transit in GTA Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)
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50% of Toronto’s capital budget
$1.3 B annual budget
75% of revenues from the farebox North American average is around 33% TTC Bus System Overview
139 Bus Routes covering 7,219 km 1,737 buses 1,498 Accessible 12-metre buses 239 Conventional 12-metre buses (being phased out) 694 diesel/electric hybrid buses 40% of the fleet 326.7 Million passenger trips per year on the bus 70% of total trips on TTC system Each bus replaces an estimated 45 cars during rush hour Busiest bus route: 29 Dufferin 43,600 weekday riders 1200 passengers in the peak direction per hour Transit City Bus Plan
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10-minute service network 21 routes
20-minute service network Across the system
Improved customer amenities More shelters, improved line management New Bus Fleet
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Massive investment in 1,450 new buses $800 Million invested New maintenance and storage facilities 7 bus garages in total throughout the city Spares ratio is 12% Moving to a fully accessible bus fleet High quality materials and engineering standards to ensure bus longevity Many features to enhance customer comfort and functionality Average Age of Vehicles Durability and Longevity
What makes a TTC bus last 20+ years compared to the North American average of 12 years?
Stainless steel frame for an 18 year life Fire suppression system NFPA Docket 90(A) fire rated interior materials Exterior fibreglass panels (instead of metal) eliminate corrosion Anti-graffiti liner on passenger windows Durability and Longevity
Heavy duty engine cooling system
Stainless steel seat supports, stanchions and heat exchangers
Twin-tower air dryers
Heavy duty road wheels
Synthetic fluids for performance and heat dissipation
Special weather proof electrical connections
Silicone coolant hoses Durability and Longevity
Small additional cost provides TTC the ability to rebuild our buses and extend their life to 20+ years Orion VII base model: $500,000 Orion VII with TTC modifications to extend life: $525,000 Bus Bicycle Rack Safety and Reliability
New technologies improve safety and reliability at little additional cost:
Security cameras and image recording system Provides police with a useful investigative tool Drivers safety barriers Ensures safe environment for operators Signal priority transponder Reduces delays through intersections LED lighting Driver Safety Barrier Lower replacement cost = labour savings Security Camera
Electronic Stop Display Board Security Cameras Next Vehicle Technology
Real-time information for customers on when next vehicle will arrive
Message boards at stations, bus shelters and on vehicles
Supplemented by email and text messaging <"My TTC"
Arrange long term contracts Contracts cover both current requirements and future requirements Contracts provide pricing and terms to cover optional buses in the future
Allows manufacturers to amortize their costs for future optional orders over a larger number of buses The result is that manufacturers can offer better pricing Spare Parts – Keeping Costs Down
Costs have been rising due to increasing sophistication of buses, particularly hybrids
Keep part costs down by: Negotiating warranties for drive train parts (5 years) Large, long term contracts for spare parts to get a lower price Identify alternative suppliers for parts than the original manufacturer to get competitive pricing Monitor inventory to ensure no excess of high cost parts Emergency order clause in pre-existing vendor contracts to get parts quickly at same cost when bus out of service Direct supply contracts for high usage parts, vendors monitor usage and supply Bus Rebuild Program
Current buses designed for 18+ year life span Some last 25+ years Buses rebuilt at mid-life point (9-10 years) Comprehensive overhaul of most mechanical components:
Engine Heating and Transmission Air Conditioning Air Compressor Door System, Brakes Panels and Hardware Suspension Steering Gear Body and Floor Covering Paint Completion of any outstanding retrofits Spare Bus Ratio
TTC spares ratio of 12% lowest in North America
Preventative maintenance and proactive management of bus fleet can keep spares ratio to a minimum, thereby lowering capital investment Orion VII Hybrid Bus Experience
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Purchased 694 hybrid buses Second-largest fleet after New York City
Experience has shown that hybrids operate better in stop-and-go conditions 22% fuel savings in downtown stop-and-go environment Fuel savings lower than expected in former suburbs with stops further apart (12% - 18% fuel savings on average)
Adopted Lead/Acid batteries early Working with manufacturer to switch to Li-ion as soon as possible Will closely monitor performance of Lead/Acid vs. Lithium- Ion equipped buses
Orion VII Hybrid Bus – Lessons Learned
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Hybrid drive on-road performance is excellent
Brake lining life is not better than diesel with retarder
Fuel savings relate to route assignments Stop and go; Low average speeds are best
Batteries need to accommodate high energy flow Li-Ion is claimed to be vastly superior to Lead/Acid
Sufficient spare parts to support fleet is essential
Minimal weight increase is important for performance
Service-proven technology is imperative – hybrid drive is not there yet
Cost for Hybrid Drive is not offset by fuel savings Modern Buses Create Technological Challenges
New technician skill sets required to address new electronically controlled systems All major on-board systems connect to multiplex system (on-board computer LAN network) 10 or more individual computers to control each major system (engine transmission, HVAC, etc.)
Additional on-board systems operating outside multiplex control, have their own computer processors: Station Stop Announcement System Cameras and Digital Recorders Automatic Passenger Counting Systems Communication Information System Increased maintenance times across most major systems
New Technology, New Skills, New Tools
Technicians need new electronic and computer skills Higher investment in training budget to keep up
Significant investment in electronic tools Portable diagnostic lap-top computers with all relative hardware interfaces and firmware
Ongoing higher technology costs: Some firms (e.g. Cummins engine Company) require annual access subscription and passwords TTC annual costs for special equipment, file access fees is $175,000 and growing 36 [email protected]