Memo#NJC 0'1-359 December6,200'1

!r A C TRANSITDISTRICT Memo#NJC0'1-359 FromOffice of Ward5 Director December6,200'1 Dr.Nancy Jewell Cross

sContract for Eutopean Buses and RFP' Agenda llem 4a. at Board Meeting 12113101 DireciorNancy Jewell Cross asks the Boardto adoptthe Resoluiionoi whichform followsas is,or as it maybe amendedagreeably to me as a resultof diseussion. Justificationfor reconsiderationis included in the resoluiion. ln addiiionto the formfor Resolution,I adopt here for allpurposes Exhibits A throughG following.The standardis for the Boardto havedocumentation sufficient for informeddecision. A week beforepublic record requests are accommodated and ihe Boardis askedio approve expending$61 ,400 400 in State/LocilFunds, the Board lacks specifics ot uniiprice, sourceor {undsfor largefreight charges for delivery,impaci on bus operationsby useof State/loealtunds, whether the kindsof vehiclesfrom a sole sourceis optirnalio service needsand bestpractices in fleetcornposition in bodyand powering, impacts in national and other dimensionsof usingState/Local funds at cost to operalionsof A C Transitand millionsinvested in foreign economies and freight costs contrary io naiionalpolicy and economiccrisis. Documentationis sketchy. Lackof iimelyinformaiion desired by board membershas been sought from the GeneralManager time and again, wiihoui avail. A-GM Merno01-304 Report on the Costof Transporting People on a StandardBus vs. A Van. Thisis an exampleof the inadequaiedocumentation on subjectinvolved in Boarddecisiong on busprocurement, 2 pages. B-Note: Nancyfrom Rose 1216/01. This illustrates the unavailabilityof information importantfor informeddecision on termsbf the contract,long afterthe RFP. C-Comparisonof 1984Public Transit Costs for FourVehicle Types, Congressional BudgetOffice 1986, Thisillustrates the kind of informationneeded by board . membersand available by staffresearch disclosed in documentsprior to board calendaringin the subjectmatter. D--Communitiesfor a BetierEnvironment, letter November 27, 2001. Thisillustrates the urgencyof better documentation, thinking, and decision-making inA C Transit,2 pp. E*rTeamstersLocal 853 letterby RomeA. Aloise,Secretary-Treasurer, lo Sieve Heminger,MTC, September 27 ,2001. Thisillustrates the absence of serious concemson this contractnot consideredby the Boardof Directorsand not documentedfor the Boardby the GeneralManager. F-Responsefrom Steve Hemingelto Rome A. Aloise, October 31 , 2001. Thisshows thatA C TransitG M conveyedto MTCthat the SanPablo Corridor Project justiiied the order,whereas the need in thalproject is in factonly a fraciion. G-*Flexibilityof ShorterBuses Will MeetToday's Needs, by FredGilliam, Execuiive VP of ChanceCoach, Meiro Magazine, September/October 2000. Thesubjecl is jmportant to considerand discuss by the Boardin relationto thismajor procurement of buses. ALAMEDA.CONTMCOSTA TMNSIT DISTRICT RESOLUTION#

RESCTNDTNGRFp 2001-763 (5110/01), REJECTTNG CONTRACT PROPOSEDTO BOARD WITH SOLE BIDDER EUROPEAN SUPPLIER, ANDADOPTING PARAMETERS, SPECIFICATIONS, AND PROTOCOLS FORNEW RFPS FOR FUTURE BUS'PROCUREMENTS

WHEREAS, 1. A C Transit'sGeneral Manager sought board authorization for a tripto Europeto surveybuses and appurtenances, and afterurard showed slides of European-stylebr.mes andasked the Boardwhether it liked"their looks', and when board members admireo them,prepared an RFPwith specifications to their acquisition; and the Board on May10, 2001approved the release of RFP2001-763 for acquisitionof 13540', 3 door,low floor buses(wilh an optionfor an additional135 buses) and 60 articulated,4 door, low floor buses(with an opiion for an additional60 artfculatedbuses); and now would on firstsight of contractimportune the board to authorizethe contract; and 2. TheGeneral Manager has not documenied and agendized for board considerationneed for this number of busesand their sizes in the entire fleet; cusiomers nowand prospective,and cornmunities demand small buses, thirty-feet or lessin length whichA C Transit'sexisting fleet cannot satisfy; small buses with two wide doors and vans withbicycl+'canying with kneeling to perrniteasy loading without requiring a liftingthe entirebicycle 2-3 feet would be verypopular with customers on rouiespresenfly served or underservedand needed to meetreguirements of constitution, statutes, court consent decree;and the public for localitynon-discriminaiiot'r, environmental justice, access to jobs andeducaiion, and 15% transit ridership growth; and 3. TheDistrict routinely looks to thefederal govemment for funding buses, capital oxpenditures,and to Stateand County sources through Metropolitan Transportaiion Gommission,and staiutory grant sources and iare box revenues for operatingexpenses; federalfunds are unavailable for A C Transit'soperating expenses, and while State and localfunds may be used for capitalexpense of busprocurement, allocaiions irom tnts sourcein thelong run at the expenseof operatinglunds from that source unless A C Transitpersuades MTC to fundits "shortfalls"-i.e. blank check, which it hasannounced no intentionof doing; and 4. TheGeneral Manager is awarethat the amount of moneyfor procurementsof busesin numbersproposed by the GeneralManager by boardpolicy and law requires compeiitivebidding, that use of federalfunds for bus procurements to avoid spending downthe limitedsources for operatingfunds requires meeting federal standards of "Buy American'andAltoona tesiing which are inconsistent with raniting bus RFP specifications for "a European-style''bus in largeguantiiies, the Generai Manager in askingthe Boardfor RFPauthorization did not show pictures oi anybus(es) made in the UnitedStates with Resolution , page2.

comparablydesirable feature$ nor memofor Boardconsideraiion and discussion, acquiringbuses from Europeis enormouslyexpensive for freightand lhe pricepaid would be at theexpense of investmentin the productand purchase of additional,more appropriatesmaller and less costly vehieles whose possibiliiy for acquisiiionis compromisedby use of MTc-controlledsources not oiherwise used for capital investments solelyto avoidreasonable and desirablerequirements of federalstatutes at a timeof economicdepression and reliefby investingwithin the UnitedStaies of NorthArnerica; f/re irregutarilies of which would sacrifice achievementof long-term,tran$poftation and national goals for short term expediency;and 5. A C Transitin the past3 yearshas spent estimaied not less than $2,000,000 to change the perception of performanceof A C Transit,and APTA, American Public TransportationAssociation,-of which A C Transitis a member,is undertakingan even more expensiveproject, PTz, likewise ta change the perceptionof publictransit, with purposeto increasefunding by Congress,by states,and locally;and the GeneralManager hasshrugged aside board members and the people's objections of egregiouslynoisy and diesel emissions-pollutinglargest size buses anddismissed complainis of their toxic exhaustand noise;and hereis the opportunityin bus procurement,unexplored by staff and preseniedio the board,to remedythese concerns; and

6, CentralCaliiornia Bay Area is non-attainmentof federalozone standarq, ozone. Oi, comesfrom NO^and hydrocarbons; diesel buses contribute NO*, and the State turned down a bus procurementcontemplated by A C TransiiGeneral Manager for regionarouses becausewhile purchase of 400HP MCIdiesel buses selecled by A C Transit'sGeneral "legal" "low Managerwas in Augusi2001 , theywere not emisssion,'specified in state siatutearrthorizing the regionalbuses; and 7. StateAir Boardregulations on A C Transitpermit purchases of diesel.busesby fleetaverage emissions parameters, it would serve air quality. acceptability and positive image ofA C Transit to phase out diesel buses and unnecessarilylarge buses ASAP! Thenoise, the pollution,and the waste of energyand inappropriatepublic investment demonstratedin unused bus capacityevery day to the pain and sorrow of the peopleand use of public and governmentsupplier money to try.toalter "Simply, perceptionto the contrary,will not. onesize-the largest-fitsall ano au qualiiyand noisego hanged,"degrade the image and project the imageof transitbeing inconsistentwith sustainablecommunity. Buscompanies, which make choices for lnvesimentcarefully respectful of susiainablecommunity and best practiceslistening to the public,do not need,nor would they deign,to try to changeperceptions of theii performance;and ,i

Resolution , page3. 8, Changedcircumstances and new opportunities not earlier considered pro and conand with aliematives by the Board of Directorsjusiifies reconsideration of the RFP 20A1-763;and this includes but is notlimited to: a.Argumeni against acquiring CNG buses is overcomenow by CNG fueling staiionsavailable now to A C Transitin UnionCity in Division6 tenitoryand Berkeleyin Division2 andthis is suitablyconsidered in theprocurement specitications; b. Graphicsnot previously knomr and considered by AC Transit board and general managerfrom the Congressional Budget Office on the coststio passengers and transit authorityfor movingpeople in smaltbuses and vans compared with thoseusing large and medium buses (See what was provided to theOperations. Committaefor its meetingon Septefnber2A,2OO2 in GMMemo #0J-304) enable betterthinking by BoardMembers on whatwill contribute to agencygoals; c. Populardemand requires immediate acquisition and use by A C Transitof many newsmaller, quiet, and clean-pqweredvehicles for currentand prospective routesof lowridership which nevertheless need regular frequency and span in hours,and days to meetenvironmental justice, locality non-discrimination, lifeline service,energy productivily, sustainable environment, and aerviceability and fime andfare economy!9lbg-ry.necessary to the 1!% over198?83 ridership growthrequired by the Consent Decree in.CO1-0750 TEH, Bayview Hunters.Point CommunityAdvocates v. liretropoliianTransportation Commission from A C Transit in a specificplan, certainly not limited to whatit wanisfunded by MTC-pass the I buck;and d. tsicyclesin combinationwiih buses, and accessibility of bicycle-canyingon buseswithout disqirninaiion in fuvorof personswho comfortably lift whole bicycles to thebus caniers heretofore acquired on A C Transitbuses, by a mechanismto lorer the rackor rampaccess to it, areincreasingly perceived as necessary to meet concemsin "C above,and should be thoroughlyexplored for a revised procurement;

NOW,THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE ALAMEDA.CONTM COSTATRANSITDISTRICT DOE$ HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: '1 Section , REclNDs RFF2D0t-753 l5/10/ot), REJECTS NEGOTATED Bus PRoCUREMENTAWARD OF CONTRACTPROPOSED TO BOARDWITH SOLE BIDOER EUROpEIN SupptteR: VAN HOOLNV UNDERREQUEST FOR PROPOSAL #2001-753, AND DECLARESITS INTENTTO SCHEDULEBOARD DISCUSSIONSANE DECTSIONSTO ADOPTNEW PARAMETERS. SPECIFIGATIONS. AND PROTOCOI-SFOR NEW RFPS FOR FUTURE BUS PROCURE'VIENTS. $ection2. Thisresolution shall become effective immediately upon iis passage by four afiirmativevotes of theBoard of Direstors. Passedand adopted this 13n day of December2OO1 . , NC TRANSITDISTRICT MemoNo. 01-304 BOARDOF DIRECTORS Meeting Date: September20, 2001

Gommlttees ExecutiveCommittee t l OperationsCommittee IX I ExternalAffairs Committeel ] PlanningCommittee t l

Boardof Directots I I

SUBJEGT: REPORTON THE cosT OFTMNSPORTING PEOPLE oN A STANDARDBUS VS. A VAN

FTSCALTMPACT: N/A

REOUESTED,ACTION: lxllnformaiionOnly [ ] RecommendedMotion

For reporton costs.

PRIORRELEVAiIT BOARD ACTTONS/POLICIES: N/A

DISCUSSION:

The Operations Committeerecently requestedinformation on coststo transportpeople on a standardbus vs. a vanwhen passenger loads were twelve or fewer. The costsreflected in followingdiscussion show the SmallTransit Vehicle to havea minorcost advantage. Of course,comparative costs assume identical headways.

lllini Buses

Thereare six (6) STVmechanic positions. Directstraight-iime wages are forecastfor FY 'A2lO3 at $301,500.There are 31 smalltransit vehicles.

We have directlycharged $63,091.47 through the MMMISsystem YTD. Staff estimates about $15,000in enginesand differentialsthis year. A searchof the MMMISsystem revealed 13 El Dorado($1,425 each = $18,525)and 14 Crusader($1555 each = $21,910)transmissions changedin the lastyear. This totals$55,435.

Thesebuses have run 7%.712 milesYTD.

DirectLabor $301.s00.00 DirectParts $63.0S1.47 OutsideParts $55.435.00 I otz 8420.026.47 $0.530oer mile tl 30. 35.& 40 Foot Buses I Thereare 180Apprentice/Journey mechanic positions. Direct straight-time wages are '02103 forecastfor FY at $8,841,4S5.62.We have086 tull sizebuses (excluding STVs, o Artics,and MCI's). I I We havedirec'tly charged $5,564,687.41 through the MMMIS system YTD. I Thesebuses have run 23,821,099 miles YTD. Thisis 86.4%of atlmiles (27,582,516 Total I I DistrictMiles YTD). The btal directlabor fully fundedbudget for Apprentice/Joumey I rnechanicstraight-tirne wages is $8,841,495.62. I I $8,841,495.62x 86.40/o = $7,635,784.29 i i I DireclLabor $7.635,784.29 I DirestParts $5.564,687.41 I Total $13.200.471.70 I $0.555per mile I I I I Itensexcluded are: I I . Fringebenefits . Tires,tubes, fuel vi . Labor@CMF . Serviceemployee expenses . WheelChair Lit maintenancelabor Assumptions:

. Parb chargsoutenore are consistentinespective of fleej. . Laborcosts for full size bus f,eets (excluding artics and MGI's) is a percentageof the overallfleet. r We will installebout the sane valueof partsin ourbuEes next fiscal year as we haveyear to date.

Approvedby: RickFernandez, General Manager Preparedby: PatrickCannon, Chief Operating Oftcer DatePrepared: September11,2001 12/6t0r

Nancy:

I was not ableto getthe inforrration you requestedon the bus procurement* total pice and freight costs. The GM Memo for the agendais still being worked on andit shouldbe ready by tomorrow morning. I will call you if it comesin and hasthe informationyou arerequesting. a

Comparison0f 1984 Public Transit Costs for FourVehicle Types

ffi Pasengen'dmespent waiting for vehicleto arrive. t.:.:.:::.:.:JPasengers'timespent at stops in tranrit. W Pasengen'time spent moving in transit ffi Transitauthorities' coft l0r vehiclsolsntions.

LargeBus SmrllBus

Qnt rtraE. CongressionalBudget Offi6e.lcdct'81-PoLlclca- ---Jun6 .for IBfJ$sttucturc Uanaginrcn!- 1986' parc 55. NOTES: ts8sedon daEtairom UrbanMsss Transporr'arion Administration, National Urbsn ll{as6 Transponation Sralsaas 1983,Section 15 Annual Repart, lDecemberl9B4), Costt arc in lgg4 prices.,,Larqe "Medium Bur,, representsUMTA's Class A buswith morethan 35 sea$; Bus"representi "small CtassB bis, with ?5 to 35 sears; Bus" representsclass c bus,with fewerthan 25 seats.Vans have 12 seat. Time is valuedat s3 an hour.The everagetrip is four miles.vehicl€i are operated, on average,60percenl lull. Speedis 25 mil€san hour.

ofDirectors,some ofwhom appearedto sharecBE's concernabout the lack of specifics in the 5'Yea Plan. TheGeneral Mauager aud Legal cormsel for AC Tmnsltstatea that theS-Year Ptan did not i$cludespecific measures because they did not want..afederal judgebrearhing dovnr our necks.', ln otherwords, staffdoes not want to makeanv specificcommituents, because they are afraid that they will actuallyhave to fitfiil those COrnrnitmeUtS.

MTC andAC Transithave failed 1o comply with the cteanAir Act,s requirement to iacreaseridership W l5%. AC Transitmust develop specific tansportation improvements,and MTC mustagree to fi.Ird specificimprovements. unless AC Transit developsa specificplan, MTC udl havenothing to firnd. I{ however,AC Transit reconsid€rsits position,and develops a specifictansportation plan, then MTC will be obligatedby 'lhis thefederai consent Decree to frnd tbatplan and ilcrease trausit ridershiD. shouldbe a win-win solutionfor AC Traosit,for AC Transit'sriders, and for the air qualityofthe BayArea- CBEsincerely hopes tbat AC Transitt 'ill developsuch a specificplan. However,if AC Transitfails to complywith theconsent Dicree, we will haveno choicebut to seeksanctions in Court.

CBEalso stuongly supports Director Cross's proposal to soiicitsubstantial communityilput on thespecific AC Transitimprovments tbat should be put into the plan. cBE hashuadreds of memberswho areintercsted in restoringservice to linescut in 1995-96,and who have othtr suggestionsfor serviceimprovements. CBE also sup'portsa ace studeotbus pass program for low-incomestudents 3s 4 6s*ns to inorease ridersbipand also to firrtherenvironmental justice. CBEand its memberswould ri welcomethe opportunity to raisesuch suggestions in ibe contextofpubiic lreariagsin locationsand "nesconvenient to AC Transiiriders. We areconfident rhat other I membersof thepublic would have sisilarly conshuctiveideas. We hope that by I workingtogether with theinterestod community, that Ac rransit will beable to develoo i a specificand visionary public har:sit proposal that will greatlyincrease ridenhip, aod whichMTC will berequired to find pusuantto the CourtOrder. Thaot you.

A/-Up.{-- RichardT AJ N-aoolis { Nodher Califomia ProgramDirector TEAMSTERSrocAv s53 I 21OOMERCED STREEI]SUITB B . SAN LEANDRO, CAIIFORNIA 94577 It TELBpTToNE(510) 895"8s53 . (800)4es-125s . rex tsroj ssi-68ir- -' wEsrDAy Drv$roN (€l%ffB I :effi ,260t

Thankyou in advancefor yourinterest and assistance.

Verytruly yours, f\J lll ).' l$w)rrynn t(ome A. Alorse Secretary-Troasuror

TEA.IUSIBf,SIZA.RIBOUSE, S/'OI"ES^'X.:JQUOJ SAI.SSPEIBSONS,MTIIC coNsrRUGnoNAxD su[.DrNc i{arr DRIVEN$ AJ.{D D^,NY EMP,,)Y.ES. s .irFlANcrsco, flJ ^!{Dr&rtiffiHAiislrNroN, locAl ai3 sAxMArEo._rr,aMEDA.uG-corlrilt6fr iii-uvi courqrrns ^Fnu,.rnD!/rTlr THE rNTsn*4"rol,r*r- nrmnaruooo o; n;;ds;A;.;fo", ' JorNrcouNcl! No_ 7 o@rs I e -4t4t'- /L*J "l'2^^--# METRO?OLITAN Jocph P. Bon Mero6rrr TNANSPORTATION r0l UShd SE .t O!&r4 CA 9160?4700 RF4c,t1FD CO MISSION T€L JI0.454.7700 . TTY/TDDrJ10.,i64.7?A Frx r10.464.7848 e-!uil: inffitlttt,cEtle ".,.1i:;;,::_i=_Wlb dterwww.rlrcci.gpy

Sb*n t, tftnni Ct* Ciorf Cdr Cd C.qv October31,2001 S'.et rh'.t r/e C}.i. M.rh Cen!| 6d G'is

?ot ttari,'" Mr. RomeA. Aloise 6td aortoa&. ftudd Teamst€rsLocal 853 E4tt,,$r*e 2100Mcrced dd. ofAlea. C.dy St.,Suite B SanLeandro,CA 94577 X&i.',ll U5.Ds.lftrraHdar rntl Urr.. lhFa( DearMr. Aloise: ' Ia'B Tt tsu 1", SF Cb! Cqa.y I anawitiag in respouseto yourlettor eclcing for MfC's assistancein ,d'tE&.H.t proteeting C.MCd C.ory a receotbus bid requestby AC Transii.

tut D.11 ttF Cdt.d Cld6 MTC doeenot getinvolved in specificprocurement agtivities of tbetnnsit opaators.We program haaspodation ftads for rtplacmcnt busesbased gn Doe.M. ebe''fri ttS, trtF!6r.tTddt .ndq tbeage of thebw. It is thetansit opeuator,sresponsibility to sr,{ectthe vchiclethat best meots its needswithin S*H6E r, . thecoagbsint oftbe availablefuading. &r.d.C@t

w.Ur6 My uuderstandingis tbat AC Trasit's bid.spccitrcatioss resulted ftom the It trudo Br clEFrdor rnl Drl46r C.r&L., operationalrequiremarts ofits penilingSas Pablo Corridor Projcct and the ocp€ctedextm6ion of tboserequirm€lils to iis othtr tnmk corridors. S.Int rt dt-.fld aiLsCdr? Specifically,AC Trangitis seekiogto speedr4 busecrvice in its trunk corridors,One part of ihie ehatcgyis to rcduccthe drrell tiue atbus stoDs bv ,errhl'wt - CIdd.,l- Or Cd), altowingriders to enterraud exii through.aoydoor. Havingtbree doors oa a standardbus and Mt*.rt D. N.dhl four doorson anarticulated bus msimizcs this oppornraity. SoLr-€6t $imilady,;6qsfu!19 a lov floor thmugboutthe entire lcngth of thebus &cilitetosentry and egrass ofriders. tGUlt 5.r !r-d.d Mt r! Altdnc

,.i,rr SF*g If theseilsovations prove suocsssful, it shouldgtimtlato tansit ridushipaud, t qdcdrt,ld qd.r by exteosion,the denaud for additionalbuses. ff1ou haveay fuither P.Idd.l69.t questions,discusqions with AC Transitmay be ap'propriate. r-d.itr.a 8ty ^e Cds.te

Sadrlt Wrlrbt lrqs Cqnt ni C5.r

Ytatt 16 Lns, fildr..rid $d t&.!q AF.r'

ExecutiveDircctor Ar|f, XdirlF &adnPnae

,* Fhto cc:Rick Femandez O".q OtE OF.hB Jsccti.nU&!.\Pctitcs\.lctt6 ?lt'it. W. t'{NI^ Dtrt Di'ffDdi.y Eotronrer budgds due to a lack offuel cfrcierqt costly Qfutsr repats, lower brake life, bigh maintenance costsarrd many other incfrciencies. Hwing managedprop€rties iD fioustotL Memphis (Tenn-)' New Orleans, Deuvtr and Itrlca (Olda.) during a 37-yearcarcer in public traDiportatior, I am convinced that *re small, Flexibility of shorter heavy-duty transit bus will allow transit orga- nizations to focus on bett6 servic€,comfoG convenieaceand cost eficien+ buseswill meet The concept of the small heavy-dutybus has come ofage at o(acdF tbe time itij most today's needs needed.The Opus ftom €hacc Coacb, is an exampleofa new, sma[, heavy-dutfbu that "White r ,rNrrronr ro help their communities cope ras designedspecifically around the with rapidly shifting dernograplricpattems, 8ool" specificationsdbveloped bI the traffit . public transportation organizationsacross industry. Flexibfity, cost efficiency,passeoger lm€ric. are being ad(ed to: 1) provi

5EPTEMBEi/ OcroBER 2000 I - ACTRANSIT DISTRICT MemoNo, 01- 159 - BOARDOF DIHECTORS EXECUTIVESUMMARY MeetingDale: May 1A,20A1 Committees ExecutiveCommittee I] OperationsCommiltee ti ExtemalAtfairs Committee I] PlanningCommittee I] Boardof Directors xl

SUBJECT: Authorize the General Managerto negotiate a sole source procurementwith Van Hool N.V.bus manufacturerof Belgium and their NorthAmerican Sales Agent, ABC Bus, lnc., for three- and four-door, low-floor buses.

FI9CAL IMPACTI Approximately$58 mlllion in state and/or local funds, in exchangefor AO.Transifs share of 5307federal lunds appropriatedfor bus procurement.

t REouEsrEDACTtoN: [ ] Intormationonry [X] RecommendedMotion 1. Subjectto the availabilityof stateand localfunding, authorize the GeneralManager to:

a. Negoiiatea solesource procur€meni of approximatelyone hundredand thirty-five (135)40'3-door, low-floor buses (with an optionto purchasean additionaltd5) anC approximatelysixly (60) 60' ariiculated,4-door, lowiloor buses(with an oDtionto purchasean additional60) with Van Hosl N,V. bus manufacturerof Belgiumand theirNorth American Sales Agent, ABC Bus Inc.;and,

b. Fxplorealtemaiive funding options and third-partytinancing strategies, allowing the Districtto utilizestate and/or local funds for thisprocurement in exchangefor S*3OZ lederalfunds.

RAf!ONALE: Van HoolN.V. busmanufacturer of Belgiumhas developed a new-look,high-tech, three-door, low-floorstandaid 40' transit coach, and a four-door,low-floor, articulated 60'transit coach. Their designis sleekand modern and one of the newestin the transitindustry, and will be unveiledat the lnternationalAssociation of PublicTransport's (UITP) 54th World Congress in Londonon May 20' Thesevehicles would meet the serviceneeds of AC Transit'squality Jervice program lor Bui RapidTransit (BRT) and enhanced bus servicein the District'smajor service cori.iOolrs. tney prgytdea numberof significantdesign teatures that would not onlyimprove the service quality for existingriders, but wouldserve to developa new positiveimage oi buses,attract new riders,ind makethe District'snew and existing service more cost efficient, Since several of thesefeatures are not availabletrom manufacturersin NorthAmerica, staff is of the opinionthat thereis Gll Mrno ltlo. 0t - 159 Sole Sioure Bur Ptocunn€trt ylth Van ltooUlBc Bus Prge 2 ot 5 sufficientand adequate justification to purchasethese buses from Van HooVABC through a sole sourceprocur€tment. Preliminary discussions with Van Hool/ABC indicate that they would be able to respondto ourdesign specifications, as wellas meetour limeline for delivervoi coachesin : 2002and 2003.

Three double-widthaloors on a Wjde-doorentry at the lront,mid-section, and rear ol the l,lotofiered by 40' standard coach; tout double- bus, providingquick and easy acoessand cgressto and NorthAmerican width doors on a 60'artlculated from the coach.A third and fourth set ot doo|€will busmanutacturers coach acoommodalemore rlder eftici€ntly,and combinedlvith a Prooi-of-Paymantlare collec{ionsysteni, dwelltimes at bus step! qlrDUe reduced significantly. Low-floor onlry trom the lront to Low-tloorentry and exits can reducedwell tima at stops In conjunclionwith the very back ot lhe bus by as much ss 1.2 secondsper passengerboarding or thre* andtour- alighting,in comparisonto high-floorbuses. Thb lsature doorentries, this also rnakesit consideEblyeasier {or seniorcitizens and leatureis not peopletl/,.th dhabilities to board and aligfrtfrom the bus. olferedby Norh Van Hool iEthe only manutacturerin NorthAmerica that Americanbus can providea doublewidthdoor behindthe rear-most manulscturers axleot their "pulllng" buses. , Front, e,ngineon Van Hool uniquelylocates the enginein . ie articulatod Not otlffed by articulatedcoacfiee buses in lhe torwardsection of the uehicle.lt is mufiled NorthAmerican and Insulatedby a fully enclosadeompartmenl teaturing busmanttacturerc seatingabove for passengers,This teslurs significantly r6duc6smaintensn@ cosis becauBetho raar section.or tfailer, is.pulled, ralher than the convsntionalapproach ot pushingthe ioMard sectionwith an enginemounted in the rear. large wind6ws on all four sides. A more liberaluse ol windowsgives the busa modem, North Amsricsn A single fio,nt wlndshleld,large high-techlook. Paas€ngers, particularly those standing, gensrally "claustr@holic' buse6 eide windows, includingtloor to experiencea les$ ride, and il is easi€rio hav6far less celling windows in tho doors, 6pot conneclingbuses, landmarks, and destinationstop6, wndowspace and a large lvindow acrors the Van Hool'snew design is one ol the most modemand back newest in the trsnsit indusiry,and will be unveiledat the UITP54|n World Consrees in Londonon Mav20. 2001. ADA wheelchah eca€Bslhlltty WheelchairaccBgsibility is.providsd with a rampthrough N/A. through mlddb door the middle door.Tha iull lengthoi the bus alongthe curbsidekneels into posltionto reduD€the distancEtrom curb or streetto lloor level,The wheelchairsecurement ar6a can b6 locatsddirectly across from ifE door, making it easlerior passengersin wheelchairsto boardard posltionth€h chairs for securement, I€rge standing mom ereasat Large slandingroom areasmake it possiblBto LowJloorstanding 2*, 3'o,and 4s doots accommodatemorB passengeB, vrlth eagieraccess. areasassocrated PasBengerswith strollersand large bagslind theseareas with3d and4D easier to uBethan seatedarBas wlth limitadEtourage. Tho "lean-to" reardoorg are not use oi supportsand stanchionsonable standing otteredby North pas6engersto ride with rolativecomiort. Americanbus manutacturers Cumminr or Dotfolt Dle8el Van Hoolis abieto installU.S. made dieBet engineB that r{/A Engin6scompllant wlth CARB areluliy compatiblewith the lateEtCABB emission amlsEionrequir?m€ntr regulations. ComPartm€nteesting tor bus The drivercornpartment is largeand ergonomic,teaturing NiA drlvcr elavatedseating enclGsed behind 8 lowlevelsjdewall and g4te. This addedsecurity fealure providesthe driverwith a olBarBgparation trom pas6eng6rs,withorJt sacrilicing customarservice contact, tiiu.Memotlo. ol - 159 SoleSource Bus Procur€mentwllh VanHool/ABC Bus Page3 of 6

pjtoF RELEVANTBOAED ACTTONS/pOL|C| ES : The Boardauthorized the GeneralManager to travelto Europeto meetwith the managementand staffof MercedesBenz and Van Hool to discussbus designs and procurement opportunities (GM Memo01-l 18) AC TransitPolicy No. 350, Section 6, "Procurementby NoncorirpetiliveProposals (Sole Source),"

BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: Duringlhe previoustwo weeks, the GeneralManagerand his Directorof Marketingand Gommunications,along wlth staff trom the maintenanceand engineeringdepariments, met with transitoperators in Germanyand France,and toured bus manufacturingfacilities at Mercedes Benz and Van Hool.(A moredetailed report on this trip will be presentedto the Boardat itsfirst meetingin June.)Working sessions with each manufacturer led tci extensive reviews of vehicle specifications,test rides, and discussions regarding the teasibility of manufacturingbuses for AC Transitat a competitivecost and in a timelyfashion.

Rationale: The trip wasprompted by AC Transit'sdesire to lookfor altemalivesto standard designedbuses in NorlhAmerica. that wouldnot only changeand improvethe imageol transit buses,but wouldalso provide a higherquality of servicewith morefunctionality. Buses that can betterserve,the District's San PabloBRT corridorand othermaior corridors in its servicearea are -. preferred.Bidership in manyof theseconidors exceeds 20,000 passengers per day, wananiing a ! technologythat will speed boarding and aiightingtimes, make it easierand more convenient for passengersio get on and off buseswithout squeezing through crowded, narow aisles,and providernore comtort and "prestige'riding a bus.

ln August2000, AC Transitsiatf initialedialks with Daimler0hryslerabout the availabilityof the MercedesBenz Citaro bus in NorthAmerica, with an interestin procuringadvance design, European-stylebuses. Shortly thereafter, staff was informed by Mercedes.Benzthat they were not yet readyto discussthe introduciionof the Citarobus to the NorthAmerican market, but that it could be a pari ai theirlong-range business strategy. Subsequently, staff alsolearned trom Van Hool/ABCthat the introductionof Van Hool'surban iransit vehicle was a possibility,but nota certainty.

In March2001 , followingfurther correspondence between staff and DaimlerChrysler about the prospectsfor a NorthAmerican version of the Ciiarobus, MercedesBenz contacted District staff expressingan interestin meetingface-to{ace to discuss.futureopportunities. This wasfollowed by a similarexpiession of interesttrom Van Hool/ABCBus. Bothmanufacturers e)dended an invitationio AC Transitstaff to tourtheir facilities and to discussproposed expansion programs and the potentialof introducingtheir new, innovative designs to the NorthAmerican bus market. The timingof theseovertures was both timely and critical, since the District had recently released a solicitationtor proposalsto purchase110 low'floor standard buses (as repiacement fot 17-year old buses)and expressed an interestin exercisingan optionthrough VTA in SanJose to purchaseas manyas 50 articulatedbuses for use primarilyin the San PabloAvenue BHT conidor, GI flemo l,b, Ot - 159 . ' Sole Source BrB Ptocuritrcntullh Van iloolrAgC BJe Page4 of 6 Findings:Staff came away lrom these meetings sufficiently impressed with the design quality andworkrnanship of boththe MercedesCitaro and Van Hool buses.

1' Spgclflcations:Each manulacturer has developed urban transit buses with soecifications thatmeet or exceed our own specifications. Certain operating requirements specilic to our seryicearea and the Calilorniatransit market will necessitate relativelv minor modifications to theirexisting specifications. 2. Pr.oductionQualtty: Mercedes manutacturers over 13,000 buses and coaches peryear utilizingadvanced production line methods and quality conirols. While Van Hool is much smaller,producing 1,700 buses and coaches annually, it manages a.very.clean and efficientproduction and assembly line, and rernains one of thelargest and oldest bus and coachmanufacturers intemationally. Van Hool is moreoriented to customization,while Mercedesis far more standardized in itsproduction and assembly process. This ditference accountsforthe reason that van Hoolis in a befterposition to modifyils vehicle specfficationto meetAC Transit's needs within in a relativelyshort time frame. 3. Designand MaintenanceStandards: Both manufaeturers maintain high standards of designand production, and staff was impressed with the quality of iheirproducts, especiallyrelative to othermanufacturers. Staff expec"ts that the Van Hool bus will achieve lowerlife cycle costs over the lifeof iheirvehicles. ln particular,the Van Hool articulated bus utilizesa frontengine mounting that enables the busto pullthe trailer section. This designfeature should reduce maintenaRce costs associated with a "pushing"system utilizedby almostevery oth€r manufacturer of articulatedcoaches. 4. CARB Emisslon Requiroments:The MercedesOitaro bus was designedwith 'Euro a Mercedes I enginethat meetsthe 3ostandard for emissions,but doesnot achievethe slandards - necessaryto meetCalifomia regulations. Although Morcedes has a stronginterest in enteringlhe NorthAmerican market in 2003and 2004,in the immediatetuture it wouldbe exitrernelydifiicult tor them to re-engineertheir engine or to installan altemativeengine in their bus, BecausEof Van Hool'sadaptive design and customizationprocess, they regularlyinstall a varietyof engines,including Cummins and DetrohDiesel engines that fully complywilh CABB emission requirements. 5. Altoona and FMVSS:Under a federalprocurement of vehicles,Mercedes and Van Hool buseswould be requiredto go throughAltoona testing in the UnitedStaies, under lhe directionof the FederalTransportation Administraiion. Ahhough staff believes that both manufacturersproduce superior products that wouldreadily quality under the conditionsof Altoonatesting, a procurementutilizing state and/or local funds only would not requirethis certification.Federal Motor Vehicle Satety Standards (FMVSS), as wellas Califomiamotor vehiclesafe$ requirements,would be addressedin the District'sfinal specification and procurementof the Van Hoolbus. 6. Cost: lt is anticipatedthat the unit costof the Van Hoolbuses may be as muchas $50,OOO less than a procurementof busesmanufactured in NorthAmerican. This is largelydue to the ecohomiesof scaleassociated with largescale manutacturing forthe Europeanmarket and the r6lativ6lylow marginalcosls of producingcoaches for the NorthAmerica market. 7. ProductionTimeline: Van Hool's ability to manufactureras many as sevenbuses daily, andtheir skill and ability to customizevehicle design to meetcustomer specifications, makesit mucheasier for thernto meetproduction targets within the timeline's mandated by "GMlremo Nd. 01- tss ' SoF SourceBus Procu.ementwith Van HooUABCBus Page5 ot 6 the District'sexpanded service program. lt's anticipatedthat witha contracifinalized within two lo threemonths, bus deliveries would begin as earlyas late2002 and be completed by mid-2003, 8. ADA Accessibility: Van Hool busesmake wheelchair access easier by utilizinga kneeling featurealong the entire curbside length of the busand middle-door loading with a wheelchairramp. The interior'layoututilizes fewer fixed seats and the useof 'fold-down" seats,making it easierfor wheelchairpassengers to boardand positiontheir chairs quickly and easilywithout having to maneuveraround seated passengers.. 9. ServiceApplications: Van Hool buses provide design and operaling characteristics, as notedpreviously, that are well adapted to the higherlevels-oi-service standards the District wishesto introducein itEBFIT and majortrunkline service conidors, These vehicles will introducea newstandard of qualityfor existingriders, and havea sirongpotential to atiract new riders,as well as reduceoperating costs.

Requlrements/Fecommendations:As a resultof its findings,statf is seekingthe Board's approvalto pursuea three-partstrategy for the procurementof Van Hoof'snew advance design buses.Based on a significantlylower pricelor European-manufacturedbuses in comparisonio onesmanufactured in NorthAmeiica, it maybe possiblefor the Districtto useavailable funding to purchasemore vehicles than originally anticipaied. Depending upon the final negotiated price, the District6ould purchaseas manyas one hundredand thirty-five(135) 40'siandard buses and sixty (60)60' articulatedcoaches.

1. Sole Source Procurement;The GeneralManager is seekingthe Board'sapproval to negotiatea solesource cohtract with Van Hool N.V./ABC Bus, Inc., because they are the onlymanufacturer who can deliver a busin NorthAmerica with the features the District desiresand providenecessary supporl ior serviceand parts.The followingtactors are lhe basisf or a sole.source procurement - a. AC Transitwishes to utilizeadvance vehicle designs in itsBRT and major trunkline dervicecorridors to handlelarge daily loads of passengers,often in excessof 20,000passengers per day,more etficiently and cheaply. b. Van Hool/ABCis the onlymanufacturer who can provide three double-width doors on a 40'standardcoach and four double-width doors on a 60'articulatedcoach, c. Van HooliABCis the onlymanutacturer who can provide a double-widthrear ooor behindthe rear-mostaxle of its coaches. d. Van Hool/ABCis lhe onlymanuiacturer lhal can provideadditional door capacity, citedabove, and otfer full low-floor entry at threeor morelocations along the entire lengthof thevehicle. e. Van Hool/ABCis the onlymanufacturer that offe rs a frontmounted, "pulling,' engine in itsarticulaied buses. f . Van Hool/ABCis the.onlymanufacturer that can offerlarge plattorm standing areas adjacentto 3'i and4th door loading areas. g. Van Hool/ABCis the onlymanutacturer that can offer the previouslycited features and manufactureits buseswith engines that are iullycompliant with the emission regulaiionsmandated by the CalifomiaAir ResourcesBoard. Gl| ernoXo.01 - 159 Sol€ Siour€eBus Proc-rxanantrlill Van HooUAECBtrs Pa,ge6 ol6 2' Financingfthhd-party Financing and stateand/or Local Funding): The General Manageris alsoseeking the Board's approval to workwith state "exchange" and-localagencies and third-partyfinancial institutions, as needed,to itsallocated 5307 federal bus procurementtunds with available slate and/or local lunds, This will enable the District to purchaseVan Hool buses. entirely with state andlor local iunds and avoid delays and restrictionsassociaied with Altoona testing and ',Buy America" requirements. 3' ProcurementQptionsl The District previously authorized the General Manager to solicit bidstor the procurementof 110standard, two-door, low-floor 40' busesand to exercise optionsthrough Valley Transportation Agency {WA) in SanJose for the purchase of as manyas 50 three-door,low-floor articulated buses. lf the GeneralManager is successfulin negoliatingan agr€ementwhh Van Hool and marshalling state and/or loial funds,or utilizingthird-pafi financing. strategies, to payfor the puichase of lheseadvance design buses,then the District would withdraw its existingI t b-bussolicitation and not exorci6e the WA optionfor articularedcoaches, ll negotiationiwith Van Hool are nol successful,or stateand/or local funding is notavailable, then procurement of th6original order would proceed,but delays in thedelivery of coachesby as muchas oneyeai could be encountered.

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachmant1: GM MemoOt -t t g Attaohment 2: VanHool Bus Specifications:AggO, 40' StandatdCoach, and AGBIA,60, Articulated Coach

Approved by: Rick Fernandez,General Manager JamesGleich, Deputy Oeneral Manager

Prcparedby; JaimieLevin, Marketing and CommunicatjonsDirector Daie Prepared: May7,2OO1 AttachmentNo. 1 GMMemo No. 01-159 o ACTRANSIT DISTRICT MemoNo. 01- 118 BOARDOF DIRECTOFS EXECUTIVESUMMAFY MeetingDate: April 5,2001 i Committees I ExecutiveCommittee OperationsCommittee '"ft', ExternalAifairs Committee PlanningCommittee t l Board,ofDirectors

SUBJECT:Ratify Travel Authorization for the GeneralManager to Meetwith rhe :, Managementand $taff of MercedesBenzn Xceilsis, European Transit operators,and Van Hoor Buses in Germany,France, and Bergiurn, for The Purposeof DeJerninlngThe Feasibility of Procuring- Mercede-s Behz Citaro Busesand European-styleLuxury Cruiser Buses : .

FISCALIMPACT: M,298 (Grant Funded)

REOUESTEDACTION: [ ] lnformationOnlv L .lHecommended Motion Ratifytravel authorization for GeneralManager to meetwith representatives of Mercedes Xcellsis' Benz, Europeantransit operators, and Van Hool Buses in ebrmany,fran"., "no Belgiumfor a periodof 1s days,beginning Aprir 19, to determinethe feasibirity oi Mercedes Citaro d;ha;i;g Benz busesand European-$tyle, tuxury cruiser buses, and to observetransit:olerations atthr6e Europeantransit agencies, at an estimatedcost of 94,295.

RATIONALE: Lastyear, in connectionwith Ac rransit's.Fuelbell Developmentprogram, staff initiated discussionswith representatives ofXcellsis and EvoBus, the bus man-ufaciurinq division Merced.es oi Benz,regardinglhe.possibility of purchasing Mercedes Cit"i. nrl"."r"r theDisirict,s fuelcell program and San Pablo BRT service.

TheCitaro urban transit bus is a siate-of-the-artvehicle used extensively throughout and Europe,;] southAmerica. lts unique, high ieoh design.is unlike,any:,.other busbperati"ng,,in "North,,,.,,, .,, America,incorporating numerous consumer-o;iented fea-iures that not onty enhance'i#];;g, of bus service,but also cai€r to theneeds and desires of customers.Citaro buses f€ature low- floorsfrom the front door to the very back d.oor; multiple doors (three withwioe, two-way ctearance doorson a 40'bus and four on an articurated oo, ous;, matinl it uerye".it"-nl,iai, .:oardingsand alightings ai thesame time; rarge standrng room areas adjacent to the rear Gil ir€mo !.o. Ot - 118 "t *t"ril i/|anagcrto TEY€Ito Gsttsnvqnd France ffi!51-

doors to easilyaccommodate strollers and cany-on baggage; large windows on all b* (including foursides of l!: a large.backwindow), providing an open,spacious feeling; numsrous v stanchionsand lean'torailings to makeii easierti standand'move trroutir-tlin ous; and large, electronicLED signs. (See Attachrnent No. 1) Initially, MercedesEvoBus representatives indicated that they were not int€rested in NorthAmerican enteringthe rnarket,in laigepart because they would not be ableto provideaffec1ve support for serviceandparts. Howevei, ihey left open theiossioility oi turttrerdiJ.r.slon" consideration. "no Statlcontinued to rnaintaina liaisonwith Ev6gus thtough-r;d;r at Xcellsisin Germany,.andMonday of lastweek learned that EvoBus ,"n"g"m"ni,*", ve;intere$ea meetingwith ln Districtstaff to discussthe feasibility of introducinf,thrbit"rlr. in NorthAmerica as earlyas 2002or 2008. A su.bsequent Teglng in sacrarnentoon March22d berweenthe General Manager and Dr. FerdinandPanik, Vice President.o{ DaimlerGhrysler and President ano cEo oi conclusion icellsis,led to the that introducingthe Citarobus in theUnited States in coniunctionwirf' fuef cells, would be a goodma*eting and developrnent strategy. Dr, Panik "n"ou."gJd tne putsue eener,arManagerto discussionswith EvoBus, noting that ne nadstrongty recom-menoed RCiransit EvoBus as an excellentpartner. to EvoBus has extendedan invitation to theGeneral Manager and stalf to cometo Germanythe w99kof April23 to meet withtheh.tnp management and-siaff to discuss" fo.riore procurement of Citarobuses. The meeting would include i tourof gvogus'sm;nuf".tuti"g iljrili"s site, andtest andrneetings with the management of at leasttwo or threeGerman trarisit operalors. The GeneralManagerwould "FP.tq"l withXcellsis rspresentatives in eermany anilourheir facilities.The objectivesof thisvisit would be to:

1' Determinethe feasibility of purchasingciiaro buses in the nearfuture;

2. Determinethe compatibility of thecitaro bus with Ac rransit,sminimum vehicle specifications,as dictated by Galiforniastate law (including engine e;ission requirements) andour local operaiing conditions;

3. Explorethe possibility of orderingas manyas 50 articulateddiesel coaches (with at least 1I busesdedicated to serviceon the San Pablo BRT line) ano up tolr o siandarddiesel coachesfor deliveryas earlyas lal@2OOZ or early2008;

4. DiscussEvoBus's program in NorthAmerica ror seruice and parts support; and 5' Determineif it isleasible io utilizethe Citaroforail or a portionof ourfuelcell bus procurement- anorder of as manyas 20 fuel cell buses tor delivery by July 1, 2003.

Al theAPTA conlerence in SanFrancisco last year, District statf met with paris RATp stafi to learnabout several of theBATP's operating and public information service progr;ms. Discussions focused on the applicaiionoJ transit preferential strategies and techniques t! riintuin busflow in G$ tlemo No.01- |18 &tthorizs on tor GeneralManagEr to Trav€l tg Oermanyand France Page3 of 5

heavytraffic' Also discussed were the usesof graphicinformation on theexterior and inierior of "next "next buses, bus' elecironicinformation at transitstops, stop"electronic information on vehicles,and maintenance concerns associated with these customer seryices. A greatdeal ol informationwas exchanged, foilowed by an inviiationfrom RATP staff to tourtheirfacilities at somefuture date, In conjunctionwith the GeneralManager's trip to Germany,stalf has also anangeda meetingwith RATP management and a tourof their4,000-bus tiansit system. statfwas alsoinvited to tourthe van Hoolbus manufacturing facility in Belgium.They are Europeanmanufacturers of luxury, cruiser-style buses, and a poteniialbiddir on the j00 Express Busprocurement advocated by GovemorDavis.

In.orderto takeadvantage of reducedfares and early seating availability, this memo received advanceapproval form the VicePresident of the Board,Chris peeples.

^ATTACHMENTS: Athchment 7,'Citaro Bus lmaoes

Approved by: RickFernandez, General Manager JimGleich, Deputy General Manager

Prepared by: JaimieLevin, Marketing and CommunicationsDirector

Date Prepared: March25. 2001 I

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SouEa:Clrrrhl. $r mnantyltrm, 'You askedus to (1) examine'thefederal rols in sulpo$ing Bus Aryid transili €) compee tre capftrl co6ts,opersdnE cosE, ssd pedo$rance chanacterlsttcsd 8uEllralid Trsnsit and light Rail ryFtemq ard (B) desqibe the othcr sdvantsgeEEd dissdrartagesof Bus BEpid Trrnrft lrtd Light &ril

To addrepsthese questions, \pe idenluied whue Bur Rapid ltqlsit is being u.sed€)rtendively in the Udtrd Statet ard deturminedhow EIA eqrpotts Bus Bapid Traneli prqiectg. In addition, we vidted ttar|slt agenciesin Dallas,Dmver, Los Angeles,Pittsburgh, San Diego, rnd SanJoseto obt8i$ capital and operding cort infotmation on Bus BaFidTl:lansil and LighEAail systernsin those citos, Wealgo intereierved FIA ocieinls and tndustry e)rperb to ide[tt$ the advantagesand dlsadwntagesofBus Eapid ltlarait ard LEht Bail sjrstetns.Alrlrendix I provides a detaileddiscussion of our scotrr€8nd methoilology.

- in Brief Federale;uBport for BusRapid ltansit prcjectsrn&y come tom EevEral Results djffercntsoqrces, inciudiig FIAk NewStarts) Bus CapitaJ, snd Urbgrfz6d

ErgG 2 Olo.ol.otr lle Lptd ftnrlt A!3s Fo|FnuIaGra[tt6 prognrnr, hrt ite usefu cm*rrhcd" tllro BusBaptrt Thandtprqiecflave leceiwdfurdtg cotlsrlfuienbElzn tbecumnt Nery StarEFrog;rrb te'tding sbout tPSl nilion, Ftw adrtttoralBur qagd lbsrrdt p$iEcti xggtUhSr recefu ftrdlg counrftnm uds tl€ cur!ent NcnrSbrb Rogarn, stlch ed!!E in 20{ts,bcdanee (l) &* E rs Bapid taruit ptqJesiEsle rlsdf to cstp#fu findtre (2)ftE€ rre aluge nunlcr of plq@ cli8lbl.to cenFctetutlle ma@lyfiffAdusl lh.t ir nBajectcdt! rlrritatrrn|flabll ftr fisdalyrrr 81(B,ud (E cerbin wpesof Eusnerd ltrldt prdectr E? rot €litlbtefn NerrStarts fuiding dueto ihe rtqrfuernrrc&gr nrqlactEoptfrtE otl $E \sG ti8ht{f.rrry$ for the e*chrdviauseof nlrr ttnr& rrd high{cc[gancf vcud8s, FnAabo arycts Erulgpidllgutrtluqrgh adsnd|sE fioq![qsar0ut be$nin 1989,Undert}ds!trotfrtq $60,lF0rasprwidedro €s& d loinitirl $enlrca lo lnpryrrBintonnruon aturing altrong tranril {geft:io!rbout istur8pcrtshinEEo Eui nedd $xtrdt, Th! rbmotErilidrpqrrnr ir dedgnadto daffire $e dtnrt to rtdcfi BdFnaSC tnrL cut hcrcrr. dde|r|b$,tnplwe cfi&lcf, iad pavtds bidlq|tr&f reqvlse'Ths $s$t 6' F[drcts brcbdeitefrcatrd hr'ryWEi bos lrncB dn dqyartdal sF!ct8,improlrd bClnolos/ on buces,and other innomfiorg,

ltc Btrl Bddtltgndlry$srs g€rrslal$hed tor€r crqlial cots pr rnile thal t]reUSht nsu rJrstenrsln the clticEec rlvicm4 alt6ugh Wdher o grsl€rtrh8il a clls! aahnnt$e!r oPersfingcos!', Arllrd$g to 2000rlolars, thecapftal sosls tqthr vrdou Bf,cFofBus Rapid tr[!$ ryEfir$gttr c$iGs thrt wEtrvifimd nn$d &om& lo{y of $200000per nIe fuan arterial street'brsBdryrtsn to t66 Ellion plf nile for a ahdictEdbur*af Optern (geetcble I), LietrtBatl Byrt€Inr hrd capdtalcort6 thrt raqed frmt i12,4 nillion to $118.8mllltsrper &tle.

ry!t OAGot{t{ lr! I4ld Eodt a TEUg1r Ccpltil Cort! for setEstsdBw B.pld nrnEit rnd ugn Rlll prolrcts

Capltll co3tFBr mll€ Nurnblf.rf licfl0rs Prolegtlypo dlmanld colt rEng" Ar'3ngr aosl

$7 rnillbnto $55.nlllon .o rnniol|to $s7.i mifiion arEdal sratE ss00,o00lo 18 mflllonlo S1'18,9 SounF: Our srElld! rt dFrs €qFltod by FIA dnd io.ltt hnrlElt agenctoE.Wh dld no! hd€DrlNrn y ltdly hls hkrnr|bn. SgeaPFsndix I br ddibcnrl d!b!€ on th€ |n€ffrodotolyurco.

Preciseoperating cost cofiE ariFols for Bus Ratid Ttawit ed Light Ratt sy3temswltttin ard betweeBqities ErE dif6cult due td di$erencessmong Asnsit sgincier, trfiEb EiEtetn6,arld how they accounffor co6F. Wefctut|d mlced results whc[l we cornparedthe opEst'ug costr tor BUERqid llansit and tnght Rsil ey$t€rncin the cities wl r€viEwedtlut opurtetl bo& lBes of I srteterru.Eus aysteru gemeraUyhad lowar vehicle qperglDgcosb, However,we foutd no clsar ldtem loF opersting costp€tr tip. In.Fone casesUght Rail hsd higher operetingcoEb !9r tri! tlras Bus Espid Tlansit, and in odter cq6s6the t€rrersswas tnre. Ttre pertormmce dursctEriFtics of Bus Brpid []ansit and Light Rail ryBterxEslso vtried tridry, with the largestBus napid Ilansit Ey;temddersfdp about equalto the largert Light BalI ridereidp, Flrutty, BueBaDid TranritrodeE Fhovedg€neratrlv ]riEher op€rathg $eeds than the Ligfit RriI Ines lrl thes€ cifiies.

Bus fuDid ftausit md Light Eail ryeternsoffer variougadvahtag€ and disadrantqgee,Bus Bapid tandtprovides &mole flexible ltrrproacb.thsn Llght Eail becausebuses can be routed to eliminetetransfe$; cFeratedon busways,EOV laneeond dW erterial streets; and implam€ntedjn stages. Hon'Er'er,tansit o&cials Epeatcdiy notcil thal buer havea. poor public image. As a teE$l tranFfi plerurersErE dosigrdng 8us Rapidllansit Fy$emsthat offer imltrowd sentic€ftorn Ftandrrd buc cewice, llarwit olEcialsbelierred lllat becuuseLlght Bail iF psEnanentin & E[vencorridor it corddinflusnce economic developmentovEr time, EuchloBgiterfil chrn8s, they said, help juedfy the higher capital cost of light Bgil,

P!9. { GAo.0I.984lIr n DddlElltdr Background Bu6Rrpid Tlsrsit bvolvEEcoodln4ed trnpnremenain a ta$!fr tyrgn s. intrsFrrcuue, equipn€nt,qlr$iorNr, a$dtechlolo8t$arEiyrlnfirsrbl trexfirl€ntlo bus€ron urtsn mrdwryE. {rI.

S 'ae or dghtgot-{rrv i.D'rdcd frqr odret Brt$,rtr+t frafEcby bndslr. I{otJ LAr.re< f\Osf :grnPo€tlAiJr onbu$rrys or EOVLanog lg somaflnrs chanctcrtqa4fV tha additionof ffirsirf€ pa} andddc ftcilttee rlqng titb erfirs,nceard cdt ecm lorttwkres, Bru BqH tanr{tryams uftt rrterbl Ftreebnry ticbde hnr* roservedfu ths exs[$fireusp of bs8e3rtd ctEct d&'ttcduntr ttrt rpacrthsea andltprcrc eerdca Ic .Aogelesreccnt$ ffiftd r 8EsEqDid td|dt tfge d rEwicemtro bI' srErisl coridor8 <'6-cN\AS.v Eur Eqid Trrnrfr trrsyabo tnctuderlly of thefollo*trg lhcuice: I igtlr. BuresnocMng m earlyor ecrcndpdgre€n light rBdnceE$r€l tine-b los Angclc, for exemple,by rs

LoEogrdingand lue co0frqr irnpnymnrnc. Coflc€tdrtri'rmd.r8pid&rr collectisr throughsrcorid c elrctrdcprsB andlow4gon ardlo riaedoor bqsrdingnsdltr in lr Enitgtt st{rFtrcreadrig dieaacc btsnssnststiq&s or sheltels tngmtrEesolc[eftE Bpe€d6. 4' Imfdt/€d strdfiE rpdthdEt . Bru bminals and unique$:fioEts -Dus 6 slrelrcrsffiEG-nffid Trrnsirsen'ice tro[srandsrd gervise,(&e tig;2) E . Inielligent*anrpordon s:Ertemhchnoloetee Advanced tecluroloiy ca$mai4ttin tnoreconristent didrnces Hreen busreand irfomt Falsingcrsrhrn th6ncfi brlsf5 sriving;

ldr co[ttutsd thcrqtp mv

trto t Cto.ol{a ![8 L# ?lidt Cle&ler rnd quieter vehides. Improveddie6el buses 8nd busesu5j4g alterrEtive-fuelsare cleanertllaB tajitional dieselbuses. ExcJusiveLanes. lkaffrc lanesreserved fqr tlle exciusineuse ofbr:ses help buoespass congestedEafEc

Enftds8 of 8uE Rlpld ThnElt Flelt cs ln L6 Angolrt rnd S Dt€go

SourcE:16 AnlEtsslhsttqotibn Tr'nspoflrdoo Aurhottty rtd Sln drgo Mempoha0?.nslr Orbtcpfiisnl Eord.

Light RatItrrratt is a metropoUtsn.electricrrilwy Fyste$ cha&ctesizedby it6 &billty to ope'ate in a variety of envlronrncntssuc,lr ss streets,gub$?}E, or elevatedgtructur€& (See[g. 3 for an ocempleof a Light Rall S]'srdn,) SinceUgbt Bril sJrctecnscaD olretute on sFeeGudth othe! traEc, they ttTtcaqy use an overherd source.fortheb electdcalpower and boudings take placc frdn tbe Ebe€t or platEllls. Arcording to a tansJtodation conEultant,bccauso Light Bail systcnlsoperate in both e,cdufw and

P|lB 8 CAO.lrl-Dt4Xlrr B.Dtrl tr|rlr sharedright'o!-way cllr'tuonrnente, they t6/e striccr ltnits on rheirl€Rgth md tlle AeSuenryof &rrice tlun beaw rail gietems,,

FlgurE3: LlFhl Stll T||'|!II in Srn DLrlo

UghtBsil3!,stsnu gFircd popullrlqf r3 t lolr!.rcdl odt6r to h..Wrdl nrEt€rns,srd a numbc rtr citcF l|Ev6ccrtrord UgldBdl pqiects orrst ttleprst 201€aE,SineIHl LaglsBdl Ertlltr hreeopcncd in fA IllcaoPo[tsi sreEsBalt&-oore, hdrlo, DdlE, Dcfltrir,NorlhdttNGrt Jers€y(EudE@l s.nd Borg6rl coqnfte$), Ic Aogeles,PltBburgh, Portland, Sacrarnento,San Diego, SurJorc, St- [a$e, andsdt Iskc Clil. Snelral othersides, hcllrdhg llinrupolb urd EeattJe,are in theproccss of plmningLight fuit slrst€ilrs,

Errd rytt4 !s, srch ll .|!finrd byfhrir ogirr$@ orl itoblyEpn Erldlhbr rad w6 rttird tdl on$t E ound to prytrthe ! irr. Borlyd A|&fiEr.qn Jr mdUE, ttpicrtbhr8 longu dlstrncsrb€twrf[l rtsfrfir, annhrrr $!*rr cqadty tl[t l,Ehi ndl EX|6r.ms.

,L1. tl cao{r.s{ tor Dflrl trrnt a I v

FederalF\tnding Whilethere is no federalpro$am sFecifieollydesigred to fundEus Bapid forBus l}aruit, sevemlEIA progranrscan be used io helpfund tlrese prqiects. iflh Available Rapid providesnbding for nen'DusRapid ltansit projectsprirn8rily tfEough its TlansitProjects,but Nelf St&ns&lloglarn bEt eligjbte projects facc Ftlf corapettionfrorn lj8ht UseIs Constrained Rall,Heaqy BaiI, and Cortrmut* RaiI projecE, f\nding for additionrlNew Etarisptqi€eb of B0tt?e6 is conitrahed-FnAprojects fttle &oaining Euthoriryto maLefutrding conr:dEn€n8.to. nev llqects andthe ftarrsporEtiq EqrdwAct for the2le C€tr$uryffEA€I) idenrfreda lerge tlurnb€rot prqi6ctFeligible for fmiting ulder thepmgratr! In additionto the,New Strrts hg$sn, trsnsit sgEnciesmay use otlrer FfA frrnds,such as thd8€from t]le Bue_Capttal Pmgran srd theUrbaniied Area FoHrula Grstrt Progran,to fundBus Aapid Tfat|sit prqfccts. Eoweve, ttre Brx Capital Progrsrngranlrel,end_tD _be_.gelativelV srnall, thus lirlriting tiris programas a siSnificat$contdbutor to IarEcprqtects, In additicr,so.me BuB Rdd $ans$ IEejecbtt|4' $alify for ccrtEintrpe6 of federalhighrry A|nd!& notab$ $l[face llangportstionPtogranr and CdEestion lfitigation andlt Qnaltryl4pmvrlnent fpndsadnrinistered r,hmugh the FcderdUighway A&ninistration.Sinse thase fuirds aft pmiidedto ststegornrnmearts, local transitagcnd€E muEt cqrnpete wlth msnyotherstat€ nrcd6 fcthese frllld8. a In additbn to providingeapiul fundlne,f,tA bgSsna ds[noDsuction programii 1909to .highfighttfre bEnefrs of EusRaptd tar$tt, Undertlds pmgra4, fiFi awarded$80,000 grants to 10bandr agenciests slule irdormationand data on new BusRryid ftansit pqiecte. Ilte Frogram provideswor)(shopo and bformation*luring qpporhntiesfo! theb8rlslt a8encie8,but no capitaffundng, Ihe gfanteee'pmlecB &Elude 8 wide vadetyof bu8Faye,Arterial bus lf,reE, atld bus tectEElogies.

6 r:I ft,1 {' /

/ V' l|'r { OAO.0I.'84 Au Aldd Durft r . La-. L3 I

- -l

New Startsnrndine llrt llemStarc Prognrn is tlrr Frjrraryfedenf prognr m trrpeet hovided to FeurBnsBapid ffilitr rJr$emeanaertcrurdu 6 edsung$$.tna TtansltProjects Pqtgets31gt1r{"]lg"qfor hu sndrail qrairmr_r,hsr qe"*E-;il#;f#;ffi compoatortrllAgrmb oluj toB0-pert:nr orft*mtg. ffifuhfiuds, ::=ry1l11ry11* ryg aroealorregioul r_ir* ;;E r,rfi,*, gTnun8ry engn etrgpl'rs, andmeet fT*rygorml of ftlal oesgrt:alop rra Fpoees Newftrra grqiectsto theCorg* for furding or anEnnurl basia bescdon sr evtlusflotrof tfrdr techniLknerits,in"friOiog mobi&y impn fEmontgrnd. cat .ecuvlrres, ,rd Urcd;ilib, hthc locsl fnancirl counturmt. Itl nrEng its ft|nAi"epr"p*.I .*r,F8r, FfA gfee8 €e&dt'ggranr agracriarr+ r,otii.r,i t at,- rcgyq?ctcrehcmsdaaEol 18giEn-to pqiects -ru.8ruy sift overaXrgfing8 of hecorn$EndDil"or rccommcndcd"undor the crrEluationcritcria lhe Tonsportatisn Equl0 Act tfi tfte Zlst Ocqffirysrfted ahut S ffisr tr .s;s*!crd" funding orcr 0 yorrs fDr NnwslrrlB tratslt prqtgcts,t

rnsuBt db&lrt $rfb to br nr||tr itnfLbb to tle ggg3gjf1lll1lgl,hrs,lecwratdnducirlG'-Dd;;;stlri&rdtnst ir s gl111lglryjiryjr"-l*l ry.ru@!' 9"r!t!rtbsnElErlrrlqry e t0{Nelrur I.rto ErEourt-rcrr!4rl!o uat|gc|l 6*iiiJnElp'ltDrEolEDlrylrnfgfitllo ut trTdirg qpgGtgtdlFqiscE. ,r urde!fir cutrtunprqgrdl tnrtrh*tirAar coUa suDpln!.ft l{a. FttqsEtrrt! rlcd3furr& *ard8r dhEolhtf ftdlDlfrdGs.l trnu"trnU, iEiu i drieoriri;iaoquorpiifjeormiioffis-, oc,rpa "" tsntsllnt* E0!a!!i6t, I* lltl€|r8 rlais Ir nlblrclto I Drle.lltrl ndlrdlBr dldEEd!o rrErseihd miul[tE unoqsa|lEFgt t&d.!rh yr|E ln rCdtigtflgn !! $riorl$d fll,to rrifd corognt dlt||llnrtng sultcctrofus|rc trEbo*trrkis trrC rP!ryiraona,fras cffirg.rr :Tm"q lt4qlqf b ded$rd rodbr FIAto diaic gat rgrernnrus-ti*sr.na oEl,Dlrsutr bJ4EsuuotErtion !€8bd.

l.E! t e 001.@4 DD trDhl|Hr BUBRalid TransitpniectE compete with manyother llojects for New Stsrfsfunding, including Ligl$ Rait HeavyRail, anct Cornmuter Railroads. In totel therosre overn0 prcjectain varjousst4ges of devgioprrlent.As showr in tabb A,for the26 plojects wittr ruu F\rndirrgerurt Agrecmerrtsin fisc8l yesr9001, two projectswith Busnapid Trrneiiconponentg hav" cornnftnentAof about08gl miuion in NewSarts firnds,6 The gt8rts oql Nev cornndFnellgfortheEe A6 FloJeeto js about$&g billion, which inrludes $4,67billion for Ught RaiI,$Z,Og biuion tor E€awBaiL and Sur million for CotrunuterBail prqjects.?

Nswslsn! PrcgrsmFundlng tor Eusnrpld l!.nc Hscrty:€rzoo1

N&rnb6rof Acturlor Bu! B$ld 'Artultor t\hw Sirrig PrFlet Tnnrlt Pioporrd ol lrlctr proFEtr tundng. ProJactawlth Full Fundhg 26 $42t6. ' trrEnl AotasrnantE $831 Prc,ict! pcndhgFull 157 FundingGrdflt

othef 197 Tolrl 405 14 legmd; t{A r Notspplic.bte. Igff!ry_{T-tSLilFtlg-G.n esrrt nrr,fiouns rpesrnr er1pp1r6 co dnldwhrc lterls Dt orn3rost|ltoflrE frpttcgnl €nofiCr Drhg prEpolld byiEr il lg!trElscD, NcwSt rF ftndi'lt lMifirl, FL,slulh MbnfDrd. Bu$ry Elc€nrtfi Ftqrct. lsplctlE:liy_ld.niird EtE Rtdd ltqldr FroFdErrr In OlmlNnd,OH; H0 krd. CT;Lo€ Anggl!6, CA Miamf.FL; g! nl6d, CT;.nd !!bsnh[Fn. O.C. 'fte fl!,6 locrtloosthstnrlD hs tj€d prqsc$ v'|r| lsprr.tr DtBu, BaDtdTl"nlh r'r bridg+art, CT; Ghioago,lH Hdlllu|||i Hji ard twDiD Bolbn, MA

tiouston recsivorh cdnnlErlsr|l ot 1500ml,Ulon h lii,, Etilt Llrl& to, q/|3IEETGA;b,tj- lriorov€m!ilq lncluding B0s Brptd T.&rsit Bicrrerts. tr i! nqt sclcly ! Sd nrDid TEodt pro.j6ct. -'ftsding corunfunrnE frr 4olle otthe plqi;cB wsrc rtad! udEr prio! &uttxEizstisB.

Prt lo G.lG0r.t&{l!| &Dtd &|I'rtr I

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sorxB:gAO rnatcb ofFfA dgB.

Fb! s nunb€r of Fasons,few Bul Bapidkandr prqiectsare JIkrV to be considercdfd Nrt9Starts ftrding in thefnal yeff sf thepedod cmr.rcd by fEA-zi. Xi.st tsfl BusRapid lhndt Droje6 arer€ady ttn n*atg co{rsid€rddr O|Iy f offtc U ptqJectsretth psding gru* sg$etBerrtsor tn thefual deign stageis a Busnalu earlsitprroject"fttr|thqofnegr . prqiestsh thoplelirninsry engbtEering sr|ge d|at hsye lEopseat abour $8.9 ' b&ioEin ssptort tom thaNsw ttanq proFtarrbotrv 6 h$ BaDidDau# . pnd.cFlcopoqhg{bow fiSo nluio4 rre tnclurterd,Rnsssns for the r€ldirety fc* ptojcrE bcingnrdy for firnithg condderdift irelude r.te nefilcs of ths BUFBsgid trtEf concGptrrd tl|ededEionFdlocsl trsDsit egErdeqrhlch arerrqpouibla ftr corductingatutEer dl8riouE altemal,ivceiurdgoposingplojscts tor f$ding. gccfid, ftAb eut}tolityto mrke rrcwtbrding csnrnltncd* ftr prqiecnsof sV typewgl behfthg In$sd tluoqh t003U FfA rmh tfrcOndbg coumtlnenagrqpoaeO in frE4alyrszmE Nev Btrrtr reportardnmdhg rrqtl3lt ltDrqiecfsaDoEt ${62nilllon i+ rernahbeco$anhn0st lu&oltr tor thelaat yn|r of Are cw .leffitloltsrl. hstS. rune &r Bapldtsldt nldects Ee twi.rt$rc for Ncrw$trrts ftndiry becr|lseilqi@6 truBtopcran oa coBrnfe4ftr of*qy for tltc rfic&rsierurc of nrs tsardt anrllritlroccrpancy valrlnJm. WHlesome Brry R&[d ]audpqFcB, arc] lsbwrarc, voultl &ffds teqldffrned, roltrr rould not. Forwph, tbemtshbFlghiilitr B[6 Rdd I|.se Seniaeiu Lc AngdesAcrrlrE otl d0stro€b hrufrd trdq ft is nst, thcrdd!, on e aq'rratarigtrtof"wry.

AgenciesCanUseOther LoseltrmS agidrdrssUy uBsotlterqFes of fedenlltnds, in addton to Fedeal F\rndsforBus Newgtsirts tu$als, to bulldDus Erga tsndr sndotherr cj|lrtems. Fbr RapidIb'aneit Pnqtects esnpla, Ealot! $gE$ciFs(an elEU nftb obctncdthr,ough Alth Urtanized.Ana rorr|ula Gtrnt ltotlssr to BesEapid trndt 8rd rr|l ptqfects.Ttrtspofnmnrovids cstrl ad op6ffitg.slslBElce !o urterdzedareas rifhpoFdatio[s ofrBolEtlEn 60,000,EorEvc!, rE€cs witt popufrfidts oeer2d),000 El|y on$ usethe tunds tof crpttel improvelne!$s,fu rxsqple, in fisczlycerZffiL, one Bus &dd tranrdt pFqiect,Bosionb 8ftvr8 lJne pqe@ pbmed to use*150 trfllio! e4sr A|€ folmul.rErrllt groglarn"rbor f$11ndllion frarr theNcrr StansPmgrrn, and| 120mtlSon tn ldesraehus€ttssE e bondti|I|G. h ddltiom, one conmr&r t?ll, onr hrarT!rii, ard & IlightIi8! prqtectspl&ned @use Bbuuit6t9 dllirn tn tonmlr grrnt ftmds,in addltio[to NewStrtr fund6, 8r psrt of tftdr oveEtlfulding.

,qs tt Gasot{8a B!| Eldd l'3|dt rrv. f Jo f , L>,/ cJ

An addidonalpotential source for bussystem impmvements is the Bus CapitalPmgram, which ployialeE funds to statcEand local n r,,J, "g.nc|$ for businprovemc s. ltrts programis ciuracteriredby a largenumber of r€iafively6mall Ersnts, For enarnpl€,forfrscsl yearA00i th, C*gr"o sppropriared4bout {6?4.I mltrim fo! gI4 grants,r{nging ftom 0gg,000t! $16.6millionl llw largestamouts t5tricatlylpereplovide; tor statesfie Uos gr&ts. Wfle thesefirnds can be combjnedvitlr fundsfronr other plt€ravn6, FushEs Nerr St fts, th€yare gmerally not sutEciBnt to fund.a mqiorBus Rspid thnrit projecialone.

Bw BapidElanstt and other fransitprqiectE cEn qualify tor certaintypes ot Icderalhighway tuntls aamiriister*i bythe F,eaeralHigirway lqdninistrstion Ftor6.aJnple, gurface 'ilausporletion trE$it agencieshare us'ed Prograrnand Congest^ion }filigatjon &nd AE Quaitt{ lmrylpnent tnds to het! peyfor firnsirprojed^e.BlHtrcr of ttretro Sw Bap-idTfandt prqiectswitr nil F\mdingerant Agrcenefltst t".a yo" 200,1plamedto ue tederaltrighweyfr.rnds, Six ot'ttn Ugnt nait prqc* with Ftll FlndturgGranr AgreenetrE plan to useabom oiZf miUionin federalhighray firndr, TheSoutM.irni.Dsde Brrswq'-funds.Extepion project o in Finsl Designplans to useabout $gg tTrillion in ttrese FTA fTAb SupportsBus &apid \p rymnective,Bus Bapid Ttaruit lE e st€ptowadt developing Tlansit ConceptThrough puD[c tran6ES]'8telt6 tt|at have the perJornsrrcernd appealofL{hrt Batl DemonstrationProgram han$it,but at a iowercapita.I cost. EDAcontcrnds that u-irU tect nofog"at sdwncetnentF wlll allowbuae6 to operytewith thespeed, tlU*n ry,inA etictency ofJ.lghtB{, FIA prlmortestlre Bus Eepii Transitconcepr wiur the slogEn"think rail, ugebuses,'

:1\oF 9F* thil{r, S||IhceTrltsFsrtruon progam-tuna, an}ffiEEEffiiroE! :"_!1jg-ti"_psq "G_t6o!trs$t prqigetA,co. ng€srlon Mugrtion rnd Ab quruv ffry nryt fsndr.sEEenerrlly .t aihbleto srarcslor rsrupsnrhim plojecE seqtrus l!,lstp then mect tle JsquirenenE of tbe CleEr AEACL

Pl{! lt CAO'01.984Drr lrtod 'I}trrh In 1999rthe FlAinidare

FgCsrn ttuj&d0srA rdditionl noba: d thr E rsn$td tr0!C! cccostsnn.llpra ct[tsffitm n8,bs6 oq lvrt rrcet$ dir"c fiq(l|$8,but atis$ sotlqir{tFsrtd rryBtthE lmgrrn l@b, frg! lt c/ra!01'0ta!r Llld lrrrdr I Flguro 4: l tirl EUERaFld TrlnElt Dsnsnst.atlon Pfolods and ConsorllumMamb.rE

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$ome in the dernorrhationpro:ranhave morre etcf€nslvE of a BusRapid Tlansit system tlun otirers.For ercamFle, andCharlotte hwe buswaysfor theexdushe use ofbuses, while SanJose impiemenfingtectnolo$cal and sewiceimprovements such gs BigEd on a high.rldershiFHOV lane ariarial couidor. In Eugene, are to puldlsse busesthet $dUhave s. trailFlike

Pqgs14 CA().n484 E[.i trDld &rrtit f{r,'aJ6 P.LA/t3

4ppea{ancJan4 qp€r6e on speaisl brrs hnes (cee tig. 6). In Olewlanq6n extensivEBus Sapid Danstr pr{rct is plsnncd$af in$o}eesgre E*e|lriye rtcdltt$ction of Eu4lidA:rrrruer illduding rigral prioritizatio& bw eafron sllucn rEs,and rlcon6truction ofthe sids|yrlksrloDg th€ corddor ThblcS iuustrstsEihe varjdionsin the EusBapid Dansit concept among tlre t0 initial dcnonstrdon Foj€cr6.

Flgutlsi Artlrl REnGb1lnfBof Plinnrd Eu! Frpid Tnmir 3y3q1flt &a!*, Orry*.,

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Thbte3i 'Ele .nt3 ot E|rsRapld Tisnsit i n tha FfA Demsnrmibn Prclocts - WffhlnEton, Frn Scn Fo6ttn chtrloto Clevcl€,ndD.c., Dtrllm E&gcn, HErtlofd Honohlu Mirni Juen .br6

Bu3lsn6s

umiFdrhp€ Irprgvrdslaions.& Bhclte|l Intalllgail tnmponafion By6tr|nB Cl€anEr/qrbtsr

_ t{otri HlvldrEl ddt|mE fiay cl|llEb ts dsrF trtlon gfi&& ir/E|\rg. a .lv.*rhgEn . F,C..hcl!('€! tl6 uagol 6 lilitsC{EEelr.airFdl tpnC. Eoutrb: FfA

. FtA FlrrrF to conduct e\IBluttiqls of eschproject p8rticipatingin fhe dernonstrationFrogrqn atE! the I'rqiectF $e implernented,FIA alsoplans to ewluste Pitt$br8Ch'sBw napid ttancir pmject. Tt|tougfi these evalustlons,FTA wa s to dctarfiIinethe rBoEtedlective Bus Rapid llansit el€mentEEo thrt ofher trsbsit agencie!cr$ model Birnilrr systerns,fhe DeparEne& of llansportatiol'B VolpeCmter l|ill conductthe flr8t evaluaiion on Honolulu's Oigfupr*slbw plograrl tr'TAdoe6 not plan t! lnclude sll the coDsoltiun mernbeB'prqiectsjr tlre evaluetiorl

Capital CostsAppear Bu6n4id lltatlsit cspitalcosts were generallylowertlran Ugbt Eall capital costsill t}e citieswe revietveq r||hrn compandon a cost.per.rnilebasis. to FavorBusRapid l{e foundmlred reaultswhsn we cornparedthe operafoEcont8 otBrr8 Tbansit,While Results RsFidTtar|sit and LiEht Bail systans, In exlrfijrlngperfomarce Are charaderis[ics,we foundAut the lidelshipsd olerathg speedsofEus Mixed for BEpidTrslsit rnd LightBail systenswere sirnilar Operafing Costs in rnsnylespecE,

'F!te l0 GAIXll.o8{ B!! &ot!l }|r'lr |l|.,r, r50 r.1qv LJ

BusRapid Thansit Capital TheBus Repld Tnnrit DfojceFtbat Fe w?ie|!'cdcost laae ur werzgen Cose'PsMileGenerally bnild thanthe Lighr nNil pmjrctB, on 4per-rnilsba8i6, As Bhormh !$rc 6, LowerTtran Lig!$ Bail BusRapid Ttrruit crpitalco*r eracragodabout $18.6 milion per nrilefor busrays,$9,0 ndl[qr pernrile lor bueeson IiOV lancs,and 1680,000 per rRileon dry rillet6, vhen ercglsbdto 2000dollr$.ro For lll citi6 thst buitt tight Rsil Iineefsinc? fS80, eSitNI cosrE.rwrrgEdrboni $S4.8$dUioEr pcr mllc, raog:lng&qn Sl?.4mtllion to 0tl&8 ndllionper rdle, tvhen eBcslrt8dto 2000dollgl, Oca capitalcoctperrmile basis, the tlure di[ereff rypEsof3tp Bafi lfrancfist/6tdtt6 havre svEra€p cs[ritrl costt]Et at.e99 p€lc€nb 26 gorcent, ard 2 percent,olfl|e aileralecost of &tgtt Rsil rystemsre rcviewpd.

figurrigup r:t: crplhl Colf Prr mlr ff Llgm8r[ tnd luE B.dC n.'|sft Dd|lt| ln r lq! rfO a.E 'l

udtt Fdt E rryr BtE fi HO|/ EusonAfHd L,|!|g

Noa6: Colt !.rthbC io tsd 'r!r rmo rF,brs. A{rntr lfrtf e* erFlFlEsf, llr t'n 13sfllrtFl tr{t 1l Lbn R4 |h.r.lF'3'De 0. bunrry slFltrl €! !l! f9rnh! blr|f!,! b|ilth loerdhri ln lm dllE hrlr balll||! rv'. r$a!$rr y

!bds$ csptl.l ca6rsWFI€$ly irl€lude rhl csffs !6 pl|rr, &clglr rad eon$nrctaDtqiacl

P|Er l7 Of,Oot{&4Eo, &Dld t&.lllt f'IJ, .Jb P -1t/dJ a

open.d lo Frl'€ts ${lcb5 asHCIV Enst. C;pttrt clEE lErbursE sslrE HOV |rrrrs 8rs forrigit HgV Eclfill€sln tw ct'ti6s,Csplhl calts br bdB.8bn snrisl 3trleis r]o toi-rhrrettr;; tn nto a!es. SourDE;eqo En{yri5 ot FXAsnd Irrnstt qgrncy data.

BusBaDld Eanslt capitslcosts \ary considerabg-dependjng oD the Drpe of svEtembldlt. Cost6of BusRapid Tfan6jt prqiecfs include the costot the roadway-buswaysor bus lanes, sta;tion stuctues, park-tnat-ridefscilities, cotn$runieationsand imploveal.trafEc signal systsns, sld vehicles,if additionll or specialbuses are needed fq t}leFroject. Girrenfts varieryof rvryFirl Fhich EusBapid tl8nsft Inry bedesigned,

BapidTlansit on.srterial streeJs-Appendixes IIt arr-TprorriaEffi*ion on tlle BusBapid taEit andLight Railsysterns tf,r8t we anslEes.

Drclushrcbusways, which are essentially sqpstate.hig:htrays for bures, genersllyhad the ld6hest cEFitsI cost pe,r mile for thoeesyst€rBs we anaryse4avEregirg $13.5 rnillion per milenr 8000dollars. The caltlal cosb of ninebuewryE in fourcities ranged &om S? million rp 9i6 milion per mile.I Themoet efpen8iye one was the Pittsburgh WeEt Busray, qrhch cost6iglrI[@tttly more tl|rn otherbuEwayE we ansIzed, Howeveq, accordi4gto localtranFit agency odicials, they ncedad to con6mrctonly 6 mileeof bpgwayto achierctheir goalof rapidtransit to the airportbecause the bus$ sould rxit thebusway and ureexjsting highwrys. Ihey added tlEt slr alterna,tirreUfit Bail 6yEt€myDuld have begn longe!, co6t two to threerimes as nuch to constsuctand significantlynrore to operateand maintain,wlUle attracijng e$entially no {ddition8lpassengere.

Other6lpos of Bru fupid Traruitcystems hsd lower cryiEl cosu. !'or IIQV facilitieswhere buses used BOV lanes i! five dties wer€viewe4 ca1litat costsranged ftom fiI.8million to 937.6million pu mile. For tiils ilw fssilitiesrre colrsideredthe capitalco6t of Hovlsnes,bus stetiotlE,park- and-ridefacilities, and additional vehides. See appmdix I for additional deails.

Bw Eapid?ranaitimplovements on arterialstreets cut havethe lowest costper nile, For exarnple,Los A$geies completed the Wjlshire BoulErard endVeffurs lineset e costof a$out9200,000 per miJe.?hese nco lines opersteon m4ior efieri8l sEeetst but ryithouis. dedicated right-of,wa1r The Bu6Rapid Tt8nsit impDvements included in thi6 costwerr Bignal

'Bec$5e thr currGr*bcr-gov lan€6 ur nouslcarna Ile *rgeteswrrcE@EEiEIG snly Itcititios,we itlcludethur asexarnpler of brErr.ys&! this alrAfci!.

}lgr 18 CAOot.gt{ Eur trtDtd }rtdr fw, a90 f,44rc3

a3 =r

giridzadol implovrd st d@fE,rnd rcsl-timeitdonnation syst nD informingridbrs of bu rriral tfoirss,qlhfle thi8 iype of sui&cesBeer traetneottras tle leaster

UghtRsil sJEter|rte rwict?adalao vary consderabtvb their c{pltsl cost perrnne, bdn&d in capiUlcorF als thr ste[on6,lEllctunq sigDal ElEte[fis,powerF!'l'lFmE uHef teloc$h'q rights.ot{rry,nahte[ nce &dlff{cs,trandt vdrlcles,and prrqlect wersight Agsin,we rdiu$edthr histsrc crylt8l coetottbe pojects to tscal ycatAXD dola8 to prorddes bcffierbasipofco[IE'Ariso& !'or theryEBns sp r€vlcwedtte c6t per nih forLiglrt Bdl avernged|8a"8 dlimpcr$llc, lantitg holrrt12.4rdlEdrto tll8.8 nilum pcr nfla.

&e highcrrcapital eoFt6 trctrmllr foruTd Rrit ryEtcmscurryred wfir Aus n$d Il8$Et dre bom Eevelrl,sffiE. Fir6qUght ltdl sJrtctnscqtrh elerlgntEnot.rsgdr?d h hB Bqid lhEit systcnts.Ligt RallsyEEils tylicary regsiletBirl *nrl' cdmutric*sons, sndelecticrlpovtr rystmE qdth fiirh.ad rt€F to aleliwrpqwer to trairg, A esnsulrr$rudy of etghtl4ht Bdt l'uegin firc cfricg(Dallas, SL kui6, D6tr€r,Sslr Irke Clty,and Portlard) fcnndthe wurge cffi Ef thEreelemena to be eZ,8 millionper m$e.BUlhi Rd! rydemssbo rtquhe eddfiionalrmlldds ncadcdior fhe 6uid.lrqy-fii1,fcGf ard trrck brlla3t, In rdrufior,ll a Lighi ns[ trrairtenrnaefrdlitr doernot e*t, onctrust bebuilt atd cq$pid. nmqy, U&t Brll vEhtcl6,?htlc hrFtn8hi8her caarIhg capr.ttf thrn most busca,dso cori more-about*2.6 mflron erclr,r, In cgntraslaccordlrrg to trmsit industrycorsuhallt8, a qpical d&foottrEl8tt buE co€tr abors $283,000arut an articulafir&higfrr c4adty buscosts.&out 8P0,000. Eorrevar,bu8e6 thd incqrpBrte$Ews tecturologisfor low enisticmEor thst nin on rnorctllrn onefud car coetmore tt|sn Sl mguoneedL lbr

!!to 19 Gr&01484Dur A.,til ll{dt ,o NU. aJb P.13.23

exsmple,the SostonSilver tine low-f,oor,s$icuhi€4 compEssedndursl 8as-hybrideiectric buses will cost$1.5 million eachascording to !'Itr olficials.

Anottrerfactor thet csnofect the costof the systernpis the anountand avEilabilityof lequir€drighr-of-way. RighLof-way coFt6 ore atected W the designreqtanents oIBusBapid Tlansit, and Lighi RaiL Tfanpitpbnners told u8that a bad.cbusway requtred e widerdght of.wy th4r ught Bail, Theyestirn ted a nrolane buswayreguired s right of-way,bort g0feet wide,compaEd witil A4.leetwide for e doublFtrackUEht RaiI s5nteun.r. Rcgardlessof the traruForbtiqnmcdB-bB orrail--tlre baaic.dedignhss a mqioreffcct on the caDltalcostE. Specltical\y, ltojects thaf usetunneting or elevatedsEructules Ere more ex?ersive than thoee .witb. surface level consructiotl tr'ort'.ample, &e BostonSouth piers Ttsnsitway, a l-mile hnnel with ttseest4tisis brdlt a4iacefitto the BostonCent al Artery8urinellroject,has an estilflatrd cost of $601ltdtlioirTrurnelhg can be thraeto stx fiInEsmole qpensiw llan surfas?constructioq rcgardless of t}teppe ol system-busor rail.

OperatingCosts Vary for Wefound mlled r.esulf6when we comparedthe olerding cos& Ior Bus Bw RapidTlansit andlight Bepid TlanEitsrdlight Rail in esch ot t]le six citiesthat oDelatedboth RaiIqpteEns bDes of Erst€fits,E Weuaed t}ree rneasrurDto exarBineoperating c6r9j co$ per vehicJ,e-revrnuehour, cost per vehiclelevElue mile, and coEtpr! t6 pasrengertrip. Wc also comperadtlrese measuree, corecttng fmvehicle capBdw. Each measureresulted j$ somewhEtdiftertnt relative operEing cost levels,

Pa$ of the r.Easorfor ttre Eriation in r€sultEis thrt the Bus EapidThasit systemein our examplecities operatein difierent wa5a. The systens

"PitiEbur€h c@cisisnoted lhst s Solootbrr5 ay requlrEfren!rvas not udfom grrdthst h|Brtrys cr$ be t*rowrd to Ught Bsil strtldqd! tq lholt $ctiona to fittluouglh trnn€fs tr zccEnrnodaleot6tucholls. br PittrbuwL to! emnFle, Du6eEEharE a furnet wtor Li$d fail vel|icle6. elhe rb._cifi.s with boih EusRrDid Ttinsit d t ight Rril sy$enF ia our study sre D!!as, Dsl,lEF,tros ArgeleE,PEt8brrtt! Sr:1Dlefp, srrd$an JoB€. Fltllse ttute me8surrs,philc not the otrly pos5lblemea,sur€6 ol opsrs,Ungcost, rrE coutronly tlscd in ilaFit, Wcrlso rirc[trptld to dct€rminaoDcsating cosr De! Dltr€ng€t nils as a mss51r!eol cerpEtirqrj hoYle(ts!,we corddnot S$ln suf&cient d$s,lorsuch rh r{rtl3,Bis.See rppendjl I Jor dcfajls at the methodologr used

F.Ai l0 OAD0I.98{ Eur lsfrld t.rslt "l

o 'E*/brk Ir 4deor--tr^":h n-6eS "^ffiuvnrzde rn t l-Pf)l)- uect --7L -U@t A (l | fnt'ls i7', a.s./L tlhanat Qerr-. tA I C7Vaniftl-''''- . . vt.-v ev . -ff-Tn u,€ut:ant 4daar.s{n,a'ai r's /n -q)s'tr-- ar)g'6ud/cr"e +f T[ansTeqEcoMark hybrid lobusesnow runnlng 0n Denver'sl6th Street Mall

Whenit wqstime for the RegionolTronsporiotion Disfrict(RTD) in Denver; Colorodo,to teploce qging shuttleson ifs l6th StreeiMqll. it turned,toq new slorl-upcomponyt Trqnsportolion

,- frnncfarr

ransTbqused a fresh sheetof it runs at a consiant2,200 rpm where it erativebralang to recoupbraking ener- papetin designinga complete- operdtesat optimum efficiency. The gy to chargebatt€ries. Iv newhvbnd electnc bus with EcoMark's batiery pack consistsof 26 The 45-footJong and 8 Vz-foot- "of-the-shelf" many irurovativefeatur€s to meet the cleep-cycle,lead-acid wide shuttlecan carry 117passengers, RTD's requirements. bateries suppliedby Optima Batteries 37 more peopleover the vehicles they The EcoMarlq as the new bus ts lnc. are replacing.The busespmduced n called usesa serieshybnd configura- Four l2-volt batteriescharged by an TransTeqbown shops in Danver fea- tion ill that an internal combustion engine-&iven allemator are dedicated n:re an advancedtechnolory design elgine clrivesa generatorthat keeps the to the bus'slighiing and otherelectrical consisting of a welcled stainless-steel battery pack charged. Two electric systems.This hybrid seup is able to spaceftame coveredwith high-impact motors, one in eachrear wheel, draw leverage the 70 hp supplied by the phsnc panels.These required over 110 power ftom the batteriesto drive the engine into 440 hp, 220 hp lrom each molds including a single 20-foot-long bus. electric motor to drive the bus. roof panel. According to TransTeq, Ratherthan a dieselengine, as used TransTeq accomplishedthis leverage plastrc should be more durable, rust- in most of the competinglrybnd bus throughits proprietarycontrol technol- pmof and easierto mainhin compared designs, the EcoMark uses a small ogy which featuresadvanced and high- to metal or fiberglassconstruction. The Ford 2.5-liter, 70-hp, four-cylinder ly efficient energymanagement. These bodiesare dent resistantand graffii is enginerunning on cleanburning com- include capuring energynormalV lost easiiywashed off pressednatural gas.Since the enginek during idle, eiiminating acceleration The interior also features molded only ftrnctlonis lo ahargethe batteries, and decelerationtransierts and regur. plasiic componentsthat allow cleanup

;g SEPTEMBER,/OCTOgER2OOIMASSTRANSIT www masstratrsiltrag, com l,rt TlansTeqEcoMark hybrid buses i uring power washing.The low-floor ernissionsthan a singlecar It is aiso '^" bus,orly 14inches otrthe ground,has significadly quieter ihe diesel fllffiffiffiffiiffi;ilGff: a 7 l/2-foot ceiling. shuttlesit r€places. a BusRapidTlansit (BPJ) sysMnthat The low, completely flat-floor Unlike pure electic shuttles, rideson uiheelsin d€dicatedlanes. The designrequired fre useofindependcm- EcolMarksdo notneed to bepluggrd in lat€f, r€presentsa nn,ch less sizable ly ponereddriving vAeelsin lizu of for hoursto rechargethe beueries; this investmeattban a light rail alt€m8tive. arles. Enteriagand odting is gr€atly is doneconsantly as the shuttle moves Since the hybrid generatesle orn facilitatcdby thefour huge doors, alougi6 route.They are able to run electricpovar, an elaboraleil$€strrs- lxd€e4 the right sidc is ainost all over 20 hours betweenrefuelings, nrs doesnot harreto be construstedto door. Handicapped-friendly,the corryaredto thefour hoursper day for snpplygrnr ftom the eleotricgrid. A Ecolvlar{gwhich can lneel at stops, theelec'tic shrdtlix also beiag Fplaced BRTversicm ofthese buses would t!av- car hatrdletlro wheelshrimsinulhne- by theEcoMark fleet. el rryto 60qh rafiherihrn fte 30-mph oustymd thereis a built-inwhcelchair TtreEcoivla* is tle fnst md lalgest tnp speedd€sir€d for theDenver oper- mq. Aa automdicheiglt oontrolsys. hyb,rid electric bus to successfirlly ating€ill'iloomeof reF conop€asabforrrcigirt chaagcs as. complete the Federal Transit Szilagyi likes to compare the pass€Nrg€fse er and e]dt.The com- AdmiDi$arioobAltoom tcst fff noisc, EcoMa* with.fffVs likg"rthe.Toyota pGssednatual $s sioragetanlc arc firel economy;reliability, saftty, nain- Priusthd usesabout the samohorse- locxedoa thercof, tailability aud performance.This. TheEcolvlaik was dcsigned for the a owsfor theFIA to firod 83 p€rc€nt price specifrcrequinmenrs offte 16&Sb€st of the pr.notiase of ft€ Ecol\4ata - ld4[ a roue thatcarties abod 50,000 Vchiclestlat compietcths Altoona A BRTyersion of thue busu testingare eligible for 80pem€nt filtrd- - ing of tbe prmbaseprice pold by es TheEcoMark use:; a small transitagenoy, md the 06€13 pqccd xi:i;::;::,':,ri:,*: coms fiom additionalfiinding ssail- speeddesiredfor the Denver Ford2.S-liten 7}-hp, foun able for cleanervehicleq iacluding Elinderengine... Since the altemativefiJ€ls. op er ati n g envi ro n ment. hasI I Ecolvlark - engine'sonly fundlon is to Cunedly,the RfD busesb opcatim or the.mrlland will chargethe batterin, it runsilt havea total of36 q/hcnthe program is a constant2,240 rpm. cornpletedin 6c thtd quarffi of?001. povnreBgi!€ aldemits abowthe sanp - The EcoMrlc vehisl€shrvc a bsse amountof polftrints. Horpver,while priceof $450,000eosh" tbePrius can arry fwepenpleat most, paes€ugssdaily conecting ligh rail According to Paul Szilagyi, tb€EcoMax ca[fansport 117. lines ard bus tetdnals in doqmtdrn Trans.Tbqb CEQ fre designof fre bus Szilaryiestbates thdthe EcoMnk [email protected] shdle prwidest€e tzns- cm be ailo,rcdfor otter applications. will offera 20 percentrcduction in life port for anyonetave ting betrcen Forecrqle, a ldgFr inernal cobus- syclecost p€r pass€ng€r partly ooming MaJtet Str€et and Civic Center tion eogine,advanoed tecbnolaEy bd- &omrinqeased passenger cpacity md Stationswith stopeaf eachims€ction taies or higberpovc moiorscouLl be lcnErmaiuenance coeE. For insbnce. befi{E€ntb two h$& Thelarge num- substitdedif f,€cdEd,Oth€r poedtial tho etrgi!€-geucralorset carl b€ betrof stopsnul(Es for optimunuge of cbalgedoU io twohor:rs, a fractionof b'raking.Wift tre engite tbe time it h&esto pdl audninsall a shutofl tboEcoMark cdr opsratsas a MASIITIANSIT dieseleogine. ZeroErriesion Vehicle (ZEV) on bat- Besideshelping iryrove ee ait terypmiEr alm€ Y/ift a rago of swcn SEPTEMBSR/OCTOBERzOOt qualityin Delrv€r,TraosTeq fas srEati-l l' to 10iniles. Eva with theengrnc oper- & 452 ed 85 nor jobs in theim€r city.I ating, 6e EcoMat stiil emits less www. naSsttanaitmag.com

*.,-.j-t t:! ., ACTRANSIT DISTRICT MemoNo. 01- 159 BOARDOF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVESUMMARY MeetingDate: May 10,20A1 Gommittees ExecutiveCommittee tl OperationsCommittee I] ExternalAffairs Committee tl PlanningCommittee tl Eoardof Directors txl

SUBJECT:Authorize the GeneralManager to negotiatea sole sourceprocurement with VanHool N.V. bus manufacturerof Belgiumand their North American Sales Agent,ABC Bus, Inc., for three-and four.cloor, low-floor buses,

FlgcAL TMPACT:Approximatety $58 mlllion in stateand/or local funds, in exchangetor AC.Transitsshare of 5302federal funds appropriated for bus procurement,

REOUESTEDACTION: [ ] InformationOnly [X] RecommendedMotion

1. Subjectto theavailability of stateand local funding, authorize the GeneralManager to:

a. Negotiatea solesource procurement of approximatelyone hundred and thirtvjive (135)40'S-door, low-floor buses (with an optionto purchasean additionalt:iS; and approximatelysixty (60) 60' articulated,4-door, lowJloor buses (with an oplionto purchasean additional60) with Van Hool N.V. bus manufacturer of Belgiumand theirNorth American Sales Agent, ABC Bus Inc.;and,

b. Explorealtemative funding options and third-partyfinancing strategies, allowing the Districtto utilizestate and/or local funds for thisprocurement in exchangefor S*3OZ federalfunds

RATIONALE: VanHool N.v. busmanufacturer of Belgiumhas developed a new-look,high-tech, three-door, lowjloorsiandaid 40'transit coach, and a four-door,low-floor, articulated 60'transit coach. Their designis sleekand modern and one of thenewest in the transjtindustry, and will be unveiledat the InternationalAssociation of PublicTransport's (UITP) 54rh World Congress in Londonon May 20.These vehicles would meet the serviceneeds of AC Transit'squality Jervice program for Bus RapidTransit (BRT) and enhanced bus servicein the District'smajor service coriidois. They prgYl.dea numberof significantdesign leatures that wouldnot only improvethe servicequaiity for existingriders, but wouldserve to developa new positiveimage of buses,attract new riders,and makethe District'snew and existing service more cost efficient. Since several of theseteatures are notavailable from manufacturers in NorthAmerica, staff is of the opinionthat there is J GM qmo No. fi -15S Sole Sourca Bu3 Prccr|trrnet* rl0t Van HooUABCBus Prge 2 ot 5 ";l sufficienland adequatejustification to purchasethese buses from Van Hool/ABCthrough a sole sourceprocut€ment. Preliminary discussions with Van Hool/ABCindicate that thev wouldbe able' to respondto our designspecifications, as well as meetour timelinefor deliveryoi coachesin 2002 and 2003.

Three double-yridth doors on a Wide-doorentry at the tfont,mid-sec on, and rear of the Not ofteredby 40' standardcoach; four double- bus, providingquick and easy accessand egressto and NorthAmerican uddth dool3 on a 50' artleulated from the coach.A third and fourth set of doo|s will bus manutacturers coach accommodalemore riders efticiently, and combined with a Proof-of-Paynentlare collectionsystem, dwell times at bus stopscqlbeJeduced siEnifican y. Low-floor cntry from lh6 tront to Lo/eJloorgntry and exils can reducedwell time at stoos In conjunc{ionwith the very back ot the bus by as much as 1.2 secondsper passengerboarding or three-and tour- alighting,in comparisonto high-floorbuses. This feature doorentries, this alsomakeg it considerabiyeasier ior seniorchizens and teatureis not peoplewtfh disabilities to boardand alightlrom tho bus. o{ieredby Norlh Van Hoolis theonly manufacturer in NorthAmerica that Americanbus can providea double-\ryidthdoor behindthe rear-most manutacturers axleot theirbusee, "pulllng" ' Front, engineon Van Hooluniquely locateg the enginein its articuhted Not ottBradby trtlcuhted coachcs buses in lhe ton rardEection ot the uehicl€.lt is muffled NorthAmerican and insulatedby a lully enclosedcompartment leaturing bus manufacturers seatingabove lor pass€ngers.This teaturesignificantly reducesmaifienance costsbecause lhg rear section,or trailer,is. pulled, rather than the convenlionalapproach of pushingthe torwardsection with an enginemounted in the rear. Largewindows on all four sldes, A moreliberal use ot windowsgiws the busa modem, NorthAmerican A single fuontwlndahicld, targe high-techlook, Passengers, particulary those standing, generally 'claustrophobiC buses side wlndows, includingfloor to experierrcea lEss rida,and it is easierto havefar less c€lling wlndows in the doors, spotconnecting buses, landmarks, and destination stops. winclor{space and a large nrlndow acrors lh€ Van Hool'snew design is one ot the mostmodem and back nswest in th€ tran8itindu8try, and will be unveiledat |he UITP54m World ConOress in Londonon Mav20. 2001. ADA wheelchalracaesslblllty Wheelchairaccessibility is.provided with a rampthrough N/A. through mlddle door the middle door.The iull lengthol th6 bus alongthe cubside kneelsinto position to reducethe distancefrom curbor streetto tloorlevel. The vuheelchairsecuremenl ar€a can be locateddirectly across {rom th€ door, making it easierfor pagseng€rsin wheelchairsto boardand positiontheir chairs tor s€curement. Latge standing room aigasat Largestanding room areas make it possibleto Lou,{loorBtanding 2nd,3ro, and 4t doors actommodatemore pasgongers, with aasier access. ar6as associated Passengerswith strollers and largebags find these ar6as with3@ and 4s easier to use than seatedareas with Iimitedstowase. The fear 'lean-to" dooraare not useol supportsand stanchions enable stinding otferedby North paasengersto tide with relativecomlort. Amerioanbue manulacturers Cumminsor DetroltDiesel Van Hoolis ableto installU.S. made di€sel engines that N/A Englneeconpllant vrlth CARB arefully compatible with the latestCAFIB emission smlssionr6quircments regulations. Compartmentseatlng lor bus The driveroompartmenl is largeand €rgonomic, teaturing N/A drivcr elevatedseating enclosed behind a lolv.levelsidewall and gate.Thi6 added security feature provides ihe driverwith a clearseparation trom passengers, without sacdficing customerservice coniacl. Elt MemoNo. 0l - 159 Sole Sour@ Bus Procur€mentwltfi Van lloo/ABC B.rs PageI ot 6

pRr9F RELEVANTBOARp ACTTONS/POLTGTES: The Boardauthorized the GeneralManager to travello Europeto meetwith the managementand staff of MercedesBenz and Van Floolto discussbus designsand procurementopportunities (GM Memo01-1 18). AC TransitPolicy No. 350, Section 6, "Procurementby NoncompetitiveProposals (Sole Source)."

BACKGBOUND/DISCUSSION: Duringthe previous two weeks, the GeneralManager and his Directorof Marketingand Communications,along with staff from the maintenanceand engineeringdepartments, met with transitoperators in Germanyand France,and touredbus manufacturingfacilities at Mercedes Benz and Van Hool.(A moredetailed report on this trip will be presentedto the Boardal its first meetingin June.)Working sessions with each manufacturer led to extensivereviews of vehicle specifications,test rides, and discussions regarding the feasibility of manufacturingbuses for AC Transitat a comp€titivecost and in a timelyfashion.

Rationale:The trip was prompiedby AC Transit'sdesire to looklor altemativesto standard designedbuses in NorthAmerica.that would not only changeand improvethe imageof transit buses,but wouldalso provide a higherquality of .service wilh moretunctionality. Buses that can better servethe District'sSan PabloBRT corridorand othermajor corridors in its servicearea are preferred.Ridership in manyof these conidorsexceeds 20,000 passengers per day,wananting a technologythat will speedboarding and alightingtimes, make it easierand moreconvenient for passenger$to get on and off buseswithout squeezing through crowded, narrow aisles, and providemore comtort and "prestige'riding a bus.

In August2000, AC Transitstaff initiaiedtalks with DaimlerChryslerabout the availabilityof the MercedesBenz Ciiaro bus in NorthAmerica, with an interestin procuringadvance design, European-stylebuses. Shortly thereafter, staff was informedby MercedesBenz that theywere not yet readyto discussthe introductionof lhe Citarobus to the NorthAmerican market, but that it couldbe a partof theirlong-range business strategy. Subsequently, staff also learned lrom Van Hool/ABGthat the introductionof Van Hool'surban transit vehicle was a possibility,but not a cefiainty.

ln March2001 , followingfurther correspondence between staff and Daimlerohrysler about the prospectsfor a NorthAmerican version of the Citarobus, MercedesBenz contacted District staff expressingan interestin meetingface-to-face to discuss.futureopportunities. This was tollowed by a similarexpiession of interestfrom Van Hool/ABC Bus. Both manuiacturers extended an invitationto AC Transitstaff to tourtheir facilities and io discussproposed expansion programs and the potentialof introducingtheir new, innovative designs to theNorth American bus market. The iimingof theseovertures was both iimely and critical, since the Districihad recently released a solicitaiionfor proposalsto purchase110 low-tloor standard buses (as replacement lor 17-year old buses)and expressedan interestin exercisingan optionthrough VTA in SanJose to purchaseas manyas 50 articulatedbuses for useprimarily in theSan Pablo Avenue BRT corridor, '.1 G l|€mo No.0l - 159 Sols Soufce Bus Procuranant wlth Van ltool/Agc Bu3 Page4 ot 5 Findings:Statf came away from these meetings sufficiently impressed with the design quality andworkmanship of boththe MercedesCitaro and Van Hool buses.

1' Specifications:Each manufaclurer has developed urban transit buses with specifications thatmeet or exceedour own specifications. Certain operating requirements specific to our seryicearea and the Calilornia transit market will necessitate relativelv minor modifications to theirexisting specffications. 2. Productionouality: Mercedes manufacturers over 13,000 buses and coaches per year utilizingadvanced production line methods and quality controls. While Van Hool is much smaller,producing 1,700 buses and coaches annually, it manages a very clean and efficientproduction and assembly line, and remains one of thelargest and oldgst bus and coachmanufacturers intemationally. Van Hool is moreoriented to customization,while Mercedesis farmore standardized in itsproduction and assembly process. Thie difference aecountsfor the reason that Van Hool is in a betterposition to modifyhs vehicle specificationto meetAC Transit'sneeds within in a relativelyshort time frame. 3. Deslgnand MaintenanceStandarda: Both manufacturers maintain high standards of designand production, and staff was impressed with the quality of theirproducts, especiallyrelative to othermanutacturers. Siafl expects that the Van Hogl bus will achieve lowerlife cycle costs over the lifeof theirvehiclEs. ln parlicular,the Van Hool articulated bus utilizesa frontengine mounting that enables the bus to pullthe trailer section. This designfeature should reduce maintenance costs associated wlth a "pushing'system utilizedby almost every other rnanufacturer of articulated coaches. 4. OARBEmiesion Requirements: The Mercedes eilaro bus was "Euro designedwith a Mercedes enginethat meets the 3" standardfor emissions,but does not achieve the standards necessaryto meetCalifomia regulations. Although Merpedes has a stronginterest in enteringthe North American market in 2003and 2004, in theimmediate luture it wouldbe e)dremelydifiicult for themto re-engin€€rtheir engine or to installan altemativeengine in theirbus. Because of VanHool's adaptive design and customization process, lhey regularlyinstall a varietyof engines,including Cummins and'Detroit Diesel engines lhat fullycomply with CARB emission requirements. 5. Altoonaand FMVSS:Under a federalprocurement of vehicles,Merc6des and Van Hool buseswould be requiredto gothrough Altoona testing in theUnited States, underthe directionol theFederal Transportation Administration. Atthough staff believes that both manufacturersproduce superior products that would readily qualify under the conditions of Altoonatesiing, a procurementutilizing stale and/or local funds only would not require this certitication.Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), as wellas Califomiamotor vehiclesafety requirements, would be addressedin th6 District'sfinal specfiication and procurementof the Van Hool bus. 6. Cost: lt is anticipatedthat the unitcost of theVan Hool buses may be as muchas $50,000 lessthan a Procurementof buses manutactured in NorthAmerican. This is largelydue to the economiesof $caleassociated with large scale manufacturing for theEuropean market andthe relativelylow marginal costs of producingcoaches for the NorthAmerica market. 7. ProductlonTimellne: Van Hool's ability to manulactureras manyas ssvsnbuses daily, andtheir skill and ability to customizevehicle design to meetcustomer specifications, makesit mucheasier for thernto meetproduction targets within the timeline's mandated by Gf,l t$emo No. 0t - 159 ' "Sole SourceBus Procuremenlwith Van HooyABCBus Page5 of 6 the District'sexpanded service program. lt's anticipatedthat witha contractlinalized within two to threemonths, bus deliveries would begin as earlyas late2002 and be completed by mid-2003. 8. ADA Accessibility:Van Hool buses make wheelchair access easier by utilizinga kneeling featurealong the entirecurbside length of the busand middle-door loading with a wheelchairramp. The interiorlayout utilizes iewer fixed seats and the useof 'Told-down" seats,making ii easierfor wheelchairpassengers to boardand positiontheir chairs quickly and easilywithout having to maneuveraround seated passengers.. 9. ServiceApplications: Van Hoolbuses provide design and operating characteristics, as notedpreviously, that are well adapted to the higherlevels-of-service standards the Disirict wishesto introducein itqBRT and majortrunkline service conidors. These vehicles will introducea newstandard of qualityfor exisiingriders, and havea strongpotential to attract new riders,as wellas reduceoperating costs.

Requirements/Recommendations:As a resultof itsfindings, staff is seekingthe Board's approvalto pursuea three-partstrategy forthe procurementof VanHool's new advance design buses.Based on a significantlylower price for European-manufacturedbuses in comparisonto ones manufacturedin NorthAmeiica, it maybe possiblefor the Districtto useavailable funding to purchasemore vehicles than originallyanticipated. Depending upon the final negotiatedprice, the Districtcould purchase as manyas one hundredand thifi-five (135)40'standard buses and sixty (60) 60' articulatedcoaches.

1. Sole SourceProcurement: The GeneralManager is seekingthe Board'sapproval to negoiiatea solesource contracl with Van HoolN.V./ABC Bus, lnc., because they are the onlymanufacturer who can deliver a busin NorthAmerica with the features the District desiresand providenecessary support for serviceand parts.The followingfactors are the basisfor a solesource procurement - a. AC Transitwishes to utilizeadvance vehicle designs in its BRTand major trunkline servicecorridors to handlelarge daily loads of passengers,often in excessof 20,000passengers per day, more efficiently and cheaply. b. Van Hool/ABCis the onlymanuiacturer who can provide three double-width doors on a 40'standard coach and four double-width doors on a 60' articulatedcoach. c. Van Hool/ABCis the only manufacturerwho can providea double-widthrear door behindthe rear-mostaxle of itscoaches. d. Van Hool/ABCis the only manufacturerthat can provideadditional door capacity, citedabove, and offer full low-floor entry at threeor morelocations along the eniire lengthof ihe vehicle. e. Van Hool/ABCis the onlymanufacturer that offers a f rontmounted, "pulling" engine in its articulatedbuses. f. Van HooVABCis the.onlymanufacturer that can ofler large plattorm standing areas adjacentto 3'" and4"' doorloading areas. g. Van HooVABCis the onlymanufacturer that can offer the previouslvcited features and manufactureits buseswith engines that are fully compliant witfi tne emission regulaiionsmandated by the CaliforniaAir ResourcesBoard, G l|3mo .,1o,01 - 159 Sols Source 8U3 Procursmn whh Van HooUAgCBus Page6 ot 6

2. Financing fThhd-partyFinancing and state andlor Local Funding):The General Manageris alsoseeking the Board'sapproval to workwith state and-local agencies and third-partyfinancial institutions, as needed,to iexchange"its allocated5307 federal bus procurementlunds with available state and/or local furids. This will enablethe Districtto purchaseVan Hoolbuses entirely with staie andlor local funds and avoiddelays and restrictionsassociated with Ahoona testing and ,,BuyAmerica,, requirements. 3' ProcurementOptions: The Districtpreviously 'l authorizedthe GeneralManager to solicit bidsfor the procurementof 1OFtandard, two-door, low-floor 40' busesand t6 exercise optionsthrough Valley Transportation Agency (wA) in san Jos6for the purchaseof as many as 50 lhree-door,low{loor articulated buses. lf the GeneralManager is successfulin negoliatingan agreementwith Van Hooland marshallingstate andlor loial funds,or utilizingthird-party financing. strategies, to pay for ihe puichaseof theseadvance design buses,then the Districtwould withdraw hs existingt tObus solicitationand not exercisethe VTA optionfor articulatedcoaches. lf negotiation;with Van Hoolare not successful,or state and/orlocal funding is not available,then procurement of the originalordsr would proceed,but delaysin the deliveryof coachesby as muchas one yeai couldbe encountered.

ATTACHMENTS;

Altachment1: GMMemo Ot-l1A Attaahment2: VanHool BusSpeclfications: 4330, 40'Standard Coach, and AGIOO,60, Articutated Coach

Approved by: RickFernandez, General Managel JamesGleich; Deputy General Manager

Prepared by: JaimieLevin, Marketing and CommunicationsDirector Date Prepared: May7, 2001 AtiachmentNo. 1 GM MemoNo. 01.159

AC TRANSTTDISTBICT MemoNo. 01- 1't8 BOARDOF DIRECTOHS EXECUTIVESUMMAFY MeetingDate: April €,200i Committees ExecutiveCommittee OperationsCommiftee ExternalAffairs Cornmittee PlanningComrnittee Board.ofDirectors

, SuBJECTTRatify Travel Authorization for the GeneralManager to Meetyyith rhe Managementand statf of MercedesBenz, Xceilsis, European Transit operators,and van HoorBuses in Germany,France, and Bergiunn,forThe Purposeof DeterminingThe FeasibilEy of procuringMereedei Benz citaro Busesahd Furopeari-styleLuxury Cruiser Buses FISCALIMPACT: S4,29€ (Grant Funded)

Ratify travelauthorization tor General Manager to meetwith representatives of Mercedes Benz, Xcellsis,European transii operators, and Vai HoolBuses in obrmany,ira;"", period ""0 Belgiumfor a of 1s days,beginning April 19, to determinethe teasibirity "f;i,;"h;;i6 M;rcedes citarobuses Benz andEuropean-style, luxury cruiser buses, and to observetransit:of erations a.t three Europeantransit agencies, at an estimatedcost of $4.295.

BATIONALE: year, Last in connectionwith Ac rransit'sFuel cell Devetopmeniprogram, statf discussions initiated withrepresentatives sf Xcellsis and EvoBus, the busmanufacturinq division MercedesBenz, oi regardingthe po_ssibihryof purchasing rrlerc"a". Cit"ro uur*."tJ, tn, Oirtri"t. fuelcell program and San pablo BRT service. TheCitaro urban transitbus is a siate-of-the-artvehicle useo extensively lhroughout Europe and,southAmedca. lts unique, .., hightech design is unrike,any,.otherbusbperati"ng,in lr-ortri, " America,incorpora{ing numerous consumer-orientea teaturet tn;t ffi;fyH;ce of busservice' but the.image alsocater to theneeds and desires of customers,Citaro buses feaiure low- floorsfrom ihe frontdoor to thevery back door; murtipre doors (three with*i0", t ""-*"v clearance doorson a 40'bus and four on an articuiated oo' ous;, *"[inf it u"ry"a'{ito handre roardingsand alightings at ihe sameiime; large standing room arbas adjaient t,c tRe rear Gil lbmo o. 0l - lr0 arthordon tor Glr|.rat liLmgBr to Trawl to Gsmany rDd France PEgr2 ot 5

doorsto easily accommodatestrollers and carry-on baggage; large windows on all foursides ol tl'e by: fincludinga large.backwindow), providing an open,spaclous feeling; numerous stanchions andlean'to railings to makeit easiert-o stand and'move through"the bus; and large, elec.tronicLED signs, (See Attachment No. 1) Initially, MercedesEvoBus representatives indicated that they were nol intere$tedin enteringthe NorthAmerican market, in largepart.because they wouldnof be aUfe to pioviOeeffeclive ru"pport for serviceand parts. However, they left open the possibility of furtherdi{"ussions ano consideration'Statf continued to maintaina liaisonwith EvoBus through contacts at Xcellsisin Germany,.and Monday of lastweek learned that EvoBus r"n"g"r"ni *". veryinteresleO in m€etingwith District stafi to discussthe feasibility of introducinfthe citafo bus in NorthAmerica as earlyas2002 or2003.

3::lr-:o*ry:lr.rtingin sacramentoon March22d between the Generar Manager and Dr. FerdlnandPanil(, vice Presidentof Daimlerohryslerand Presidentand CEO of Xiellsis,led to the conclusionthat introducing the Citarobus in theUnited States in conjunctionwitn fuet cells, would be a goodmarketing and development srategy. Dr. Panik encouragdO ttre Oeneral pursue Managerto discussionswiih EvoBus, noting that he hadstrongly recominended AC Transit toEvoBus as an excellentpartner.

EvoBushas extended an invitationto theGeneral Manager and stalf to cometo Gennanythe w-e!'l(ot April23 to meetwith theh. top management and-staff to discussa possibl"procurement of Citarobuses. The meeting would include i tourof EvoBus'smanutadurfng iacitities ano rest site,and meelings with the management of at leasttwo or threeGerman tranisit operators. The GeneralManager'would alry meetwith Xcellsis representatives in Germany and lour their facilities.The objectivesof thisvisit would be to:

1. Determinethe teasibility of purchasingcitaro buses in thenear future; 2. Determinethe compatibility of thecitaro bus with Ac rransit,sminimurn vehicle specifications,as dictated by Californiastate law (including engine emission requirements) andour local operating condiiions;

3. Explorethe possibility of orderingas manyas 50 articulateddiesel coaches (with at least 18buses dedicated to serviceon the San Pablo BRT line) and up lo 110 standard diesel coachesfor deliwryas €arlyas late2002 or early20Og;

4. DiscussEvoBus's program in NorthAmerica for serviceand parts support; and 5. Determineif it isfeasible to utilizethe Citaro foralt ora portionof ourfuelcell bus procurement- an orderof a$many as 20fuel cell buses for deliveryby July 1, 2003.

At theAPTA conference in SanFrancisco last y€ar, District statf met with pafis HATp staff to leamabout several of theRATP's operating and public information service programs. Discussions focusedon theapplication of transitpreferential strategies and techniques to m-aintainbus flow in Gli lrlemo No,0l - ll8 .Aulhorlzatlon for Gen€lal llanager lo TravEl!o Germanyand France Page3 ot 5 heavytraffic. Also discussed were the usesof graphicinformation on the exteriorand interior of "next "next buses, bus"electronic information at transitstops, stop"electronic information on vehicles,and maintenance concerns associated with these customer services. A greatdeal of informationwas exchanged, followed by an invitationfrom MTP statfto tourtheirfacilities at somefuture date, In conjunction with the GeneralManage/s trip to Germany,staff has also arrangeda meetingwith RATF management and a tourof iheir4,000-bus tiansit system. statfwas alsoinvited io tourthe Van Hool bus manufacturing facility in Belgium.They are Europeanmanufacturers of luxury,cruiser-style buses, and a potentialbidder on tneiOO Express Busprocurement advocated by GovernorDavis.

In.orderto takeadvaniage of reducedfares and early sealing availability, this memo received advanceapproval form the VicePresident of the Board,Chris peeples.

ATTACHMENTS: Attachment 1.'Citaro Bus lmages

Approved by: RickFernandez, General Manager JimGleich, Deputy General Manager

Preparedby: JaimieLevin, Marketing and CommunicationsDirector Date Prepared: March25,2Q01 I J22

426

l2e

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Eachday mlliom of A$artcat8ftcG tlrffp c4Eestiottal tl€Y co!fliltu!?to work Fr &ut@obibs. the hprct Somtlds cortSFsficlis srb.rhntialh tirne,rxouccr, andDolutisrl" Fu ![dflpl, ttis estlttucealthst in 68urlen ereascoBgigftb$ cort U.S.scvclcts 4.5 btlligr horrs of {hlry' 6.Eblliotl gsuonsof rssd fiIel, sd l?8 bilfiontn 19gg.rIR & aficmFtto Ferctti bus€sas I morelllttbk md cfccfin higt glecd EnEit slterndve, s cgrcet irflutvinCtlle !n!qo\|!d tltc of btrcs+as Brpid Tlrn6iHtra ern€rgeitEut EeSdtt|ttrfthcludeo operau$gbusca dl clclusite Uur fd;h*ryr, tti$r$ccupmcy Valdde(EOT) bnee, oE lrplovtng s.tricc otr busier!o$Bs o$ ci$ Etttela.gut R4id ttantit $ay alsoinclude s vadeb' of technoloslcalsd strtt dtgigB|nFrot?€m€ffi' hclttding fi'nc dgt3l pdoddzailonfor bu$si e8cltt*"e tamsibsttcr sEiiou q busslElhts; fergB Eto!6;Aslcr.serrrtce; rnd clemer'Sdrt6, ttd nrotl gfi$cdvE vrhicl€$.

Dru R4td tzrait' rs r coglp(dtrodvetaueotdlon optot i3 Gsnplifi cd in Ourtdba&edl. @ is rn exenaive conurut t blrsNyrHn fut @ mtberof

cffi€6tr3 plrrudng to insorporateamect3 dBllr Aryld Ilan$t ltc Dcnrrtrcnt ot tksrFolt dmb Fcdfrlf Ehadt A&lhbEdon (FlA) hts b€dtrtto appdrs t.blsconcept urd orpandararcners of ner' weysto d€dgnsnd oe€r8t€htEh cTade BusEspid htldt EysErnsrs 8n rteatrfivc to brdtdtEu3btnallqr6t fits. UEhtR8ll s/stErt' Etltttdv areeledric trErts ttut guy opr atedl saertr wtrh dh6r E:tfic'

S!rstr8!smL

lrtc I GAOdlrE4 8d|l{llt a.lt -t;

FlEu61: 5nftplr of Eur Frpldltrnslt €yd.m

Swrce qfrdols r|r lrmtayrltl, Youasked us to (l) *arnine the lederalrole in srpportingEus Aapid traruit; @ comparethe cqftsl qosts,operstinB coab, and petrrnrance chamcterlsflcrsf BUERapid TrEnsit sld LightRail rrtbletnq and (8) descrjbetlre otheragaatages and dicrdvanteged of BUEBspid ftrrt& end LiEhtBait

To oddressthese guestions, \re identifredwhere Bus Rrpirt tlanait is being usededengi\raly in th€ UnltedStatcE and determined how HIA srppons Bu6Bapid Tlandt pniecte. In addidon,we vi$tedtr.nslt agencicsin DallaeDenver, Los Angel$, Pirsburgfl $anDiegq and San Jose to obt& cspltaland opergiiDg cost intormrtion onBus Bapid liansit andUElrt Eril syEteltlEin lho6ecitics Wesko intet:r'ie$'€d,glA oficirls anditdustry er

- ResultsinBrief F'€deralFupport for BUERapid Tlansit projecta may corne Aom several diflere.nt sources,induding FDlb NewStarts, Bus Capital, md Urbanized

h,sa 2 OAO{[ ti,r Exe 8|Dld tl|dt .tr

ArcBForilub Gra$tEprogrerns, but ite useis sdutrrincA lbo BusBapict ltarldt ploj€stslt.tfe t€cffi {tsdiru eomndtsrl€nbtBn tlle cun nt Ne{f, StErbfto8rrnr, btaeE ibout iSltl nlliql, 3ewaddtfrcut Bus RAid &r!|dtprqr€cts fiU Uheplccd?e thndingcomnttrr€lrts ruds the crdrcnt Ncr Starb hognnr, wHdr!Slruin80{B, brcama(f}lrwBw Bepid Trandtprqlr$d6 ate $ady to csnpetefur fundhS;€J tEr" rrE a lrrge nrunberotprojccts d$bls to cosryetefuF tirc rgpro:dnardf $6S nflltorl ttlf ta projectadto r:rn&r avdablc lor &dal Far tDll8,rrd (g) a€fiel @€3 of BusB.prd &arrfr prqiecBrte lot €litlbli tc Ncr Sdts lbldng dueto the regdnmert tlst t'rqiaca q'lraE on ecPqr!!rigtrt Gwrp for tJl€e*chdvrsse otrns ffiiGtt rrld hift|{ccrpg|rywlddcs, mA dso l|{tpdcausnpid1lnsfr Buouthrdsmoradmprogurthat bctrnLl 1999.Under tlSo progarS *&p00 wrc prwided 0ocdr d l0 ilild Srerdaca!o iBF,ror/eirtloJcnrtior shrrfuE among tfarlsi! rgrnDiorrbout isnrcr pcrtrblilrt to &16n$d ftstslr, Ihe dand|srrdo$ gopn !r dadgncdto dctcmdn dE €stert 10which EE nryiC tarEfr cm hcll!r!! ridoNEhlp,trDrwe rficirnaf, r[d fvide bighauslitr.elr|ce, Ths gr|ntrerr pn ectsin fudedcdc$rd hr'rryr, hrs lees oD@ rrbd.I sttccts,inprorrd b{hulop on bu$t, rrd otheritwtdoDs

ThcBus nsid It4|dl qrsanE gierrrrdryhrd lo*er csFft.lcosts lcr nitc thrq tle UghtBall rFtemr h th. dtrs rc rwicm4 rlhdush n dftec syslemhad 8 clr.r.drl|I$agc h oD€rrflnge€tr. Adlurd$Sto APodourrs, the cc$nl costrtr tle vrrlfl$ b|prFofBu Rryid llusft ryrE n8b ctfies tlut ruerwirmcd raritd &o|rr8low of P00,0@por mfle tc alrrrtedal strcetbrsed ryst€trB to !56 milliqr p,srn$e tor a &dicrtd bsrety srsteEl (seetable l), Ugt$ n il qEtcnrFhad cllthl coc*B.thatrrngcd ftom 1f2.4 miuionto 1118.8sdlUon per ndle,

lrlr t Oto{l4ll ir! &!dd Drdt -1

'llblo 1: C+lrll Ca8t! lor EllEstd Bur Rrpld ltmEit ffid Ugtrt Frlt proNdcls

CaphrlcoEl Fsr nlL urtrbr ot tacfirurE creminrd coGt

_EuGilrlye I S7mjllion lo 955 m|||lon $1E.6

Arierlat 3 b t9,6 mllf,on Ir Rsll 't8 a.4milllo?t b $118.8 Seuw{: Ou qlql}trh ol dntr olpplltd byFIA lnd locnttrdrElt agerdsE. W6 dfd ml Indcpindanfy w ry lhF hfot|fadon. Ssatpponft | bradcitifiirtdrElls on fiD r aftodobtyund, frcAse operatingcost curE ariFons for Eu68lDirl TrEsit rnrt Ligl$Ratl sfstcmsrtthin andbetween sities sre 'rirhcrtt duetO dffere$ces gmong 6rnsitagendet,translt Erteme, and howtheyaccourdtorcogF. We fdund mixedr€sults when w? cemprr€dthe qrer|ting coersfof BusEapid llursit andLight Rail swems in thecides rre rwiewedtlur operatsdboEr bDes ot systetrl€,Bus eygterns gmerally had loser vehiclac4rerrttE cosb, gory€raf,,r€ fousdno clearlrttem foFgP€airtfuigcostpafip. ltl.Forle case3Ugft Eail hadhigher operafing cosis per triF ttl8nBug Brpid Clsnsit, andln otherc*ea th€ tserse wastrue. Ihs perfotrnanceclEractsistie€ of BtlsRslid thansitand Light Rail rystefis rl€o w.ied ridely, witll the ia4est BusAapid ttansit EyEtemrideFhip aboutequal to thelaryert Lighr Bril ridereldp,F:inslly, 8uE RaSd Tlansit routes thowed g€Ber8trly lrigher o,peratinggpeed8 than th€ Light R{iI ltnesin ttese cltiee.

Buenspid{ransit md bght Rsil6y6tqns offer varicuaadrrantages and disadvantAges.Bus EapidTla$itprwides a more'loribie qrproschthsr IJghiBail becausebrrses san be routed to eliminanetrarls@ operatedon busrap, HOVianes snd ciB erterid stlee8; andirnplemend in stages. Ilore.ver,trandt oficials lepeatedlynotcd ftat bscethave a poor$rblic imrge. As a lerilrttrtranFfi l}Eners sre d€sjghingBus naFid Xlanstt gystemsltlBt offierinprcved service&otn Eandard bus Eercice. T!a$811 omcialsbelieved that becanrellght Rdl is perrnanemb s givencorridor it couldil|f,uencE economic dsvelopment orer tirne. $udrlong*erm chuges,they said, he$ jwliff thehigher capiial coet of LightRall

Pr& a GAO.OI.S4l!. frtil ltrrrlr .'$

Backgmrurd

-efz or dgl|tsof.lr.y A'ml6her Brl9,r)r$rC fficbybsrier!, I\otJ LRr.re< mOsr -mPo€ll]Ai$r ir somrtlm?s claEcte&rd W tbs ddtion of csE$fi|e parl rnd ride &cilii&i rl*g r?tthcdflice |[d ccdtamcs fstlrgse lac& BrI3Bqtld Brodt 46t6|r raftU rltedel ltteE meytidhrde bnrs r|stqa€dfos the €:(chdne rEe of butesrrlll gEcctcnlunccqrnes ftatrlled hr'€s rill lnlrort lf[tcr. IpB Aatelesr€cadvinrttuH a Ers Brtrrid1ta!,Efi qpe dlcrrie8 ontro bus rnBbl corritltrr

xnr!rcs opQrrt&rttrpscd& 4.I'{rFrovBd$edqls a$trh€Etlss.Bra trtrninalErnd uniquefiaffdls or shelteEdltr€rcniistG Brs RrDidTlqndl Bfwlceto[ siardardbEg s€ndse,Gee fg 2) I . htdliCe$t $enEpo[tadong]'Et$D tednotogies, ndvanced technology cagtrlalrtlrtl tllorlBcondsteqt di$anceF bct!'recl| bu63t end htbun parccrrgcrswhon trr ac*t bw h rutviag;

ler cdnEtd ttstl to Hgv

lrto ! GaO.Or-$atur f.til E|!dr Oeanerand quieter vehides. Improveddiesel buss andbuses usittg dternativ+fuol6are clelll€ thantraditional diesel buse6. &rclusieelrnes. llla!fic lrnesr€sewsd fgl tLe exctr.Biveuse of buses helpbueer pars congestedtrafic.

Figorr 2. EE rpbc of gur Hrpldftrnrlt Flr[nbg in Lor Angrf'' |nd srn Dtlgo

SolrEE;L!5 Arllrtss irlcttqoltrr Tnnspod|'on Anqqry fid Sfi DFlo li,llropdnen ll?trEll DtltdcDrnrnlBornf

LightRalI trandt ls e metropolitanelecfric rrilwafl systemch$acterized by its abilityto operatein a vadewof environneltssuch as gtrBeB, gubwDys, or eleltaledstruchrteg. (See tig. 3 lor sn g)rampleof a UIht Reil SI,$cm,) SUrceLight nEiI systelns can opeBte on sEeet6 with othertrafEc, thEy qDica\v usean overhead Eource for tieb electricalFoweE and boardingc takeplaEe ftlftn the dreet or platfcrrs, -Ascordingto a transportatioh corBult rL bccruseLight BaiIrystcms opcrate in bothcxdudvr and

P|'E 0 EAO.ol-tt{ lru LDlrl trrd! dured dght'of-vayewironncnb, th€f havegtrtcter llmitp on theirlength andthe Aequencyof evicc E|tn heBWrall sy8tems.,

Flgrc 3r LlghtRr trmilin 3r'| Dlgo

Sou|r ; 6fi D.!p it|olPolttr ?frtdf Oatdop|nail 9ord.

Iight Sslt sysiGrnrntFd populrdry r3 r lo'.Fdt oFfidr to h..Wrdl SEt6rrs,and a n|mb6 of citc6 hsvecg|strl1|ate{ Ught Br$ ptqlect3m'er thep8st 20'€8r8. Sinoe1980, Iight Bail Aatanr hrc opa|rd h Ul nftropoil&rnrr?as; BrAhloE!,B|&lo, Df,tr.t,D.nvE, Nortbq Nfit Jerxry(Eudron rnd EorSdtcmfi€€), 16 Aageles,fttrburgtb Potlan4 Sacrarneuto,San Dkgo, Ssn Jsc, St lrulB, atrdS.lr l.gkeClty, gdnrrl othercfties, hclufing l[lrncapolis andEeattle, Nre in ltle proce$ of plsruringUglrt Ba[ syrtems,

l'f!tl GAGOT{8allr rrid t|rdt q

FederalF\utding Whilethere is no federalprogrznt spccifieally desigred to fund BusEapid Traruig,sev€rd EnA proglams cs.n be used to hel! fundtlrese projccts. lllA Availablefor BusRapid providesfirnrlins for newBus Rapid Tta$it lmj€cts pdnsdly tfrongh il9 flansit Projects,but Newgtafis PlogtEnbut eligibleprojects facc Ftiff c@lpett'rcr AomLiglrt UseIs Constrained Ratt,lleary Rail,and Coftm&er RaiIprojectr, f.rlrdingto! addtionrt NprH starE prjects of all qper is corsEafued-FfAprojects uttle remdning euthoriwto rnalefunding comrilrncnts to. new lrqtect6 andUle TlansportationEgqity Aet for the2lG Ccrrhlry(fDA"Zl) idandtreda large nunber of projactEeligibfe for tntliry rstdetthe plogr rr In additionto the NerwStsrts Prygtam, trsnsit ageneiesmEV uee other gIA ltutds,suah as thoaefom tle BusCapltal Progran erd rheUrlaalied Arcatrrorlrule Grant Proflatn,to fundBur EaFidTtrnsit prqt€cttE.Eowever, tlle BrtsCapial Prograrngra[e rendp !e r€Iatively$mtl, thur liruitingihip prograrnEs a signUicanrtcoffiutrir to targelrqlect, h rdO6o4 eotBcBuE BadA Ilsruit prpjecem4r qualifynor c4rt0ln trpe6 of fsdetalhiEhvsy n$db& notahtvStrrfase ltmsportation Ptograrrad Congstiqr Mit8ationand Air alraurylstp[ortttttant nmda admht:stered through the FederalEighway Aftnirdstrstlo& Sincethse frmdsere prolided to stategolrenurunts, lmal tranrit agernde8$u6t cornpeteriBl suny othefstate nceds Ior thesefund8. !n addilionto providingcapilal firndhS, f,tA begsre dcmorstrifiorl Froglarnh 1909to htgliligtsttw bme6b of EusEapid llrndt, Underthls pm6raa, EIA nwarded$50,000 grants to 10hanEft egenci€s ro slrare irdormstionand drta on new BueR{)id tsn$! Eojects. TIlqpro$rm providesworlehopg ffral irdomation-thad4 of'Porttu|fiieslor tbeErl$lt a8encles,but no crpital findhg. lhc grsntecE'projefiritrclude s wide varieryof burway6,artedal bus lsles, urd bustechnologies.

.l'il 'a I I

rl,' I v lrt? I CAO.{tl-t84 Au &!td &.|rdt F . rc./ C.9 J

New Starts ITLb Nerr Stsrtsholrrsr b rfte lealenfprogrern Ptpvided f/dnury to ;lefit to FbqrBns BaDid :mgT_g_111 gt! I4*qs andcrtE d,ils 6 €ds6lg'$st." Tlanslt PDoJects rnifts1orlgrsurclrnsrrdms_drs;e ilcr"id;##; corpeta norFlA grartrof rp to So-perctncA Oret c!*s,,-fr:o'Uun fitn*, :15ry:Hryry F-".Sha tocrl or rcglonrl r*lr* * rrer"rrir,.", TYoe l11ltttlnsry eqgneetingphff, andrneet Fte rpprovatof fnal design ptrspoaco gtarts f'!A Usw plqj€ctEto Urei,ondi tr nlrong otr 88 snnualbsris b&.d on sr evrlurton of a* t ct dd,n*u, ir,"frfui mobilltf impt'wcmcfit' rnd aorrdscut€&€s, anAthe strirfH;-if tfr" lo.it d!^oncirlcrsrmiBl€Etth rEldrg itr furdngn "part .*r,F*, S,EAgiy€c Fret€rencotoprqirco *tth oorung grrnr aEicdims, F"i!;ndrg fi.fi, conEirf.rrtsm gtEr_to -ugw b pt'dectsfrft overtXruiags of tEcoqu;cndcd.or recommcndod"undor thc svaluationcritcli& TtrolJhnsportetion nsuwast rs m a* ccshlryefircrhcd-;bo;-i6 biiil;.fr-."r".d" futnlingover 6 yarrslbr Nlw $irEs trangt pmrectg,r

t!c!t3.rd F$tciPrSo\ thrrE$nurtl mo!c$ ottHrtrt IUa{bto bc llrllr rlid}rbl! to ttr

uDdffim Nff BrrrF ffrrrdrlrtrl o&lrftdlraf tilaosit" iroiif iearrliioiffilnmqr orrrp &r E0Dctmt, tlltsrellurb ssr ruhrlct to r DrlcralBrl nccfunrlrtr .h{glt!d !o etrlae thrt,r8rwn rrlorurs r! Foyidd |!!h yrlr, b d{Egl, Ioa{l rsuiofl'ca fleE untc cotlrgrt cori httrlnlgi&icct !o fut|lr?ttrd|odttjErs na rpprcptuoal. Tt{B;rrdGlt !erIorFrAlo aiicriipra-iecorcndrErtcmd :ryHTJoqYonoB|l (FJtsr':l{.ttbrtlrtln.d8uutoieEon p€ticl

t |E, ClO.OlJaa DE ISld Durdt BusRapid llansit prqiectscompete with manyoiher prjects for New Stffts funding,includhg Light Bait,Heavy Rail, rnd CommuterRailroads. In noteltlrere are oger 200 projects in variouEstageF ol dertlopment,As s}rcrenin t8bb A,for tfie 26plojects wift nd n[ding erantAgre€qnents in fiscal year2001, two projects\rith Busnrpid Ttaneifcomponentshave cornnrltnentddl about0831 million in N€fl'Stafis filnds.6 The totql Nes Sta$sconunlEnent for these26 DmJecrE ir6 rbout i8J biUio4whictr inctudes$4.67 bitlion for U$t Rafl"92,69 billion for EearxrIti[L andSf f I mi[ion for Oo[uluter Fail prqlects,T

N r sllrlr Frogrrm Ftlr|ttlngfor Btr! Rrpld ltfiEit llEcat y€.r 2001

Numbr ol Aclurlor B||r Brptd .lgt{rtl ot Nffst|rt PrlPor.d Tnn|lt propffi d prorlctt plq6ctr tundlngl fundhgf PtgladBwlh FunFundtrE 26 8S.296 GtantAtrocmrnE f83t FrcrcctFpondhg Full FundngGnt

LsgF rd; fVA s Noil!pp{b€tl|'. F!!-P]o{i Bitfrrl F mdhg Gnn Agnamq|b, Ii|Nrr! r.p'oE ',nopr.trcommttlrd $ tofl!u!, Dt ontr c|lEgo(FstsFrrnt ailol|(fi EohoFnpo!6d bylrEr$t lE|r rcl8!tlr NqYlSirrE l[dinS, lrlifrnl, FL,Soulh MbrlFDsdr Eur rsyErF.rltoh pdrc. .Sptdtlr'lb,_ldfirfrd8qr E pE tbndr p|drnr rrr h Cta/€hnd,OH; Hef$rr4 CT;LrsAnloLE, CA Mlaml.FL; €fir|trtod, CT; ud t/hhhoron. iro. Thejh,r l€rthns |3l l€ue laisntffl€d_pmFdrf{tih !sF6c!rot Eur BaptdTnlrlt,rs Bddg.po4 Cf; chi(69o,lli Horddu,Hl;6.d tm in 8o!hn. MA

'fiflr$cn t!(srw4 3 C([m Atont ott50onullor ft Nsi| Sirr!} fun& forqEt€Nrwide bus ifl{'to\ren€|ttl, tncludttg Sus Slpld TruEit dcrltlnts- li ir not lobly e Bw nrFid Trrurit Dlq|sE1. :funaing mmnriUncntsfr oo8r€of the Dlqjrci]' wlm rEdc undcEFiOr auhorirrullls.

Pr!" l0 Crff,.|'f.g8ltDt!ln! dtb|ldt $ouq: GAOInrMlr of FTtddr.

For a nurnbcrof nasong teF 8usnrlid $rndt prqlect sE tiklv to be oondderedfor Ncr StcE iEding in thefinrr yearofthe neriod circlca Uy 1tA4f , t:rat fsw 8ru Bryid llmeff projecuar€Eady for nrnOtrg cqgi{9ra{ -cLOng I of ltt! 1l prqlec,tswith pgldhlggranr 4grenerE or in tlrc &tal dedCtstrF is a BusBlpid trrseprojecr ltrrthcr, of chegr . prqiccte pntnb|ily i4 tfr cnghesing$agc thr hve gopqeet Oout $g.g' b8ion inrwpottfron du Ncw&rrapm8Earboiv6 Busnrpid1reGfr prqrffiF !'rtFoehlEelaa S490nlllio4lrt Included,nesons for6e reufirc[v few pmjcCcbcing n6dy for fuidiry conddcretimindude t&e nrfrnlaB of U|eEu6 E4pid tsEft conc€ptand th.drdFiot|F of locsttruFit agsncie!,Fhich arEttsDilslbh br conductinguEgres of rarious elternalivesatrd prop.rsirtg prqi0cts for funding.Sccord, r[Ab authoriryto nske ne|r tundhg @trrmttmllrisbt projecbof rry ryperrlt be higfrly [n$ed tiuoughe008 f mA mahs thc tttrl.t[E coamdtacnEglqoeed h tfs fpcol mrr 20fZNery StErts npot endtifttng rcerest ttlaqiects rbouf Sa62ni[,i'oB httmdttsle comnltrpmtadnrfty ftr fir t.rt tt'r ot tlo cuEEnitllogrlnr laAfu, sne &r RaSdlkrndt prqlcorsrrc not rstbtr for Nc* Strrts findlg becnuepr{occ mrut opom m cepara*fgf* d-ray!ctlu mhd|€r*o dnrstnndt anilhls€cctpr&6yv*rtcloc. fidle rotneBur 8gd telstrgrqpcq sc,h ssbEwrtrr, ws{rldft t&ir leflriresnr$' somcrould noL Fu ex[tple, tt€ F&ldr+,IylrndcnDus Bgd lta,nrfi Scrvieeh lo9 AngelDsoDctrt s ortdryfflct8htrhd trdfici ft b r|st theEftrc, dr ! rrperite rlglrt of.my.

AgenciesCan Use Other Ircel trs|s& a€Glte ''|8y rro otter rygesof fefurlfrrdc, in addtidr to Federaltrbnds for Bus NewStrrt8 flarals, to hdld Etls 8rpid tfadt.nd oth€!sysrcms. Fq RapidTranstPrqt€cts oxrrnpl€rtrarafr, r{edcr cur rppg imib oMncd thtougbEnC6 U$rnized A,trsFomul,aGtm!'r.o$rrrtoSus BapldtaDd,atld rail prqfects.ThlE pofrarn prcnddnecrpit|l a$doI,r atEEEr6t3tgtca !o ubanizcdNrlas with Dopuldiolsotmor? tJ|sn 60,000, EswsrEs, seEs with Fotuhfifis snr ?00,000rnp on$ usetre fundslor capial irnPrwsmenb,Fc exrnple, in ftcd t lar 2001,one Bus Badd Danefi Fqiect, Bostoft Sllnr IJm pqlect plsu€d to usetl60 nrlllion&sn the torrul4 Erantlrodtam, rbsut f8B1nrtlliott trffi tltc N.r' gtrlrs Plogrrnq and$120 lruuon ln Massactureecratrge bond ttnds. In addittorqonc conrmuterraq orc hrrfy rrtl ande l,ightRtll prqiectsplmned to use s,boutt6:lp millionln lonmilr lrant fturds,tn sddtionto NervStsB frnds, rs prrt of uleir qesll turdtg,

Lta tt Ci|lD0l{Ca !r. L tD|r ll f . LJt <,J

An addiuonalpotential.source for bussystem impmvements is the Bus Cap-italProgiram, which prayidec funds io statesincl iocA rr*i, "g*.,e, fo1!y 5nnrovencnts.Thfs pmgrsrn is characterisedby a lsrgenlmlb€r of rcidvely EmellErants, For exanple,for fscal yearZ00i or" d*axE" gf4 apprcpriared4bout S6Z4.I mtllion for grsnts,snging eorn $36,oooto $16.6 million; ure lsrgest, amou$ts bDicaltv-were pmviOe-Oio, ,t"turia" U* 8r!ilB, Whilethese llurds can bs cornlinedwith fundstorn other programs, suchas New Sta$s, thfy aretenenlly not euffcisntto fitrtd a nqior Busfupid llursit ptojectalone. BusRapid ffansit andother tansitl,rojects canqualfr tor c€,rtainb]pes of feileral}igrrway iurds aaniriiatereaUytire feOerif nii{ray-- Administr?tion.Fbr 'Ilan5ponation e*smple,trnsit agenciestrave usled Srlface Programand Congest ian MitigatioDand l\ir eualit{ Improt/€mettffrn& to heb psyfor trEtgitprqiects.ollei*rafotne two nus qpu 'rtansitplojects witlt g99l FUIIF\Dding Glant AgE€+menE in fiscal ycar lry$C !l uT tedenlhig!*ev tundl Sturoi tire uOi nrmprq,rcc 14 $U n"Org GrantAgreemmrs llan to uEeaboEr $iZf 'niuisn in . federalhighray fun&, ltre SoutfrMiatr*Dade gufiay grlengionptoject in FlnalDesigtl plans io uErabout $99 million in theseiunds.

fg.n FIA SupportsBus Bapid {faS pesnective,Bus Rapid lhanEir ls e steptoward dev€Ioping Tlansit ConceptThroush public trenrit sy6tcrn6that have tlre per[omranceind appeaof Uilu ia trandt, but at a tsrrer capital DemorrstrationPrografr cosf, FIA coff€ndsthat riing tecl,nqlogleNl' Edv8ncEmontFwiu dlow bu8e6to olleratewith the,rpee* refiaUUiry, inO :.ry.ft.y gf.!{" Rsit. FTApromotes the Aw napii tansit conaeptutrr tnc sloggn-think rail. usebuses."

'1tn9$ olx.r thinEs,surhcE lladsrofi{ion [t;ffi to stgE5 t! uftdu.e€ Jortor tir€gr€ cEfP|EdcEpaElcott6 ofEslshrlqiect6,ofEslslrFlqiect5,. osngesttCo.nSEstbnndHgatio! !4d /tb eusury 111g5l::t_13prlnl$drrre s;duy avdtabiJrJstrtes66isi:-oii& rlorece se$gnrq rc nelp El€tn meet th€ rcquilelnalts ot tre clesn AlrAcL

Pqo t2 GAO.oI4t4f,rr iq'l(l !}or!tr In 1990,ibe FIA hidated a demonstrationprogta$ ro generstr&mflloriry andlnteregt in Bus8rpid 1landt Thetoal of the ptoglstnras io F(omote tmptor'eatbus servics d$il.r to mo&l systfits in 6bri!ba,Bndl; Adelside, AuccauqErd OtEtr* Cg|ads'rs enaltcrnative to nosecaDital.hfilrEfv. IaII plqtt..t& the pogam tnUrt\y prwftteil $60,000to 10trlrd sgenctes to shae fudfinltidt md drfa m neryBus Brpid Tlarrsilprd.cE"' FIA wa,nAedfte Bw 8:pid Ttsnrit gmgramto rhow howudng tschnotoscal advsrcgncntsand imprwtns the insge of Dureswould rlldp btrss to incr,aseridaddp Eid operrtewur dr3spce4 leliibiuv, gd efiiCenq d LightBdt lhc Erantcc!in thc dcmonsdptrlrogrrnr rnry beelig&te lor fcdclrl capttalfilrds auchrs N€r 6ltare,Bus C4Sti{ rd UrbadzcdAreo Fo$rtla G ntfWills, YIAhF held:rorlshrys for cmsctirrn rnrmb.rs focuringm dercIophgBus RsSd lta|sitb conlpsEntftsturts, suchrs vetdchs,imrge, nnrketinB &re coUection,md tafric op€lttioss.(See lig. 4J

to tbE Drlndwlldon prrtlrn .Ird rix rddlti4El rrc|titr o(thc DqsBrDid ltlo$r edusii{re fhlsa ionsclfun m|lnborsdo lot ncrfin dircd ftrdhg, but fiau worXEhops|rvt oDFqt thc glogxr$ torb.

PrgoIt Grllq.$aEr| l|Dtd Drldr Flgufir c: Inlrirl BUERrFld TrrnGltDamonslratlon P|otscts aFd Con:orllum ilcntlrs

Diionrbdon ,It Ccrllttlrn natnbrr!

sourc.:F-fA.

Some in tlle detnonFtrEfionp!o!tr0$ have morc extcnsire of a Bus Rapid lbansil systemthah olhers. For example, and Chadottehave busways fof tire e:.clusivelse ofbuses, while SanJoge implemmting tednologic8l snd serviceimprovementE such ss si8n8l on a htgh.ddetshbIIOV lane arterirl couidor. In Eugene, arem purchasebuses thar will havea rain-like

Pot6 l{ GAG0l.l84 Bur &Dtd ttl.lrti ro."/Jb P. fA/23

appearstrceand SEr*e ur epecialbus lmes (seelig, 6), In Clernland"an erdensivEBus Eapid Ttenstt plql€ct fs pbr[€d dratinvolve the exEnsit/e rcccmEtnrcfionofEuclid Al4nue, includjng signat lriodtiration, bu*s.tstion structurEg,srld rrconrtruction of th6 sidef,rlls Nlongtte corridor 1bblc3 iliusEatestbe vaddlmB tr the Bru Eapiilllaruit colrceptamog tre t0 inim demomtrdionptqjects.

Ftsur! 5; Artl* BGnrbr||gtrot ptlfit6 Em h.pid Tnnrh Syfin l'| t!||9arr, O''gpn

lrlr It OAo.orrta E!. Ld, DrDdr Tlble 3r 'EIC|||aB|!ol Ew EapldTrandl ln lh€ I'fA Drmondralpl p7e166

B& on lto/-

slgnd pdoilry FarBcdbdion

tirrH $op€ lrtrErpvsdstaflons & Eheltcfi Intrllg.m t'arcrpoltdion

Clcaner/quiabr

tlotq Hivltlull dtmmb nly Crmgs !i lbnrolrtrrlct projrcforEtrrB. 'llrr;tlngEG nC..IndUd€Etha Ureol E InitEC€cErli ain! ro!d. Sour€c FIA

!?A plans to conduct emlurtiolls of eachproject pefiicipating in the demonstrationprcgr4rn a$er the prqiectFEre implemsrted, FfA abo plrns to eraluEtePittsblagh's Bus Bapid tsnsit project, Tbroughthese egaluatiora, F IA wsrlts to detorminethemo8t €dfectiyeBus Rapid Tfasiit el€nrentsso that other trssFit agenciescan model gimilrr rystens. lthe DeperEnentof tsrsportationb Volle CenFr trill conductthe firBt evaluatlon on Honolulu's Gi@rEqrees,bu6 plogram, trTA doe6not plan to lnclude all tbe consortiwn membelg'prdectg in tlre evaluation,

CapitulCostsAppear Bus Rapid lli:nsit c4ritsl cosb *ere general[ylowerthanUghtEdt capira] cocF in the sities we rcviewcd, vhen compand orr.a cost-p$nile basis" to FavorBus Rapid We found rnixed recultc when we colrpared the operaffrg coctaof Eue Tbansit,While Besults Rapid Tlar|sit ard Ught Iiait $/stams. In examinlngpcrformance Are chrracterisricE,we found that the lidesrhip sril oDerrtingspeeds ofBus Mixed for Rapid Tra,nsitmd Light BaiI systens wEresltflar reEpecE, Operating Costs in many

'Pos"l8 C/ro'ol€&lBu IlDfil t dt

rlnr. r 5t(:r ..av/ c-J

BusRapid Tlansit Capital fhe BusEapid ltaneit lrojrct6 ftrt we reviered coetles onaverage to CostsPer Mle Generally bnikt thenthe Liglrt nd plojcetr,on 4per-rnllebads, As shqFnh figule6, LowerTtranLightRail BIrt EaFidtip ldt crpitrl colg avera8edabort 0#1.6mil[sr per nli for bu6rayc,t9,0 miUionper miie lor hreo onHOV lancs, and f680,000 per rnile on ciry $!r€b, rhen ercalstedto 2000dol&rs,ro lor llt dtiee tha built Uglrt 8dl lir.s, lince 1980,crpitrl costsavcng.d rbort $S4.9duion p.r mtle,ranglng ton $fg.{ rdllion to $ll&8 mIuon per rnih, rhen e8csL8tedto zfi)Odol$|t', Onr c pital costpcr.rnile brds, thc thrle dlfierentEt,es ofSus &nid nanait qrBtrryt6harn anrqe crpftrl c€t thd arc 89p€t€€nb 26 posssrt, and Z persentot thesr€sate c6t ot IIdS Rail s,'f,ternss! ravicrod"

fburrt: crFfhl co.t FrrglF tsr ugmB![ md ltE flc tt|[|'n Dollirt h r|luqrt l30 t*79

udf F{t 4ryr Ar| q? HOt, 8|!on&Erid Lre

Nohr Colt €.Eqtslcdto lrcd I-r l0O rhi!r!. ,$nrg. qtn F$ arCFl !o.l dr a'r lt rttlr l|!t btllt 18 thhr Ml frr! $0. 1tt0. lsnr.y Et$bl .Esb ar! f9| fi! I*yr hlnl h frur str|r; h ltro dlb! !rr$r td !r lv! lt$aaq!fiy

'nltqJect ca$ralcosr8 EDlrrllv hCErh $s cortsto pls$"aholgl *rt corElntctaFsqlrcr

t|rE lr Ca$ol$r hr ldd tl|!.B HU. /Jb t . C!/CJ

op€.rECtq prlvals_vghkb6ar HOVlan€F. CaptEt coEE fsr hJrEBuilng HOt/Ircrs rn for€ioht HOV bd tt ln ilrb cilirs. Csplblccr|3 lor bss63;n arlrrisl slr!.ts ',r ir;-trrg ttrrc tr rG ctei. SolrEa:OAO an4lqis ot FIAlnd kEr|litqgrncy data,

BueBapid T!3nsit capit t cosrsvary considerabg, depmding on the Wpe of systembuilt. Cost ofEusRapid ltansilprqiects includetlre costofthe roadT?y-buswayeor bus lanes, stationsfircfirrcs, padr-fid.ride &rilities, cotfi[tndcationsand inqrovEd.trafic signrl systens, and vehicies, if additiorualor specialbuses are neededfor t}le project. Qiwn the rnriety of way6 in which Eus Rrpid Ttsdiit mq' be desiFre4 xqpclasdned ihe

Brpid Tlansitonirterial streeJ$-Auoendixesm rnd infonnation m the BusBapid tansit andUght RailsJnserns that we sna[zed.

Exdnsivebusvays, which are essentia[v separde higtnrrys ior bu8es, geBeEa\yhsd thehighest crpital costper milefor thosesltrtenls we analyre4averagtru $13.6 million per milein 2000dollars. The capitrl costs of ninebugwrye in four citiesra4ged from $7$i[ion 10fE6 nrillion per mile.I Thc groEtcqransirre one rras thePittsburgh lve6t Bu.eway, vtrlctr co'gtEigrdlcsBtly mole than otlEr bruwqyrwe EnalJzed,Horvever, accordi4gto focalhenFit a$ncy oflir.iab,they needcd to confEuctonv 6 milesof buglf,ayto adfevetheir goalof rapidtrat|sit to the airgortbecause the buseecould €xit thebuswqy and ure exi&tjnghigl]'F/rys. Zhey ad&d thet m slternetit€Utht Rdl filEtemwould have been longer, co6t tlro to thnc tfunesas much to conshlct andsignincantly mor. to operateand $aintairhwldle attrsctinge$endally no EdditiorEtpsssengels,

Other6peo of Bru FapidTrsrlsit oysterns had lower cryital cosu. ForBOV facilitieswhere buses used HOV larres in 6veeities we leviewe4 capitat costsranged from $I.8mtllion to $3?.6miltion per mib. Fbr tiiE-HOV facilitieswe coirsiclered&e capitalcoFt of HOVJsrE5, 6us ststionE, Fark- and-ridefacilities; and additional vehicles. See appmdix I for addtioml details.

Bur RapidTranait ttlrprowments on afierialstse€ts can halrc the lo4vest costper mile, For exampie,Los fuigeles cotnpleted rtre Wilshire Boulward ard VeftBralines st s c'oErof a[out 9200,000per mil€. Thesetwo lines opente on mdor arterialstreete, but withquta dedicad right ofipay The BueRapid llansit improccm€ntsinduded in this costwere aignal

-nccrrue tB; crrrrlllt btr|.Ilov Ene6 ln IlorEtort rnd lre At\geleewert iniurlly- br t,ss b||3- oaly lEcililiss, we i$chde tlum as examplcr ofhulwcy! b! thi! alEksis.

P!9. lg GAO.OI.8O4E|! lqld t|rtrlt ,rv. r9t, r-.az/

pritritizato:l. improvadstrdons, rrd realdmeinlocrtration syit IIts ilforming ddar6of bssorival llncs, Whflethb typcof ru!fre str€et tFFrffientras lhe lerrt $pensirc BusRapid llanstt optioob the citis we reviewed,Bns B4irl Ilanrit linaaon srtcrirl $leets crn hrt e highercorta if thcyinnhre moresffrtrdvs consfilctsoqsuclr as htlding rpcdd bus lanes.In OrlandoBrs RaDtdTtinsit on srledrl 6tr€€trisclurt€rl I e cdrEtrurfionsr l wbtcle costr,ard sveraged19.6 nllior p.r tn e-

Lightnail rystexqspe rudemedabo vul' sonddersblyintfr€b capltal cogt permile, Inclu&dinsnibl ctrEamtlrcEtaaons,fitch|tq Bigal EIBEnF,power mrF!?rs, nilb ruloerdpnrrightrof'*ay, rndtenance hctlfrhe, ! uir nhlo.lcr, urd pqiect over8[ghtAgsb, we dluclsd thc htlto8tccrptt l coslofthe pojects to tscal yca 20{x}dollan to pwvidea bctlerbasia of corparisotl" lbr thesyst€nE we r€viswed the cotrtper mi.!e fur Uglt Bril averagcd0948 rniltorpcr nilc, r$dng tom itPd ntllion b tf$.Snllltmpcrnilc,

Thehigtcr capibl eortEp:r mllafor Lidd fuil r$lrteqlscorpnred wi0r Bus Eapidttstrsit lrise frdn seveBltctilE. nr!t, tisht Bdl ltttdn8 cq|tafur elerne*snot.reguired in Bcs A*id lt|Ilsit sJ'rtefitE.Ligt Rrdlq'rt!trls hptc8llyr€qgireEdn dEnl cormuniedonr, rnd alccffcalpora ey6trfi5wftfr cnafl|cd rrh$ to delivwpove[ to trah8. A eonr|:ltaffshraly of eitl$ Ugl$ edl D&cstu ttrc cfti.r (Dsllet,8t toUit, Dernru,Selt lake Clty,and Portlano fOundthe urmge c6ts of theseelEslenl| to beS2.8 ndllionper mlle.E InghtRdl ry$€!l|Falro rtqni'r rddftid|altlrtcrlds no€dedfor the gddiirrv-rNil, ficc,anal trBck bsllsd, In rddtion, if e Ligtrt Eailmgbrtsunce frdli$ aloernot erist, oncmust be built at|dcqdpped. Fblrqy,IlSl$ Bril *htclrq vhlb havirrgtriflE ce''itrt c4atr8 thtll mo8r buloa,ilso cori nqrg-aborni2.6 mllfon erch,tr In contrast,qccprdjrrg to tnndt indnstrycolrsult'r|ts, & typical 4D-toot tr&slt buEcocts rbout f289,0@rnd an rrtcglrrcq highercryadw buscoots &out $420,0110. Eowgverr,buse6 thd iocorpryete$ower teclurologlec fc low trqisdonsor lhet nm or moreftrn oncfud cin coatmore than $l nrilltoncach. $or

{Ptlpigl Eidnd D., rl!| TlbPrid4 EahtBd ltradt S/$.$r ftt otlutr? A Qonp$iro! ol W Wflrc.r,r per Frbliatr€dd r.ll. &h Jol$rCdrtrllc oot&!n BCl,Ddhs, r&ns, No$atDcr8000,sfd|rs0d byth! Tlatrldlssrr Rlrurltl Sosrt sd tbs Ascdc|n n$EcIlrEetds ArsocbfifEr rt nr6l$ the sodng €tpdg 6f I sltlttr U&tnailvchicb ts abs[t 1t0!.r6e!effs shle t i{F$ot busssnld rsrt rbo$ 50Futaprr ud &r artiGlldcdbus crn rert &o{ri ?0 pte$n$at

l.|. ll Gi[O.Ol.g8aErr 8{ tl Z}a.it f\U. ".ib P.l3rl3 l ,-

exarnple,the EostonSilver Line low-f,oor, a$icul!.t€d, compressed nafiual gas-hybrideieetic buseswill cost91.5 rnillion each according to FIA ofrcials.

Anotherfacto! that canafect the costof tlle sygtamsis tbe arnountand availabilityot requiredtighr-ot way. Rightof-way coFts ars 8ffect€d by the dciiSnt€qtlilements oI BusBspid ltsnsit andUght RaiI. Tlarrpitplannere told us that a baslcbusway required a widerdght-of.way ftan LiENnail Theyestimatcd a trro-lanebuswry requir€at a lighr.of-wayabout g0 tcet widg comparedwith z4teetwide for a doubletack Ught Railsystrem. ! AcEErdI€sBot the trsn€porlBuarmocle-tus or rail-the basicdeeign hrs a mqiorefiect on the captralcosts. SpecIicslv, prqlects tttgt usetunncliru - or eleeetedFtrucfures rre moreo:rpensirre than those witlr surfacete,vel csa8uction. For r.rar|ple,rhe Boston $outh pjerF brrdtway, a l-mile hn$el Eith ttgeestations built aAiacentto ttreBmton Cantral Artery/Ifurnelproject, has atr cstbnatcd co6t ofi60t rdlioir nrnnelhgca$ betlEee to six timesmore €teensivg tllar sur{aceconstrlrction, rcgardlcrs of the Opeof 3J'sten-bu6or r?fl.

Opcfating Costs Vary fof we foundhircd r€sult8whm we comparodthe olereting coEtr for Bus Bus Rapid Tlansit and Light- Brpid TFansit8nd-L,rgjht na in eachof theeix citiesthat opemtedbottr Bait Systerns hPeEol s,y8toms.'"TYe ured three motsrrles to essrrine@€Gating cosF: co6tp€r vehiclerevenue hotrr, cost per vehide rlrenue mile,and cost per passengertrip. tc wc alsocompared these meesureq correcrlng tor vellicle cepaciw Eachmeasure r€Fulted in somewhatdjfrer€nt lelBthrc oper&rting costlwels,

Pa$ of thereason for fhevaristion in f.slllt6is thatthe BusRapid lbansit sSntemsin our examplecities opetale in difierentwal's. TheEystetns

"PittsburEh @cirls notedttrat ! Sgtsotbusmy rcqulrEmeffEss Bot ututorrlsrd thrt buswsy3clB benrriarrd to Ud|t Bril st|tldrld! for !h!rt $cliotr! to Iir ttuougbfirnnGls or accommod4eobsfrJdions. In Ft6burdr. lor s8mFte,bu6e6 6h{rc I tu:melrth Ugt* Rrn t€hide6. rllhe six cilica with both Bus R.gid Ilrnsit and Ught nsil syncmEi[ qo! study alE Ddhs, Drcvcr, los Angelee,Pittsbrlgh S.rl Diego,erd SrrlJo6e. Plhrse thlE€ mer$ms, vl|!e not tlre olUypoE6lbte tnes$re6 o! o!€rldrg co* slr camndUy ur€d in trqfi!. Wr dso 't'cmpt dto dctcrllino oD@ing cort pcr prr'arga nEE s9 r rnsasweol corwcri6qn; hot?er,€r,we coutdnot obtaln $ddcient iata tor suCtran anrlyai& Sceagpesd& I lot dctails on the nsthodoloEy used.

P'4.srO eA(}.OI'g8aE|r. ElDld Dr|lclr a

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