Operating Costs and Characteristics of Minibuses
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1981-08-01
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Abstract:There has been considerable interest in minibuses over the last ten years as the public transit industry has introduced innovative services and emphasized special services to elderly and handicapped persons. This report presents an analysis of minibus operating characteristics based on operating data obtained from transit operators which use minibuses. Eleven operators were contacted, and useful data were obtained from seven. The focus of this evaluation is on fixed-route transit applications of minibuses. The intent of this analysis is to identify the costs of operating minibuses and the manner in which these costs vary. The report also seeks to clarify the conditions in which minibuses are the most cost-effective buses to operate. Representative cost and operating statistics are shown for prototypical applications of minibuses in environments found to be appropriate. The report does not emphasize minibus vehicle types which have consistently proved disappointing in transit service, but focuses instead on heavier duty models that are now favored by most minibus operators. This study found that if a minibus is the appropriate vehicle to utilize according to the criteria developed in the report, it makes little difference from a long-term point-of-view whether purpose-built or medium-duty vehicles are selected. The costs are the same for all intents and purposes. However, even though life cycle costs are essentially equal between medium-duty and purpose-built coaches, transit operators prefer purpose-built because of the day-to-day operating advantages.
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