Modern Bus and Technologies Seminar SFMTA (Muni) Double Decker Bus Pilot Demonstration

Modern Bus and Technologies Seminar

SFMTA (Muni) Double Decker Bus Pilot

Demonstration



Demonstration

6 | 03 | 2008 | SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

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• Key Question: What performance do you want from a bus?

Articulated Bus ‘A’ 60 feet long 55-60 seats 3 doors one side

Articulated Bus ‘B’ 60 feet long 40-50 seats 3 doors one side / 2 doors other side

Standard Bus 40 feet long 34-40 seats 2 doors one side

Double Decker Bus 40-43 feet long 71-83 seats 2 doors one side

Articulated Bus ‘C’ 60 feet long 32-40 seats 3 doors one side / 2 doors other side

Over the Road Bus 45 feet long 50-57 seats 1 door one side

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• Key Question: What performance do you want from a bus?

Urban Streetcar-Suburb Suburban (Short Trips) (Short-Medium Trips) (Medium-Long Trips) High Volume Medium-High Volume Low-Medium Volume High Turnover Medium Turnover Low / No Turnover Less seats More seats More seats More doors Less doors Less doors POP POP or Farebox POP or Farebox

Standard Bus Standard Bus --------------------- Articulated Bus Articulated Bus

Articulated Bus Double Decker Bus Double Decker Bus Double Decker Bus --------------------

Over the Road Bus Over the Road Bus

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The Service Area – Bus Rapid Transit Van Ness Avenue and Geary Boulevard

Which vehicle is the best for the yellowyellow routes?

Bus Rapid Transit DefinedBus Rapid Transit DefinedNew type of transit service where buses operate as a crossover between express buses and light rail. Features for the proposed service routes in S.F. include:

* Exclusive transit lanes * Transit Signal Priority * Enhanced stations * Low-floor vehicles* Proof of Payment* Service & Vehicle Branding

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The Vehicle• Alexander Dennis – Enviro 500

Model

Alexander Dennis Inc. – Guildford, UK – Canyon Lakes, CA

Double Decker Bus Fast Facts * 100+ double decker buses in use in Las Vegas, NV * 40 double decker buses in use in Victoria, B.C. * Thousands in use in London, Hong Kong, Berlin, other cities * AD U.S. double decker buses are low-floor buses * Buses will pass “Buy America” standards * Alexander Dennis is currently testing a diesel hybrid bus

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Enviro 500 Interior Diagrams

Vehicle Design – as tested in S.F.

Upper Level = 57 seats

Lower Level = 23 seats

Accessible Seats = 7

Total = 80 seats

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Enviro 500 Interior Diagrams

Vehicle Design – new vehicles in Las Vegas

Upper Level = 51 seats

Lower Level = 26 seats

Total = 77 seatsAccessible Seats = 9

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Pilot Demonstration Schedule & Route Map

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Enviro 500 in service in San Francisco

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Passenger Survey HighlightsPassengers were asked to compare the double decker bus to existing buses (including articulated buses) and state a preference on several questions. They were also asked to provide information on their transit riding habits .

• 841 surveys (2007-2008 pilot demonstration)• 7,149 surveys (1990 pilot demonstration )

• Highlights below

Double Decker vs. Single Decker Bus questions

2007-2008 199084% 94% did not have trouble climbing to the upper level48% Not asked preferred to ride on the upper level14% Not asked preferred to ride on the lower level80% 85% preferred the ride quality on the double decker bus85% 79% preferred the view on the double decker busNot Asked 80% preferred the double decker bus over an artic. Bus

SFMTA (Muni) Travel / Demographic questions63% 75% use transit to go to work / business76% 79% use Muni 5+ days per week52% 60% were age 18-4531% 16% were age 46-64 8% 7% were age 65+

Generally – passengers preferred the double decker bus 3 to 1 over a standard bus

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SFMTA Staff Survey HighlightsStaff (operators / security / maintenance) were asked to list their opinions in response to a series of questions concerning their experience with the double decker bus during the 2007-2008 pilot demonstration

The greatest passenger benefits were thought to be:1) the view and experience of riding on the upper level, 2) the increased seating capacity, and 3) the ride quality of the bus and the low-floor entry

The greatest SFMTA benefits were thought to be:1) the positive attention the test brought to SFMTA – with most passengers being in favor of SFMTA obtaining this type of vehicle, 2) the increased seating capacity, and 3) the reduced length of the bus which allowed easier on-street movements and increased storage capacity

The greatest challenges to passengers were thought to be:1) the stairway, 2) wheelchair clearance near the front door, and 3) (tie) lack of standee space and low ceiling on the upper level

The greatest challenges to SFMTA were thought to be:1) enforcement of regulations and possible vandalism on the upper level, 2) passenger accidents (stepping off elevated seats, use of stairs, low ceilings) 3) low overhead clearance and obstruction

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SFMTA & Alexander Dennis Vehicle Design Meetings

SFMTA and Alexander Dennis staff met for two ½ day workshop meetings during the pilot demonstration to discuss design issues and possible modifications to the design of the Enviro 500 model double decker bus. The items below are a distillation of the highlights of those meetings.

Issue ResolutionBuy American and Timeline The bus meets Buy America standards. Buses take 14-20

months to build and deliver.

Can the bus be made longer / taller In theory yes, but the price is probably prohibitive. than the Las Vegas two stairway bus?

Can the bus be made with left side This appears to be feasible, but only 1 door can be added to the doors to allow dual-side loading? left side

Can an electric trolleycoach version This is probably feasible, but will not be easy. be manufactured? AD wants 60K-100K to perform an initial analysis

Can the bus be modified to allow for Yes, the bus can be equipped with stop cords instead of buttons, basic changes on some issues? more grab poles, dual wheelchair lifts, plastic seats, safety doors Can the bus be produced as a hybrid? A hybrid is currently being tested. A future zero emission vehicle? Future tech advances in power mode should be able to be

incorporated into the design

Cost The vehicles have a baseline cost of approximately $700,000With upgrades and unique equipment this cost will likelyincrease by 15%-35%.

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Articulated BusDual Side Door – Articulated Bus Fast Facts * New Flyer (shown), NABI, and other manufacturers in production * 6 dual side door articulated buses in use in Eugene, OR * 15+ dual side door articulated buses delivered to Cleveland, OH * These articulated buses are low-floor buses * A diesel hybrid model of this vehicle is available

New Flyer “EMX” Bus Eugene, OR

Seats = 46 Accessible seats = 12

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Enviro 500 SFMTA Color Scheme Mock-up & with

Dual-side doors

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Double Decker vs. Articulated Bus

Standee area

Wheelchair area

Senior / Disabled Seating

Articulated Bus

Double Decker Bus

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Double Decker Bus vs. Articulated Bus

Passenger Capacity Double Decker Bus vs. Articulated Bus

Seated = 83 Seated

= 57

Standees = 37 Standees

= 63

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Double Decker Articulated

Vehicle Type

Pas

sen

ger

Cap

acit

y

Doors and Dwell Time: Double Decker Bus vs. Articulated Bus

29 s

eco

nd

s

18 s

eco

nd

s

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Double Decker(2 doors)

Articulated(3 doors)

Vehicle Type

Avg

. D

wel

l T

ime

per

Sto

p

Dwell Time:Advantage

Articulated Bus

Seated Passenger Capacity: Advantage

Double Decker Bus

Total Passenger Capacity: Advantage

TIE

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Fuel Mileage - Diesel Double Decker Bus vs. Articulated bus

3.5 mpg

2.3 mpg

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4


Vehicle Type

Mil

es

pe

r g

all

on

Storage Space Double Decker Bus vs . Articulated Bus

0

5

10

15

20

25


Vehicle Type

Re

lati

ve

Co

mp

ari

so

n

Sc

ale

Fuel Mileage: Advantage

Double Decker Bus Mode of Power: Diesel Hybrid

Advantage TIE Trolley Coach

Advantage Artic. Bus

Storage Space : Advantage

Double

Decker Bus Mode of Power

Diesel Hybrid / Trolleycoach

0

5

10

15

20

25


Vehicle Type

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Public Perception / Branding Opportunity

Double Decker Bus vs . Articulated Bus

0

5

10

15

20

25


Vehicle Type

Re

lati

ve

Co

mp

ari

so

n

Sc

ale

Public Perception / Branding: Advantage Double Decker

Bus

Vehicle Cost: Advantage

TIE

Vehicle Cost (Estimated) Double Decker Bus vs. Articulated Bus

$0

$500

$1,000

$1,500


Vehicle Type

Co

st in

Th

ou

san

ds

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Legendary Transit Vehicles

San Francisco cable car

TGV

New York City subway

PCC Streetcar

Bus ?

Routemaster Double Decker Bus

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Report Recommendation Next Steps

At this time clear options exist that should be considered by SFMTA management:

• Perform a second pilot demonstration • Purchase or lease a small number (2-12) of double decker buses• Purchase a larger number (12+) double decker buses• Decide not to consider double decker buses as a service vehicle at this time

As the author of this report, it is my recommendation to take the following three actions:

• SFMTA look further into procuring a small fleet of the two stairway double decker buses ordered and delivered recently in Las Vegas for additional testing in revenue service• SFMTA does not look further into the design of a dual-side door design for the double decker bus that will allow left side boarding and alighting in addition to right side boarding and alighting• SFMTA agrees to a contract with Alexander Dennis to perform an initial analysis on the feasibility of the production of a double decker electric trolley coach

To go forward or not – that was the big question – and remains the big question?

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END

Thank you



Demonstration



Demonstration

Documents

Modern Bus and Technologies Seminar SFMTA (Muni) Double Decker Bus Pilot Demonstration