To the editor,
I would like to hear—yet again—what Metro Transit has to say
about the persistent problem with bus idling amongst its drivers.
Walking home from work, I noted six Metro Transit buses parked along
Trollope Street, all of them idling.
As I recall, the last time this issue came up in The Coast, we were
told something about keeping the bus interior warm for driver/passenger
comfort. But it was 17 degrees that day, so that can’t be it. Or maybe
it was because of the increased wear on the diesel engine caused by
cold-starting it repeatedly. Oh, yeah. It was 17 degrees.
If Metro Transit took this issue seriously, it would do something to
stop it. Instead, we are fed excuses for what is quite honestly
inexcusable behaviour by Metro Transit drivers. There should be fines
or suspension without pay for drivers caught idling. Unless there is
impetus to change, why would we expect the drivers to do so?
The problem is, we all pay for the fuel in the form of taxes
and transit fares. And we all suffer the consequences of idling
buses in the form of air pollution, noise pollution and diminished
fossil fuel reserves, resulting in higher prices at the pump.
Are we going to be honest and admit that driver non-compliance to a
poorly enforced pseudo-policy is the reason six buses were idling along
Trollope this afternoon, just like every afternoon? —Steve
Petrar, Halifax
This article appears in May 28 – Jun 3, 2009.
Well Steve, as a transit user I’d much rather see a bus idle for 10 minutes between routes instead of realising it won’t fire up a minute before the first pick up time. Halifax doesn’t have breakdown/overflow buses sitting in key areas to take over when breakdowns occur so what occurs is a bus is sent from Burnside to wherever, usually at rush hour meaning commuters are late or stranded. Don’t forget buses run off a 24-volt battery system so its not like they can pull up with a transit supervisors car and give it a boost.
Now as someone with mechanical knowledge of transit buses its obvious that most people don’t understand that buses use compressed air to release the park brake and activate the service brakes, the doors and suspension system are dependant on this same air supply, as are most windshield wiper assemblies.
As buses age the air system develops leaks that make the initial air rebuild cycle take longer and also allow faster escape of said air once the engine is shut down. Its not uncommon for transit buses and motorcoaches to lose a lot of air when shut down for 15 minutes, enough that you have to spend 5-10 minutes rebuilding the pressure needed.
Either way you’ll pay for buses idling or you’ll pay as the money is spent on tow calls and overtime when a no-start occurs. You’ll spend even more out of your own pocket taking a cab home when your bus didn’t show up because your complaining led to a restrictive policy being enforced.
Great explanation voice_of_reason, but how is it that SOME Metro Transit drivers seem to turn of their engines and restart them later, while others don’t? Seems to work for the more conscientious drivers…
And apparently, an entire bus tour company, Ambassatours, now has a functional non-idling policy (5 minutes or less, for mechanical reasons). Also works for them, apparently.
Metro Transit staff have notified me that in the summer, their buses shouldn’t be idling longer than the time it takes for the air brakes to “boot up”. Of course what they say and what they do are often two totally different things…
bullshit!buses are the same in montreal,from SAME company and they CANNOT idle in Montreal..poor excuse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quoting Metro Transit’s own online Policies & Guidelines, it reads: “As it currently stands, after 3 minutes, Metro Transit operators are encouraged to turn off the engines. However, there are many extenuating circumstances where operators are asked to use discretion.”
The latter point refers directly to extreme cold conditions/keeping the heaters going, etc.
But what SHOULD cause people to stir with rage is the blatant and unnecessary waste of their tax dollars. With the current economic difficulties experienced by all, and the ever-present fear of yet another rate hike in both municipal taxes and Metro Transit fares, the question has to be asked, why are employees of publically funded institutions wasting your money. And to furher that thought, what on earth would justify additional hikes in fees and taxes??
When is someone in authority going to put their foot down on this issue and make people accountable to your tax dollars??!!
ps…the same issues arise with other publically funded vehicles – keep an eye out, and you will see your hard-earned tax dollars blowing up in smoke (and killing your kid/grandparent at the same time).