Modern Bus and Technologies Seminar
SFMTA (Muni) Double Decker Bus Pilot
Demonstration
Modern Bus and Technologies Seminar
SFMTA (Muni) Double Decker Bus Pilot
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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Double Decker Bus vs. Articulated Bus
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
Double Decker Articulated
Vehicle Type
Mil
es
pe
r g
all
on
Storage Space Double Decker Bus vs . Articulated Bus
0
5
10
15
20
25
Double Decker Articulated
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
Double Decker Articulated
Vehicle Type
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Double Decker Bus vs. Articulated Bus
Public Perception / Branding Opportunity
Double Decker Bus vs . Articulated Bus
0
5
10
15
20
25
Double Decker Articulated
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
Double Decker Articulated
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
Modern Bus and Technologies Seminar
SFMTA (Muni) Double Decker Bus Pilot
Demonstration
Modern Bus and Technologies Seminar
SFMTA (Muni) Double Decker Bus Pilot
Demonstration