What’s Better? A Large Fleet of Small Buses or a Small Fleet of Large Buses?

Filed Under Best Practices, Feature Stories, Research, Transit Trends, University Transit

In February 2008, a most useful research tool appeared on the transit management scene. But what was merely useful in February may be a vital tool today in the face of a 33% increase in the price of fuel from February to June 2008.

The National Center for Transit Research at the University of South Florida has provided a decision support tool to help fleet owners decide on the best mix of large versus small buses. The Center includes both an extensive report on its methodology and a sophisticated spreadsheet which enables fleet managers to model multiple variations of fleet sizes and types.

One obvious element in the report stands out: The advantage in per mile fuel cost that small buses have over large buses. Back in February, per mile fuel costs were significantly less than parts and labor.

Today, thanks to the spike in gas and diesel prices, the per mile fuel costs for large buses is almost as high as maintenance charges.

The ability of this decision support tool to help transit managers evaluate fleet composition becomes all that more important as fuel costs look to meet or exceed maintenance costs on large buses in particular.

Clearly, implementing effective transit management systems which maximize ridership and minimize mileage will be critical to accommodate increasing demand for transit services to university communities.

To get a complete copy of the report and the decision support tool,click here.

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