Briefing on Five Year Fleet Plan METRO Board July, 2012

Briefing on Five Year Fleet Plan METRO Board July, 2012

Decisions and Philosophy Technology of Choice Smart Service

Basic Five Year Plan Purchase 100 buses annually Useful life of a bus 12 Year for Local Buses 15 Year for Park & Ride buses Maximize long term fleet activities Minimize technology effects Use retirement rates to address increases in service Reduce purchase for technology changes

Technology of Choice Hired TTI Joint partnership with CapMETRO (Austin) Reviewed long term implications of various technologies Choices reviewed Hybrid Clean Diesel Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Emission neutral Smaller piece of the pie Long term cost focus Reliability of existing operations factored in Review indicated CNG as a promising choice

Technology of Choice Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Pros Low fuel cost variability Lower maintenance cost verse newer diesel technology Technology has evolved Lower cost per TTI review than both Hybrid and Diesel. Conservatively CNG cost is neutral to cost positive CNG Cons Issues with full scale conversion Title 6 Cost of facilities modifications Single engine provider

Technology of Choice CNG Future Consideration Long term fuel supply Board involvement Long term commitment

CNG Recommendation Stepped approach Starting in 2014 Calendar 2014 Purchase 30 CNG Transit Buses Calendar 2015 Purchase 50 CNG Transit Buses Calendar 2016 Purchase 100 CNG Transit Buses With each purchase Modify maintenance facilities one BOF at a time Install CNG fueling station one BOF at a time Revaluate progress of program on annual basis before moving to next step

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Next Steps Development of CNG Transit bus specification Advertisement of CNG RFP Market discussion on CNG fueling purchase / equipment arrangements Development of RFP to address facility modifications, fueling station construction and fuel purchases Advertisement of CNG facility/station/fuel RFP

Interim Purchase of clean diesel technologies Allows us to maintain fleet plan Known technology Do not recommend use of CNG with articulated fleet

Smart Service Match equipment type to the specific needs of our customers and service area Provide most cost effective means of meeting transit needs In some cases only other options would be the elimination of certain low performing routes. Smart Service Options include: 40 FT Transit Buses 45 FT Park and Ride Buses Alternative service 60 FT Articulated buses Light Rail Commuter Rail

Alternative Alternative Buses Moving ahead with purchase of 40 Arboc buses Designed to work in line haul operation Low Floor Farebox Customer amenities destination sign and forward facing seat 21 foot, 14 passengers Does not require a Commercial Driver s License to operate Lower maintenance and operational cost

Articulated buses Recommend initial purchase of 70 articulated buses in FY 2013 Purchase quantity determined based on specific local routes where vehicle use can be optimized High ridership local routes Maximize use at peak times Articulated fleet has higher purchase and operating cost but lower overall operating cost when used where ridership is high Reduce vehicle need Typical ratio of 1.5 to 1

Five Year Purchase Plan 140 Fleet Purchase Summary Number of Buses 120 100 80 60 40 20 Alternate Service Vehicles 40 Articulated Bus 70 Transit Bus 40 Commuter Bus 70 Transit Bus 60 Transit Bus 65 Commuter Bus 25 Transit Bus 100 CNG Clean Diesel Gasoline 0 FY 13 8.0 FY 14 7.7 FY 15 7.2 FY 16 6.7 Average Fleet Age

Conclusions Use of CNG in a stepped fashion Neutral to cost positive Long term fuel relationship Manage Issues Title VI Facility modifications cost Smart Service 40 foot Transit (CNG & Diesel) 45 Foot Park & Ride (CNG & Diesel) Articulated buses (diesel) Alternative service buses (gasoline)