Seven reasons to embrace hybridized energy storage

Advantages of pairing ultracapacitors with batteries outweigh the drawbacks By Brendan Andrews A number of factors in play for engineers considering hybridized energy storage may raise questions over the complexities and of increased costs for dual-storage systems. The electronics required for balancing separate batteries and ultracapacitors in one component may also be a concern. The [...]

What operators need to know about Lumen ratings

Understanding the difference between raw and effective output is critical By Ryan Mayrand In LED lighting technology, Lumens are the standard unit of measure used to describe how well a light source will illuminate objects. Because operators typically rely on output to evaluate LED lights, many manufacturers prominently tout high lumen numbers on product literature. [...]

Panel corrosion repair made easy

At Chicago Sightseeing Company we do everything we can to keep our motorcoaches for a 20-year life cycle, which means adhering to our strategy to keep our vehicles in safe and good condition. Panel corrosion will always be a situation we, like all operators, must face and repair. Over the years we have come up with an easy and perhaps obvious solution to this problem.

Front tire failures— the rest of the story

A front tire failure can cause the motorcoach to be either extremely difficult to control or uncontrollable entirely. There is always the possibility of a catastrophic accident. A careful examination of the variables and practices that affect the control of a motorcoach can reduce the incidence of front tire failures.

Clean is just good business

Going clean is the easiest and most cost effective way to attract and retain the best customers. A washed vehicle encourages drivers to drive safely and maintain the vehicle. Technicians are prone to take more time under a clean vehicle to perform the necessary preventative maintenance. Regular washing with an effective system extends the life of the bus and helps hold its value.

Get your kit together and protect that parking brake from freezing

I recently came across a solution specifically related to preventing the parking brake from freezing — a device anyone can make in the garage.

Retrofitted seat belts could come at a price

Last year it became clear that the government would issue a seatbelt mandate for new motorcoaches. This would not come as a complete surprise to the industry given recent high profile fatal accidents involving ejections, and especially the motorcoach-specific crash testing NHTSA has conducted on the effectiveness of passenger restraints.

Chase down that cracked air filter indicator

For about a week I had been hearing a high-pitched whistling noise coming from an S-60 engine. I inspected it and drove it personally, but was still unable to locate the source. With a little more probing, I eventually diagnosed the disturbing noise as coming from the air intake system on the engine.

DPF regen in a slow moving bus requires TLC

The emission standards that went into effect in 2007 have created further issues in an industry that has one of the lowest pollution emissions per passenger in the entire transportation industry. Nonetheless they are here to stay.

Go Clean: Bus washing is a best practices basic

The easiest, fastest and least expensive measure bus and motorcoach operators can take to make a lasting impression is to keep the vehicles washed and shining. How clean is clean? A question both private and public operators are asking to promote a more positive public image and a more inviting option to upscale riders.

The extra care given to the exterior surfaces of transit buses has become a greater concern with the advent of sophisticated bus-wrap advertising, and with transit buses sporting a more polished upscale appearance. A bus wash system represents a significant capital investment from initial planning to installation.