ST CLOUD METRO TRANSIT COMMISSION
Grant: $1,759,857 - Federal Transit Administration - Aug. 3, 2009
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Award Description: Invest in Public Transportation by 1.) Purchasing 9 ADA compliant paratransit ARBOC buses with a 12-yr duty cycle expectancy. These buses 'kneel' to a 9' height via a fold-out ramp (no steps) bringing ease and efficiency to boarding and un-boarding our ADA and ambulatory compliant passengers. These buses will replace a 20-yr old Orion II paratransit bus fleet. The Orion II was discontinued in 1999. Miscellaneous voice, data, and surveillance communication equipment were also purchased for use within the new buses. The vehicles will be manufactured by ARBOC Mobility, a start-up small bus manufacturer located in Middlebury, IN. 2.) The grant award also provided the opportunity for purchase of an additional staff and maintenance support vehicle. A 2009 Ford Focus was purchased for use as a staff vehicle for additional street supervisory personnel. A 2009 Ford F-250 Super Duty was purchased to replace an 18-yr old shop truck. These vehicles were purchased locally in St. Cloud, MN from Tenvoorde Ford, the world's oldest Ford dealership. A new Hinneker 'V model' snow plow was also purchased to be used with the shop truck to replace our old 'straight blade' snow plow which afforded limited plowing capabilities. The Hinneker plow was made in the U.S.A., manufactured in Mankato, MN. Also, LED warning light bars were purchased for each vehicle providing additional safety notification and protection for other cars, pedestrians, and staff while operating in on-street traffic areas. 3.) In addition, a new vehicle wash system was put out to bid to replace the Operation Center's original 25-yr old Drive-thru bus wash. A contract was awarded to Ross and White Company, which has over 75-yrs of industry experience. Several equipment options were reviewed (Drive-thru, Gantry, and Touchless) and a Drive-thru system was selected as the best fit operationally and economically for our operation. The new system includes high-pressure undercarriage, wheel well, and side panel wash options, front, side, and rear brush cleaning, and water softening and reverse osmosis capabilities which should directly extend the lifecycle of the bus frame, sidewalls, paint, and decals, enhance the overall appearance of the vehicles, and minimize problematic window water spotting. All of the wash system components were assembled in the U.S.A. 4.)This project is a modernization of the overall Metro Bus communication systems and backbone. The focus of this two-part project had four goals: a.) Upgrade to fully internet compliant ?Voice over IP? dynamic routing communication systems, b.) Eliminate on-going monthly operating costs and transmission limitations between remote facilities, c.) Establish a direct high speed fiber connection to the world wide web, and d.) Position Metro Bus as a future regional mobility management and rideshare coordination center providing state of the art communication systems and high speed broadband connections. 5.) Purchasing and installing a GPS/ITS stop annunciation system for the entire Fixed Route fleet of buses to include on-board ADA compliant audio and visual bus stop information systems.
Project Description: Fiber Optics / ITS Communications Project: Part one of the project was the trade in of all current systems, and the purchase of new telephone communications and reporting systems. This part of the project required 28.42 labor hours was fully implemented on July 21, 2009. Part two of the project encompassed two phases of underground directional boring; The directional boring and cable placement portion of the project required 208.5 labor hours and was fully completed August 27, 2009. A cost of $3,880 was required for fiber terminations equipment, fusion splicing. This task required 39 labor hours and was completed September 21, 2009. ARBOC Bus Purchase: Production of the GM Chassis's was complete as of October 1, 2009. Production of the buses was scheduled to begin at ARBOC's facility as of October 16, 2009 and all 9 vehicles were scheduled to be completed by December 2, 2009. Operations staff vehicle additions: Vehicles were purchased from Tenvoorde Ford in St. Cloud, MN. the worlds oldest Ford dealership. Project complete as of July 31, 2009. Vehicle Wash System: Contract was awarded to Ross n' White Company on July 8, 2009. Engineering designs were submitted for approval on July 24, 2009. Required equipment was purchased beginning July 27, 2009. Fabrication of equipment began on August 18, 2009. Installation of equipment began on September 24, 2009.
Jobs Summary: Fiber Optics / ITS Project- Phase I: Required the services of one communications installation professional at 28 total job hours. Phase II: Required the services of three general laborer's (e.g. drillers, diggers, installers) at 208 total job hours. Phase III: Required the services of one fiber communications installer at 39 total job hours. Arboc Bus Project: Required varied number of line production workers at GM Chassis plant in Wentzville, IN at 380 total job hours. Vehicle Wash System: To date, this project has required the production services of: 120 Engineering hours, 29 Purchasing hours, 162 Production hours, 201 Assembly hours, 12 Production-Labor hours, and 144 Field Assembly hours (e.g. 1 installer, 1 plumber, 2 electricians,1 masonry laborer). (Total jobs reported: 3)
Project Status: Less Than 50% Completed
This award's data was last updated on Aug. 3, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
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