Question:
What kind of bus helps the environment?
Answer:
Any kind whose engine is turned off!
PCTrans has a demonstrated track record of having agencies increase their passengers per vehicle hour using our software. If a property can carry the same number of passengers with 10% fewer vehicle hours that is an overall improvement to the environment of 10%. Instead, if a property has 10 vehicles and replaces one of those with a hybrid bus that is 30% more efficient, the improvement to the environment overall is only 3% because only one vehicle is improved.
PCTrans helps reduce costs
A more efficient schedule has a dramatic decrease on other costs, including not only fuel but driver salaries. e.g. if a system can carry the same number of passengers with 10% fewer vehicle hours, their fuel costs will go down by 10% and the costs for driver salaries will go down by approximately 10%. Each shift usually has some overhead, like a 15-minute pre-trip inspection. The savings of driver hours might be slightly less depending on the number of shifts shortened vs. eliminated. Some sites may achieve more than a 10% increase, some may achieve less.
Even a relatively modest increase of 4% would both help the environment and save other costs. e.g. for every 10,000 vehicle hours if a vehicle hour costs you $25 you would save
$ 10,000 x .04 * $25/hr = $ 10,000 annually as well as having 400 fewer vehicle hours. At many sites the software has paid for itself in 2 years.
With a larger fleet, is even a better choice than 1 new bus because a more efficient schedule helps all buses.
PCTrans is more affordable than a hybrid bus
A hybrid bus costs approximately $120,000.
The exact cost of a hybrid bus will vary based on the size of the vehicle and features selected. A multi user system including Scheduling and Dispatch and Map software licenses and map data license for up to 25 vehicles and training costs about $20,000. Even if all new hardware and system software is needed you can purchase a server, two workstations a printer and system software for about $10,000. That means you can equip 4 sites with software for the cost of 1 hybrid bus.
PCTrans software is ‘shovel ready’
We typically are able to prepare the initial database and do the first software installation within 1 month of contract signing as long as the hardware and system software is ready. Each client sets their own time frame for going live. We have had two clients go live within 2 months of initial installation; others have taken longer due to other priorities. We work with all clients to help them meet their schedules.
To learn more, email sales@pctrans.com or call us at 734-222-1881.
