Second annual Bus Maintenance Survey finds that many agencies around the nation are experiencing difficulties with alternative propulsion, as they continue to add new equipment in the shop to service as well as learn new ways to make repairs to the vehicles. Meanwhile parts issues, including concerns about availability, lead times and frequent failures, remains the biggest issue.

Vehicle suppliers are stepping up to offer services for every facet of ownership, from installation of rail to refurbishment and modernization. Also, many are focusing on practices already in place throughout the world, where risk of ownership is actually transferred back to the company, enabling the rail operator to operate the system on an established fixed cost.

In METRO's inaugural Bus Maintenance Survey, transit agencies find they are often asking their maintenance departments to do more with less, including cutting overtime, watching costs, reshuffling mechanic and fueler schedules, and extending vehicle life cycles.

Saddled with budget issues, many maintenance departments are asked to find ways to be more efficient. METRO looks at some agencies from around the nation that are stepping up to the challenge through reorganization, training, preventive maintenance and using new software systems.