Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

University transit operators from Wisconsin and Illinois weigh in on recent updates they have made to their driver training programs, including bringing training in-house and adding bus simulators.

Of the three educational bus trips organized by Columbia, Mo. city officials, a visit to the University of Illinois showed the largest disparity between the city of Columbia’s bus system, which serves Missouri University, and other school systems.

Sixty-nine percent majority votes to continue high-frequency and late night Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District service, as well as to augment SafeRides service

Reports a nearly 50 percent decrease in the number of students purchasing parking permits in the last four years. Meanwhile, Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District bus ridership has reached record levels.

It’s summer orientation time for universities across the U.S. How are their transit systems reaching out to students? Transit agencies told us they are investing heavily in orientation programs by providing free rides and staff presentations to students and their parents.

In addition to the two MB-1500 simulators, company also delivered an instructor-controlled desktop simulator, its Scenario Toolbox scenario building software program and a custom-built geo-specific virtual driving world.

On track to hit 10.6 million riders by summer, the agency is taking several initiatives to serve its growing passenger base, such as adding hybrid buses to its fleet; utilizing more social media tools and making its facilities even more eco-friendly.

Five information kiosks, displaying scheduled bus arrivals, anticipated wait times and re-routes, are currently in operation along routes on campus. The transit district will eventually install 22 kiosks.

Simulators, programmed to emulate this environment, will allow the MTD to introduce bus operators to this environment in the controlled setting of the simulator room. Agency hopes to begin using system by mid-2010.

Students who are on campus late simply dial the SafeRides number, tell the dispatcher where they are located, and a minibus will pick them up and drop them off at their desired location within the designated service area.