Magazine serving the bus and rail transit & motorcoach operations since 1904
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CONTENTS Vol. 109 • No. 4 • May 2013 PAGE 28: What are the top issues faced by mechanics today? PAGE 48: New York City's Grand Central Terminal turns 100. PAGE 18: Denver RTD looks to alternative funding sources to fuel its services and projects. FEATURES TRANSIT MOTORCOACH Initiatives include boosting sales tax revenue, maximizing assets and creating a pooled savings account. By Janna Starcic Operators are using more technology to reach out to this group by offering fexibility with customizable tours. By Nicole Schlosser SPECIAL REPORT EQUIPMENT Third annual study fnds diagnosing and repairing electronics and electrical systems is the number one issue for maintenance shops in North America. By Alex Roman Profles of 18 of the latest vehicle models, including specifcations, photos and information on special vehicle features. 18 Denver RTD's Innovation Fuels Transit Expansion 28 Bus Maintenance Survey 54 How to Grow Your Senior Customer Base While saving money is the primary driver, agency efforts are resulting in providing communities with better, more customer-focused services. By Alex Roman 66 METRO's 2013 Bus Showcase RAIL 48 Grand Central Terminal Endures as Transit Icon Celebrating its centennial, the New York City landmark, once threatened with a major alteration, is a go-to destination. By Janna Starcic 4 14 16 76 78 82 88 90 91 92 Cover image, provided by Denver Regional Transportation District, is of a 40-foot BRT bus manufactured by Gillig. METRO (ISSN 1098-0083) (USPS 343-700) is published Monthly except for July, Dec, by Bobit Business Media, 3520 Challenger Street, Torrance, California 90503-1640. Periodicals postage paid at Torrance, California 90503-9998 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Metro, P.O. Box 1068 Skokie, IL 60076-8068. Please allow 6 to 8 weeks for address changes to take effect. Subscription Prices - United States $40 per year; Canada $60 per year; Foreign $100 per year. Single copy price - $8; Fact Book - $25. Please allow 6 to 8 weeks to receive your first issue. Bobit Business Media reserves the right to refuse non-qualified subscriptions. Please address Editorial and Advertising correspondence to the Executive Offices at 3520 Challenger Street, Torrance, California 90503-1640. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced either in whole or in part without consent of Bobit Business Media. All statements made, although based on information believed to be reliable and accurate, cannot be guaranteed and no fault or liability can be accepted for error or omission. 2 < mETRO mAGAZINE MAY 2013 EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Joseph A. Calabrese CEO, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, Cleveland Rod Diridon executive director, Mineta Transportation Institute, San Jose, Calif. Clif Henke senior analyst, Parsons Brinckerhof, Los Angeles Larry Jackson president/CEO, Long Beach Transit, Long Beach, Calif. Halsey King president, Halsey King & Associates Inc., Carlsbad, Calif. Dan Reichard retired, board member, Central Ohio Transit Authority, Columbus, Ohio Robert J. Schwarz executive vice president of communications, Peter Pan-Trailways Bus Lines Inc., Springfield, Mass. A Bobit Business Media Publication Chairman Edward J. Bobit President & CEO Ty Bobit VP/Chief Operating Ofcer Cyndy Drummey Chief Financial Ofcer Richard E. Johnson BUSINESS & EDITORIAL OFFICES 3520 Challenger St., Torrance, CA 90503 FAX: (310) 533-2512 DEPARTMENTS News Five Questions Point of Departure On Paratransit Business Briefs Ad Index People Products Classifed Ads Publisher's Perspective Vice President/Publisher Frank Di Giacomo Associate Publisher Mark T. Hollenbeck Executive Editor Janna Starcic Managing Editor Alex Roman Senior Editor Nicole Schlosser Associate Editor Brittany-Marie Swanson Assistant Editor Brittni Rubin Production Manager Mary Reimer Senior Production Manager Sarah Paredes Art Director Yuda Chen WEBSITE www.metro-magazine.com E-MAIL info@metro-magazine.com PARATRANSIT 36 Partnerships, Trip Subsidies Help Curb Paratransit Costs The magazine serving bus and rail transit & motorcoach operations since 1904 SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico (888) 239-2455 CLASSIFIED AD SALES Donna Stewart (405) 260-1678 FAX: (405) 260-1684 Donna_Stewart@cox.net BILLING Tess Dela Rosa (310) 533-2562 NORTH AMERICA SALES Frank Di Giacomo, Vice President/Publisher 49 S. Maple Ave., Marlton, NJ 08053 (856) 596-0999 FAX: (856) 596-0168 Mark T. Hollenbeck, Associate Publisher 3115 NE McDonald Lane McMinnville, OR 97128 (503) 472-8200 FAX: (503) 472-8228 Produced in U.S.A. metro-magazine.com