FleetSmart Profiles: School Bus

Les Transports A. Moore inc. – Maniwaki, Québec

Integrating SmartDriver concepts into school transportation

Established in 1975, the company Les Transports A. Moore inc. operates from its head office in Maniwaki, a Québec town located 130 kilometres north of the National Capital Region. This family-operated business specializes in transporting students and persons with disabilities in the Maniwaki region. Doris Moore, president, runs the company with her son, Danny.

School transportation in Québec is governed by the ministère des Transports du Québec. The Ministry grants to private transporters markets that are designated by the school boards. In Québec, there are approximately 1000 school transportation companies operating more than 8000 vehicles. In general, school transportation contracts are awarded for five-year periods. Although adjust-ment credits are sometimes awarded when gas prices rise considerably, as a general rule the rates are fixed for the five-year period they cover.

Since its inception, the company has distinguished itself in its field. In 1997, Les Transports A. Moore inc. received the Prix Méritas, awarded by the Association du transport écolier du Québec (ATEQ) for the best school transportation in Québec. In 2001, it received two Clés de l'excellence en transport routier awards from the Québec Safety League in the categories of best school transportation and best company in the transportation of people. These awards serve to recognize companies with impeccable and exemplary safety records.

Les Transports A. Moore inc. realized that in order to maintain its profits, it had to constantly improve the performance of its fleet. Because energy costs account for more than nine percent of its total expenses, it set about improving its vehicle performance in this area.

In 2002, the company operated 10 buses, each with a 72-passenger capacity, and five minibuses able to transport 15 passengers. It covered 11 school routes and responded to the demand for paratransit services. On average, the company's vehicles travel more than 210 000 kilometres per year. Over the years, the company has established two transport divisions:

• transportation of school children
  
  
• transportation of persons with disabilities
  
  

The company employs 16 drivers and operates its own garage for the maintenance of its vehicles. It uses the Government of Québec's Programme d'entretien préventif (preventive maintenance program), PEP. Each driver has an average of six years' driving experience; and, as is required by Québec regulations, all drivers have received the mandatory school bus training, which consists of 15 hours of initial training and six hours of continuous training every three years.

The ABCs of Les Transports A. Moore inc.

• Improved vehicle features
  
  
• Driver training for progressive shifting
  
  
• Reduced idling
  
  

Improved vehicle features have always been part of Les Transports A. Moore's strategic planning. The purchase of new school buses is crucial because Québec regulations forbid the use of vehicles more than 12 years old. Because the fleet does not cover a significant number of kilometres each year, improved features are of great importance. Each school bus travels an average of 80 kilometres per day, totalling 14 500 kilometres during the 184-day school year.

A normal route is travelled at an average speed of 35 kilometres per hour and can include up to 37 stops. Buses without an electronic control module integrated into the engine are equipped with an on-board computer terminal. Following an analysis of the runs, the company worked with its suppliers to determine which features and components could help the vehicle obtain optimal performance.

The company then analysed the performance of its vehicles, paying particular attention to the following elements:

• revolutions per kilometre
  
  
• braking
  
  
• number of stops
  
  
• average and maximum speeds
  
  
• fuel consumption:
  
  
  • when the vehicle is in motion
    
    
  • when the vehicle is idling
    
    

Following such observations, the company noticed that several drivers were not achieving the anticipated performance of their vehicles. In his search for information to improve this factor, Danny Moore discovered the FleetSmart program. In addition to registering for the program, he followed the SmartDriver training aimed at instructors. Although this training was not specifically designed for school transportation, he adapted the content to his company. Two elements of this training program captured his attention:

• progressive shifting
  
  
• the possible profits of idling reduction
  
  

Since September 2000, all Transports A. Moore drivers have received training on these two points. Furthermore, the company has implemented an idling policy, which stipulates the following:

• time to warm up the engine between –40°C and –15°C – 10 minutes at 1000 rpm
  
  
• time to warm up the engine between –15°C and 5°C – five to seven minutes at 1000 rpm
  
  
• time to cool down the engine between 0°C and 20°C – three minutes
  
  
• time to cool down the engine between 20°C and 35°C – five minutes
  
  

Results

The company quickly realized that, for certain routes, some buses were not performing as anticipated, considering their features. Given that some routes were urban and others rural, it was important to choose the appropriate vehicle. Some vehicles perform better in rural environments at 2700 revolutions per kilometre whereas others fare better in urban areas at 4100 revolutions per kilometre.

The same can be said of idling. It was determined that 190-horsepower engines were more efficient in idling than the 207-horsepower engines originally specified.

Thanks to these analyses, the company was able to better allocate its resources and improve its energy efficiency.

Taking into account all the expenses, including vehicle maintenance and tires, and by basing the calculations on a price per litre of gas established at $0.60, the company estimates its savings at close to $4,000 annually. Furthermore, it contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

Conclusion

If the changes implemented by Les Transports A. Moore inc. were applied by all school transportation services, greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced significantly.

As for Les Transports A. Moore inc., it quickly realized the magnitude of its profits following the implementation of the energy efficiency policy. According to Mr. Moore, "Although the SmartDriver program was not originally conceived for school transportation, we couldn't wait for such a program to become available before springing into action. The program gave me ideas on employee training based on its energy-efficient driving principles and allowed the company to enjoy considerable savings."

Les Transports A. Moore inc. has distinguished itself through its initiative in adapting an energy efficiency program and implementing it in a totally different context than its original conception. What is important is that the results are the same: considerable fuel-cost savings and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

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