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October
2, 2001 |
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Versión
en español Passengers boarding
Metro Buses this summer received a rather chilly reception ¾
not from predominantly pleasant operators ¾
but from refreshing air conditioners, which now seldom break down. Complaints received by
MTA from passengers about a lack of air conditioning have dipped, like
on-board temperatures, by 70% compared to the summer of 2000. In
July/August 2000, 43 complaints about faulty air conditioning systems were
received by MTA in contrast to only 13 this past summer. Bus operators also are
reporting fewer instances of air conditioning snafus. There were 31% fewer
problems in July 2001 versus July 2000, and 36% fewer problems in August
2001 versus August 2000. Reasons for the freezing
are varied, but MTA officials point to the deployment of 500 new buses
since the summer of 2000, better training of mechanics and the weather. “The feedback that
I’m receiving from bus operators and managers at bus divisions is that
the condition of the air conditioning systems is the best it’s been in
recent years,” said John Roberts, Deputy Executive Officer Bus
Transportation. “It’s been a very mild summer, which is always a plus,
communications between Transportation and Maintenance is much better and
all of the new buses has definitely had a chilling effect.” The MTA has ordered
approximately 2,000 new buses and has already taken delivery of more than
1,300 new compressed natural gas coaches. It has greatly expanded service
as well ¾
more than 1 million more annual bus service hours today than five years
ago. Fewer air-conditioning
headaches are also allowing mechanics to concentrate on the big picture. “If we’re not
spending a lot of time going out on road calls and repairing defects, it
allows mechanics to stay in the shop and do preventive maintenance,”
said Milo Victoria, MTA Acting Superintendent of Maintenance Divisions. “Regular preventive
maintenance throughout the year means mechanics can spend less time on
breakdown repairs,” continued Victoria. “The malfunction of an air
conditioning or heating system that has been properly maintained is very
different than a system that has not been maintained.” MTA-132 |
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