For most people, when a vehicle surpasses the 100,000-mile mark, it's time to consider the purchase of a new vehicle. With seven-year-old buses registering 250,000 miles, Anderson is looking to replace its aging transportation fleet.
The City of Anderson Transit System, or CATS, is advertising for the purchase of eight medium-duty buses and intends to replace three Nifty Lift buses this year.
Ridership on the bus system has increased by 10 percent since 2010. During the past four years the ridership numbers has climbed by 21,025 riders to a total of 226,353 in 2013, according to Sam Pellegrino, CATS general manager.
Last year the CATS vehicles logged 458,429 miles and consumed 57,636 gallons of fuel. A total of 171,402 people traveled on the fixed routes, or 75 percent of the total ridership; 23,873 people used the Nifty Lift service.
For the first quarter of 2014 the bus system has recorded 58,737 riders. Based on that quarterly rate, this year's ridership total could reach nearly 235,000.
Repair expenses on the buses climbed by almost 140 percent in 2013, Pellegrino said. Last year CATS spent $174,946 on repairs, which was an increase of $101,826. The department has spent $67,274 through the first quarter of 2014..
Rick Garrett, CATS operating manager, said the buses being replaced were purchased in 2007 and all have an average of 250,000 miles. When idle time is included, that number increases to 400,000 miles.
The federal government will provide 80 percent of the funding for the new buses.
Garrett said the city has budgeted $208,000 for seven new buses and $38,776 toward the Nifty-Lift purchase. He said the city has received a $540,000 grant from the federal government.
Included in the bid specifics, Pellegrino said, is an option for the use of alternative fuels, like natural gas.
CATS operates seven scheduled routes in the city. The new Flagship Express Route served 5,759 passengers in 2013, the first full year of operation.
Copyright 2014 - The Herald Bulletin, Anderson, Ind.