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2nd May 2008, 10:08 PM

"kkt" <kkt@zipcon.net> wrote in message news:w9z3ap26l5l.fsf@zipcon.net...
> "Jack May" <jack.may@> writes:
>
>> <gl4316m> wrote in message
>> news:gl4316-3004082018260001@69-30-10-100.pxd.easystreet.com...
>> > In article <suWdneggLvu6uYTVnZ2dnUVZ_sudnZ2d@>, "Jack May"
>> > <jack.may@> wrote:

>
> What on earth are you talking about? An hour of running uses two
> gallons of fuel, which is around $10. Try to read the calculations,
> the $72 an hour includes $60 for the driver's pay and benefits.
> There's no way the fuel comes even close to 25% of the cost of the
> driver, let alone the driver and mechanic.

I have a mistake in my calculation on pay rate that I will correct tonight.
At least in the Northern California bus drivers have the highest pay in the
US at about $50K per year. Not $50 per hour, which is almost $24 per hour.

Diesel fuel can not be bought anywhere in the world for $2 per gallon
because it is determined by commodity market bidding. $4.50 per gallon
and probably more is a much more realistic price.

So the cost for fuel at 12 miles per hour at 2 MPG for a heavy loaded bus in
hilly areas is $54 per when including overhead on the fuel. I think a
totally empty bus is lucky to get 5 MPH on flat land with no wind .

Overhead has to be there because buildings have to be constructed and
management has to be paid as part of the fuel price. My estimate for
overhead are rough figures that VTA briefed me on several years ago. They
are probably in the ball park.

The cost for a driver and the cost of a maintenance person with overhead for
2 people is then about $144 per hour but probably more since the skilled
mechanic may make more than the bus driver.

That comes to a little over 27% of the total cost of per hour for the bus
that includes people and fuel.
>
> And I don't believe that they require as much time in the shop as they
> spend on the road, but even if they did that would make fuel a smaller
> percentage, not larger.

Uh, if you cut the amount of labor then that increases the percent fuel cost
of the cost for fuel plus labor.

That figure came from a transportation advocate site. It was given for light
rail and may be more for busses.

Almost everything gl4316 calculated is totally wrong. I certain will not
use the nonsense he posted.

2nd May 2008, 10:08 PM	#13 (permalink)
Jack May Guest Posts: n/a Classified Rating: % ()	Transit fares and high gas prices "kkt" <kkt@zipcon.net> wrote in message news:w9z3ap26l5l.fsf@zipcon.net... > "Jack May" <jack.may@> writes: > >> <gl4316m> wrote in message >> news:gl4316-3004082018260001@69-30-10-100.pxd.easystreet.com... >> > In article <suWdneggLvu6uYTVnZ2dnUVZ_sudnZ2d@>, "Jack May" >> > <jack.may@> wrote: > > What on earth are you talking about? An hour of running uses two > gallons of fuel, which is around $10. Try to read the calculations, > the $72 an hour includes $60 for the driver's pay and benefits. > There's no way the fuel comes even close to 25% of the cost of the > driver, let alone the driver and mechanic. I have a mistake in my calculation on pay rate that I will correct tonight. At least in the Northern California bus drivers have the highest pay in the US at about $50K per year. Not $50 per hour, which is almost $24 per hour. Diesel fuel can not be bought anywhere in the world for $2 per gallon because it is determined by commodity market bidding. $4.50 per gallon and probably more is a much more realistic price. So the cost for fuel at 12 miles per hour at 2 MPG for a heavy loaded bus in hilly areas is $54 per when including overhead on the fuel. I think a totally empty bus is lucky to get 5 MPH on flat land with no wind . Overhead has to be there because buildings have to be constructed and management has to be paid as part of the fuel price. My estimate for overhead are rough figures that VTA briefed me on several years ago. They are probably in the ball park. The cost for a driver and the cost of a maintenance person with overhead for 2 people is then about $144 per hour but probably more since the skilled mechanic may make more than the bus driver. That comes to a little over 27% of the total cost of per hour for the bus that includes people and fuel. > > And I don't believe that they require as much time in the shop as they > spend on the road, but even if they did that would make fuel a smaller > percentage, not larger. Uh, if you cut the amount of labor then that increases the percent fuel cost of the cost for fuel plus labor. That figure came from a transportation advocate site. It was given for light rail and may be more for busses. Almost everything gl4316 calculated is totally wrong. I certain will not use the nonsense he posted.