III. Routine Operations
This section will prepare you for the way that most "normal" shifts work with a step-by-step guide.
- A. Come into the office and pick up your keys, paperwork, pre-trip gloves, new garbage
liner, and any special items or information.
- 1. Trip Ticket:
This is the most important document at the TC. It is the primary record of your time, bus change-outs, and problems with the run such as delays or client difficulties. It is your responsibility to fill these out completely for each run (see sample form). You must sign the Trip Ticket to get paid. (If you do a lunch or break relief, you must sign the primary driver's ticket.)
2. Driver Inspection Report (DIR):
This form is attached to the back of your trip ticket. A yellow copy of this form, left by a previous driver, should always be found on the bus clip-board. Review it, sign it and turn it in with your trip ticket. Fill out your own DIR at the end of your run and leave the yellow copy on the bus, unless there is adequate cause to ground the bus. In that case, turn in both copies. You must fill out, sign, date, and enter the bus number on the DIR (see sample form). This is a FMCSR requirement.
- 1. Trip Ticket:
- B. Weekend/After Hours Procedure:
Regular TC hours are 6:30 am - 5:00 pm M through F (Summer Hours are 6:30a - 4:30). If your weekday run starts after hours, pick up trip ticket and keys before 4:00pm that day. If you are doing a weekend or holiday run, pick up your keys and paperwork by 4:00pm the preceding work-day, usually a Friday. Also, don't forget to pick up anything else you may need, e.g. garbage bags, extra keys, etc.
- C. Upon arrival at the bus, don't forget to check the previous DIR for potential problems
and sign as the reviewing driver. You are also responsible for replacing the garbage
liner(don't expect the previous driver to do this).
D. Pre-Trip Inspection:
This is absolutely the most important part of your bus checkout routine. It must be completely done every time you check out a bus for the day. (If you have subsequent runs on the same bus on the same day, you only need to pre-trip once.) If there is any doubt about a defect, write it up or use a back-up bus.
The Pre-Trip Report attached to your trip ticket is a guideline to complete your pre-trip inspection. Go through the list and check off those areas that will need attention. If you have any doubt to the severity of a defect (whether or not to ground the bus), check with dispatch or request another bus. The inspection procedure will be thoroughly covered in your formal training. This form must be signed by the first driver each day. (See sample form)
The Driver Inspection Report (DIR) will be used to write up, in more detail, any problems that need to be addressed by shop personnel. Be concise and specific about any problems that may occur. (See sample form)
E. Fluids:
- 1. During your pre-trip inspection, you may find it necessary to add oil, coolant,
power steering fluid, or windshield washer fluid. Bus performance after you have
started may indicate a check of automatic transmission fluid is required while the bus is
hot and running, which in turn may require fluid addition after your run. All fluids listed
below are available in the bus box, as well as in the shop, for after hours use.
- a. Oil: add in quart increments from the overhead dispenser in shop. (Dipstick
at "add" line indicates 2 quarts low) If filling conventionals, use the black metal
funnel provided. In conventionals, the oil is added through the dipstick tube.
b. Coolant: A pre-mixed container is usually available at the service island. Do not overfill. *If coolant is obtained from the barrel in the oil room, dilute it half with water.*
c. Power steering fluid is obtained from the bus box after hours. Otherwise, notify shop personnel and obtain fluid from stock room (not oil room). The 1992 Thomas Transit buses take motor oil, not PSF!
d. Windshield washer fluid:
Available at the in-shop service island.
e. Automatic Transmission Fluid:
obtain from overhead dispenser in shop, add using yellow plastic funnel and plastic pitcher at island.
2. All fluids need to be measured to the nearest "quart" increment (pint increment for power steering fluid).
3. If you are unsure as to how much to add, ask the dispatcher, shop or other drivers.
4. If fluids are used from the shop you must fill out a "shop fluids record" card (see sample form) and deposit it in the slot in the metal box on the service island.
5. Quantities of all fluids are maintained in the bus box for after hours use. If fluids are used from the bus box, a fluid record card is not required. When fluids are stocked to the box, they are charged out to the bus account at that time.
6. Always record amounts of fluids used on your DIR.
- a. Oil: add in quart increments from the overhead dispenser in shop. (Dipstick
at "add" line indicates 2 quarts low) If filling conventionals, use the black metal
funnel provided. In conventionals, the oil is added through the dipstick tube.
F. The driver is responsible for certain minor maintenance on buses including; cleaning windows and mirrors, replacing bulbs, tightening or replacing bolts and screws, and replacing missing supplies such as scrapers, brooms, wastebaskets, duct tape, accident report forms, etc. Record any repairs or replaced supplies on the DIR.
- 1. During your pre-trip inspection, you may find it necessary to add oil, coolant,
power steering fluid, or windshield washer fluid. Bus performance after you have
started may indicate a check of automatic transmission fluid is required while the bus is
hot and running, which in turn may require fluid addition after your run. All fluids listed
below are available in the bus box, as well as in the shop, for after hours use.
- G. Diesel/Turbochargers:
All our diesel buses are equipped with turbochargers. They boost power and require special techniques and procedures to operate. Failing to properly care for the turbo can result in serious, expensive damage.
- 1. Start-up procedures:
- a. Before starting, always make sure that the "engine stop" handle is pushed in
and rear door lock is released;
b. Allow the engine to catch by itself when starting; do not apply accelerator or throttle unless absolutely needed during cold starting;
c. After the engine is started, do not rev the engine as the turbo can be damaged when it is cold;
d. Allow several minutes for the diesel to warm-up, usually during pre-trip inspection;
e. Ensure that the master electric switch is on.
2. Shut-down procedures:
- a. Always cool down the diesel and the retarder. If you have been using the
retarder a lot, i.e. during mountain driving, drive for 10 minutes without using
the retarder in order to cool it down. Never shut the engine down, especially if
it has been worked hard, without a minimum cool-down period of 3 minutes. If
the run was a hard pull then 5-10 minutes should be adequate to cool the turbo.
b. Turn off all electrics including the radios.
- a. Before starting, always make sure that the "engine stop" handle is pushed in
and rear door lock is released;
- 1. Start-up procedures:
- H. Fueling:
- 1. The Total Fuel Station at Folsom and Walnut is used for both diesel and unleaded
gasoline. You will be shown the location during training. A State of Colorado Credit
Card is provided for fueling purposes. Policy requires that you fill up any time the
gauge is one half or less or if dispatch requests. Usually this will be done after your
run. Do not leave the WV route to fuel unless OK'd by dispatch, or if you will run out
before your bus leaves route for the day. On route fueling should be completed before
6:00pm, so plan ahead. (Conventional buses use 1 tank in 25 hours; transits use 1
tank in 50 hours. )
2. Be sure to return the signed fuel receipt along with your trip ticket and keys to the TC or drop box. Receipt must show amount, kind of fuel, price per gallon, number of gallons, and the odometer reading at the time of fueling.
3. Non-bus vehicles (15 PAX or less) will need to be fueled after run regardless of gauge reading.
4. Other necessary fluids may be purchased with the State card, only if the garage is closed or not in vicinity.
- 1. The Total Fuel Station at Folsom and Walnut is used for both diesel and unleaded
gasoline. You will be shown the location during training. A State of Colorado Credit
Card is provided for fueling purposes. Policy requires that you fill up any time the
gauge is one half or less or if dispatch requests. Usually this will be done after your
run. Do not leave the WV route to fuel unless OK'd by dispatch, or if you will run out
before your bus leaves route for the day. On route fueling should be completed before
6:00pm, so plan ahead. (Conventional buses use 1 tank in 25 hours; transits use 1
tank in 50 hours. )
- I. Credit Cards:
These are located in pouch with registration in the driver area of all the buses. They are primarily used to fuel the buses however any necessary fluids may be purchased as well. Turn in all credit card receipts with your trip ticket. No personal purchases may be made with the State credit card!
J. Park bus. During the winter months the buses will be plugged in at the outlets in lot 574. We have 8 spots together in lot 574. Please park within the lines. (The spot by the brick building should be used by transit buses only.) One 24 passenger van should be parked as far north as possible by the brick building. DO NOT park your bus in front of the garage unless it is due for service or you have been instructed to do so; use the spaces provided across the street.
- K. Post-Trip Inspection:
To ensure that a running record of bus problems, even minor ones, is maintained and that the bus is left in a clean, fueled, presentable condition for the next driver.
- 1. The checklist for the post-trip is located on the DIR. If there is any doubt about a
problem, write it up. You may find with minor non-safety problems or problems with
uncertain diagnosis where write-ups are repeated several times before the bus is
actually pulled, continue to write these up. We cannot schedule buses for repair
without that information. Please keep it current and complete.
2. For the sake of good passenger and colleague relations, please keep the buses clean:
- a. Always sweep after each run;
b. Empty trash;
c. Turn in found items with trip tickets. (Return items lost on WV route to Darley Commons office before returning to the TC)
3. Make sure all electrics in the bus are turned off.
- a. Always sweep after each run;
L. Drop Box:
Located outside the shop on the east side of the TC building by the wash bay. Drop all trip tickets, DIR's, fueling receipts, shop fluid record cards, and keys immediately following your run if it ends after hours.
- 1. The checklist for the post-trip is located on the DIR. If there is any doubt about a
problem, write it up. You may find with minor non-safety problems or problems with
uncertain diagnosis where write-ups are repeated several times before the bus is
actually pulled, continue to write these up. We cannot schedule buses for repair
without that information. Please keep it current and complete.
- M. Keys:
Bus and van keys must be turned in along with your trip ticket at the end of each run. If you have back-up keys for a weekend or after hours run, hook the sets of keys together and turn them all in. If you use keys from the bus box, please return them to the bus box. DO NOT LOSE OR HOARD KEYS!
N. Types of Runs:
- 1. Williams Village Route:
The route is a timed 20 minute loop that goes from Williams Village to several stops on campus and back. Multiple buses will run the route continuously on staggered schedules from approximately 7:00am to 12:00am Mon-Wed, 7:00am to 3:00am Thurs-Fri, 10:00am to 3:00am Saturday, and 10:00am to 12:00am Sunday.
Student drivers book various blocks of time during these hours. Student drivers can continue with the exact same set of runs from last semester and will get the same run package automatically the next semester. Otherwise runs are assigned according to seniority; then according to number of hours, by seniority. At the beginning of the semester a bid sheet will be distributed for you to state 1st, 2nd and 3rd preferences. Please consider your class load and desire for charter run before you make your bid. As far as possible, these will be considered in run assignment.
There are several guidelines that need to be followed to ensure smooth operation of the WV route.
- a. IDs must be checked.
b. Do not drive with the door open.
c. Lost/Found is turned in to Darley Commons at WV.
d. Stop only at designated stops.
e. Be on time, especially in bad weather, depart according to schedule.
f. Breaks:
- i. Make sure you are on time. You are paid only for the time you drive
on the break;
ii. Pick-up for a lunch break is normally the Physics stop on campus. Pick-up for evening and dinner breaks is normally WV;
iii. You need to find your own way to and from breaks and transitions.
iv. You will be paid for extra travel time on transitions if your run begins and ends at different locations. (i.e. begin Phys./end TC) Travel Times are as follows: TC to PHYS = 0.3hrs; TC to WV or Rec Ctr = 0.4hrs; PHYS or Rec Ctr to TC = 0.5hrs.
g. Transitions:
- i. Transitions are when one driver gets off the bus on route and another takes over. These occur during the day at the Physics stop on campus. Be on time (early enough so that the bus can depart on schedule).
- i. Make sure you are on time. You are paid only for the time you drive
on the break;
- a. IDs must be checked.
- 1. Williams Village Route:
- 2. WV Finals Runs, Start-up and some Big Conferences:
Scheduling is done by availability. Sign-up sheets will be posted on TC bulletin board approximately two weeks before shifts start. If you sign up, make sure you can do the run.
- 3. DIA Drop off/pick up
Round trip to DIA is 95 miles; normal travel time one-way is 50 minutes, depending on weather and traffic conditions.
- a. Routes:
Use the freeway route unless you know traffic will be a problem...US 36 > I-25 S> I-76E > I-270E > I-70E > Pena Blvd. > DIA. Alternative routes are...US 36 > 104th Ave. E > Tower Rd. S > Pena Blvd. E > DIA; or US 36 > I-25 S > I-76 E > 96th Ave. E > Tower Rd. S > Pena Blvd. E. > DIA.
b. Drop Off and Pick Up locations:
Drop offs are always on level 6, East or West side according to the airline. Pick ups are always on level 5, east side, doors 511-513.
c. Ground Transportation:
For pick ups, stop at the Ground Transportation Building (commercial vehicle holding area) when you arrive at the airport. Check the monitors inside for the exact arrival time of your flight. (You should also call the airline before you leave Boulder to confirm arrival times.) When the arrival time is confirmed, speak to someone at Ground Transportation and tell them you are from the University of Colorado and you need access to level 5, east side. When the flight is on the ground, someone from the group you are meeting must call the holding area from the ground transportation desk in the terminal. When that call is received, you will be escorted to the commercial bus loading area at the south end of level 5 (you cannot access this area without an escort). Passengers will meet you there, outside of doors 511-513. All pick ups, regardless of airline, are at this location.
- 4. Mountain Driving
Obviously, this type of driving will present more hazardous conditions such as frequent inclement weather and steep grades. Mountain driving requires more skill and anticipation of possible problems which means you will have to pay close attention to conditions and passenger safety.
- a. Basic tips:
- i. Stay as far right as possible;
ii. Always honk the horn when approaching blind curves;
iii. On narrow roads, downhill vehicles should yield the right-of-way to uphill vehicles;
iv. When climbing or descending steep grades, do not impede traffic. If four or more vehicles pile up behind you, pull over and let them pass;
v. When going down steep grades, gear down and use the retarder as your primary braking system. (Remember, use the 3rd and 4th retarder levels sparingly.)
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If you have comments or questions about this site please contact Barbara Sensiba.
Last updated on 7/10/96.