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Starting pay for a CTA bus operator is like $27/hour, and can go up to $40/hour. I imagine other big cities are similar, so probably at least about 20% higher t
by cozzyd 2y ago
Starting pay for a CTA bus operator is like $27/hour, and can go up to $40/hour. I imagine other big cities are similar, so probably at least about 20% higher than that range, neglecting overtime. But a driver will work 40 hours a week, though presumably they're not inside a bus the whole time. A bus can be used upwards of 80-100 hours a week (though some will be used less). So operating a bus can be up to $200-250k/year. An average bus lasts around 12 years. So operating it is more expensive than buying it. There are other costs of course (maintenance, cleaning, fuel/electricity, upkeep of bus shelters, etc.), but I think operator cost dominates.
- Retric 2y agoYep, NYC specifically has several rules making things more expensive such as full days pay even if they only work 4h etc. There’s also HR costs etc. Fuel is also cheap as they are only averaging 7MPH even at 2-4MPG it’s just not touching 27+$/hour for the drivers.
- xnx 2y ago"Personnel costs comprise nearly 70% of the CTA's operating expenses" https://www.transitchicago.com/cta-plans-120-million-in-cuts--efficiencies/ https://www.transitchicago.com/cta-plans-120-million-in-cuts... Per utilized seat, handmade diesel busses are way more expensive to buy and operate than commodity vehicles like Jaguar iPace or the Zeekr Mix.
- triceratops 2y ago"Personnel costs" means every human working at the transit agency. Self-driving buses aren't going to eliminate the maintenance department at CTA. If anything it could grow because they might expand bus routes.
- Retric 2y agoThere’s far more bus drivers than maintenance workers. Further you need HR and managers to handle having a large driver workforce. So while drivers aren’t responsible for all of that 70%, they are a high percentage of it.
- xnx 2y ago> Self-driving buses aren't going to eliminate the maintenance department at CTA By moving from specialty vehicles like large diesel busses to vehicles based on commodity/consumer minivans, it will be possible to multiple external services. This gives the taxpayer the benefit of scale and competition. There's no need for a monopoly in city transit. In a future state, we could have multiple transit providers, similar to how airlines operate today.
- cozzyd 2y agodoes the zeekr mix kneel down so I can get my stroller in more easily? How many wheelchairs fit? Where do I stand if there aren't enough seats, which happens very commonly even on articulated buses. It also seems very inefficient to exit and enter.
- xnx 2y agoGood questions. Zeekr Mix does have lower entry height and a larger opening than typical taxis/rideshares. It is not designed for wheelchairs, but it is already common to operate separate paratransit vans for wheelchair users who are better served by door-to-door transport. Self-driving vehicles guarantee a seat because rides are pre-scheduled.