SECTION 3.0 CARE OF MOTA VEHICLES
3.1 Pre-Trip Inspection and Daily Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR)
To keep MOTA revenue service vehicles in a safe operating condition, each operator
shall perform a pre-trip inspection of the assigned vehicle prior to starting every road
trip, including checking and filling fluid levels, and shall complete a Daily Vehicle
Inspection Report (DVIR) to be turned in upon completion of the road trip. All problems
must be noted on the DVIR. Problems demanding immediate attention should be
reported to the dispatcher for correction of the defect and/or the assignment of a
replacement vehicle. Every item on the DVIR must be checked off individually. If an
item on the DVIR is not applicable to the vehicle, this must be indicated by entering
“NA” in the check list space. The DVIR must be completed before the vehicle leaves
MOTA property. The date, mileage, and vehicle number must be included on the DVIR.
The pre-trip inspection should be performed be each operator using the same steps in
the same order. The order of steps is:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Check the overall appearance of the vehicle.
Check the engine compartment, including the brake fluid system.
Start the engine and turn on all lights.
Complete a walk around inspection, looking especially for fluid leaks.
Cycle the lift.
Check the vehicle interior.
Check the operator’s compartment, including seat and mirror adjustment.
When performing the pre-trip inspection, the operator shall do so in a manner that
prevents the vehicle from having to idle or warm up while in the garage.
The operator shall check whatever items are possible while inside the garage.
Whenever the garage door is opened to take a vehicle out, the garage door is to be
closed once the vehicle is outside.
Maintenance staff members, when immediately available, will assist in the opening and
closing of garage doors. When maintenance staff members are not available, or are
occupied in other projects, the responsibility for door closing remains with whoever
opened the garage door.
Any mechanical problems that arise during the course of any part of a road trip must be
reported on the DVIR as part of the post-trip inspection. An operator must be able to
identify basic mechanical problems and correctly report them to dispatch or MOTA
management should such problems occur during the operation of a MOTA vehicle.
Operators are expressly prohibited from transmitting a diagnosis of vehicle mechanical
difficulties unless so requested by dispatch or a maintenance staff member. The
operator is not permitted to make mechanical repairs on a MOTA vehicle.
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If, in the opinion of the operator, the maintenance staff members are not responding to
repeated requests for service, it is the responsibility of the operator to alert management
in writing about the continuing problem.
Vehicles should be parked in the designated north parking area for shift changes and in
the garage at the end of the day. Whenever it becomes necessary to return a vehicle to
MOTA for maintenance during the course of a shift, instructions for vehicle parking will
come from the dispatcher or a maintenance staff member.
3.1.1 Mirror Adjustment
Properly adjusted mirrors enable the operator to see what is happening in and around
the vehicle with little head movement. Before moving a vehicle, be sure the seat is in
the proper position, then adjust the mirrors. During the day the operator will be
responsible for making sure that the rear window is clean for the best possible visibility.
Adjust the flat passenger-view mirror to see as many heads of passengers as possible.
Adjust the left and right flat side mirrors to see the rear wheels touching the pavement.
Adjust the left convex mirrors to see just a little bit of the bus and as much area to the
rear and to the left as possible.
Adjust the right convex mirrors to see just a little bit of the bus and as much area to the
rear and to the right as possible.
The mirrors do not cover the entire traffic area. The operator must also physically look
for other traffic before entering a traffic lane or changing lanes.
3.2 Care of Equipment
3.2.1 Brakes
MOTA buses may be equipped with hydro-boost brake systems which run off the power
steering pump. On these buses, a slight hissing sound may be heard when the brake
pedal is depressed beyond normal.
The dual braking system on all MOTA buses provides emergency braking capability in
the event of failure of part of the hydraulic system. Failure of either half of the dual
braking system is indicated by the brake warning light, which will light up when the
brake pedal is depressed and will remain on until the malfunction is corrected.
MOTA buses that are equipped with a foot pedal and hand release parking brake are
engaged by fully depressing the brake pedal and released by pulling the brake release
handle. MOTA buses that are equipped with a lever-type parking brake are engaged by
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pulling the lever all the way up and released by pulling the lever all the way down. Never
drive a vehicle with the parking brake engaged, as this may overheat the brake,
reducing its effectiveness and causing excessive wear and/or damage to the parking
brake. When parking on a hill, the parking brake should be engaged before placing the
gear shift lever in Neutral. Otherwise, the load on the transmission locking mechanism
may make it difficult to move the selector out of Neutral.
Operators shall be held personally responsible for accidents while operating a vehicle
known to have defective brakes.
3.2.2 Tires
When pulling up to a curb or making turns, operators should avoid striking the curb with
the tires. In the event that the tires strike the curb, this should be reported on the vehicle
check list so that the tires can be checked.
3.3 Vehicle Problems
Whenever the vehicle develops a previously unnoticed noise or other vehicle defect, the
operator is to inform dispatch that there is a vehicle problem or, if obviously serious,
request mechanical assistance, using the radio 10-codes.
Dispatch or MOTA
management will instruct the operator on further procedures. Operators are expressly
prohibited from transmitting a diagnosis of vehicle mechanical difficulties unless so
requested by dispatch or a maintenance staff member.
Gauges and warning lights should be monitored regularly while operating the vehicle to
detect any issues or problems as soon as possible. If a problem is indicated by a
warning light or buzzer, such as low oil, transmission, brakes, or hot engine, pull the
vehicle over and shut it off immediately. Also, if the oil pressure gauge or the
temperature gauge shows a reading higher or lower than normal, pull the vehicle over
and shut it off immediately.
Once the vehicle is disabled, do not attempt to move it unless directed to do so by a
maintenance staff member or dispatch. A disabled vehicle should not be left
unattended unless directed by dispatch or the operator is unable to reach dispatch by
radio. If unable to reach dispatch by radio, secure the vehicle and remain within visual
contact of the vehicle if possible.
3.4 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Requirements
3.4.1 Provision of Service Requirements
USDOT regulations specifically address these points:
1. Vehicles and related transit facilities are to be maintained in operative condition
so that they are usable by individuals with disabilities. Accessibility features must
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be promptly repaired if they are damaged or out of order. If an accessibility
feature is out of order, reasonable steps must be taken to accommodate
individuals with disabilities who would otherwise use the feature.
2. Vehicle lifts must be kept in operative condition: A system of regular and
frequent maintenance checks of lifts must be followed to determine whether the
equipment is operative. Operators must report any failure of a lift to operate in
service as quickly as possible. If a vehicle has an inoperative lift, the vehicle must
be taken out of service before the beginning of the vehicle’s next day of service
and the lift must be repaired before the vehicle returns to service. If no spare
vehicle is available, such that taking the vehicle out of service would reduce the
transportation service provided, the vehicle with the inoperative lift may be kept in
service for no more than five days.
3.5 Post-Trip Inspection
Follow these steps at the end of each road trip:
1. After the last passenger has been dropped off and before returning to MOTA,
place the “EMPTY” sign in one of the rear-facing windows of the vehicle, and
verify that there are no passengers remaining on the bus.
2. While walking through the vehicle, look for items left behind or any new damage.
3. Pickup any debris and dispose of it properly.
4. Perform a post-trip inspection using the same steps as the pre-trip inspection and
in the same order.
5. Complete and sign the DVIR.
6. Secure the vehicle, turn off all switches on the control panel, and close the door.
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