Public Transit Index
TOPIC: Infrastructure
MEASURE: Percent of fleet beyond useful life
DESCRIPTION: A measure of the percent of vehicles in the total fleet that exceeds the
current State Standards for vehicle useful life. The total fleet includes all vehicles
currently used in revenue service and spare vehicles. Total fleet does not include
contingency vehicles or vehicles that are waiting for disposition.
The state has adopted FTA guidelines in determining useful life:
 Large, heavy-duty transit buses (approximately 35-40’ and articulated buses): a
minimum of 12 years or a minimum of 500,000 miles
 Medium-size, heavy-duty transit buses (approximately 30’): 10 years or 350,000
miles
 Medium-size, medium-duty transit buses (approximately 30’): 7 years or 200,000
miles
 Medium-size, light-duty transit buses (approximately 25-35’): 5 years or 150,000
miles
 Other light-duty vehicles such as small buses and regular and specialized vans: 4
years or 100,000 miles
BACKGROUND: For a public transit system, vehicles are their key infrastructure
element. ODOT and FTA have always had specific guidelines that define the useful life
of each type of vehicle used by public transit systems. Vehicles beyond their useful life
become more costly to operate and, at some point, become unsafe to operate. It is always
a top priority for ODOT to assure Ohio’s public transit systems provide a safe mode of
travel for the citizens of Ohio. Knowing the number of vehicles beyond useful life will
assist ODOT in targeting resources for replacing public transit vehicles.
HOW INFORMATION IS GATHERED: All transit systems provide an annual
update on the current condition, including age and mileage, of the vehicles they operate
through the Ohio Public Transportation Facilities and Equipment Management System
(PTMS). PTMS is a database used to track and develop reports on transit facilities and
equipment including vehicles.
HOW INFORMATION IS VERIFIED: Urban systems certify the accuracy of the data
to ODOT. Data is verified for rural systems during periodic Quality Assurance Reviews.
REPORTING FREQUENCY: Reports are submitted annually each February for the
fleet held as of December 31 of the previous year.
STATEWIDE GOAL: < 20% of total fleet
X:\Public Transit Index,Performance Measures\First Comment Response\PTI Revised Infrastructure revised 08-05.doc