ST CLOUD METRO TRANSIT COMMISSION

Invest in Public Transportation by 1.) Purchasing 9 ADA compliant paratransit ARBOC buses with a 12-yr duty cycle expectancy. These buses "kneel" to a 9" height via a fold-out ramp (no steps) bringing ease and efficiency to boarding and un-boarding our ADA and ambulatory compliant passengers. These buses will replace a 20-yr old Orion II paratransit bus fleet. The Orion II was discontinued in 1999. Miscellaneous voice, data, and surveillance communication equipment were also purchased for use within the new buses. The vehicles will be manufactured by ARBOC Mobility, a start-up small bus manufacturer located in Middlebury, IN. 2.) The grant award also provided the opportunity for purchase of an additional staff and maintenance support vehicle. A 2009 Ford Focus was purchased for use as a staff vehicle for additional street supervisory personnel. A 2009 Ford F-250 Super Duty was purchased to replace an 18-yr old shop truck. These vehicles were purchased locally in St. Cloud, MN from Tenvoorde Ford, the world's oldest Ford dealership. A new Hinneker "V model" snow plow was also purchased to be used with the shop truck to replace our old "straight blade" snow plow which afforded limited plowing capabilities. The Hinneker plow was made in the U.S.A., manufactured in Mankato, MN. Also, LED warning light bars were purchased for each vehicle providing additional safety notification and protection for other cars, pedestrians, and staff while operating in on-street traffic areas. 3.) In addition, a new vehicle wash system was put out to bid to replace the Operation Center's original 25-yr old Drive-thru bus wash. A contract was awarded to Ross and White Company, which has over 75-yrs of industry experience. Several equipment options were reviewed (Drive-thru, Gantry, and Touchless) and a Drive-thru system was selected as the best fit operationally and economically for our operation. The new system includes high-pressure undercarriage, wheel well, and side panel wash options, front, side, and rear brush cleaning, and water softening and reverse osmosis capabilities which should directly extend the lifecycle of the bus frame, sidewalls, paint, and decals, enhance the overall appearance of the vehicles, and minimize problematic window water spotting. All of the wash system components were assembled in the U.S.A. 4.)This project is a modernization of the overall Metro Bus communication systems and backbone. The focus of this two-part project had four goals: a.) Upgrade to fully internet compliant ?Voice over IP? dynamic routing communication systems, b.) Eliminate on-going monthly operating costs and transmission limitations between remote facilities, c.) Establish a direct high speed fiber connection to the world wide web, and d.) Position Metro Bus as a future regional mobility management and rideshare coordination center providing state of the art communication systems and high speed broadband connections. 5.) Purchasing and installing a GPS/ITS stop annunciation system for the entire Fixed Route fleet of buses to include on-board ADA compliant audio and visual bus stop information systems. Update: Because of lower-than-estimated final costs associated with the ARBOC bus purchase, ITS Stop Annunciation, and Bus Wash replacement projects, an amendment was requested and made to this grant to include two additional scopes: 1. The purchase of four low floor New Flyer buses, which included bus inspection services and communication equipment installation, paid for through this grant. And 2. Preventative maintenance for the 4 new vehicles. No additional funds were added, but various scopes were lowered or raised.

Clarification of Codes