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SamTrans > News Archive > SamTrans Training Enters 21st Century
SamTrans Training Enters 21st Century
Gone are the days when transit agencies relied on the intuitive skills of “grease
monkeys” armed with socket wrenches to maintain and repair buses.
Modern buses are becoming increasingly sophisticated and the San Mateo County Transit
District is stepping up its training programs to prepare its mechanics to meet the
demands of the 21st century. The district recently introduced a specialized training
tool to teach mechanics how to trouble-shoot and repair electronic components with
hi-tech test boxes.
The Dynex Multiplex Electrical Board or “input/output” board simplifies the complex
electronic system found on newer buses. Doors, interior lights, head lights, turn
signals, door chimes, hazard lights and dash lights, all formerly operated by a maze
of relays and hard wires, now use electronic components. The electronic system
eliminates 400 pounds of wires, which leads to improved fuel efficiency.
Although the new electronic system is easier to repair and more reliable, “it can be a
little intimidating at first,” said Maintenance Instructor John Roberts. Roberts
designed the board to give mechanics hands-on practical experience with the hi-tech
system.
“I am always looking for new ways to do training. Having a stand-alone module that
allows the mechanics to see everything at once really helps,” said Roberts. As
mechanics flip switches and push buttons they can easily see the connections between
the component and the part on the bus it operates.
The board includes all the electronic functions found on the district’s newer model
buses, including a safety feature that prevents the bus operator from turning off the
bus without setting the brake.
In addition to familiarizing mechanics with the overall function of the system,
Roberts will use the board to train mechanics to repair the complex electronics.
“After we go through all the schematics, I will put some defects on the board and
they’ll have a chance to test the ‘tools,’” said Roberts.
The “tools” referred to by Roberts are actually test boxes that detect malfunctions in
the electronic components. Instead of grabbing a screw driver, mechanics reach for
hand-held devices that plug into the components.
Mechanics who have had a chance to preview the new board like it. “I think it will be
a really good teaching tool. It really simplifies electrical problems,” said Andrew
McCambridge, a lead mechanic at the district’s South San Francisco facility.
The maintenance department, which trains all of its own employees, is so well regarded
within the industry that SamTrans is one of the few agencies authorized by the
California Highway Patrol to conduct its own safety inspections. The division, which
has 62 trained mechanics and 29 utility workers, maintains 281 buses. Last year, the
district averaged 16,908 miles between road-side service calls.
The district also received an award in 2003 for a project that revamped 137 older
model buses to meet new environmental standards. The project helped improve air
quality while saving the district millions in new coach purchases.
And, in an international competition sponsored by the American Public Transportation
Association, the SamTrans maintenance team came in 12th out of 49 teams representing
transit agencies all over North America.
SamTrans provides bus service throughout San Mateo County and into parts of San
Francisco and Palo Alto. The transit district offers Redi-Wheels paratransit service
for persons with disabilities who are unable to ride SamTrans and shuttles that link
transit centers with major employment sites. It is also the managing agency for the
San Mateo County Transportation Authority, which manages the expenditure of Measure A
funds, and is a partner in Caltrain rail service and the BART extension to Millbrae.
3/15/05
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