Mass Transit magazine features agency profiles, industry trends, management tips and new product information.
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 | MassTransitmag.com | Mass Transit | 85 Major and Minor Repairs Repair garages are placed in two diferent categories — major or minor — for code purposes. A ma- jor repair garage is where actions such as engine overhauls, paint- ing, bodywork and motor vehicle fuel tank drainage are performed. A minor garage is used for basic tasks, such as tune-ups, tire rota- tion, brake system repairs, parts replacement and fuid changes. Major and minor repairs may take place in independent facilities or can be performed in separate areas within the same building. A review of compliance to existing local and national codes for liq- uid fuels is recommended before making modifcations to facilities. With propane autogas, vehicles do not require segregation of major and minor repairs if all areas of the garage are fully code compliant. Segregation of repairs can equate to costly upfront expenses for large shops and increases in the cost of electricity, air handling, cooling, and heating over time. Refueling Infrastructure Cost Savings Fleet managers often install pri- vate or public refueling infra- structure based on their location and needs. Installing infrastruc- ture offers many benefits, which may include convenience, re- duced employee downtime spent at gas stations and minimized price volatility. Compared with other alternative fuels, propane autogas provides the most af- fordable infrastructure solution for f leets that need a central re- fueling location. The installation cost for just one compressed nat- ural gas station is the financial equivalent of installing 10 pro- pane autogas refueling stations. Additionally, some propane retailers may even cover the in- stallation cost when a feet agrees to a fuel contract. Tese savings, coupled with federal or state in- centives for infrastructure, can make installing a propane autogas dispenser even more cost efective. Some f leets have been able to take advantage of state and fed- eral grants available to them as well. For instance, the Sheriff 's Department in Jefferson Coun- ty, Wisconsin, received a $25,000 alternative fuel grant from Wis- consin Clean Cities in 2011 to install on-site infrastructure. Jefferson County currently op- erates 21 bi-fuel propane autogas vehicles, including nine Chev y Tahoe SUVs and 12 Ford Crown Victoria patrol sedans. WHEN CONVERTING a fleet to propane autogas, it's important to look at all safety codes regulating maintenance facilities in order to keep employees safe. Propane Education & Research Council