Staff Report #4
October 30, 2024
To All Commissioners
Re: 2024 Work Program – Fleet & Facilities – Third Quarter Update
Recommendation
The report be NOTED and FILED.
Background
The following report is provided as an update on major projects as set out in the 2024 Work Program that are ongoing in nature and were scheduled to commence and/or to be completed in the third quarter, with the lead on same being the primary responsibility of Fleet & Facilities.
12.1 Bus Replacement 2024 – Administration has recently been advised of another delay in delivery of replacement buses as the result of parts shortages. Updated delivery schedules now indicate the first replacement buses are scheduled to be delivered in late February 2025; with the remainder of the fleet scheduled to arrive by mid-May. All buses are planned to be in service by the end of the third quarter 2025.
12.2 Facility Upgrades – Highbury & Wonderland Facilities – The upgrades included in the 2024 capital program relate to both facilities. Projects included in the facility upgrade capital program are intended to ensure the facilities are maintained in a state of good repair as well as to address any issues identified by the Occupational Health and Safety Committee.
Projects that were completed in the third quarter include:
- replacement of fabric doors on bus garage entrance at the Wonderland facility
- replacement of exterior doors in loading dock and bus barns at the Wonderland facility
The remainder of the 2024 projects to be completed by year end include:
- additional Bus wash added to service lane at the Wonderland facility
- additional fuel lane at the Wonderland facility
- interior painting both facilities
- overhead fuel tram at the Wonderland facility
12.3 Shop and Garage Equipment – Projects in the Shop and Garage Equipment program which have been completed include:
- ongoing purchase of new tooling for both facilities as required
- new air compressors for Highbury facility
- rebuilding existing compressors for the Wonderland facility
12.4 Service Fleet Replacement – Service vehicles for both the maintenance department and operation have been purchased (one inspector van and one mobile mechanic vehicle), outfitted and placed into service.
Fall Service – Notwithstanding the need to continue to maintain buses scheduled to be retired with an employee complement below what is required, the Fleet and Facilities team was able to ensure the daily requirement for buses was met every day in October. The extended delay in delivery of 2024 replacement buses is anticipated to result in continued pressure on meeting fleet requirements going forward.
Ministry of Transportation Regulatory Amendments – A standing item on the annual Work Program is the monitoring and compliance with all Ministry of Transportation (MTO) regulations and amendments. The MTO continues to conduct annual audits with both the Highbury and Wonderland garages. The last audits were completed in August with no infractions noted.
Additionally, the transition to MTO’s new DriveON program relating to heavy vehicle semi-annual vehicle inspections has been going very well noting most technicians have been trained on and are utilizing the new system.
Recommended by:
Craig Morneau, Director of Fleet & Facilities
Concurred in by:
Kelly S. Paleczny, General Manager