APTA'S Bus Standards Program was launched several years ago with the Standard Bus Procurement Guidelines for 30 and 40-foot buses. That program, funded by the Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP), is continuing the effort in this area. However, currently there are several task force groups working on standards for the bus standards program.
BRT
Bus Operations
Maintenance Training
Passenger Environment
Power Train
Safety Standards
Specifications
Suspension Systems
Vehicle Electronics
The task force groups have transit members, consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, and government liaisons. There are over 275 individuals participating in the bus standards program: 135 business, 125 transit, 12 other (research, and government).
The standards or recommended practices being developed are performance based, not prescriptive in nature. The consensus method used in the development and approval process safeguards against standards or recommended practices being developed around a specific product or product characteristics.
Under the oversight of the the Standards Development and Oversight Council, the Bus Standards Policy and Planning Committee performs the following functions: sets policy to be followed by the bus standards working groups; approves the bus standards annual budget, approves major changes to the budget (if required); approves bus standards priorities; and authorizes implementation of documents approved by the working groups.
The Bus Transit Standards Policy and Planning Steering Committee membership consists of appointed general managers (or designee) and business members who represent the bus industry and are key stakeholders in its successful operation.