Transit Group Benefitting from Wheel Alignment Machine
Town and Country Transit’s newest wheel alignment machine has already been utilized and can also be used as a secondary lift and work station, General Manager Patti Lynn Baker said.
by Jonathan Weaver
A wheel alignment machine now in the Town and Country Transit bus garage is reducing costs before bus ridership ramps up this Summer.
Transit General Manager Patti Lynn Baker said the new machine actually added a new work station for repairs as well.
“The nice thing is, because of the way the lift works, we use it for both wheel alignments and you can use the lift for regular mechanical work,” Baker said. “It’s really been getting a workout.”
The machine itself cost under $41,000 as part of the fiscal Consolidated Capital Application through the state.
She explained the machine will hopefully reduce expenses.
“It’s our hope to cut down on some of the tire expenses, as well as labor costs. The bearings that we’re getting to put in these are adjustable that we’re able to use them for more than one wheel alignment while paying just a little bit extra – but not much,” Baker said. “They’re adjustable in such a way that it gives us a lot of latitude for making the adjustments while the wheel alignments and they’ll last sufficiently longer.”
Operations Manager Gerry Miller estimated the machine came in and was installed two weeks ago.
The lift can hold 19,000 pounds. Even though current buses are less than 15,000 pounds, Miller said officials bought the lift that could withstand more weight in case Town and Country Transit ever purchased 30-foot buses again (weighing 18,000 pounds) in the future.
The wheel alignment machine was first applied for in the 2015 fiscal year’s consolidated capital application.
A total of eight more vehicles were added to the application since last month’s board meeting.
Only municipal board representatives from Ford Cliff Borough were not present for the monthly meeting yesterday afternoon.
Before regular business matters, a nearly-40 minute executive session to discuss personnel was held.
Local News | jweaver May 19, 2016
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