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Governments, schools try to conserve, save services. (http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070609/METRO/706090374/1148)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/PHEV_-_IC_-_School_Bus.jpgAndy Henion and Jennifer Mrozowski - The Detroit News - June 9, 2007

Detroit Public Schools - West side bus fleet uses about 20,000 gallons of fuel a week.

Rocked by fuel-bill increases that in some cases top $100,000 a year, municipal governments and school districts across southeastern Michigan are scrambling to slash transportation costs and become more efficient.

In western Oakland County, Huron Valley Schools is considering eliminating some bus stops.

Officials in Warren have set a "no-idle" policy for hundreds of employees who drive city-owned vehicles.

And in Canton Township, building inspectors and police detectives are tooling around in economy cars instead of the gas-guzzlers they used to drive.

Although gas prices topping $3 per gallon for the past month apparently haven't caused major service cuts, some officials say that could eventually happen. Municipal leaders say they're already dealing with reductions in state revenue as Michigan's economy continues to lag … http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070609/METRO/706090374/1148

The school system also is limiting bus idling and reviewing routes. That could mean centralizing bus stops within a neighborhood or moving the stops to the front of a subdivision. Students may walk farther to a bus stop in some cases, Moore said.


This would be an excellent idea in our area. Some of the school bus stops are ridiculously close together - 25 to 50 yards!! And parents are with at least the younger kids, so they could shepherd the kids to a common location. It isn't just wasting the fuel for the buses themselves but all the stop-and-go for the parade of vehicles following the buses. Designing routes with scattered pullouts or cuts onto side streets so the parade pass by would also be an excellent idea.

I realize that the safety of the kids is paramount; we should NOT compromise that.

Our community has been buying hybrids for munincipal use - like the building inspectors and such. Maybe some other folks are beginning to see the light?

Some government agencies appear oblivious to fuel costs. Having them wake up and take an interest in conserving energy and saving money is a welcome development.

Other government agencies do pretty well. I know of one who has a fleet of Civic GX's.

Harry

It sounds like the bus driver I had was way ahead of his time. I lived on a dead-end road that was ~1/2 mile long and there were TWO stops. Period! It seems that I made it through ok. There is a route in the small town near me that the bus stops at EVERY house; some not even 25 yards apart.:rolleyes: I have said many times that I would probably not make the list of favorite bus drivers because I would make it so there would be one, maybe two, stops/block.

I thought when the last time I paid my water bill that Warren City Hall had a lot less idling engines around.

Not quite on topic, some truck by a North Texas charity have been hampered by the gas prices, a TV station here reported. Definitely not discretionary use. :(

Any news on how Warren will handle the winter warming needs of its outdoors workers (e.g repairing water mains)? Traditionally a truck (or trucks) is left idling on site for the purpose of rewarming.