A Pittsburgh Authority's View On Small Bus HVAC

Thermo King is a leading supplier for large transit bus air conditioning, but many users are not aware that Thermo King has been a supplier of small bus air conditioning since 1990. Thermo King's small bus product line, ShuttleAire, features skirt-mounted and roof-mounted condensers, and free blow or ducted air delivery in three different capacity ranges. Not including options, there are six basic configurations that satisfy a wide range of applications.

Small buses represent the fastest growing segment of buses being specified for transit. Transit authorities are expanding their services and routes where smaller buses are more practical. "Thermo King users now have the opportunity to specify both large and small systems from a single supplier," said Don Donahue, vice president of bus air conditioning. "They can also extend the advantages of Thermo King's after sale parts and service support to their small bus fleet."

Port Authority Gold in Pittsburgh has experienced the value of one-stop shopping. In Pittsburgh, where large Thermo King A/C units are traditionally used, the Port Authority has added 30 new mini buses to navigate areas where the 40-foot buses are prohibited.

Port Authority's first areas of service expansions were suburbs to the east and west of Pittsburgh that have experienced rapid development and population growth over the past decade. Monroeville, an eastern, heavily populated retail and residential suburb, has four new routes and service for the first time since 1991. In the west, Port Authority and the Airport Corridor Transportation Association partnered to operate 10 mini buses along two routes. These 24-passenger mini buses provide a link to retail outlets, business districts, residential areas and the popular 28X Airport Flyer that uses mini buses to transport riders between downtown Pittsburgh and the airport.

Port Authority's seven mini bus routes lay the foundation for service in other areas of Allegheny County. In fact, Port Authority expects to take delivery of 50 additional mini buses by the spring of 1999. This is a sign that mini buses are not only thriving in Pittsburgh but are an integral piece of the commuting puzzle.

Thermo King has been a partner with Pittsburgh since the early 1980s. "One of the main reasons that Port Authority looked to Thermo King for their small bus A/C systems is the high quality of service they receive from Thermo King of Pittsburgh," said Mohamoud Jiberell, product manager for ShuttleAire. "The dependability of the Thermo King equipment together with the local parts service and warranty support has created satisfied customers."

The appointment of Jiberell as ShuttleAire product manager demonstrates Thermo King's commitment to becoming a major player in the small bus market.