Recommendations
1. Drivers be trained for fuel efficient driving habits such as
To drive at constant speed around 40-50kmph.
To avoid sudden braking and acceleration.
To get into top gear as soon as possible.
Half-clutch driving be avoided.
Tyre pressure be kept at recommended levels.
Brake binding and wheel drag be checked and avoided on a regular basis.
Techniques for efficient take-offs and stops be practiced.
Feather foot and thinking ahead techniques.
2. Performance of drivers be regularly checked. Those achieving better results be awarded and others be counselled to improve the performance.
3. Drivers and motor mechanics be given training of both the disciplines sop that they can appreciate the interrelated aspects. It will improve the efficiency a well as the elder drivers can be gainfully employed in the workshops.
4. Maintenance staff be trained for optimum maintenance and traffic staff to plan routes efficiently.
5. Buses be maintained regularly, by trained mechanics and by the use of proper equipments (Refer preventive maintenance chart under Annexure –VIII).
6. Transmission, suspension and electrical systems be serviced regularly and tyre pressures be maintained on daily basis.
7. The silencer should be cleaned regularly to increase engine efficiency.
8. Oil leakages from fuel tank or pipes be avoided.
9. Electrical system be maintained well so as to raw minimum current, and hence the economy in diesel consumption to change the battery.
10. Engine oil topping be stopped abut ¾ days in advance of engine oil change. The oil be maintained just above the minimum mark on the dip rod.
11. For high altitude driving, timing and injector be adjusted for better performance and fuel economy.
12. Existing buses be fitted with simple stopper attached to the accelerator paddle to prevent over speeding-as done by PTC and APSRTC.
13. The existing engines be derated to suit the passenger buses.
14. Sufficient checks and controls be enforced at dept level to reduce pilferage and spillage etc.
15. Bus body weight be reduced by use of aluminum, fibre reinforced plastics etc. to improve fuel efficiency.
16. Bus bodies be made aerodynamic to reduce air resistance.
17. Additives be used along with diesel to get better engine life and fuel economy.
18. Use of radial tyres is recommended as it has impact on fuel consumption.
19. Engines yielding optimum fuel efficiency and maximum torque at vehicle speed of 25-30 km/hr be developed for city buses and engines for corresponding speed of 60-70 Km/hr. be developed for inter-city buses.
20. Emerging new fuels like hydrogen, natural gas and methane etc. be encouraged.
21. Overall climate in the organization ha to be quite conducive to the fuel efficiency drive and top management has to have full commitment to this program.
22. Incentive schemes be implemented to motivate drives, maintenance staff as well as depot staff to achieve higher KMPL.
23. Administrative machinery be set up to check and monitor these aspects regularly.
24. Road condition be improved and separate lane for public transport buses be implemented.
25. Lighter and long lasting batteries, high performance aluminum composites (discontinuity reinforced metal matrix), magnesium clutch housing be developed and introduced in Indian buses.
