1. 2012 APTA BUS ROADEO MAINTENANCE VEHICLE INSPECTION GUIDELINES Sponsored by FRASER GUAGE
Revised: 04/16/2012 1 1

2. DEFECTS
Eight (14) equipment-related defects are planted on or in a bus. These defects would make a bus operationally unready or unsafe.
Defects are of a type that an operator would find when performing a pre-trip inspection. 2 2

3. DEFECTS CONT’D
IDENTIFICATION OF DEFECTS DOES NOT REQUIRE STARTING THE BUS OR CRAWLING UNDER THE BUS.
OPERATOR WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO HAVE A CHECKLIST OF DEFECTS TO REFER TO DURING THE COMPETITION. 3 3

4. ELIGIBLE DEFECTS MIGHT INCLUDE BROKEN, LOOSE, BAD, MISSING, OR INCORRECT:
LOOK and CHECK FOR -
LOOSE or DAMAGED SEATS
WINDOWS STUCK WON’T OPEN ( Emergency Windows, Hatches)
LOOSE OR MISSING MIRRORS
FRONT / REAR DOOR OPERATION & SEALS
WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER OPERATION
BELL CORDS SECURED AND OPERATIONAL
ALL TYPES OF LIGHTS (Inoperative or Missing)
STANCHIONS (Loose, missing, screws or bolts missing)
FLOORING (peeling up, trip hazard, worn etc.)
LICENSE PLATE NUMBERS ( to see if matched)
FIRE EXTINGUISHER (missing, not tagged, or safety pin missing) 4 4

5. SEATS
CHECK FOR BROKEN SEAT FRAMES AND CHECK THAT SEAT FRAMES ARE FIRMLY ATTACHED TO THE FLOOR. CHECK THAT SEAT CUSHIONS ARE ATTACHED SECURELY TO THE SEAT FRAMES. LOOSE SEATS OR DAMAGED ARE DEFECTS.
Push and Pull on Seats 5 5

6. WINDOWS
CHECKS THAT ALL WINDOWS ARE SECURED, NOT CRACKED, BROKEN OR MISSING AND THAT THE EMERGENCY RELEASE HANDLES ARE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.
Open emergency windows, check for handles, check to see if windows close properly. 6 6

7. FLOORING
MAKE SURE THE FLOORING IS CLEAN, SECURED AND FREE OF DEBRIS THAT WOULD INJURY YOU OR YOUR CUSTOMERS.
Check floor for being worn, peeling, or trip hazards. 7 7

8. WINDSHIELD
CHECK THAT WINDSHIED IS CLEAN WITH NO ILLEGAL STICKERS, NO OBSTRUCTIONS, OR DAMAGE TO THE GLASS.
Check windshield for improper stickers, obstructions or damage. 8 8

9. MIRRORS
CHECKS TO SEE THAT MIRRORS ARE PRESENT, SECURE, NOT CRACKED OR BROKEN AND ADJUSTABLE.
Check for all loose or missing mirrors, spot mirrors, mounting etc. 9 9

10. DOORS
CHECK THAT DOORS ARE NOT DAMAGED AND THEY OPEN AND CLOSE PROPERLY.
HINGES SHOULD BE SECURE AND DOOR SEALS INTACT.
Check that doors operate, check for loose or missing handrails, glass, door seals, etc. 10 10

11. BELL CORD
CHECK TO SEE IF THE CORD IS PRESENT, SECURED AND IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. LISTEN FOR CHIME. BE SURE TO CHECK HANDICAP SEATS.
Check and pull on cords, listen for chime, check if secured. 11 11

12. ALL TYPES OF LIGHTS
CHECK THAT ALL LIGHTS, AND REFLECTORS ARE CLEAN AND FUNCTIONAL, NOT CRACKED OR BROKEN AND IN GOOD WORKING ORDER.
Interior, check dome lights, operator light, farebox light, message light, door lights etc.
Exterior, check reflectors and color, all lights for operations. 12 12

13. STANCHIONS CHECK TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL STANCHIONS ARE SECURE.
Hint: Pull and push on all stanchions, look for missing screws or bolts. Some stanchions or hold on straps maybe removed.
Check and pull on all stanchions, check for missing stanchions, screws or bolts. 13 13

14. FIRE EXTINGUISHER CHECKS THE INSPECTION TAG, PIN, RATING AND CHARGE.
Check for missing safety pin, date tag, gauge for charge, and if secured.
Also check if road triangles (flares) are present and accounted for. 14 14

15. WIPERS
CHECK THAT WIPER ARMS AND BLADES ARE SECURE, NOT DAMAGED, AND OPERATE SMOOTHLY.
IF EQUIPPED, WINDSHIELD WASHERS MUST OPERATE CORRECTLY.
Check wipers for operation, alignment, washer, worn blades, and if secured. 15 15

16. BUS NUMBER CHECK THAT THE BUS NUMBER IS CLEAN AND VISIBLE.
Check to see if front and rear bus numbers match. All should be readable and reflective. 16 16

17. LICENSE PLATE
CHECK TO SEE THAT THE LICENSE PLATE IS CLEAN, PRESENT AND SECURE, FRONT AND BACK OF VEHICLE.
Check front and rear plates to see if they match. Also check vehicle registration to verify if correct. All numbers must be readable. 17 17

18. LEAVE BUS AS YOU FOUND IT
REMEMBER – PENALTY POINTS WILL BE ASSESSED FOR LIGHTS LEFT ON, WIPERS LEFT RUNNING, MASTER SWITCH ON, WINDOWS OPEN, AND ESCAPE HATCHES OPEN, ETC.
Note: Be sure to leave bus as you found it. 18 18

19. SAFETY VIOLATION
STARTING THE BUS CONSTITUTES A SAFETY VIOLATION AND WILL RESULT IN THE OPERATOR BEING DISQUALIFIED FROM THIS EVENT. (THERE IS NO NEED TO START BUS)
THE INSPECTION BUS WILL BE SUPPLIED WITH NECESSARY ELECTRICAL POWER AND AIR PRESSURE. 19 19

20. YOU WILL NOT NEED TO INSPECT OR OPERATE THE FOLLOWING
INELIGIBLE DEFECTS
YOU WILL NOT NEED TO INSPECT OR OPERATE THE FOLLOWING 20 20

21. INELIGIBLE DEFECTS INCLUDE
DEFECTS UNDER THE BUS
EXTERIOR BODY DAMAGE
PAINT PROBLEMS
WHEELCHAIR / RAMP OPERATIONS
KNEELING FUNCTIONS
RADIO
FARE BOX
DESTINATION SIGNS
BATTERY COMPARTMENT 21 21

22. (1) INELIGIBLE DEFECTS UNDER THE BUS
YOU DON’T HAVE TO LOOK UNDER THE BUS.
INELIGIBLE DEFECTS MEANS YOU WILL NOT HAVE ANY DEFECTS UNDER THE BUS. 22 22

23. (2) INELIGIBLE EXTERIOR BODY DAMAGE
INELIGIBLE EXTERIOR BODY DAMAGE MEANS THIS WILL NOT BE SCORED. 23 23

24. (3) INELIGIBLE PAINT PROBLEMS
INELIGIBLE PAINT PROBLEMS MEANS THIS ITEM WILL NOT BE SCORED. 24 24

25. (4) WHEELCHAIR OPERATIONS
INELIGIBLE - WHEELCHAIR OPERATION MEANS YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO INSPECT THIS ITEM. 25 25

26. (5) KNEELING FUNCTIONS
INELIGIBLE KNEELING FUNCTIONS MEANS YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO OPERATE THIS ITEM. 26 26

27. (6) INELIGIBLE RADIO HEAD OR USE
INELIGIBLE RADIO USE OR OPERATION MEANS YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO INSPECT THIS ITEM NOR WILL IT BE SCORED. 27 27

28. (7) INELIGIBLE FARE BOX
INELIGIBLE FARE BOX MEANS YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO INSPECT THIS ITEM NOR WILL IT BE SCORED. 28 28

29. (8) INELIGIBLE DESTINATION SIGN
INELIGIBLE DESTINATION SIGN MEANS YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO INSPECT THIS ITEM NOR WILL IT BE SCORED. 29 29

30. (9) INELIGIBLE BATTERY COMPARTMENT
INELIGIBLE BATTERY COMPARTMENT MEANS YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO INSPECT THIS ITEM NOR WILL IT BE SCORED. 30 30

31. REMEMBER No Multiple Defects
EQUIPMENT WHERE MULTIPLE DEFECTS ARE POSSIBLE WILL BE COUNTED ONLY ONCE. (SEATS, WINDOWS AND LIGHTS).
FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS,HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, MIRRORS AND TURN SIGNALS WILL EACH COUNT AS SEPARATE DEFECTS.
Example - what not to write,
left and right side windows scratched
Right and left seat damaged
Front and rear dome lights do not work
Example - of what to write,
left side #2 window won’t open
#4 right side forward seat is damaged
#1 left front dome light does not work 31 31

32. TIME LIMIT - 7 minutes
EACH OPERATOR WILL BE ALLOTTED ONLY SEVEN (7) MINUTES TO INSPECT, LOCATE, IDENTIFY, AND LEGIBLY RECORD ANY DEFECTS FOUND.
HINT: Operators should write down everything they see that is not correct. The idea is to note everything wrong and hope it is a planted defect by judges. The more the write ups the better the chances. 32 32

33. TIME WARNINGS THE OPERATOR WILL NOTIFY THE JUDGE WHEN FINISHED, or
JUDGES WILL ANNOUNCE TIME REMAINING WARNINGS AT 2 MINUTE, I MINUTE and 30 SECONDS REMAINING TIME MARKS
ONCE NOTICE TO STOP IS GIVEN, THE OPERATOR MAY NOT LIST ADDITIONAL DEFECTS. 33 33

34. POINTS
POINTS WILL BE AWARDED ONLY FOR THOSE RECORDED DEFECTS THAT WERE PLANTED BY THE JUDGES.
NO POINTS WILL BE AWARDED FOR IDENTIFICATION OF DEFECTS WHICH WERE NOT PLANTED.
RECORDING DEFECTS AND SECURING DOORS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED AFTER TIME HAS ELAPSED. 34 34

35. SCORING
TWENTY FIVE (25) POINTS WILL BE AWARDED FOR EACH OF FOURTEEN (14) PLANTED DEFECTS FOUND MAX (350) POINTS.
14 defects x 25 pts= 350 pts. 35 35

36. SCORING
POINTS WILL BE AWARDED ONLY FOR THOSE RECORDED DEFECTS THAT WERE PLANTED BY THE JUDGES.
NO POINTS WILL BE AWARDED FOR IDENTIFICATION OF DEFECTS WHICH WERE NOT PLANTED BY JUDGES. 36 36

37. SCORING
THE JUDGES WILL REVIEW THE LIST OF DEFECTS WITH EACH OPERATOR FOR CLARIFICATION. 37 37

38. WARNINGS
A PENALTY OF ONE (10) POINT WILL BE ASSESSED FOR EACH INSTANCE WHERE THE BUS IS NOT RETURNED TO ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION;
FOR EXAMPLE, ONE (10) POINT ASSESSED FOR:
LIGHTS LEFT ON
WIPERS LEFT RUNNING
MASTER SWITCH ON
WINDOWS OPEN
ESCAPE HATCHES OPEN
ETC. 38 38

39. WARNINGS
STARTING THE BUS CONSTITUTES A SAFETY VIOLATION AND WILL RESULT IN THE OPERATOR BEING DISQUALIFIED FROM THIS EVENT.
THE INSPECTION BUS WILL BE SUPPLIED WITH NECESSARY ELECTRICAL POWER AND AIR PRESSURE TO PERFORM PRE-TRIP INSPECTION. 39 39