Bus shortage: what is the story?
The Gazette looks at the bus shortage and reasons for it, although I find “implementation of a new software at the STM’s garages to manage repair work” is a feeble excuse: you can use a clipboard for this, in a pinch, or stick all the data in an ordinary spreadsheet – so some other problem must be going on.
Blork 13:55 on 2019-12-17 Permalink
Hmmm, don’t bet on it. If they have a new software to manage repairs, and it’s taking longer than expected to implement, and some plug decides to speed things up by using a clipboard, well that plug is now running a parallel system, which will lead to further confusion and errors and the likelihood of them being fired for it.
Meezly 13:58 on 2019-12-17 Permalink
Very helpful to know. But jesus, spitting, verbal abuse, insults and pulling a gun on bus drivers? I’ve been majorly pissed at late or missing buses, but never felt it necessary to take it out on the next driver – what is wrong with people?!
The article contains a link to another article about the various defects coming out of STM supplier, the Nova Bus factory, which seems to a major contributing factor to the backlog of buses in need of repair.
Kevin 14:50 on 2019-12-17 Permalink
Never doubt the idiocy of bureaucracy.
No longer can I walk down the hall to IT and ask them to fix something on my desktop, or my printer, or photocopier. Now I have to spend 20 to 60 minutes on the phone with a so-called help desk on the other side of the planet, before that person gives up on attempting to solve it remotely and allows the person down the hall to fix the problem.
In the STM’s particular case, the software problem affects how they order parts.
From the Gazette in November “As an example, a shopkeeper recently ordered screws, but instead of getting a box of 100, they sent him just one screw.”
Bert 15:04 on 2019-12-17 Permalink
Blork s right on it. Maintenance schedules and software can get quite complex. Some maintenance is carried out on an as-needed basis but much of it is done to a time or a life schedule. For example, change the oil every X km or replace tires every Y months.
The software will have at it’s base (in this case) the bus. But the bus is made up of components that can be replaced. Each of these are tracked by time: original purchase or replacement. Each of these are also tracked by other properties such as serial number. So, that replacement airbag in your car, the manufacturer now knows the serial number of that one and it’s associated to your car, in case of a further recall of airbags.
The software can handle warranty information for both buses and replacement equipment. That 8 year old bus, with a 12 year warranty, you will know it.
It can also handle part inventory and proactive ordering. So, say you always want 100 widgets available, when your stock falls below a threshold an order can automatically be placed.
It can also schedule preventative maintenance, advanced part picking and job creation. It can manage worker skills and competencies. An engine rebuild person will not be put on an electrical problem. A certification may be required to handle “Freon” for the air-con system. Some work may need to be verified and signed off on.
It can also manage the availability of facilities, say if a lift is required or not and/or specialized equipment that might be limited in number. Oh, Some of that specialized equipment needs to be periodically calibrated and repaired…. Guess what does that.
The system can then be integrated in to (at least) 3 other line-of-business systems. 1) the ERP – finance system for ordering, receipt and payment of parts. 2) the route planning and driver scheduling system. 3) the maintenance personnel and equipment scheduling / orchestration.
So, because the maintenance software is not working well, buses can be pulled off the line in a proactive manner so that they don’t break down on the road or fail some other SAAQ test/requirement. Work is taking longer because parts are not available, workers are not available, bays are not available.
Kate 08:15 on 2019-12-18 Permalink
Bert, thanks for the detailed explanation.
Max 09:03 on 2019-12-19 Permalink
It is a good explanation. But managing staff / stock / facilities are standard-issue business problems. No doubt some dolt at the STM decided they should “roll their own” special solution rather than go with something off-the-shelf. And we all wait in the cold as a result.