Integrated system to maximize efficiency in transit maintenance departments

Purpose - The purpose of this research is to show how an integrated system serves as an information support tool to assists maintenance managers to analyze data and evaluate alternatives in order to make better decisions that maximize efficiency in transit operations. Design/methodology/approach - A system which consists of a mathematical scheduling model that interacts with a forecasting model and repair time standards to allocate resources in maintenance departments is presented. Information was obtained from observations at three transit facilities in the Central Florida area; the model developed is tested using historical data of the maintenance jobs performed. Findings - Outputs obtained from testing have demonstrated reduction of operational costs, increased bus reliability, and increased efficiency in the tasks executed. Therefore, the present study aggregates value to transit organizations. Research limitations/implications - This research brings up alternatives of use of the resources in transit maintenance departments and the potential impact on the overall productivity. This study contributes to the field of maintenance productivity practices. Originality/value - Reports examined in the area of time standards are mostly based on estimations of time or historical information instead of on‐site analysis as presented in this study. This works expands the limited literature related to jobs scheduling for bus maintenance and combines models on maintenance scheduling and time standards which are typically presented in a disaggregated manner.