BY TODD LUCK
THFCHRONyif
With the addition of more new hybrid
vehicles, 75 percent of the Winston-Salem
Transit Authority's fleet is hybrids, giving
it one of the highest percentages for alter
natively-fueled fleets in the country.
WSTA Director Barnes said he's
proud of the Transit Authority's devotion
to vehicles that pollute less and conserve
fuel.
"We made a conscious decision to have
a fleet that would address environmental
concerns," said Barnes. ?
WSTA is adding 12 new hybrid buses
and six smaller buses for Trans-Aid. This
represents an $8.8 million investment in
the WSTA. Federal funds cover 85 percent
of the cost, with state and city money cov
eruig the rest.
WSTA began transitioning
to hybrids in 2010 and has
been using Gillig hybrid elec
tric buses. This year's new
buses are New Flyers. WSTA
Director Art Barnes said the
WSTA went with another man
ufacturer because New Flyer
could deliver the buses within
nine months while Gillig was
going to take at least 18
months. He said the quicker
turnaround meant the buses
would be in use before the WSTA makes it
transition to the new routes that begin next
year.
Barnes said hybrids, which use battery
power for lower speeds and diesei
fuel for higher speeds, have served
WSTA well. The older model
buses get 3 S miles to the gallon .
while the hybrids get 3-6 miles per
gallon. This equaled a $400,000
savings on gas in 2010. They also
save on maintenance, especially on
brakes. He said there are no imme
diate plans to get more hybrids, but
moving to all hybrid buses remains
a long-term goal.
The New Flyers are largely the
same as the Gillig buses. They're the
same size and seating capacity. The New
Flyers do have rear doors that are four
inches wider, which will make it easier for
passengers to exit. They also have fold-out
wneel cnair ramps, wmcn shuuiu w lasici
and more efficient than the wheelchair lifts
found on other buses.
Barnes said he's been impressed with
the New Flyers that have been used for the
last couple weeks and expects the rest to
begin serving passengers soon.
"They've worked out well," said
Barney. "They've proven to be quite
dependable."
The buses, which cost $600,000 each,
are a long-term investment. Buses have a
lifespan of 13 years before a transit author
ity qualifies for federal funds to replace
them.
Barnes
Fairgrounds improvements continue
IW* by Toil Loci
The Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex, which is currently hosting a consign- -
ment sale, has a new roof that fixes problems it had with leaks.
A new marketing
person will be
hired this year for
non-fair events
BY TODD LUCK
THE CHRONICLE
The Winston-Salem
Fairgrounds is continuing
its plans for improvements
with a new marketing posi
tion and up to $2 million in
capital improvements this
fiscal year.
The fairgrounds are I
owned by the city but I
are fiscally self-sus- I
taming, generating I
enough revenue to I
cover its own expenses I
and debt revenue. This f
includes the new mar- Wj
keting position and KlJ
borrowing money for
the capital improve
ments. The fair
grounds' profitability is
due in large part to the
highly successful Dixie
Classic Fair, which is the
second largest agricultural
fair in the state.
The new position and
improvements are aimed at
making the facilities at the
fairgrounds more attractive
to the many events it hosts
year round. The marketing
position, which will cost
$53,000 including benefits,
will be responsible for sell
ing sponsorships and
attracting new customers to
rent the venues. Robert
Mulhearn, fairgrounds
facilities and venues man
ager, said he expects the
new marketing person will
be in place before this
year's Dixie Classic Fair in
October.
Mulhearn said there
have been many improve
ments made already in the
last year. The Annex's roof
has been replaced, along
with its chiller system for
the ice rink
it hosts
from
October
through
March.
Painting
was also
done to
improve its
appearance.
Mulhearn
said there
should be no more prob
lems with leaks from the
roof of the Annex.
"The Annex is good
shape," he said.
Bolton Home and
Garden Building now has
Improved walls and ceil
ing, which should be fin
ished this week. The newly
painted walls and a drop
ceiling provides much bet
ter lighting and improve
the appearance of the
smaller event venue, which
Mulhearn hopeg will attract
more meetings and events.
The Midway, which
was visibly cracked and
worn, has now been
re paved. Mulhearn said the
improvement helped attract
USA Cycling to hold a
national cycling race on it
in May. Additionally, the
cattle barn, which is used
for the fair and cattle
shows, now has a new
cement floor.
Improvements to be
done this fiscal year, which
began July 1, include more
work on the Annex.
Currently there are prob
lems with the heating and
air system that cause main
tenance workers to climb
into the ducts to manually
reset the units daily when
there's an event. Plans are
to replace the heating and
air systems, put in LED
lighting, and make
improvements to the floor.
"It'll be a really neat
building by the end of the
year," Mulhearn said.
There are also plans to
replace the lighting along
with the heating and air
system in the Education
Building. The Grandstand
will be repainted and
there'll be a fairground
wide camera system
installed both inside and
outside of its buildings.
There'8 additional
improvements planned for
the Bolton Building and
the Fanner's Market,
which have yet to be deter
mined.
Even with the improve
ments, there are no rate
increases for renting fair
grounds' facilities. A fee
charged for labor, such as
cleaning or ticket taking,
has gone up due to the
city's increase in minimum
wage for city employees.
I
Mulhearn
Bolton Home
and Garden
Building at the
Winston-Salem
Fairgrounds is
getting a new
ceiling to go
with its newly
painted walls.
<*& ?fei /
<82BS* '
^y mmmm
?m~*,~js*, i < pBSBBfi
CHILDCARE FROM INFANT TO 5 YEARS
NEW 2016 - SUMMER DAY CAMP + 2ND SHIFT
*9*
Mu P es
NORTHWEST CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS
v.MudPiesNC.org
.721.1215 I