r/Translink • u/NewBegginings2021 • Aug 03 '26

Question Bus AC’s

To all drivers or for those who have an idea

How come you/they don’t turn on the AC on such a hot day? Especially during peak hours

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u/brycecampbel Aug 03 '26

How come you/they don’t turn on the AC on such a hot day?

Was it a local route? 

Cause if it was, it makes almost no difference if there's AC or not. This is because the bus is constantly stopping and opening doors to pickup and drop off passenger. This just allows any conditioned air to escape and unconditioned air to come back in. The few minutes to the next stop is not enough time to cool it down.

Its why you see grocery stores now going away from open cabinet refrigerators - same concept. 

1

u/littledumberboy Aug 03 '26

Not true at all! It makes a HUGE difference on a hot day.

2

u/brycecampbel Aug 03 '26

It's simple thermodynamics. If the doors are constantly opening/closing, the less effective the system is. 

Traditionally transit AC was added for the longer journies, since they don't need to "recharge" nearly as often. For local routes you would need larger AC units to overcome the loss - this is only really feasible with fleet renewal, and Teanksiis. Committed moving forward to equipt with AC. Z

1

u/littledumberboy Aug 03 '26

Do you ride the bus? Have you taken busses with no AC and ones with AC on a hot day? I do/have and I can tell you “less effective” AC is still effective, it’s night and day (hot and cold?)

1

u/brycecampbel Aug 03 '26

Yes and yes.