CHAPTER 257. INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION OF ELECTRIC
MASS TRANSIT VEHICLESSec.
257.1. Scope and authority.
257.2. Definitions.
257.3. Certificate of inspection.
257.4. Fleet inspection stations.
257.5. Certification of inspectors.
257.6. Responsibility for inspections.
257.7. Equipment numbers.
257.8. Inventory.
257.9. Inspector qualification.
257.10. Inspection schedule.
257.11. Inspection procedure manuals.
257.12. Records of inspection.
257.13. Semiannual report.
257.14. Official inspections.Authority The provisions of this Chapter 257 issued under the Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S. § 6103, unless otherwise noted.
Source The provisions of this Chapter 257 adopted December 19, 1980, effective December 20, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 4731, unless otherwise noted.
§ 257.1. Scope and authority.
(a) Scope. This chapter shall apply to electric mass transit operators, but shall not apply to motor buses or other highway vehicles subject to vehicle registration and inspection requirements of the Vehicle Code and Department regulations. This chapter shall not apply to rail passenger equipment subject to Safety Standards of the Federal Railroad Administration (49 CFR 230) or to inclines or elevators regulated by the Department of Labor and Industry.
(b) Authority. This chapter is adopted under the authority of 75 Pa.C.S. § 6103 as amended by act of June 18, 1980 (No. 67).
§ 257.2. Definitions.
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Electric mass transit vehicle—An electrically propelled device designed and used for the transportation of 15 or more passengers for compensation, including subway cars, trolleys, and trackless trolleys.
Inspection—An inspection performed under the supervision of an inspector. Routine preventative and other maintenance procedures, by themselves, shall not constitute an inspection.
Inspector—A person designated by a mass transit operator to conduct an inspection.
Mass transit operator—A company, authority or any other transportation entity responsible for the operation and maintenance of electric mass transit vehicles.
Official inspection—A semiannual inspection performed under applicable provisions of law and Department regulations. An official inspection must include inspection of all safety items identified in this chapter.
Vehicle—An electric mass transit vehicle.§ 257.3. Certificate of inspection.
(a) General rule. By November 1, 1981, all electric mass transit vehicles shall display a currently valid certificate of inspection in order to be operated in revenue passenger service. A certificate of inspection shall be displayed only after an official inspection has been made and the electric mass transit vehicle has been found to be in compliance with inspection and equipment requirements of this chapter. Certificates of inspection shall be issued and affixed twice a year in accordance with the quarterly inspection periods established in § 175.5 (relating to semiannual inspection).
(b) Display. Certificates of inspection shall be affixed to the inside of a front window or a window of the operator’s compartment of an electric mass transit vehicle, placed in such a manner so as to be readily identifiable from the exterior of the vehicle. Vehicles which are permanently attached and operated as a multiple unit may be considered one electric mass transit vehicle, requiring only one inspection certificate for the multiple unit. Certificates of inspection shall be placed at a uniform location on all electric mass transit vehicles of the same type. Certificates of inspection shall be issued and accounted for in accordance with Chapter 175, Subchapters B and Q (relating to official inspection stations and certificate of inspection).
Source The provisions of this § 257.3 amended August 7, 1981, effective August 8, 1981, 11 Pa.B. 2776. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (59856).
§ 257.4. Fleet inspection stations.
Official inspections of electric mass transit vehicles shall be performed and certificates of inspection issued only at fleet inspection stations appointed in accordance with Chapter 175, Subchapter B (relating to official inspection stations).
§ 257.5. Certification of inspectors.
Official inspections shall be performed only under the supervision of and certified by an inspector. An inspector must meet the qualifications established by the mass transit operator and be certified in accordance with applicable provisions of Department regulations. Inspectors must possess proven competence in the area of operation and maintenance of electric mass transit vehicles for which they are responsible.
§ 257.6. Responsibility for inspections.
(a) General rule. Mass transit operators shall be responsible for the inspection, maintenance, and repair of all electric mass transit vehicles which they operate. It is the responsibility of the mass transit operator to insure that proper inspections, tests and repairs are made, inspectors are qualified, reports are made and filed as required, and that electric mass transit vehicles in revenue service are maintained in a condition to meet the requirements of the law and Department regulations.
(b) Additional safety rules. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed as prohibiting a mass transit operator from implementing and enforcing additional rules or requirements designed to provide a greater degree of reliability and safety of electric mass transit vehicles.
(c) Additional inspections. In addition to official inspections, a mass transit operator shall, if necessary, schedule and perform additional inspections to insure that all electric mass transit vehicles in revenue service, which have a certificate of inspection affixed, meet the requirements of this chapter.
§ 257.7. Equipment numbers.
Each electric mass transit vehicle shall be identified by an equipment number clearly visible and identifiable on both the exterior and interior of the vehicle. All reports and records required by this chapter shall identify the particular electric mass transit vehicle by its equipment number. The Department must be notified of any changes in equipment numbers.
§ 257.8. Inventory.
Within 60 days of the adoption of this chapter, each mass transit operator shall submit to the Department a complete inventory of electric mass transit vehicles it operates. The inventory shall identify electric mass transit vehicles specifically by equipment number, vehicle type, manufacturer and year of manufacture.
§ 257.9. Inspector qualification.
Within 60 days of the adoption of this chapter, each mass transit operator shall submit for approval by the Department its criteria and qualifications for inspectors, stating requirements as to training, experience and competence.
Cross References This section cited in 67 Pa. Code § 257.13 (relating to semiannual report).
§ 257.10. Inspection schedule.
Within 60 days of the adoption of this chapter, each mass transit operator shall submit for approval by the Department an inspection schedule for each type of electric mass transit vehicle it operates. The schedule may be based upon elapsed time, hours of vehicle operation, or miles of vehicle operation. Such factors as recommendation of the manufacturer, age of equipment, usage, and vehicle type shall be considered in establishing inspection schedules.
Cross References This section cited in 67 Pa. Code § 257.13 (relating to semiannual report).
§ 257.11. Inspection procedure manuals.
Within 60 days of the adoption of this chapter, each mass transit operator shall submit for approval by the Department its inspection procedure manual for each type of electric mass transit vehicle operated, specifying the means by which components requiring inspection are checked and the basis for adjusting or replacing these components.
Cross References This section cited in 67 Pa. Code § 257.13 (relating to semiannual report); and 67 Pa. Code § 257.14 (relating to official inspections).
§ 257.12. Records of inspection.
(a) Contents. Beginning February 1, 1981, each mass transit operator shall keep a record of all official and other inspections, indicating vehicle equipment number, date of inspection, inspection station, accumulated vehicle mileage, specific vehicle components inspected or repaired, and the individual mechanic performing the inspection or repair. Inspectors shall certify that the inspections were performed by signing and dating the records involved. The records required by this section relate only to inspections.
(b) Maintenance. Mass transit operators shall maintain the records required by this section for a period of at least 7 years from the date of inspection. Mass transit operators shall make the records available to the Department or to the State Police upon request.
Cross References This section cited in 67 Pa. Code § 257.13 (relating to semiannual report).
§ 257.13. Semiannual report.
Within 30 days after each 6 month period ending April 30 and October 31 of each year, each mass transit operator shall submit a semiannual report to the Department on a form provided by or approved by the Department. The semiannual report shall include information contained in the records required by § 257.12 (relating to records of inspection) except information relating to specific vehicle components inspected or repaired and identification of the individual mechanic performing the inspections or repairs. The semiannual report shall also identify vehicles removed from or returned to service, vehicles permanently retired and new vehicles added to the inventory. A change in vehicle equipment numbers shall be reported at this time. Proposed revisions to any of the items required by § § 257.9, 257.10 or 257.11 (relating to inspector qualification; inspection schedule; and inspection procedure manuals) shall be submitted with the semiannual report for Department approval.
§ 257.14. Official inspections.
Each official inspection shall include applicable systems and components of electric mass transit vehicles identified in this section. Systems and components identified in this section on an electric mass transit vehicle shall function properly. Safety defects discovered during an inspection shall be noted as part of a mass transit operator’s detailed inspection records and shall be corrected before a vehicle is returned to revenue service. Inspections shall be performed in accordance with approved Department procedures, as provided for in § 257.11 (relating to inspection procedure manuals). Inspections shall include a determination of the condition and, when applicable, the operation of the following systems and components of electric mass transit vehicles:
(1) Braking systems. Including air, electric, dynamic, track and hand brakes as well as emergency, deadman and signaltrip lever systems, and sanding devices.
(2) Lighting systems. Including all exterior and interior lights as well as instrument and emergency lighting.
(3) Glazing and operator visibility. Including windshield, body and door windows, mirrors, and windshield wipers.
(4) Warning devices. Such as horn or gong.
(5) Doors and door controls. Including operation of sensitive edges, treadles, door-brake interlock, multiple unit controls and emergency exit devices.
(6) Wheel, axle and truck assembly.
(7) Electric current collection system. Including overhead wire on third rail systems.
(8) Electrical wiring and components. Including battery, line switches, breakers, relays, controller, motor-generator and short circuit indicator.
(9) Multiple unit components. Including couplers, cables, hoses, safety chains and gates.
(10) Interior components. Including seat frame and mounting, stanchions and other standee support devices, flooring and steps.
(11) Trackless trolley components. Including tires and steering.
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