About Contract Rules

Contract rules are the time and work characteristics that are set for each run type and are used to help determine whether a run is legal or illegal.

Each run type should have a unique contract rule. For example, straight runs have different time characteristics from split runs or trippers.

The union agreements set the costing parameters. When a run type is activated (meaning that you entered 1 in the In Use field of the run type in the Union Contract dialog box) then its corresponding contract rules are considered. Contract rules for each run type are defined using minimum and maximum parameters as well as a more constraining best value and if applicable only to the run type, has a weight of 1.

The contract rules set up with your FX have been set up specifically to work with your own policies and union agreements.

The following is a list of some commonly used contract rules:

On (SignOn): The earliest (Minimum) and latest (Maximum) On times that a run may start, which can include report time. This is just a label and does not need to have values in the Best or Weight columns.

Off (SignOff): The earliest (Minimum) and latest (Maximum) Off times that a run may finish which can include Clear/Turn-in time. This is just a label and does not need to have values in the Best or Weight columns.

Platform: The minimum and maximum times for which an operator is on the platform. Platform time is the total time an operator is operating his or her vehicle, for example, for the entire run. Platform time includes non-revenue time (for example, deadhead time) as well as revenue time and no other costing premiums. Platform time should match the statistics of your garage blocks for a specific division and service.

NumPieces: The minimum and maximum number of pieces that are allowed to complete a particular run type. For example, the straight run type will have a Min and Max value of 1.

Piece Time: The minimum and maximum time for each piece, typically the platform time of the piece.

Spread: The minimum and maximum spread time that is the elapsed time from the start of the first piece until the end of the last piece of a two- (or more) piece run. Spread can sometimes be up to 12 or 14 hours long. For example, an operator is assigned an early four-hour morning piece and then a late afternoon four-hour piece.

Break: The minimum and maximum time allowed between pieces. This is also referred to as Swing or Intervene Time and is sometimes paid under certain circumstances.

Work: Typically, includes the following times: Platform Time + Report Time + Clear Time + Travel Time + Intervening Time + Break Time. This is the time the operator actually works excluding unpaid breaks. This calculation varies at each transit site as it is based on the official union agreement.

Pay: The total calculated pay time allowed for entire runs. Pay time typically includes: Work Time + Makeup Time + Overtime Premium + Spread Overtime Premium.This calculation varies among transit sites since it is based on the official union agreement.

Number Runs: The minimum and maximum number for runs allowed to be assigned for the specific run type.

(Typically used with the Improve feature.)

Number Lines: Minimum and maximum number of routes/lines that are allowed to be assigned to a run. This is useful with certain modes of transportation such as Rail where the operators should not be switching pieces with Bus.

Extra1: Custom costing field

Extra2: Custom costing field