Transit Technician Education Program (TTEP)

Program Highlights

The Transit Technician Education Program (TTEP) encompasses two avenues for transit technicians to acquire the skills needed in today’s modern maintenance organization.

  1. The FTMC Certified Transit Technician (CTT) curriculum consists of three technical tracks, defined as Technician I, II, and III. The tracks include 620 hours, 620 hours, and 680 hours of instruction respectively. Each track contains five modules consisting of 24-40 hours of classroom and hands-on training related to specific technical areas and requires approximately 36-160 hours of verifiable On the Job Training (OJT) to be completed at the home property. A Post-Secondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) certificate will be issued upon completion of the three tracks.
  2. The Associate in Science (AS) degree program consists of 60 credit hours of instruction. Upon successfully completing the CTT program and obtaining a PSAV certificate, qualified transit technicians may apply to Hillsborough Community College (HCC) and request articulation of the certificate. When approved, 27 credit hours will be granted toward fulfillment of the requirements for the AS degree.

Class Schedule

Download the latest training schedule. If you have any questions about the course calendar, please contact Todd Parsons.

Post-Secondary Adult Vocational Course Descriptions

The Certified Transit Technician (CTT) curriculum consists of three technical tracks, defined as Technician I, II, and III. The tracks include 620 hours, 620 hours, and 680 hours of instruction respectively. Technicians and their supervisors can track student records.

Transit Technician 1

DIM 0810 – Transit Equipment Preventive Maintenance

6.6 Vocational Credits | 200 Clock Hours
This is the introductory course into transit maintenance which includes identifying shop organization, management, and safety requirements, demonstrating infection control procedures, demonstrating MSDS, AED, and CPR procedures and practicing general shop safety. Students will also demonstrate the use of hardware and fasteners, basic tools and equipment, perform transit bus and forklift preventive maintenance, perform tire service, identification and repair, and demonstrate workplace communication skills and qualifications for employment.

DIM 0811 – Transit Basic Electrical Systems

4.00 Vocational Credits | 120 Clock Hours
This is the introductory electrical systems course that explains the theory and nature of electricity, basic electrical terminology and symbols, solving problems using Ohm’s and Kirchoff’s law, and understanding and analyzing electrical circuits and components.

DIM 0812 – Transit Wheelchair Lift/Ramp

2.00 Vocational Credits | 60 Clock Hours
Students will learn how to troubleshoot and repair wheelchair lifts, pumps, hoses, and components; wheelchair ramps and associated hardware; bus kneeler systems and components; and related hydraulic and electrical systems.

DIM 0813 – Transit Diesel Engine Preventive Maintenance

4.00 Vocational Credits | 120 Clock Hours
Students will identify types of bearings, seals, gaskets, and fasteners and their uses; identify power train components and functions; identify threaded fasteners by size, type, thread series, thread classes, material hardness, and compatibility; and demonstrate the ability to remove correctly an oil sample for analysis. Students will also be introduced to Cummins© Insite and QSOL software for research and troubleshooting.

DIM 0814 – Transit Steering and Suspension

4.00 Vocational Credits | 120 Clock Hours
Students will troubleshoot and repair conventional steering systems, front and rear-axle suspensions, and hydraulic steering systems. Students will also service tires and wheels, bearings, hubs and seals, align bus frames and adjust bus height.

Transit Technician 2

DIM 0820 – Transit Hydraulics

2.00 Vocational Credits | 60 Clock Hours
This course details the basic principles of hydraulics, identifies and explains the operating components of hydraulic systems, and enables students to locate and identify hydraulic units by their symbols on a diagram. Maintenance and reconditioning of lines and reservoirs, pumps and motors, control valves and cylinders is also included.

DIM 0821 – Transit Diesel Electrical and Diesel Engine Electronics

4.00 Vocational Credits | 120 Clock Hours
This is a mid-level course that examines, explains, and troubleshoots the charging and starting systems, examines regulators, rectifiers, AC and DC motors, batteries, instruments and gages. Student will also Identify, diagnose, remove and replace electronic sensors and analyze electrical circuits related to the engine.

DIM 0822 – Transit Drive Train

4.00 Vocational Credits | 120 Clock Hours
This course explains power train operating principles and identifies components; troubleshooting shift patterns; clutch servicing; driveline and power take-off servicing; and service and repair of differentials.

DIM 0823 – Transit Intermediate Electrical Systems

4.00 Vocational Credits | 120 Clock Hours
This mid-level electrical course explains the principles of operation and purposes of transistors, relays, and switches found on transit equipment. Common electrical components are tested and troubleshot. Equalizer and diode tests are explained. The ATEC circuit simulator is introduced and circuits are built. Complex schematics and charts are introduced.

DIM 0824 – Transit Brakes/Air System

6.6 Vocational Credits | 200 Clock Hours
This course is a comprehensive examination of air brake systems and their supporting components. Principals of operation, servicing, troubleshooting and repairing of the following systems/components is included: air, brake, parking, ABS, Wedge, S-Cam, air compressors, hydraulic booster, shoes, pads, kits, valves and lines. The brake board is utilized.

Transit Technician 3

DIM 0830 – Transit Alternative Fuel/Power Systems

4.00 Vocational Credits | 120 Clock Hours
This advanced course explores current alternative fuels technology with detailed description and troubleshooting of the EP40 parallel hybrid system. Components include: ESS energy storage system, DPIM Dual power inverter module, and TCM/VCM. Torque blending theory, fuel cells, ULSD, PC-10 and CJ-4 oils, and alternative fuels are also presented.

DIM 0831 – Transit Advanced Electrical Systems

4.00 Vocational Credits | 120 Clock Hours
This advanced electrical course builds on the ATEC circuit simulation modules, examines programmable logic controllers (PLC), Multiplex systems and their components, Ladder logic charts, various electrical instruments, and various types of sensors. Student will learn how to identify and troubleshoot multiplex electrical system and read and understand complex electrical schematics and charts.

DIM 0832 – Transit Heating and Air-Conditioning

6.6 Vocational Credits | 200 Clock Hours
This advanced course is a detailed, comprehensive examination of the modern HVAC system utilized on a transit bus. All areas and components are covered, including EPA requirements, refrigeration, recovery and reclaim, inspection, and troubleshooting. 608 certification testing is included.

DIM 0833 – Transmission Diagnosis, Rebuild and Repair

4.00 Vocational Credits | 120 Clock Hours
In this advanced course the student will: Identify the basic transmission components and functions, identify principles of operation, assemblies, and systems of transmission operation, troubleshoot and repair transmission systems, rebuild transmission assemblies, and rebuild/troubleshoot retarder assembly.

DIM 0834 – Diesel Engine Diagnosis, Rebuild and Repair

6.6 Vocational Credits | 200 Clock Hours
In this advanced course the student will: identify principles, assemblies, and systems of engine operation, apply math skills and scientific principals common to diesel technology, troubleshoot and repair engine systems, rebuild a cylinder-head assembly, remove and replace camshaft assemblies, and rebuild a block assembly.

Travel Reimbursement Process

Technicians and Managers who participate in training, to include the Transit Technician Education Program (TTEP), and travel more than 50 miles one way from their home property to attend classes are eligible for reimbursement of travel, meals, and lodging. Classes are usually held Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 5 pm and average about 20 students. At the end of the class, the students complete anonymous evaluations of the class content and the instructor. The instructor also completes an evaluation of each student. Pre- and post-class tests are given to monitor student progress. All students attending the class are given a certificate. A certificate of completion is given to all students who pass their final examination. Those students who do not achieve the minimum score on their exam are awarded a certificate of participation. Classes yield an average increase of 32% from pre- to post-test scores.

We have contracted with several hotels for the “Direct Billing” process for TTEP participants only. The agency must reference the Certified Transit Technician (CTT) program and/or the University of South Florida when making room reservations. The hotels will directly invoice the University. Participants will no longer be required to pay for lodging upfront. Participants of all other training will be reimbursed after travel occurs, and must be in our travel system prior to travel.