Can offer anyone who cares front destination signs from these two depots. (1 of each) These are original, the red/blue one piece Mylar versions. I do not have a listing of the readings, but I can attest that they are complete and in pretty good condition
Please reply to my e-mail address. First come, first served. I am asking only covering of postage (which may be $15-20, due to weight and size) and anything above that you may wish to include.
Thanks and regards.
Check out my webpage 100st Depot . But im having troblem with adding my pictures into webpage.
Also having troblem downloading the pictures too.
Justin, you're having problems with the URL, file is not found. The link is broken, ther's no way to connect. Your file doesn't exist.
MCIMAN2000
The TransiTALK Roster Has been updated,
check it out!
http://geocities.com/MotorCity/Garage/7650/NYCB.html
and for those that haven't checked out my pics site
check this out!
http://geocities.com/MotorCity/Garage/7650/NYC_Pictures.html
Enjoy
Trevor
If anyone cares, the Transit Museum store at Grand Central is selling the plastic bank models of the MCI Staten Island express coaches. 3 different destinations, 2 on S.I. and the "X1 Manhattan". Didn't catch a price.
They are probably about $17.00 which is the price they were at the Bus Fest.
Peace
DaShawn
What type of bus does New Jersey Transit use, specifically into Philadelphia?
The bus' front window(tinted black) is set back and the bus tapers at the top. I think I've seen that type of bus for the NYCTA.
On there Philadelphia Routes they use:
Flxible METRO-A (used to belong to the NYCT)
Flxible METRO-B (a improved version of the Metro-A)
Flxible METRO-C Natural Gas
MCI 9A (Short Destination Sign)
Eagle AE-20 Coaches
to see a fleet roster for NJT
check out,
http://geocities.com/MotorCity/Garage/7650/NYCTransit.html
and click on the special NJ Transit Roster
Trevor
The NYCTA never had any Flxible Metros. They only had Grumman Flxible 870's and when the Metros went into production NYCTA was busy buying RTS's.
Wayne
It was the Flexible Metro-B I had in mind.Thanks!
I just received a RTS NJT operator's menu. You could get a copy from
Royal Coach. It costs 36.00 and it contains a lot of detail. www.royal-coach.com forgot their phone number I'll get it later.
Can you give an idea of what information is included in the book
Thank you
Steve Katt
FDNY
I got an operator's manual for the RTS06 direct from Nova for nothing. Contained info pertaining only to NYCT delieverd buses. For example the NYCT-only book had info on the operator's seat that NYCT buses are equippes with. They also publish a generic manual (bought from Royal Coach - circa 1993) that lists info for all the optional seats that can be ordered with the RTS.
does anyone know what a tandem axle is?
I always understood a tandem axle to be the two axles (usually in the rear) and both are drive axles. They were usually found on intercity buses. They are no longer used on intercity (at least not in the US) buses. Of course most intercity buses still do have 3 axles (1 front, 2 rear), but only 1 is a drive axle with 4 wheels and the other is a tag axle with 2 wheels. The drive alxe is usually ahead of the tag axle which gives the bus a tighter turning radius.
Eagle is one manufacturer that had the arrangement of the tag and drive axles reversed. My understanding is that they did this to get more underfloor storage space. Eagle started this practice in the late 1960's on their early 05 Eagles. This is one way to tell an early 05 Eagle from an 01 Eagle.
Gryehound's early Scenicruiser, the GM PD4501 had a tandem axle with 4 wheels on each axle.
I hope this answers your question...
Wayne
Please read them ---a few changes in Staten Islnd in the Pt Richmond Av,,in eff until further Notice
effectuve June 1 ,1999
Steve
Hi---I was hoping if someone can help me out by telling me if taking the M60 bus to LGA from the N train Astoria Blvd. stop is a wise one around 5AM on a weekday morning. Does the M60 run frequent and is it easily accessible from the Ntrain Astoria Blvd. stop? Thanks!
My trusty TA "Manhattan Bus Map" says M60:
- Weekdays to West 106th St. = 5 to 1 AM
- (ditto) to La Guardia = 4:15 to 12:30 PM
- headway above is: AM/midday/PM 20 minutes, Eve 30
- Weekends about the same except headway is 30 minutes all times
My trusty subway map shows M60 ducking under N at Hoyte
The stop is OK ,,you will be near the 114 PCT House on GCP EB Service Road nr the EL
Hello
A little while back, a couple of bus talkers mentioned that there was really no merchandise for bus buffs!
Well there is some now at TransiTALK's TransiGear Merchandise
Check it
http://geocities.com/MotorCity/Garage/7650/NYCTransit.html
and click on TransiGear
Trevor
Saw 1010 with a brand new paintjob. 1015 is the only bus left at GL with original 1 strip scheme. I was on 5502 yesterday on the Q60 and the talking system had some mistakes. 71St Ave Conitnental Ave Transfer available for the Q65? Union Tpke transfer is available for the Q37 only? What about the Q46 and Q74? I don't know because I was on only form 48 Street and Queens Blvd to Kew Gardens Road, 80 Road. 5501 I haven't been on in a while, so when I do and if there are any errors, they'll be posted here on BT.
MCIMAN2000
BTW, 1007 is scrapped.They're stripping it for parts.Does anyone know what the construction is about at Green?
What happened to 1007 that it's now scrapped? The construction at Green Lines is about making way for CNG buses.
MCIMAN2000
I don't know what happened.Maybe because of its age they scrapped it.
Saw this bus back in service along X1 on Wednesday. Took a pic of it.
MCIMAN2000
Thank you for putting my webpage into your BusFacts Page, but still having troblem downloading my pictures into my webpage. Any way I have 7 pictures of Old 100st Depot, 11 pictures RTS Storage Yard from Zerega Ave Storage Yard and South Brooklyn Storage Yard. Also couple of Work Cars and Buses. If you want to put my pictures into your webpage? Just e-mail me and i will send you some pictures.
P.S I have more picture coming soon.
Thank You
David "Meaney DJ" Justiniano
Hey David what's your web site? Wanna check it out.
MCIMAN2000
Updated the GL roster. 718 was aka Triboro Coach Bus 780.
MCIMAN2000
Thanks MCIMAN 2000.
I saw Green Bus Lines #5516 in the bus lot at Red & Tan Tours/Hudson Bus on Tonnelle Avenue in Jersey City this morning. I have no idea what it's doing there, but wondered if one of you BusTalkers might know.
Maybe it's there for repairs. I usually see GL buses along SI expwy headed toward NJ. Just a guess.
MCIMAN2000
I read your buspage & I notice that 80 new MCI buses will be ordered instead of 50. I would like to know why 80 buses are on order instead of 50 & how many will Yukon & Castleton depots be receiving with the seriel numbers being assigned.
Finally, what depot on Staten Island will the 3 New Flyer Over-the-Road coaches be going to & the seriel numbers that will be used on these 3 buses.
Please post information on bustalk.
Sincerely,
Michael
Yes, the MCI order was recently beefed up to 80, for what reason I don't know. All I know is that my main source told me that!
The New Flyers will probably go to Yukon, Who knows! The series number has not available yet because the buses are not built yet!
Trevor
Can you say SURPLUS. The TA & NYC-DOT are spending some of the money.
e.g. at this Depot we've gone from 70 to 117 new Orion CNGs.
Mr t__:^)
I've noticed something on the MTA buses after they get the new paintjobs: The numbers and letters start to peel off. Take some of these numbers for example:
Stengel Bus 571, QV bus 3907, QV bus 8396, Manhattanville Bus 8451- The rear numbers are peeling off.
Stengel Bus 184: New Yo k ity us?
QV bus 3971, 8381: No MTA logo on the passenger side.
Pier Bus 8256: No 6 in number.
Stengel Bus 106: No MTA logo on driver side.
Stengel Bus 230, 404: Number has been peeled off and repalced 3 times already in the front.
Some buses at Stengel are peeling the number off the roof. Now a bus like 562, doesn't have a number on the roof.
I know that not all the buses are going to be picture perfect, but I've just been noticing this problem when the new paintjobs have been done. The paintjobs are terrible! Bring back the original black color scheme! Opinions? Post here on BT!
MCIMAN2000
It's ridiculous that there should be peeling like that. We've had past posts on the new all-white paint job, so I won't get into that again other than to say I don't hate it as much as many others here at BusTalk seem to. I am surprised, however, that as the Orions get repainted, the backs are not all-white, the way the repainted Orions at LI Bus are. I guess the TA still does have some black paint around!
RE:Numbers peeling off. This is not the first time it's happened. In the early 80's many of the Flxible and GM new looks were still getting their white paint jobs and soon after the numbers would curl up and many were missing.
The new paint job: Yes, I don't like it at all.
Wayne
Passed the old Command terminal yesterday. Saw buses 351 to 356 in yard plus several other City owned Command 300 buses there. Saw several new Orions CNG's in new Depot on Crescent Street
361and 370 are being stored there too; probably on their way to Varsity. The Command decal has been removed from 351-356. I have pics of these buses and they will be added to my website which should be up in another week or too.
Saw this bus on the Q17 today. 1 of the front doors is white and the other is black. Guess somebody forgot or didn't want to paint the ugly white color to the door.
MCIMAN2000
Probally a replacement door, i still cant figure how how some things get broken...
In commercial vehicles, air brakes are keep off the discs or shoes by
air pressure. But when the driver of NYCTA buses mainly the Orions, releases the brakes, there is a sound of small amounts of air discharging. Why is that?
What you are hearing is actually the brake system being recharged with air.
The parking brakes are spring applied; air in the diaphragm chambers is bled off when the parking brakes are applied. Inorder to release the brakes, the chambers must be refilled with air.
When the 260 new articulated buses arrive late this year & assigned to Gun Hill, Kinsbridge, West Side, Flatbush & 126 St. What bus routes are going to get the ariculated buses. Please post on bustalk.
I would greatly appreciate it & one other thing, my name is spelled MICHAEL, NOT MICHEAL.
Sincerely,
Michael
The idea behind assigning articulated buses to a depot is that ALL buses in that depot would be artics (there's not enough of them to do it right now, but there will be). Therefore, every route in the depot would get articulated buses. Of course, if a route is so lightly used that there's no way to justify use of artics, there's a good chance that the route would be transferred to a non-artic depot.
David
Not all route will get articulated Buses, I found out that Which route will get Articulated buses because my father get information from his Depot.
126st Depot will get 50? Articulated Buses for M15
West Side Depot will get 40 Articulated Buses for M10,M98?, and M102?
Flatbush Depot will get 50? Articulated Buses
Kingbridge Depot will get 50? Articulated Buses for Bx9??, Bx35?, Bx36?
Gun Hill Depot will get maybe 50 Articulated Buses Bx5, Bx40/42
Im not sure this is currect, but i will get more information from my father.
Peace Out
David Justiniano ( Meaney DJ)
Why no articulated buses for Queens?
MCIMAN2000
None for Staten Island, either. Me thinks it may have to do with a lack of depots with artic lifts. Staten Island could definately use artics on the s61, s62, and s53, for starters.
-Hank
Hello All
Thank you for pre-answering for me! To answer the question about the Queens ans SI Artics, Queens will get some of the Option 140 buses in 2000. SI will not get any based on a test that was performed with one and did not work well!!!
Trevor
just curious: WHy did the S.I. Artic test fail. Was it the hills or some other problem or no artic lifts
None of the Drivers on SI Liked them!!!!
Trevor
staten islands last test bus was the neoplan artic in 1993-1994. the reason nyct didnt buy it has more to do with politics than anything else.neoplan is made in boulder colonrado which at that time was busy passing anti gay rights legislation. nyct did not wish to offend nyc gay community and therefore didnt purchase bus. this is the honest truth.
I am curious,,where did you hear or read this
this goes back several years and there was talk around the depot and in the newspapers. as you see they never did buy neoplan buses and nyct is very conscious of its image. a fellow erasmus hall hs graduate named barbra streisand was very vocal at the time about colorados anti gay rights stand.
That is interesting to hear, but actually the main reason that NYCT did not buy the Neoplan is because these buses are notorious for severe rusting problems to the frame and other exterior parts like the window frames, etc. The TA did extensive research on the Neoplans and still tested one any way to see if any improvements had been made, and there were none. The PA DOT has voiced their opinion to any and everybody including Neoplan about the rusting problem which also has to do with the environment which includes rainny Springs and Snowy/Salty Winters which accelerates the rusting process. In the late 80's PaTransit wanted repairs done at the cost of Neoplan to fix this problem as well as the PA DOT if I am not mistaken. These Neoplans were purchased by the PA DOT and distributed to alot of properties within the state and one of the mandates is that the bus have been kept in like new condition for the life of the bus which is 12 years and with this rusting problem PaTransit felt that this part of the bargin could not be met with this problem continujing.
If anyone has more to add to this please do so, I am just recalling this for documents I read in the past on the Net and in Magazines.
PEace
DaShawn
I can not say what "trolleybus" wrote is wrong, But from my sources in the NYCT Dept of Buses said that, "There are no need for Artic on Staten Island at this time. A test was performed and that the driver's of the Yukon and Castleton Depots were not pleased with the performance these types of buses on SI streets!" SI will see New Flyers BUT in the form of a Commuter Coach!
Trevor
This order of Artic will be assigned to Westside and Gun Hill for use on the M42,M79,M86 Bx 40/42,Bx41. the m15 will not be getting this time around becaue they will be testing the bus locator system. Flatbush is not ready yet. The renovation that have to be done have not started, they are due to begin sometime this summer. theynwill recieve the next order for use on the B41,B44,b46 and the B49 at which time the B2 and B31 will be sent to Ulmer Park. Also when 100th Street reopens they will recieve Artics for use on The M101,M102,M103.
This order of Artic will be assigned to Westside and Gun Hill for use on the M42,M79,M86 Bx 40/42,Bx41. the M15 will not be getting this time around becaue they will be testing the bus locator system at 100th St. Flatbush is not ready yet. The renovation that have to be done have not started, they are due to begin sometime this summer. They will recieve the next order for use on the B41,B44,b46 and the B49 at which time the B2 and B31 will be sent to Ulmer Park. Also when 100th Street reopens they will recieve Artics for use on The M101,M102,M103. Eventally 100th Street will get them for use on th M15, and The 57th Street corridor.
I did a little further checking. Not all of the depots that will receive artics will lose all of their standard 40-footers, but some will.
David
P.S.: Gang, please stop addressing messages to particular Bus/SubTalkers. It makes the rest of us feel left out :-)
Thank goodness, it's not just me!
-Hank :)
Why are the new Orion that came in with the black paint trim are now getting repainted to have the MTA all white paint job. If any one please post it on bus talk. Thank you.
I suspect the all-white paint job is on the most recent CNG Orions to arrive. The earlier ones delivered will probably retain the black trim for awhile. Queens Surface and Triboro Coach have the same situation.
4932-4949 have the black paint on them. 4950 and on are all white and look pretty good that way.
nyct has decided to use these buses on express routes as well as local due to their having semi soft seats. about 40 have arrived at castleton and have been seen on express routes.
Same situation is being applied in Jamaica. 5145-5147 are being run on the Express Routes. They need some Suburban coaches from other depots.
MCIMAN2000
At the Staten Island Ferry Bus lanes today- I saw many high seat express Orions and some old 3800 series GMC busses with soft seats- all with open windows and NO Air Conditioning. These busses were being used as local busses! This explains why the new Orions were on the Express routes. At Staten Island- we have the worst maintenance of Air Conditioning from our Depots. I work in Manhattan and parts of the Bronx and Queens- and for the past 2 days have not seen 1 city bus in those boros with open windows. When I get home to Staten Island at the ferry terminal- there are always busses with little or broken Air Conditioners and they are in service! When will Staten Island get more mechanics and the necessary parts to properly maintain our busses. We have new busses that started coming with more to arrive- in a year or so without adequate maintenance- the A/C will begin to break down on these busses as well!
OK...how about this as a proposal:
Since Stengel depot loves to run the express Orions on local routes, why not send all of those high backed seat reclining luxo-buses to SI and have the new 6000 Orions run the sole express route out of Stengel?
that idea seems too smart for nyct to implement. lets not forget buses 101-115 and 168-172 were originally si buses.
I guess it just upsets my sensabilites to see the express buses used for local service, especially when the seats get cut and the windows scratched up.
My wife and kids were planning on making their way home today on the B69 Bus, which only runs every 15 minutes at most. I was out in our car taking pictures of buildings (work related), and swung by where they were supposed to be waiting 15 minutes after they were supposed to have left. The bus had never made it. Fortunately we have a car, and I was able to pick up the wife and kids while other riders waited for the next bus.
The B69 is still one of those phantom routes, like the S57 and S76 here on S.I. The B69 replaced the old Vanderbilt trolley line, and until a few years ago the B69 ran down McDonald Avenue to Cortelyou Road until it swapped that terminal with the B67 which makes more sense.
On the Orions, on the bottom of the pedel for the gas there is what seems to be some sort of block. Its metal and is attached to the bottom of the pedel. I see the same on intercity buses. In fact I see it on all new buses. I'm not talking about the metal stopper block on
the floor. Why is that there? Look next time your on an Orion or any new city or intercity bus.
The box is a electronic control to measure how much pressure is being applied to the accelerator which translates to power to the engine. The box actually has a spring type device which runs on a little wheel which runs on a ramp under the pedal. The first RTS's to get these were the 8000's. Before that RTS's had air type accelators and you can hear the air release when the pedal was let go. Orions came on 3 years after the 8000 series thus they always had the new electronic accelators.
The system is called 'drive-by-wire', where there is no physical connection from the accelerator to the engine. Saves on a lot of moving parts. Some BMWs and Audis use this system.
-Hank
More pictures have come to TransiTALK
http://geocities.com/MotorCity/Garage/7650/NYCTransit.html
and click on "More Pictures Page"
These pictures are some subway, and other NYDOT bus Pictures!!!
Also some more Pictures will be added by 8pm tonight!!!!!
Trevor
Don' Click on More Pictures Page
Scroll Down to
NYC Bus Pictures
NYC DOT Bus Pictures
NYC Subway Pictures
and then click what you want to see!
Trevor
Green Bus Lines to receive 4 new CNG buses to be used on its Rockaway routes Q21,Q22,Q22A,Q35,QM16 and QM 17. Are they going to be kept at Command's new terminal?
You know the number series? Do they have soft seats like the express buses? When will they be on the road, looking forward to seeing them.
MCIMAN2000
The story in the Daily News said only 4 buses and that they will be serving the Rockaways. It did not name model to be purchased.
I'm surprised that Green didn't get NYC-DOT to transfer 4 diesels from another property until they have CNG capability. 4 in their fleet is going to be a pain to operate ... crew & fueling & maint. wise.
Mr t__:^)
What is the location
FDNY
Command is located at:
12755 Flatlands Avenue
Brooklyn NY 11208
You can also visit the Command Bus Web Site
.
I would have to assume that's true as Green has no where, yet, to fill them up ... also Green & Command are friends. Triboro, one of their other friends is too far away. They could come here, but we're a distant relative (they'ld have to pay).
Mr t__:^)
Varsity is also equipped with a natural gas fueling station which Command used to use.
Varsity & Command have seperated ?
I thought Varsity only had the dogs of the Cooper fleet. How many CNGs do they have ?
Mr t__:^)
They have Orions 901 and 902 but im not sure if they use them anymore.
Saw this bus passing in front of my job yesterday morning, it was running as X8..............
What company was the tow truck from?
Actually, those 81 RTS in service on SI are in pretty decent shape. Hey, the A/C even works wonderfully.
-Hank
When the Flatbus bus depot is converted to articulated buses for the B41,B44,B46 & B49 routes, are the B2 & B31 buses going to Ulmer Park depot, if so, will other bus routes from Ulmer Park be going to other Brooklyn depots since the B2 & B31 are planning to be transferred to Ulmer Park, if so, which route will be transferred to another depot.
Also, I heard that Crosstown bus depot might reopen as a bus depot in the future, is this true or not.
Please post information on bustalk.
Sincerely,
Michael
Is it possible that the B-4 will go to Gleason and the B-6 will be split with East New York instead of Flatbush. Also possible the B-1 may go back to Gleason. Can not see any other changes.
That's possible as well as the B35 to ENY.
<>
Send the 35 to ENY and kick the Q24 and 56 to Jamaica. Might not work though with the unions .
If they ever build a new Jamaica Depot the old one is suposed to become a Brooklyn Division depot. For thew Q24,Q54,Q55,Q56,Q58, and
Q5
You mean the Q24,54,55,56,58,59 buses?
The B35 should stay @ Gleason... The B6 should be with Flatbush.
The be 35 be longs in eny because the am peek is in the weastbounfd direction and the pm is eastbound it would save money the sane is true of the B6.
B65 should be out of ENY?
Hey BusTalkers: Check out my page of buses and sign the guestbook while you are there.
www.angelfire.com/ny/kaybeespage/mciman2000page.html
www.angelfire.com/ny/kaybeespage/mciman2000DOTPICS.html
HOWEVER, the page is still under construction. More pics will be added very soon. I've teamed up with Kevin (kaybee316) on the webpage. You can also check out his pics and his Command roster. We share the guestbook. Feel free to drop us a line. Any questions, email me or Kevin. Thanks!
MCIMAN2000/Kevin
What is the deal with all these messages with 'to:' and 'from:' in the subject line? Please, the subject lines are long enough, and none of this stuff is personal communications, so nothing is directed at any one person. Everybody reads all the messages, and it's quite simple to see who said what when, as the system puts all that information on the header line. it's getting annoying having to scroll sideways or down to catch a header that
now app
pears to be
typed like
this!
Is there truly a reason for it, or am I ranting for no good reason?
-Hank
No Hank! You are 1000% right. With this current wave of posts it makes it seem a little werid. There are alot of excellent questions that come up and when it is posted to a particular person you as an individual feel almost like you are violating a secreet club's rules or something. Now I personally like they way Trevor will put the "TO:" when only answering a post by the person who wrote it. But the other posts should be able to be answered by everyone on this site!
Peace
DaShawn
Thank you DaShawn!!!
Trevor
Except, as I said, everyone reads everything, and many are also interested in the answers to the same questions. The 'TO:' is unnecessary, and as was said before, makes it look like there's some kind of exclusive club here, when there isn't. That sort of thing scares newcomers.
-Hank
Can it be eliminated please ,,Steve
I saw this bus on the M23 today. it looks very different from the Nova RTS. Actually i like the appearance of the Nova Low Floor. I will add a few pics of #995 to my website KayBees Page sometime next week after I develop the film.
Was the # really 995 or 999? I look forward to seeing the pictures.
I can't wait Kevin, Would you mind me post a couple of my page too, Of course with your permission and proper credit given!!! Oh isn't it 999?????
Trevor
The Nova low floor is #999, and all the driver who I spoke to that drove it do not like it. They say that it has to big of an over hang over the front and rear wheel well. The bus has over a 10 feet on eather end. The driver keep hitting the rear end on anything the is right on the front of the side walk. So #999 might not go into production unlest the can make the wheel base longer and the over hang smaller.
The Nova Low Floor bus has been in production for many years already. Most of the major cities in Quebec Province have them, especially Montreal, and they can be found in other Canadian cities as well as some in the U.S., e.g., Charlotte, NC, and Memphis, TN. I assume what you meant to say was that NYC may not order any because of the overhang problem.
Then I stand corrected. I did not know that other city have them. I Also went to see the Nova when it was in East New York and it was #999. I log on to the fare box and took a transfers from it. So may be they go a second Nova low floor. I will ask my farther if he can check out Hudson Pier where it was last. He is the midnight crew Dispature there. I try to post the outc come later.
The Nova Low Floor I saw yesterday was definitely #995. My pics will prove it. I was surprised it was #995 and not #999 so maybe the Bus Roster is wrong or they received another bus. I noticed some seats towards the back of the bus faced backwards and the driver opens the back door the same way he opens the front.
Gentlemen
Attention, There IS a second Nova Low Floor, Just today no more that one half our ago, I seen 999 & 995 together. The UTC roster has not been updated yet! SO there goes any question as to if there was a number change or a second one tested!!!!!
Trevor
Just this morning I saw 995 on 9th Avenue and 24th Street. It was "Not in service." Are there more than one of these Nova low-floors or did they change the number? Would like to see more of these.
I found out from officials from NYCT Department of Buses on Staten Island that NYCT will purchase 50 new MCI buses instead of 80. Where did you find out about NYCT receiving 80 new MCI buses.
Sincerely,
Michael
Actually, it's not a purchase contract, it's a lease. That's why only MCI people work on the buses. They can change the terms of the lease, without having to go through the competitive bidding process, which they would have to do if they were purchaseing the buses.
-Hank
I have a question! If Neoplan is not even a consideration, and New Flyer just debuted it's D45S after we put through a contract for the 102DLW3's, How could there be a competitive bid process if there is no one else available to bid on a contract until now? The other question is from who is the TA leasing these buses from? We have not leased buses since the 80's when the PA of NY&NJ purchased a bulk of the Grumman 870's and the GMC RTS's.
Thank's in advance.
Peace
DaShawn
They're leased, as I understand it, from MCI. There are other manufacturers (is Eagle still in business?) but the rules on lease contracts are very different from those on purchases. A lease contract can be modified several times, and the value of the contract can be increased or decreased, depending on the variables specified by the leasee and/or the leasor.
-Hank
Thank You Hank! As of right now Eagle is probably back in business with new owners as I read in an earlier issue of Bus Ride Magazine. Your answer has helpee me to understand the contract process of Purchases and Leases.
Peace
DaShawn
I went to Phili today and I planed to go by Grayhound. On the ticket, the words "Grayhound/Peter Pan". A Peter Pan bus company bus pulled
up and the driver honered my ticket. This happened comming back from
Phili. It was a new 1998 MCI bus. Are the Companies Grayhound and Peter Pan merged? How about Leisure Lines and Coach USA?
My understanding is that Greyhound and Peter Pan are pooling their services on the northeast US routes. They remain separate companies but operate routes such as NYC - Philadelphia on a shared basis, honoring each other's tickets, etc. There is a joint timetable for the services.
Coach USA has been buying up private bus companies left and right the past few years. Leisure Line of Mahwah, NJ, is just one of the companies they've bought up. Others include Suburban, Community Coach, Rockland Coach (Red & Tan), Short Line, Trans Hudson (formerly Drogin) and others. Although the parent company seems to let the individual companies it acquires operate somewhat independently, I'm sure there is some pooling of resources for efficiencies, particularly new bus purchases.
So I wonder if Greyhound will allow Peter Pan to operate on the Eastern Shore again. Peter Pan did briefly when they began expanding, but they quickly had to pull out because that is Carolina Trailways territory, and even though it bears the Trailways name, it is owned by Greyhound.
To me, if they want to recreate the Trailways system again, Carolina should break away from Greyhound and join the new Peter Pan network.
To link the two topics, Laidlaw now owns Greyhound. In the past few days, there have been some rumors that Laidlaw may have been looking at a possible acquisition of Coach USA. Last I heard, some private investors, rather than Laidlaw, may be making a bid for Coach USA.
You'd be surprised how much money can be saved just by eliminating individual payroll departments. The companies that are puchased become 'paper companies', much the way railroads extended their lines by founding new companies to build new track.
-Hank
My understanding is that they created the Greyhound/Peter Pan poolfrom NYC and Washington DC (and point in between). In Washington Peter Pan has moved in with Greyhound. Peter Pan used to pick up in a parking lot across the street from the Greyhound station. Carolina Trailways also use the DC Greyhound station. I've noticed that Greyhound has started using some 102DL3's in the northeast and the MC-9's seem to be slowly disappearing. I know that Greyhound had been using 102DL3's out west somewhere for at least a year (or two).
Once in a while I ride the bus between NYC and Wash. DC. I've riden both Greyhound and Peter Pan before and after the pool. I always try to pick a Greyhound schedule because Peter Pan buses seem to be governed somewhere around 60-65 MPH (I could be wrong), but Greyhound buses (even the MC-9's) exceed 70 MPH. I know this because several times while in my car and I'd pace them.
Wayne
Wayne
Peter Pan buses also seem to have slower accleration then Grayhound. Even the new buses.
I've never noticed if the acceleration was slower, but the top speed was quite obvious. I did ride one Peter Pan 102A3 (with a 6V-92TA engine) from NYC to Wash DC and even though it sounded like it may need some attention it was very fast. It did have a rather slow acceleration, but she (the driver) helped it along by manually holding each gear as long as possible. I enjoyed the ride because she drove fast and because I like to hear an engine rev high - which is probably why I always buy cars with overcam cam, multivavle (high revving) engines.
Wayne
I tend to disagree, I have been a faithful Peter Pan rider and the newer DL3s have a great acceleration and very great top speed, the A3s too, well at least the ones I rode (347 especially) have very good take offs. I find that Greyhound buses do have top speed and acceleration but they are some of the worst drivers on the road. I love speeding in a MCI but not when the driver is not compitenet to handle the bus!
Trevor
I used to ride Peter Pan too - and probably for the reason the a lot of others ride it and that's for the videos. However, after noticing many Greyhound buses passing us and disappearing - I started wishing I was on those 'hounds. Once I have ridden on a Greyhound 102D3 (#1018) and I don't think he ever exceded 60 MPH. Needless to say I was quite frustrated and it felt like old times on Peter Pan or a TA bus in Manhattan. I agree that some Greyhound drivers do seem to be a bit green, but I've never beeen worried about my safety. I guess we all have our favorites, and I'm definitely with Greyhound as I'm confident that it's going to be a good fast ride. I do think Peter Pan's 102DL3's look better.
Wayne
Considering the maximum speed limit in the northeast is 65MPH, why are you so thrilled when the person you've entrusted with your life (and the lives of 50 others) exceeds it in a vehicle that weighs over 5 tons?
-Hank
Its because you acually get to see the myth that "BUSES ARE TOO SLOW" be put down! Sometimes I admit, it scares me, but its all how that operator handles the bus at the rate of speed!
Trevor
15 years ago, a ride on a Greyhound MC-8 on the Conn. Tpk. (plenty of curves) was like a roller coaster ride. Kind of scary, feeling like we will go off the road, but they handles well, and it was fun. I also liked the high speeds on the NJ turnpike in 6 cyl. MC-9's.
Didn't the MCI MC-9 come with 8V92TA motors? 400horsepower?
Are anyone of them running on the grayhound lines?
How can you tell when riding Greyhound if the bus is a 6 or 4 or 8 cylinder model. What about the Eagles (Former Trailways buses) I notice that the doors open differently than other models.
I know the different engines by their sounds. I believe that Greyhound no longer has any buses with 8-cylinder engines. Most of Greyhounds fleet uses the 6V-92TA engine. I imagine that the MC-12's probably have 6V-92TA with DDEC. The latest MC-12's (2900 and up) have some other engine. I don't know what it is, but it's not the Series 60. It sounds like it could be the Cummins C8.3. The 102A3's and the remaining MC-9's (I believe) have 6V-92TA engines. The 102D3's that I've ridden have the Series 60 (6-cylinder). I saw one of Greyhounds' 102DL3's recently and I don't know if it was the Series 60 or a Cummins engine (M11???).
The Eagles (model 10 and later) had 6V-92TA engines also. You can still see them at the Washington DC station.
Wayne
<>
That other engine would be a Detroit Diesel Series 50 (4 cylinder) on the MC12s numbered 2900,3000,3100s
I can tell the difference by the sound. Not necessarily the loudness or acceleration, but I guess you could call it timbre.
In NY where nost of the TA local buses were always 6 cylinder, I associated that sound with local buses, and in the 70's, almost all interstate buses were 8 cylinder. Then, in the 80's I went off to college in Norfolk, Va, which had pretty much the same thing as NY (70's Flxibles, Grummans, and RTS's, but the 35ft model), but these all sounded like over the road coaches, and then I also noticed this on NJT and DOT Flxibles, Grummans, slopeback RTS's, and even some GM fishbowls. Then, around the same time, I began noticing that the Jersey Cruiser MC-9's sounded kind of like TA fishbowls, (from the outside) and then riding Greyhound MC-9's, they sounded almost like RTS's (from the inside). I even asked a driver if they were changing the engines or something, since I had never heard such a thing. A few years later I finally got the answer from a Greyhound driver in California. The older MC-9's from the 6300's to the mid 6600's and from the 8100's to mid 8400's (I had noticed this division from the sounds) were 8 cylinder, and those afterwards, beginning with the 1981 models, were 6 cylinder. (And they made the same progression from 6V71 to 6V92(turbo) as the RTS's in '82).
Now everything is going 4 cylinder. It just isn't the same.
To answer someone else's question, the 8 cylinders on Greyhound are probably all gone. I saw 6514 last year on some private company (it still had the red Trailways scheme, which many MC-9's received after the merger.) The oldest stuff out now are the 8500's, which are the Atlantic City specials, and I saw some 6700's on the Departure screen last year. These are about 16 years old, which seems to be the length f time Geyhound keeps them.
You're right. Intercity buses from the 1960 & 70's used the 8V-71 engine. Later they started using the 6V-92TA. Greyhound of Canada continued using 8-cylinder buses (and manual transmissions).
There were many transit/suburban buses around the NYC area with 8V-71 engines (but of coourse NYCTA had very few). I was especially fond of the GM/Canada fishbowls. NYBS still have there's and they sound and look great.
With the RTS the NYCTA did go back to the 6V-71 engine with the 1983 order (3001-3325).
Wayne
At Greyhound some of their early MC-9's had 8-cylinder engines, but it was the 8V-71. I believe Greyhound has gotten rid of it's MC-9's with the 8-cylinder engines.
Wayne
I just don't like going slow. Yes, the maximum speed limit in the northeast is 65 MPH, but take a ride on I-95 and see just how many vehicles are going faster the 65 MPH. I'm not saying they should be reckless, but if I'm unfortune enough to be in an accident I don't think it's going to matter much if the vehicle was travelling at 65 MPH or 70 MPH.
Wayne
I tend to disagree, I have been a faithful Peter Pan rider and the newer DL3s have a great acceleration and very great top speed, the A3s too, well at least the ones I rode (347 especially) have very good take offs. I find that Greyhound buses do have top speed and acceleration but they are some of the worst drivers on the road. I love speeding in a MCI but not when the driver is not compitent to handle the bus!
Trevor
Oh, and most Peter Pan buses are governed between 65-75, I've had some even do 80 mph.
Trevor
What does the term "kick-down" mean? I read in a handbook that it
involved applying full throttle. Anyone know or can explain?
A friend of mine is thinking of moving to East Flatbush. She'll be working at Woodhull Hospital.
From the map, it looks like the B46 is her best way to and from the Hospital.
Any info that can be provided on this route would be appreciated. How frequently does the 46 run? How long is the ride from East Flatbush to Woodhull? Does the route run 24 hours? Or any other comments.
Thanks in advance for any info that anyone can provide.
The B46 is one of the busiest routes in Brooklyn, linking Williamsburg Bridge Plaza with Kings Plaza primarily via Utica Avenue, Malcolm X Boulevard, and Broadway. The route operates 24 hours a day, with Limited-stop service over much of the operating day seven days a week. When the Limited operates, only Limited trips reach Woodhull Hospital, which is at Flushing Avenue & Broadway. Local trips turn back at Malcolm X Boulevard & DeKalb Avenue.
Service is frequent at all times except midnight hours (about 1 to 4 AM), when it is hourly.
David
I used to live along the B46 until last year. That bus is very frequent during the day. There is now lmited stop service 7 days a week. On the weekends only limied service goes to the Bridge. It is one of the three busiest bus routes in Brooklyn. The ride from E. Flatbush to Woodhull should be 40-45 minutes. When Flatbush gets the Artics the route will be more interesting.....
If anyone needs routing details, let me know,variations included
FLushing Av--Dekalb Avenue
Av H
Av U
Williamsburg Bridge Plaza
Eastern Parkway
I would like to know if you have June 1999 NYCT Agenda, if so, please post information from agenda on bustalk.
I would greatly appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Michael
Dear; Michael,,
Please dont keep asking me for this info every month
I post this info ,,when it comes out ,usually around the 12 to 20 of the month ,,except July and August are the SAME volume ,,
Steve
NYC Fire Department
I would like to know if you happen to have the new NYCT bus electronic desination reading list for May 1999, if so, can you please post on bustalk.
I would greatly appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Michael
Dear Michael
Please note,,,I am not doing this article any longer,,too much hastle to keep updated
LI Bus
Bee Line
NYC DOT
NYC Transit
I am presently ,,,only work ing on NJ Bus operators
Steve
Bus #995 currently resides at Hudson Pier Depot. Of the several hundred bus operators [at Hudson], only a handful have been trained on the Novabus.
On Friday, June 11, from 2:11 pm until 7:16 pm, this bus was operating on the 14th Street Crosstown line. I know this to be true because I drove it. Any questions?
Please test this bus on the Q32.
MCIMAN2000
Safe to say, you'll probably never see 995 on the Q32. You will see me there, starting 6/28.
What run will you have? What days do you work? I take the Q32 often.
MCIMAN2000
Run 109. Monday thru Friday.
Cool! I live on the M14C/D line. Do you know how long it is staying at Hudson? And how do you like it as an operator?
Peace
DaShawn
Usually, test buses reside at depots for a matter of weeks. Most likely, MTA will continue purchasing Orion hybrids and pass on the Novabus. (I haven't driven the Orion. They reside at Manhattanville Depot and are mostly used on the M60.)
Many drivers don't care for the Novabus because they sit so much lower than in the RTS. Many passengers don't care for the Novabus because there are less seats than in the RTS. Also, the placement of the seats is odd. Two seats face the rear of the bus, for example.
Wheelchair access is excellent, due to the ramp that extends from the floor under the front doors. But on the other hand, wheelchairs should board in reverse and must back up a slight incline to get to their riding area. The seats that fold up are located in the front of the bus and it is usually the elderly and handicapped that must surrender them for the wheelchair. They're not too thrilled about that, let me tell you!
On the plus side, the wide front doors make for easy entry and exit and the rear doors are state of the art in that you, the passenger, wave your hand in front of them to open. They also open in, not out, making things easier for the operator as no one can "hold the doors open," thus delaying the bus.
As for the driving experience, it's great. The bus drives like a car, offering easy handling and smooth acceleration.
I'm hoping to get my hands on this bus as much as possible for the next two weeks I'm driving the M14.
Thanks Alan! Hope to see on the M14. Can't wait to ride 995!
Thanks for your comments on #995; I enjoyed reading them. Is #999 still also at Hudson? Are there any differences between 995 and 999?
is this former bus 999? if so why did nyct change number?
sorry for the previous post as i found answer at bus talk. is this bus a hybrid electric low floor or a regular diesel like 999.
#995 has a diesel engine.
I have never seen #999. It is unlikely that there are two Novabuses in the system at one time. The TA only renumbers buses when they go through complete rebuilds.
Someone did say in another place on this board that they have seen 995 and 999 together. Could they have been imagining this?
It was me that seen 999 and 995 together, 999 and 995 are suppose to have two different engines, and press time, 999 is now back at NovaBUS! Word has it that 999 is being repainted and sent to WMATA Metrobus for a test down there!!!!!
Trevor
Does anybody here have the 1999 issue of the Insider's guide for Buses?
MCIMAN2000
I got a text-only draft of the 1999 Insider's Guide a couple of weeks ago and submitted my comments. The final version, with pictures, should be out soon.
David
[Does anybody here have the 1999 issue of the Insider's guide for Buses?]
I also spoke to someone in Bus Operations,,thru my job ,,,it is due out shortly ,,presently at the printers
Steve
FDNY
well done!
Answers are:
1)Three loops make this possible:
Piccadilly Line Heathrow loop turning westbound trains to Eastbound
Northern Line Kennington Loop turning southbound trains to Northbound
(only access from Charing Cross Branch- and not in passenger service)
Central Line Hainault Loop turning west or eastbound to east/westbound.
.
2) Two stations
Edgware Road has a Circle line and seperate Bakerloo Line station
Hammersmith has a District/piccadilly Line and seperate Hammersmith
& City Line station
3)
At Euston station Victoria Line Northhbound and Nothern Line Northbound depart from cross platforms in opposite directions
(also southbound trains do the same!)
.
Thanks for taking part!
Naturally i hope you did better than my attempts to answer NYC quiz!!
:^)
Rob
On the new MCI DLs' there is a warning light on the telltail light labeled "Tag Locked". Anyone know what this means? By the way why do they call warning lights telltail lights?
"Tag Locked" means the automatic steering on the rearmost axle is locked. In normal operation, it will steer to follow the front axle and the drive axle.
Telltale lamps -- they are doing just that. They "tell a tale" so to speak, that there is a situation to report. On some makes of buses (notable the older Flxibles) the driver manuals referred to them as "bug lamps". (The maintenance shop where I work still calls them that on RTS's, but prior to the RTS's, all they had were Flxibles.)
It sdhould be mentioned, because I don't see it as obvious, that the rear-most axle (on most buses) is called the tag axle. It's usually unpowered. Eagle puts the tag axle AHEAD of the drive axle.
-Hank
I read that Eagle decided on this arragement (tag axle ahead of drive axle) to get more under floor storage space. Of course this definitely would increase the turning radius.
For those who don't know the position of the tag/drive axle is probably the easiest way to tell an 01 Eagle from an early 05 model.
Wayne
The wheelbase and overall length of the bus determine the turning radius. If the tag axle was steered (the drive axle on the Eagle) it has the effect of being able to shorten the radius of the turn, because the rear can more closely follow the front. Switching the positions of the axles (but keeping the wheelbase the same) will not affect the turning radius. The only purpose to a non-steering tag axle is weight distribution.
-Hank
Whatever happened tot he 1999 version of the NY Mega Bus Calendars put out by TSI out in Merrick, Long Island?
The 1998 issue came out in April, 1998.
I ordered the 1999 issue from TSI in 11/98, and still haven't received it. (Yes, my check was cashed....)
I have written TSI, on four occasions. On three occasions, I didn't even get the courtesy of a reply. On the fourth occasion, TSI (Joe Saitta, proprietor) replied that i should send my name and address and he will send back the appropriate reply. I guess the appropriate reply is NOTHING as I haven't heard a thing.
I'm beginning to think this Joe Saitta guy at TSI is really a flake. Obviously, he doesn't want my business. I think giving him SEVEN months to either send a calendar or refund is time enough before I file a complaint with postal authories, anyone agree?
Steve, he may be just busy, but this behavior of not responding has been seen before. TSI is an acronym for Traction Slides International. I dealt with Joe about 15 years ago-bought a front destination sign from a Staten Island "old look" bus. No problems there. I did request follow-up mailings, but never got a thing. I mean, how many collectors of signs are there out there?
Recently, I put my name up in a newsgroup looking to add to my collection. Joe responded saying he was going to be auctioning some signs and he would let me know. Last I heard.
I do not think Joe is a bad guy, but follow-up skills are definitely lacking.
I finally got to meet Joe - he had his former LI Bus #699 at the Transit Museum's Bus Festival '99 a few weeks back. He reiterated what he previously told me - putting out the Mega Calendar, especially dealing with the printer, had become such a hassle that he decided not to do it for 1999. He might re-think things for 2000. I have had problems in the past getting responses from him. I assume he has no intent to wrongfully keep your money, so keep after him until you get it back.
I believe a friend of his regulary visits this site, maybe he'll twist his arm for you. As Sid said I don't think the delay is do to malice.
Mr t__:^)
This past week I saw this bus running out of service down Woodhaven Bl.It was an MCI(same as 701-704)Was this one of Commands or Triboros old coaches
According to MCIMan2000's post of May 31, this bus was Triboro Coach #768.
Steve, Taking a beak from your subway duties ? That stand on Woodhaven Blvd. is a good place for bus watching & the hot dogs aren't too bad either !
Mr t__:^)
I was looking at BusFact by Trevor Logan and I was suprised looking at Breda Low Floor have two Exits. The Breda Low Floor look great. The Breda Low Floor have One in the right back and middle. Are the MTA going to have Two Exit or one Exit?? I bet you that Breda Low Floor going to be on Manhattan but don't know which Depot. Any Way I really like that bus and look cool to me. One day i will drive that Breda Low Floor in the future.
Peace Out
David Justiniano "Meaney DJ"
P.S. Hometown AOL are having troblem with Hometown AOL webpage but they are upgradeing a new webpage and i don't know how long. I am making a webpage both Buses and Subways.
JUst look on the MTA website. There is time chanes on these buses:
Bx3
M9
M60
Schedules changes are at the end of the month.....
Just looked on the MTA website. There is time changes on
these buses:
Bx3
M9
M60
Schedules changes are at the end of the month.....
Check out my Nova Low Floor Page . If I happen to see this bus again (or #999) I will let you all know and I will try to get more pics. As for now enjoy!
nice work ,,Kevin
I saw #995 again today with MCIMAN2000 on the M23 on run #10. We rode on this bus today. One interesting thing I noticed is that to open the rear door you have to wave your hand in front of the door (instead of touching the yellow tape). The ride was nice but I think the bus is too small and wont be able to hold as many people as the regular buses do. I have not been on the Orion or New Flyer low floors so I cant compare this bus to them.
That's the thing with LF buses. Fewer seats, and less floorspace. The only advantage to them is the ability to quickly load disabled passengers, and the low step-in height. The Orion is a complete LF bus. The New Flyer has a platform at the rear that is normal height, and provides additional seating capacity. Someone posted a while back that people don't like Hybrid buses for the above reasons, when the truth is, they don't like the LOW FLOOR buses. A rider would only be able to tell the difference between a regular-floor hybrid and a standard diesel by the noise level.
-Hank
What they should do is put seats on top of the wheel banks. People with short legs might not be able to reach them, but some people could hop up on them. In fact, that would be easier for me to sit down on and get up from.
The Nova low floor has raised seats in the back; similiar to an express Orion and Nova RTS along with the raised floor(which means you have to walk up two steps in the rear of the bus). The Nova low floor only looses the seats in the front of the bus. There are two seats behind the driver that are also higher than the rest of the seats in the bus. The Nova low floor has a very awkward seating layout.
According to the NovaBuses website and illustrated pictures of the interior, this bus has a complete low-floor and there are no steps toward the rear like the New Flyer series of low floor buses. If this LFS from NovaBus has steps, it makes me wonder if this is the 2nd generation that was shown in Toronto not too long ago?
Peace
DaShawn
Im just saying what i observed. Believe me when i tell you it is not a complete low floor. Ask MCIMAN 2000. BTW it was not on the M23 today.
Thank you, I believe you! I was just saying that in the literature that I have read in the past and what their web site indicates is that this bus is a complete low-floor bus. As I stated earlier this is probably a second generation LFS that does not follow the same specifications as the original LFS from NovaBus. 995 is probably on the M14 again like it was yesterday when I saw it. By the way those were excellent pictures and I look foward to more of them.
Peace
DaShawn
There are little platforms around those seats in the rear. It's not an entire raised floor, but you do have a step up toio each individual pair of seats. (This was 999 I saw. I assume 995 is the same, but if it is not a hybrid as I hear, it won't have the booth in the rear right.
Not true. The design of the LFS requres the engine be mounted on the left hand side similar to the Orion VI therefore you have that comparment to the rear on the left, the engine compartment. There is a cool article about the LFS and New RTS's for NJ Transit in the May 1999 issue of Bus World. I just got it in the mail today and it states how the engine is either a Detoit Diesel Series 40 or a Cummins C8.3/ ISC and it is coupled to a Allison World Transmission, probably the B-400 5 speed Automatic.
Peace
DaShawn
The engine on Low-Floor #995 sounds like it is a CUMMINS C8.3. Can anyone verify?
It is supposed to be a Detroit Diesel Series 40 which is similar in design and to compete with the Cummins C 8.3/ISC. The series 40 is an inline 6 cylinder electronically controlled diesel engine with catalytic converter to reduce emissions. It's designed to be lighter and more fuel efficent than some of the older model engines, but almost as powerful. The series 40 a new comer to the TA and who knows if that will show up in future orders, we will see.
Peace
DaShawn
The engine in 995 is a 7.2L Detroit Diesel Series 40E Engine powered at 275 Hp and coupled to a Allison World B300R 4-Speed Automatic Transmission.
Trevor
This Nova Low Floor look great and hope to make more Nova Low Floor in the Future. Great Job Kevin. Any way im going to be a city bus driver soon.
Peace Out
David Justiniano "Meaney DJ"
Looks more like a Prevost bus than a Nova, but sure as heck, that's an LFS. Ugly mother, that bus. That overhang at the rear looks nasty, but, it's got a rear window! :)
-Hank
nova bus is now owned by prevost car whose parent company is volvo.
Am I the only one who thinks the Nova Low-Floor and the LRV's for the Hudson-Bergen LRT are among the ugliest transit vehicles in existance?
Please tell me the R-142 and R-143's aren't going to look like this!!!!!!!
I think all low floor buses look sort of strange, but I do agree the the Nova is not good looking at all. Newer=Uglier does seem to be the case with transit buses. I think the GMC new looks (or fishbowl) and the Grumman 870/Flxible Metro are the best looking transit buses ever. With intercity buses particularly MCI - I think newer was better looking. Just look at buses like the MC-6. The MC-7 was a great workhorse of a bus, but it wasn't that good looking. MC-5 of course being the MC-7's near identical little brother. With Eagles I thing the later 05 model was the best looking Eagle. At Prevost I think the current H series (H3-40/41/45 H5-60) are better looking than older Prevost models. MCI's Rennaisance looks alot like an H3-45, but I don't think it looks as good. I'm still trying to get into those Dina buses. I've never liked Neoplan buses (both transit and intercity).
Wayne
In some cases I'd have to agree...I like most of the Neoplans though, but I think the Low Floor New Flyers look better than the high floor ones, NovaBUS can send the RTS-WFD and Super Suburbans straight to hell, same thing with any Orion. The new NJT LRV's aren't as bad as some of the low-floor LRV's I've seen, and for being a Kinki-Sharyo product, definitely not as bad as Boston's Type 7. As far as the 870/Metro as well as RTS, the early versions looked better than the newer versions with the exposed window frames.
Big D
I would have to agree with some of your comments as well. I Like the New Flyer series both High Floor and Low Floor. I would like to see the WFD-RTS's here in NYC for the simple reason that it saves time when it comes to moving people. With this option you retain the 6 seats in the front for the seniors while having 2 positions in the front for the wheelchairs. It is a similar layout to the New Flyer Galaxy D60 Artics we have. To me it just make alot of sense and when I mention it to TA bus operators the first thing they say is why has the TA not ordered them, because that would make my job easier and the operators did not know that there is a WFD-RTS. That is probably why the TA has not ordered them, It makes the operators job easier!
Just a Thought
Peace
DaShawn
I agree, we do need to order some Nova RTS-06 WFDs!!!
Plus they are a kinda cute bus
Trevor
I agree!
Peace
DaShawn
I would love to see Flxible Metros built again. That was the best looking bus in the past 20 years. All the rest are RTS (yawn) or styleless boxes. I only saw 995 for one brief pass, but I thought it was better looking live than in pictures. Most New Flyers I have seen outside of NYC have doors with single top to bottom windows. (I think the Vancouver New Flyers have these door both in front and center positions.) I've seen some Gilligs also with these door. Too bad NYC's flyers don't have these more elegant doors. The first RTS buses I saw with front door wheel chair lifts were in Chicago several years ago. At first I wasn't sure why they looked different. They also have rear windows, which seem to be making a comeback in the Orion and Nova low floor designs. But my all-time favorite bus design was the Mack C-49.
Someone said that MCI bought out the Metro design. I don't know how true it is. (If it s true , you'd think that transit systems that favored Flxibles, such as NJT, WMATA, and Baltimore MTA, to go start getting them.)
The Flxible Metro is my favorite bus also. MCI did buy the design to the Flxible Metro, and also carries the spare parts for the ones already on the road. The problem is that if MCI decides to start building the Flxible Metro they could be sued by systems that have had them on order at time of closure and other law suits that were pending to GAC (General Automotive Corporation)the parent company of Flxible at their time of demise. Please correct me if I'm wrong on this part, just trying to remeber the info from past posts. This was posted in the past here on BT and some other info sites as well. I still try to keep hope alive, and pray that the Flxible Metro should be reintroduced. There was a rumor that it was supposed to be reintroduced in 2000, but I doubt it.
Peace
DaShawn
I hope your information is right and we'll see more new flxible metros in the years to come.
Check out the GL, CTC and QS rosters. They have been updated.
MCIAMN2000
I think CTA wanted the rear windows on their RTS-08's. Santa Monica Municipal Bus Lines also likes rear windows. Some of their Classics have rear windows and Sutrak (roof mounted) air conditioning. SMMBL are also very much anti RTS.
Wayne
Some buses have tag axles and others don't. What are the use of tag
axles. Some 40 footers don't have tags. Are they needed to help spread the weight and to meet weight requirments in some states? I also know that on many buses the tag can be lifted off the ground for tight turning and increase traction.
I don't know of any buses that have retractable tag axles (many trucks do) but they are indeed for spreading the weight around. Many states and municipalities limit the 'axle weight', that is, the percentage of the weight of the vehicle on the axles (simply put, a 90,000lbs, 2 axle vehicle woiuld have 45,000lbs on each axle; the same vehicle with 3 axles would have 30,000lbs per axle; but it's more complicated than that) is limited to a certain percentage of the vehicles total weight. Most bus tag axles are single wheel (as opposed to dual wheel) and are generally not powered (on most trucks, they are powered)
The new MCI DL3s that NYCT is using have a steerable tag axle, which reduces the turning radius somewhat. Lifting the tag axle off the ground (if done on buses, again, never heard of it) would actually REDUCE traction, and would have no effect on the turning radius.
-Hank
Most all the older MCI buses (MC's up to the MC-9) DO have a
manually retractable tag axle. There are two air valves inside
the compartment behind the tag axle on the right side of the bus; one must use what is called a "run-up block" to push the tag axle up and then it can be chained in the up position for whatever purpose is deemed necessary (flat tire, etc.) If the "run-up block" isn't available, a driver can back that tag axle onto a curb to get it into the "UP" position to be chained in place.
However, chaining up the tag axle on these MCI's DOES make the bus ride differently, and you lose about 20% of the braking when the tag axle is chained up.
I am not sure if the newer MCI buses have this feature, but I'm gonna guess that they do.
On GMC PD-4903 and PD-4905 (Buffalos) the tag axle was an option that you could add depending on what states you were running in and if they weighed buses. If it was installed it was hidden in the rear baggage door area and was fully retractable by fliping a switch on the left hand drivers pannel. The bus was designed to run without it. It was mounted in front of the drive axle so it had not effect on turning radius and the bus handled better with it lifted.
The MCI is designed to run with the tag down for ride and braking. It is behind the drive axle so it gets a lot of flats since the drive axle kicks up junk into it. The bus can be run with the tag retracted as state earier.
For 40 foot transit buses like RTSs or Orions, there is an exemtion in the interstate highway act so that it they can be operated I-highways. The rear axle is over weight with the single rear axle.
I want to know how you guys loading your pictures into your webpage?? Well Im making my own webpage like your webpage but i don't know how to put the picture into webpage. Any way just post this message and tell me how.
Thank You
David Justiniano "Meaney DJ"
P.S Your webpage is great and also i like the nova low floor, I wish i have that picture.
Take a look here. If you still have any questions email me.
http://www.angelfire.com/doc/basics.html
I Have a question for you kevin. How do you put the picture into webpage?? I try my but didn't work and i look up basics, but don't know how you do it. Just post in bustalk and i will be online untill 11pm tonight
Peace Out
David Justiniano (Meaney DJ)
AC Transit in Oakland, California is planning on raising the normal local fare to $1.35. Are there any other bus systems in the country with fares that high? It currently costs $1.25, which is the highest fare in the Bay Area.
LA Nate, Is that a retorical question ? Just in case you are serious, NYC is 1.50 ... Express buses to Manhattan are $3.00, used to be $4.00. Sorry, nickle & time fares are long gone ... only the token has retained the dime SIZE.
Mr t__:^)
Yes, I was being serious.
By the way, nickle & dime fares aren't long gone. The small bus system in Brentwood, CA (Brentwood Dimes-A-Ride) only costs 20 cents!
Also, what do you mean by "LA Nate"?
There are a couple transit agencys in Washington that are totally free. Mason Transit is one, not large though about 4 30ft buses and some vans.
[Also, what do you mean by "LA Nate"?]
Sorry about that, you're up the coast a bit :-(
How about Golden Gate Nate ?
I forgot to mention this in my earlier post. On the dash there is a
LED gauge with a dial on it. Is this used to adjust the HVAC temperture?
Also, on the left side of the dash, there is a water tempeture gauge next to that there is another gauge. I is temputure but it has some sort of icon on it. Like that of a small circle. Axle lub temperture?
The oil gauge on the bus I was on went up to 400PSI. Is that me or
is that strange?
Oil guage cant go that high. I would take cover if the oil pressure was up to 400. maybe you meant 40? The other guage with a small circle and three arows pointing to the circle is the air pressure gauge. Aboove 100 PSI is ideal and when it hits 110-130 the governor cuts out (the hissing you hear occasioanlly).
I work at Ulmer Park as a bus operator and tonight I was moving buses around the depot. During the time I was working I saw a body shop worker taking off the plates anf the sticker off of one bus that was being scrapped. I went over to him to see witch bus it was and knowest that the bus has a brand new A/C unit. I told him that the T.A. wasted so much money to fix the A/C unit just ot scrapped the bus a few week later. He told me that there might be other buses being scrapped that was just fix.
Many systems seem to do stupid things like this. In Pittsburgh they have parts for each series of bus that they have. Even if the part is identical in every detail, the part can't be used on a bus it was not intended for. When the buses are retired, the old parts are tossed and numerous times the thousands of dollars worth of parts they were throwing out were desperately needed for buses they currently had in service.
This policy goes for everything including universal items such as light bulbs and filters. If an Orion needs an oil filter for a 6V-92TA engine and the garage is out of them, they can't use an oil filter inventoried for a Neoplan with a 6V-92TA engine even though they are exactly the same identical thing. They'll let the bus sit until the "properly inventoried part" arrives from the manufacturer.
Tax dollars at work.
RDChilds
That is how the TA does business. On the subway side, when graffiti became a thing of the past about 10 years ago, they painted subway cars red which for years were defaced, only to be scrapped one week after repainting. The TA had some great looking scrap!
Yes but Bill the GE R-27s you are talking about were literal pieces of junk that couldn't stay on the road ANY longer. When they transfered them from East New York to Pitkin they used R-42 horses because the TA probably knew they would die on the road. A real good example are some of the Green R-10s that were scrapped in 1989. The handful that still had motor generators were quickly converted to static convertors. The majority of the NYAB compressors were scrapped as well. Some had just rebuilt trucks where a good traction motor can go over $20,000 new. I remember seeing 2958 parked at the Second Avenue Yard of the NY Cross Harbor RR looking just as it did after it's overhaul in 1983 or 1984. Four traction motors, brand new convertors and compressors is far more than a paint job but you are right, as the MTA stands for "Money Thrown Away".
in staten island it usually means more trouble ahead.
I heard on the radio this morning that the new signals at bus stops are being installed. 7 bus routes are involved. What routes are they?
M15 is one.I believe 126st depot buses are being modified to handle the new technology.
What new signals? Signals that will favor the bus?
Signals that tell you the amount of minutes the bus will take to reach te bus stop.........
Beginning in September, NYCT will begin Sunday service on the x1 and x10 routes. Schedules and headways are not yet available.
-Hank
We've run such service for a while, don't expect hordes of customers, it is a real money looser, but Rudy pays us to provide it, so we do.
Mr t__:^)
I think the story will be different for Staten Island, because the only other mass-transit options are a slow boat ride and a slow bus-to-subway ride. You have many more options in the other boros. And Liberty Lines runs pretty well-packed on Sundays.
-Hank
I'd guess hourly headways on the x1 with service from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm from SI. I don't see a ridership like the Saturday buses which are fairly packed. Probably even less Sunday x10 service. This whole Sunday x-bus service sounds like an experiment, if the buses are empty then goodbye Sunday expresses.
I thank people for responding to my post on "MCI Gauges".
The gauge couldn't be a air pressure gauge since Im pretty sure that the air pressure gauge has a red and a green needle and is located on the top half of the dash.
I want to ask if anyone knows the complete layout of the MCI102DL3
dashboard. What gauges there are and what they do.
This morning, I was shocked to see bus 3011 (CNG Orion) on the Q53. Hey Triboro: what are you thinking? If you do that, the buses will be all marked up. No wonder why your buses are in poor shape.
MCIMAN2000
The Q53 is a semi express route. Limited stops, with a higher than regular fare, yet lower than express fare. I understand your point tho, I wouldn't want to see a bunch of rowdy teens on that model bus during the heat of the summer on that route!
And to think, I thought I was seeing things, or perhaps the destination signs were keyed in wrong. Sure enough, once I saw the people on board, I knew it was true...another case of the soft seat local bus.
At this depot a lot of our new Orian soft-seat coaches ply the local routes ... those MCIs just won't die. I heard today that we're spending money on them to extend their life a bit longer still. Good bye RTSs ....
Mr t__:^)
The MCI's are good buses. Why the NYCDOT in the late 80's did not purchase all the MCI's with the lifts still beats the shit out of me. They could put in overhead racks and individual reading lights, but not essential equipment like a wheelchair lift which they knew would eventually cause trouble. Now the MCI's lifespan is severly limited as a result except for the wheelchair equipped ones on Liberty Lines and New York Bus Service.
Why does Queens Surface put those new Orions in local service anyway??? The seats WILL be cut up and the windows scratched. That is happening already on the Green Lines Orions. Why doesn't Queens Surface just keep those Orions in express service??? I still see RTS's in express service every so often.
[Why does Queens Surface put those new Orions in local service anyway??? The seats WILL be cut up and the windows scratched. That is happening already on the Green Lines Orions.
Why doesn't Queens Surface just keep those Orions in express service??? I still see RTS's in express service every so often.]
My Transportation source replys ... If you've seen an Orion CNG on a local route it was an exception rather then the rule. Sometimes in the AM when we're trying "to make service" we run out of RTSs, so if we need one more coach a soft-seat Orion may be assigned.
As far as Express service ... as the last of the 70 new Soft-seat Orions arrive they are replacing GMC/TMC-RTS there. BTW, 55 MCI + 70 Orion = 125 ... that means you'll still be seeing a few RTS in Express service. They'll be basically drawn from the same group each day ... can anyone tell me their numbers ? Correct guess gets a 50 cent tour of a local bus depot ;-) Hint: The numbers are NOT in sequence.
Mr t__:^)
335-336, 338-340, 342-343, 345-362, 364, 366-389 RTS Express.
MCIMAN2000
Technically you could see any RTS from 24 thru 389 on Express duty. My friend Sal says your list is a little larger in scope then the "normal pool" that they draw from. So, maybe someone else has the winning answer ?
Mr t__:^)
Thurston, is your friend Sal a driver for the Q102? Just curious.
MCIMAN2000
No, he's an inside TWU man. He gives out the bus#s, and does it with a smile most times :-)
OK...I'm going to hedge on this one, as most of my bus experience is with riding e-buses along Queens Boulevard:
I say circa 1994 RTS's in the 353-380 range.
That's a very close guess.
Hint: We need about 130 coaches to "make service" in the AM, a little less in the PM.
Why: That's a question ... many folks ride one-way with us ?
Mr t__:^)
I've always speculated that the reason for heavier AM than PM service related to school kids who rode public transit. They generally use the service during the AM rush, but return from school prior to the beginning of the PM rush. Thus, the round trip numbers are the same, but the PM trips are more spread out, leaving the PM rush with fewer passengers than the AM rush.
There are a couple of reasons you've hit on one of them,
- Some folks take the train home: Drink coffee & read the times going in, but stand & stare comming home.
- PM rush hour is longer then AM, so those working late find space on a existing later bus.
- Manhattan may devour a few ;-)
Mr t__:^)
Interestingly, the pattern of higher am express ridership among Queens operators is reversed among the Bronx express operators. Liberty and NYBS carry heavier in the pm than in the am. I speculate that is because the chance of getting a subway seat or MetroNorth seat is less in the PM. Also, the trip home is less time-sensitive than the commute in so the choice of comfort over time goes to the express bus(buses are more likely to be delayed by traffic conditions than subways or commuter trains!).
By the way, at Queens Surface our local am peak buses is higher than our local pm peak buses.
Wed Jun 16 14:16:34 1999
The MCI's are good buses. Why the NYCDOT in the late 80's did not purchase all the MCI's with the lifts still beats the shit
out of me. They could put in overhead racks and individual reading lights, but not essential equipment like a wheelchair lift
which they knew would eventually cause trouble. Now the MCI's lifespan is severly limited as a result except for the wheelchair
equipped ones on Liberty Lines and New York Bus Service.
Why does Queens Surface put those new Orions in local service anyway??? The seats WILL be cut up and the windows
scratched. That is happening already on the Green Lines Orions. Why doesn't Queens Surface just keep those Orions in
express service??? I still see RTS's in express service every so often.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Queens Surface also unfortunately puts the Orions with the blue soft seats (The Washington Rejects) into local service as well. Those buses don't belong in local service and eventually have their seats slashed up.
According to a message I received, New-Flyer 1110, the first of the 260 (without option) new articulateds, was renumbered today at KB depot to 5250.
I saw 5250 last night (Friday) about 12:00AM on the Bx55. What routes will these 260 extra buses run on?
Saw it Friday around 10AM on the Bx1 along 231st. No external differences from the previous 100 or so.
-Hank
I took a bike ride up to the ENY complex. I was looking for 999. No luck. I spoke to a bus driver and he said that it might be still at Hudson Pier. It was @ ENY for a while and it will probably go to other depots. He also said that the TA are looking to purchase more of these buses..............
This was Trevor's post of yesterday regarding bus 999:
It was me that seen 999 and 995 together, 999 and 995 are suppose to have two different engines, and press time, 999 is now back at NovaBUS! Word has it that 999 is being repainted and sent to WMATA Metrobus for a test down there!!!!!
Trevor
Does anyone knoe where they tow intercity buses if they break down?
How does the driver call for help? CB? I noticed that most of those tow trucks are private.
Are grayhound buses equipped with two-way radios? I don't see them nor dis ever hear the driver talk on them.
Having driven intercity/charter/tour buses, usually what happens if a breakdown occurs is that the driver will have to call their home garage for advice/assistance.
In some cases,t here is cooperation between companies in different areas, and the buses get towed to a nearby company. Sometimes they get towed to Greyhound, as Greyhound will provide services (and send the bills) to private operators who need service.
Greyhound hasn't had radios/telephones in their buses until just recently, when some buses in certain areas were equipped with cllular phones for driver/dispatch use only. It used to be if a Greyhound broke down, the driver had to seek out a phone and call their dispatcher for assistance (mechanic, tow truck, another bus, etc.)
Does anyone know the inner workings of NYCTA transmission retarters?
How they work? How come it doesn't suffer any mechanical wear?
The retarders, also known as a 'Jake Brake', use the compression of the engine to slow the vehicle. There are very few moving parts, and everything that is moving is already moving. Basically, it works by cutting the flow of the exhaust from the engine, which makes the engine work harder to push out its exhaust, which in turn creates mechanical energy counter to the normal operation of the engine.
-Hank
The jake brake is an exhaust retarter but are used mostly on trucks and are quite loud. I think the newer city buses are using a hydralic retarter in the back of the transmision. I know the ZF has them as does the allison world trans. I am not sure how they work internaly but the brake pedal acutates them the top part of the pedal regulates the retarter and the air brakes come on a bit later and work with the retarter.
I have ridden NYCT buses, Long Island buses, and Red and Tan buses in Rockland County, NY. I have never been on a bus that is equipped with a retarder, much less seen one. If anyone else knows where a retarder equipped bus is located, write in.
All NYCT buses delivered since 1996 have been equipped with retarders.
-Hank
1. When I was in town last week, I noticed(especially downtown and across the Verrazano Bridge) that tour buses are used for express routes, apparently to Staten Island. Why that instead of regular buses?
2. Do other cities use those sharp-looking '99 NovaBuses I saw on Trevor Logan's site? What are their specs?
3. And, what's the deal with the Breda bus?
Hello Steven
To answer you questions:
1) Those "Tour" buses that you see running on the Verrazano Bridge to/from SI are other "wanna be" (that's what I call them) express
buses (i.e., Academy, Coach USA (Red-Tan), Atlantic Express, etc.)
to/from Manhattan to SI and some even to New Jersey. I feel that they should leave the SI express service to MTA-NYC Bus.
2)Yes, plenty of USA cities use the NovaBUS RTS (i.e. DART, NJ
Transit, Toronto Transit, CTTransit, etc.) and plenty of Canadian
and some US cities are now using th NovaBUS LFS.
3)That's something of a mystery to me, I guess the TA want to try
something new, so why not go Italian and go with a Breda bus,
Seattle uses them!
Hope I have answered you questions,
Trevor
I think one of the factors related to the Breda buses is that Breda has agreed to set up an assembly plant somewhere in New York State - I forget where, but think it is in the Albany area. Also, I believe the initial deliveries will not occur until the year 2001, so it'll be quite awhile before you see them.
Hey Sid
Check it, I just talked to my source in the TA about a hour ago and them comfirmed it'll be late 2001 when the Bredas are delivered
Trevor
Trevor is right, partially. If you see a 'tour' bus (MCI 102DL-3) in MTA colors, these buses were purchased recently for use on Staten Island x-bus routes. They seat 57 and have no standing room, as opposed to the RTS or Orion, which seat approximately 40 in a 'coach' configuration. The biggest complaint about x-bus service has always been lack of seats, and these buses help to solve that problem.
-Hank
I ride the X17/19 almost everyday. There are always people standing on these buses. MCI Classics have standing room so what makes the TAs MCIs different?
They're 102DL3s, NOT classics. They're intercity buses, and all there is an access aisle, and no handholds.
-Hank
I know the TA buses are not Classics. However I have rode on both types of buses and the interior is similiar. I dont see how the Classics can have standees and the MCI 102DL3s cant. The classics have a bar behind the seat that the 102Dl3s does not have. Thats about the only major difference.
The weight of the bus classifies it as an 'intercity' bus, and is therefore subject to the vagaries of the STB and FED DOT. As it has been explained to me, standing on these buses is illegal, and the feds will do the penalizing to the operator. There is only a minimal handhold, there are no bars, straps, hangers, or otherwise for which a standee may hold. Basically, you're standing at your own risk.
-Hank
if you have 1998 nyct insiders guide look on p23 i believe where nyct states under mci no standees please.
If it is indeed the case that the TA's MCIs are not supposed to have standees then there is a whole bunch of drivers breaking the rules.
as usual nyct says one thing and does another. they have told us not to flag stops even when loaded and let passengers decide if they want to board. many riders have told me its only a matter of time before there is an accident with serious injuries because the bus was not meant for standees.
I need help with routing details,is there anyone out there who works for PART
Thank you
Steve
To check the lastest info on the NYC Bus Fleet
go to
http://geocities.com/MotorCity/Garage/7650/NYCTransit.html
then click on "MTA-New York City Bus" Under to Roster Section!
Enjoy
Trevor
Why did NovaBus stop producing the Classic and Classic TDS (T-Drive Series)? I have read in the past the TDS version was not well liked due to the fact that the Classic was originally designed for V-Drive.
Thanks in Advace
Peace
DaShawn
The LFS replaced to Classic TDS
Trevor
I rode this bus today on the Q46. I noticed under the stop requested sign the number PA3258 under the sign. However, there was also another number faded out on the inside of the bus. That faded number was 1664. Anybody here knows about this?
MCIMAN2000
Maybe that cover came from 1664.
As of tonight, The Triboro Coach Bus Roster will be updated. I went over to the Triboro Coach yard today and saw G2067 wrapped up. Front frame was pushed in- accident. 3003 under driver side was wrapped up. Saw 772 sitting in yard. This bus was 1 of the MCI's that were stored at Command Yard at 1 time. Also saw 2143 under the driver's seat all wires were showing. No farebox. Took a lot of pics there. Also saw CNG Orion 3058 going into service on the Q53. This will be the only local route (supposedly) that will have the CNG Orions. 664 still has no FB. Will go back to the yard again soon.
MCIMAN2000
Along Queens Blvd today and I saw CNG Orion 518 in service along QM1. Wish I could get a pic of that bus but saw it too late. Also saw 326 in shrink-wrap. This roster will also be updated.
MCIMAN2000
Orion CNG 517, 518, 519 & 520 have arrived.
Mr t__:^)
In the NY Post Thursday June 17, page 22, is a article that bus stop signs are being knocked down a peg - 10 inches to be exact.
The DOT will install 6,300 signs in Brooklyn and Staten Island that will be nearly a foot shorter, said DOT spokesmam Mark Patterson.
After the good folks of BusTalk reads the article, your most excellent thoughts are most welcome.
Charlie Muller of Bedford Park Blvd.
The too-tall signs were installed during the administration of the previous DOT commissioner, who was an eccentric to say the least. They are riddled with mistakes (particularly here on S.I.). The idea behind them was good, but the actual design and implementation poor.
Got another trivia question for you bus watchers. Queens Surface #330 has an interesting wrap. Can anyone tell me what is interesting about it ? Hint: You'll need to look at both sides of the bus. Who do you think paid for it ? No prize for this one, just your name in lights !!!!
Mr t__:^)
Just like bus 326 NY Met and NY Yankee colors. Battle of NY?!
MCIMAN2000
This student has been doing his homework ! If you catch either one of these buses the wording may bring a smile to your lips. I won't spoil it for you by telling exactly what they say.
Mr t__:^)
I was over by Triboro Coach yard on Tuesday and I saw an MCI Classic getting shrink-wrapped with the same ad as QS buses 326 and 330. All they do is peel the ad off so that the bus is in its regular scheme. The ad goes right over the sides and back of the bus. Triboro had a hard time putting this ad on the bus as I saw. 783 is sitting in the back of the yard with Wendy aded on it. Same ad that was on QS bus 202 when it was there. Now 202 is in storage.
MCIMAN2000
The adv. has to be made for the specific type of bus. TCI likes to work inside, the wind can grab the wrap. Mid-day we usually give them one of the wash house lanes.
Mr t__:^)
As stated previously, I will be making the utmost effort to pull out #995 to use on the M14 line every weekday until June 26. (On June 28, I will be on the Q32 and management prefers not to employ #995 on that line.
Best/Alan
I take it that you really like driving 995. Why would management not want it to run on the Q32. Are they afraid of letting it get too far from the depot? I've been watching for it on the M11 -- another long route -- but haven't seen it there. Is it operating only on the relatively short crosstown routes and, if so, why?
'scuse my ignorance, but what is it about 'ol #995?
I can remember back in the 1960s, I was told that the bat wings were not to be used on the Q 14 & Q15 because the many trees on the route would destroy the signs...
Saw 995 today on the M23 again(same driver). I will have a pic of the rear interior sometime tomorrow night.
Today I road on #995 on the M23 Run #10. The bus rides very smoth. The driver told me that #995 is a Hybride. By the way it sound it is defatley was. #999 is now back a Novabus. He also say the he has been pulling it out for the last week and that he keep it to during his swing because the other driver dose not like it and pull out another bus. So I guest that the TA might start to buy in to the Hybride technology. #995 has a ramp in the back of the us leading up to the rear seets.
995 is not a Hybrid, its a diesel, powered by a Detroit Diesel Series 40 (that's right, not a Series 50). The only Hybrids are TMC RTS-06 #8397, Orion VI #6350-6354, and they are at Manhattanville ONLY!!!!
Trevor
Trevor knows whereof he speaks. 995 is a diesel. There are no depots in Manhattan prepared to store natural gas hybrids. Electric hybrids are another story, but so far, only Manhattanville Depot has them.
More acurately, there no no depots in Manhattan that can FUEL a bus that uses CNG. A dlesel/electric Hybrid can go anywhare, do anything. I just hope that complaints about the Orion Hybrids are sorted right. I don't want to see the TA decide not to go with the technology because they don't think the bus has enough seats; this is a problem of a low floor design, not a hybrid.
-Hank
Listen,
For those of you who have not rode this bus yet. This is NOT a hybrid. I rode Run #10 on the M23 with bus, observing the operator telling everyone that gets on that "This bus is the Hybird!" This is miss-information and should not be taken as correct! Should you ride this bus and the operator tells you its a Hybrid. Correct him as I did (even though he still told people it was the hybird!). 995 is a pure-to-heart diesel.
Specs.
Length 40'
Width 102"
Height 123"
Engine - Detroit Diesel Series 40E DDEC IV, 275 Horsepower
Transmission - Allison World B300R, 5-Speed Automatic
HVAC - Carrier Transicold APEX GR-60
Seats - American Seating Metrolite 68
Trasmatic L20 Lighting System (interior)
LED exterior Lights
ALTRO-VINYL Transit Floor
Multiplex Wiring
Hope this info helps everyone understand the LFS a little better!
Trevor
Thanks for the update. I haven't been to the city in over a year, so this information is welcome.
Driving Miss 995 is a different experience than the RTS, and, for the most part, quite pleasurable. It drives and handles like a forty foot Sedan DeVille, although it rides like a Grumman (remember those?). The front doors are almost doubly wide compared to the RTS and permit people to enter and exit simultaneously (which is even more frequent because so many seem to unable to operate the center doors). The wheelchair access is simple and easier than the RTS, although it is usually the elderly and handicapped that must surrender their seats. The climate control system is superior in that it has high/low settings whereas the RTS is on/off. The view is better for the operator in 995, except, thanks to parts bin technology, part of the right side mirror is obscured. Also, the lower driving position takes away alot of the view down the road, which is considered an essential need by many instructors and operators. Oh yes, one more thing. Driving it makes me happy.
995 has been making trips mostly on crosstowns because it is normally sent where service is needed. There are two runs at Hudson Pier that go "as assigned." The two operators have been "qualified" to operate 995 so one of them normally gets it. (I try to "grab" it every day and so far have been pretty lucky.) Although it has made several trips on the M11, the M14 and the M23 are the most heavily used. It will probably not be on the Q32 because of the limited number of "qualified" operators.
Service NOtices
Q20 A
Q20 B
Q44
I think Orion buses is better than New Flyer & RTS because they run smooth, the engine sound very good, more room inside, big windows, Wheelchair lit in the front, and seating is very comfortable. Any way i think Orion buses is the best and MTA should buy more Orion.
Peace Out
David Justiniano "Meaney"
I say neither!
The MCI is the best!!!!!!
But if I had to choose, I'd say it would be between the 5000 series RTS and the New Flyers
Trevor
Well I Argee with you Trevor but I only took Orion bus twice #6020 & 6049 on Bx19. I alway take New Flyer Articulated Bus on Bx12 everday and i feel little confortable with that bus. Any way i have to get use that bus and soon im going to be a city bus driver. I could start late this year or next year.
Peace Out
David Justiniano "Meaney"
David, I agree with you a litte bit. I like the new 6000 series Orion V's the best out of all the Orion's we have. They are much faster and are more smoother than the older 94's and 96's which had the Detoit Diesel Series 50 with DDEC (Detoit Diesel Electronic Control) series 3. The 6000 series and 49, and 5000 series RTS's have the newer Series 50 with DDEC series 4 which adds a smoother run and less emmissions and not to forget faster acceleration than their series 3 counterparts. The New Flyer D60's also have the newer Series 50's also and are quite fast to be so big! The only other thing is that none of our buses except for the New Flyer Galaxy D60's have a front door wheelchair lift. The Orions have them in the rear, but if requested can be equipped in the front door.
Peace
DaShawn
Most OBI V's have front door lifts. im surprised NYC has the lift in the back door, any plans to change that in future orders?
I wish and hope! The standard NYCTA protocol is to order the lifts in the back door like the RTS's, the only ones that are exceptions to the rule are the D60's, which I think is beacuse of their length, and this is probably why the TA has not ordered the D40 high floor model because of the rear door requirement.
Peace
DaShawn
You tell me which Orion's have a wheelchir left in the front besides the Hybrid's (which 5361 broke down on 3rd Avenue and 86 Street yesterday right in front of the NYBS Morris Park stop.) All of Orion's buses have wheelchair lefts in the back. The new flyer artics have them in the front.
I assume you meant #6351 (not 5361). Although the TA orders its Orions with wheelchair lifts in the rear, I suspect most other Orion V customers have the wheelchair lifts in front. With the RTS buses the TA orders, the wheelchair lifts have to be in the rear. A different type of RTS bus (the Chicago type) is needed in order to place the wheelchair lift up front.
I think the Orions are much better than the RTS buses. When the MTA scrapped their fleet of Grumman Flxibles, the RTS buses came. I have rode on NYCT RTS buses starting with the ones numbering from 1201 to 2599. The 1200s had that awful 71 engine; oddly enough 2287 had a 92 engine. The Orions with their five speed automatics sound better and they accelerate faster. The real joy are the CNG Orions running in Nassau County on Long Island. They're not as fast as the diesels, but they have a six speed automatic. Plus, the roof exhaust is loud and sweet. I am so sick of riding GM buses, now I ride mostly Gilligs with some four speed automatic/6v92 engined Flxibles.
Is the 1200 series buses the ones with the 150 horsepower engines?
The ones slower then a turtle?
Saw Nova RTS 4952 on the B12 today and it was in bad shape. All banged up and the rear door was white! Yuck! Dont tell me ENY is making the new buses ugly already... Isnt there a maintenance facillty at ENY? If so, why do there buses look like crap? They should tak some tips from Flatbush depot. They usually keep there equipment in good order....
In Flatbush depot,you rarely see buses on the road with the scratched windows,no matter how old it is.
I see a lot of Manhattan buses thay haven't been scratched up. Some of QV'S 4900s are marked up pretty bad. (4938 and 4941 are bad)
I hate seeing this, it really annoys me. They can't leave a new bus alone. 4921 doesn't have 1 mark on it and I hope it stays that way.
Triboro Coach have the most marked up buses. I was on 2807 on Tuesday on the Q33 and that bus is marked up all over, the inside and outside. What a mess. And now they're running 3000 Orion CNG'S on the Q53. I don't agree with this. With the beach season coming up, you have a lot of punk kids that are going to slash the seats and mark up the windows. And yet I have the opportunity to ride a 3000 bus like I did yesterday when I rode 3006. Runs pretty good.
A Question: Are QS, CTC and GL getting hard-seated CNG'S?
MCIMAN2000
Are the engines on the new 6000's orions the same as the engines on the other orions? If they are howcome they sound different? They seem to have much more power. The new 6000s orion engines sound like the one on the new Nova RTS.
The new RTS's and New Orions as well as the New Flyer Galaxy D60 Artics have the newer version of the Detroit Diesel Series 50 with verison 4 electronic controls. The older buses have the version 3 electronic controls. The other thing is that the newer series 50 engines as well as the series 60 used in the MCI 102DLW3's now have WasteGated Turbochargers which are said to be more efficent and help to reduce emissions even grater when coupled with a catalytic converter. With all this you get a smoother running cleaner burning diesel powerplant.
Peace
DaShawn
Really? Then how come i saw a 4900 series bus out of ENY spewing black smoke into the sky when it sped off?
On some intercity buses like the MCI, I see the light "Do Not Shift" on the dash. What does this light mean? It's red. Does it have something to do with the new electric transmissions? Does it tell the driver they are going to fast to shift gears?
I liked the old buses, the driver usually shift into reverse going much faster then walking speed.
Does anybody know if Long Island Bus is replacing all the original DD 6v92TA engines on the GILLIG fleet with CUMMINS C8.3 engines?
Recently, I heard three LI Bus GILLIG's, one still had a 6v92TA engine while the other two sounded like they had a CUMMINS C8.3 engine. I am woundering if LI BUS is retrofitting all GILLIG's with the C8.3 engine.
Also, just curious, did Long Island Bus retrofit some ex NYCT RTS's with new or used engines? When I rode various RTS's in LI Bus service, I noticed they seem to have more power, sound different and move faster than they did in NYCT service. Was the 6V71 engine on the RTS's replaced with ex GRUMMAN 8V71 engine? They sure feel and sound like they have been.
THE SOURCE.......
Perhaps they are using the Detroit Series 50 engine?
The agency where I work (southern California) had some 1988 Gilligs, and in that bunch of 67 buses there were 52 with Cummins L-10 engines, and the other 15 had 6V92's. The 6V92's are still in those 15 buses, but the first 22 gave C8.3's (with ZF 5 speed transmissions) and then 28 of the other 30 got Cummins M-11's. Two buses got Detroit Series 50 for some strange reason. The C8.3's are genuine pieces of crap; every time the temperature outside hits 85 degrees (and it does, a LOT in the summer...), you can count on taking a break somewhere waiting for the service truck.
We also have 69 1989 Gilligs, all came with L-10's, and all now have Series 50's.
A source at LI BUS told me the original 6V92TA engines on the GILLIG fleet is being replaced with CATERPILLAR engines, not CUMMINS C8.3.
At this time, I do not the model of this CATERPILLAR engine. Stay tuned......
I know for a fact that some Long Island Gilligs are being re-engined at an H.O. Penn facility in Holtsville, but I don't know what engine is being installed. H.O. Penn repairs construction equipment; mostly ones built by Caterpillar. Suffolk Transit Gilligs continue on with their original 6v92 engines coupled to a five speed automatic; newer ones in the 9700 series use the Detroit Series 50 or 60 coupled to a six speed Allison World transmission.
Does anyone know about the wimpy RTS with the 150 horsepower engine?
Are they still in service? If so where do they operate out from?
Those are 6V71s? Which idiot decided to put only 150 horses in a bus?
AFAIK, the 6V-71's were rated at 185 HP, which still isn't much better. GMC put them in the RTS II at least in the 01 and 03 series. And I'm pretty sure the early NYCTA and NJT 870's had them as well as SEPTA's RTS' until their overhaul, then they put in 6V92's.
Peace,
Big D
My cousin who is neither a Bus nor Subway buff sent me this ... It seems to resemble a story or two I've heard our drivers talking about.
[A young punk got on a cross-town bus. He had spiked, multicolored hair. His clothes were a tattered mix of leather rags. His legs were bare and he was without shoes. His entire face and body were riddled with pierced jewelry and his earrings were big, bright feathers.
He sat down in the only vacant seat, directly across from an old man
who stared at him for the next ten miles. The punk grew self-conscious
and barked at the old man: "What are you looking at, you old fart? Didn't you ever do anything wild when you were young?"
Without missing a beat, the old man replied: "Yeah, back when I was young and in the Navy. I got really drunk in Singapore and had sex with a parrot. I thought that maybe you were my son."]
The story was interesting! A little trivia question - which cross-town bus has a route that runs for 10 miles?
There's a guy we know from Bean Town that has taken that bus. It goes by my former office on 120th Street, then passes the Apollo theater before going to another borough. Did I guess right ?
Mr t__:^)
I'm not sure that's quite 10 miles. On the other hand, the time it takes to make the full trip would make it seem much longer than 10 miles. It is not the speediest trip the TA has.
Yesterday on the Q46 I saw bus 8370 ew ork ity us? The number seemed to be ok. This problem is getting worse.
MCIMAN2000
Or how about this one from the Grumman days (admittedly my youth):
YELL APE FOR NEXT STOP
They don't always peel off by themselves. Things like the above are not random enough to have occured on their own, someone either did not apply the letters, or they were peeled off by someone.
-Hank
G'Day
Topic of discussion included
Proposed Subway Schedule Changes for the
IRT #1, #2,,#3 ,,#6
Summer Service Changes to the
M6
M9
M11
M15
M22
M50/27
M60
M79
m86
M96
M101/2/3
M104
Bx1/2
Vx3
Bx5
Bx11
Bx12 Bx13
Bx14
Bx15
Bx29
Bx31
B1
B2
B8
B12
B15
B17
B20
B31
41
B44
B63
B78
B82
B83
Q15
Q27
Q32
Q43
Q44/20
Q46
Q55
Q58
Q83
Q85
Q88
Q40/90
W53
S59
S6191
S6292
S6667
S74
S76
S78
S79
X10
OVernite Irt 2 and Irt 6 Service Freq Improvements
Extennsion of 101 LTD Servcie
B7 extension and Span of Service
and the 6 Month Evaluation of the Q13 Q16 28 route modifications and Traffic direction changes in Flushing
These,,for most part ,,were covered in the May agenda
Steve
What do you mean by m101 limited increase? Span or lenth of limited route portion, IE Above 125th street alomg Amsterdam Ave. How much longer will the #3 train operate and will the sapnn be increased on weekends also.
I remember in the past post from the May agenda meeting that the M101 Limited would be extended length wise to go all the way to 193rd street making limited stops in West Harlem/Manhattanville, Hamilton Heights, Wahsington Heights area. The M101 Limited has not had that kind of service in years. I was young when it used to run limited to 161st & Amsterdam and then run local from there.
Peace
DaShawn
Details
Limited
Northbound between 72o AM to 620 PM
Southbound between 615 AM to 5
20 PM
Extend Limited servces along the Amsterdam Av to the Northern Terminuus at 193 Street
The SPan and Freq will remain the same
Every 10 mins Peak
Every 12 mins Midday
To be implemented Fall of 1999
Details
Limited
Northbound between 72o AM to 620 PM
Southbound between 615 AM to 520 PM
Extend Limited servces along the Amsterdam Av to
the Northern Terminuus at 193 Street
The SPan and Freq will remain the same
Every 10 mins Peak
Every 12 mins Midday
To be implemented Fall of 1999
ALternative discussed to extend LTD Service to 161
street only
STEVE
FDNY 43
This Afternoon, I was im my way home on Bx12 and when im ready to get off at Pelham Parkway. I saw a Road Support Vehicle towing GMC-RTS with no Number on the bus. Look like Road Support pick up GMC-RTS Bus at Zerega Av Storage Yard. They heading west to Manhattan and look like they heading to 207st Yard Base Shop to repair. Im not sure they going to Rebuilt more GMC-RTS Buses in the future?? Any one know they (MTA) going to rebuilt more GMC-RTS Buses??
Peace Out
David Justiniano "Meaney"
More pics have been added to my DOT site. Check them out.
www.angelfire.com/ny/kaybeespage/MCIMAN2000DOTPICS.html
The new pics are on the 2nd page. Enjoy!
MCIMAN2000
Can someone give me the location on the web of an up to date NYCTS bus roster. There used to be one but haven't been able to locate it in a very long time.
The Urban Transit Club's roster can be found at:
http://hometown.aol.com/glenn6398/nycbusroster.html
On Thursday, June 17, I rode Queens Surface #204 (ex Bridgeport) on the Q101. As the bus started its trip at 2 AV & 59St, a wheelchair passenger had to get on the bus, the bus driver tried to start the wheelchair lift, but it crapped out. Then as 204 left the terminal the bus died, the bus driver restarted and off we went. As the bus turned for the Queensboro Bribge it decieded to leak A/C water all over the passengers in the rear of the bus. I was one of those passengers that got drenched with water. Proceeding to the Queensboro Plaza stop, the bus shuts down again. The bus driver restarts the bus a pulls it into the bus stop, as "customers" loaded, two passengers wanted to exit from the rear door. But guess what, the rear door stopped working. Mind you, it was working at 2AV and 59 Street. Among other things that happened, the bus shuts off again two more times and it was making funny transmission noises. I was getting so annoyed, I got off the bus and walked home from 30Av and Steinway Street.
Let me tell you folks, I really like these 1979 RTS's, but if this is going to happen, I advise Queens Surface to rebuild them extensively or scrap them.
I've been told that Queens Surface is expecting new hard-seat (i.e., transit) CNG Orion's in the near future. I assume that once these arrive, many of the older QS RTS's will disappear.
Buses 193-194, 196, 199-200, 202-203 have been stored at Command Yard in Brooklyn. I think all of the GMC RTS buses at QS (24-54, 193-258, 270-274) for the exception of a few will leave QS yard once the CNG hard seated Orions arrive. From what sources tell me these buses will stay at QS: 244-248, 250-258 and 270-274. The others will be stored probably at Command Yard. Any corrections, please let me know. Thanks!
MCIMAN2000
Add buses 43 and 46-54 to the saved list.
Saved buses: 43, 46-54, 244-258, 270-274
MCIMAN2000
Zach, First let me say that I'm sorry for your bad trip. These RTS from '79 have about 200,000 miles on them. Orion's delivery schedule has also slowed down for various reasons. This has required that we've needed to keep our oldest RTS in service a little longer, but to my knowledge we are NOT defering maint., like the LIRR is doing.
You may be intersted to know that we've retired about 50 of these old GMCs since the beginning of the year. Now you may be scratching you head because we've received almost 70 new coaches. The difference is extra buses in service, some of them grantly well used.
Disclaimer: I work for the firm, but am not an "official" spokesman for them ... just some who cares about the service we provide. More specifically I'm a subway buff who happens to work for a bus company.
If you or anyone else out there wants to "EXPRESS YOURSELF" to us please feel free to call (718-445-3100) or e-mail at info@qsbus.com.
Mr t__:^)
on 6/18/99 yukon depot for about the third time this week could not make service on am pullout. 16 buses failed inspection and runs went out late leaving riders on express routes late for work or standing packed on mci buses violating nyct own rules.
I think "bus shortage" is the wrong term to use. With all the new buses NYC Bus has had delivered in the last 12-18 months, there's no way there can be a bus shortage in NYC. It sounds like sub-par maintenance or something like that. I remember some earlier posts about lack of maintenance at Yukon depot.
STATEN Island busses have been in the worst shape of any busses in the City when it comes to maintenance. Unfortunately, we, the commuters do not know who is to blame for this problem. Some blame the union- others blame the MTA. We do know that we have some old delapidated depots that need rebuilding immediately. Since we have additional busses, we also need more maintenance staff to maintain them. One problem that can confirmed by the NYC bus roster is that we have more "out of Service" busses at our depots than any other depots in the rest of the city. We alsohave more HOT BUSSES with inoperative Air Conditioning than any other depots. Something must be done to help us since all of the new 6000 series of Orion busses will be in bad shape in a year or so if they don't receive proper maintenance, and some already have air conditioning problems- blowing hot air!
I would be curious to know what happens to the depot manager when his garage doesn't "make service". At this "private" depot Rudy has a financial punishment to motoivate us. As you might expect we make service most of the time ... & that's a good thing for our customers.
P.S. What do they do to a driver who's late ? Our's report on-time with a smile.
Mr t__:^)
well he has no say at nyct. the depot manager if anything would get a promotion and as for us if we pull out late they pay us for extra service time and a half. the ones to suffer are the riders.
Today I was traveling through downtown Manhattan. I saw two old RTS being towed westbound on canel street. On if the buses is 2326.
The tow truck had the caption "RTS Hillside, NY". on the side.
Where are these buses going? Are they going to be scraped? Is RTS a private company?
Look like GMC-RTS #2326 came from South Brooklyn Yard. I think they heading to 207st Yard Shop to rebuilt?
Yesterday I was driving upstate on 17w (exit 16 on NYS Thruway). I was near monticello about 100 miles from the City. Heading southbound towards NYC were 3 Orions (two CNG) they were all pure white but one had a small MTA logo on the front. Where were they coming from?
Orion's factory is in Oriskany, NY, which is just outside of Utica (between Utica and Rome). I would have guessed that they would drive the buses from there via the NY Thruway east and then south. Looking at a map, I guess it's conceivable they could take Route 12 southwest to Binghamton, where they would then switch to Route 17 southeast to Exit 16 of the Thruway. Seems out of the way, but would avoid some tolls.
As vehicles belonging to a state-sponsored agency ('Official' Plates) there would be no tolls on NY-State operated highways.
-Hank
I was at 61 Street and Roosevelt Avenue checking out if there were any 3000 buses running. All that I saw were 2800s. Guess they'll only run 3000 on Q53 on weekdays. Thang goodness,otherwise those buses will be a mess if they were running either at night or on the weekends.
MCIMAN2000
i have been told by drivers that the orions will not run on the Q53 cause they are to run olny on express lines tha go to the city only.
But I was on 3006 on Thursday and I saw 3001 and 3012 also on the Q53.
MCIMAN2000
I saw bus Orion bus # 3015 operating today, Monday 6/21/99 on the Q53.
Oh well...hopefully these buses will not get destroyed that soon because it's only a matter of time now.
I was on bus 549 on the Q32 today and boy was that bus marked up. The whole rear of the bus, you can't see out of any of the windows, all that you see are letters that some stupid kids have engraved on it. 211 is another mess, not graffiti wise but paintwise. The sides are peeling off, the back # is in BX style and the black paint is peeling off. There's more peeling paint than straight black paint. And the bus smokes pretty bad too. 216 is another bus in shot shape paintwise. It looks very dirty and the white paint is peeling off. And 211 and 216 are going to Amsterdam in this shape?! You know, I really hope that Stengel starts taking better care of their buses, I don't want to see the 6100s turn out like the buses that I've mentioned above. 211 and 216 look like they're ready for scrap in the shape that they're in.
MCIMAN2000
I would like to know what the logos for all the depots are, it would be nice if there are pictures. What I have so far:
SI:
Castleton: A small castle
Yukon: An isometric Y with a moose's head
Bk:
East New York: ENY one above the other
Jackie Gleason: Honeymooners logo in color
Manh:
Manhattanville: Skyline
126(?) Street: Roman numeral of street number
Hudson Pier: Something with water, I forget exactly
Ulmer Park of Brooklyn has Four hands holding each other forare. Each hand stands for something different like opators, management and so on. It meen how each groop of worker, works togeather to keep the depot working.
Flatbush have the front end of a RTS bus. Fresh Pond have a duck swimming on top of water in a pond.(My personal favorite.....) Both in Brooklyn.
I believe Jamaica have the J and A in white with a red background. Queens.....
Since the Flatbush sticker is an RTs, will they change it to a New Flyer Articulated when they consolidate the depots?
Good question? Ill ask my friend who works there......
Probably not. Stengel still has an RTS on the baseball diamond even though theyve been exclusively Orion for the last three years or so.
I guess depots only get new logos if they rebuild the depot or dedicate the building to someone. Didnt Gun Hill get a new sticker recently? I remember it being something like the Yukon sticker. Now its something i cant even make out.
BTW i think the westside sticker is plain and the corniest sticker of them all.
Westside depot sticker I hear is only going to be tempary. The Depot was going to have a contest to have someone make a new depot logo.
Hmmmmmmmmm that strange, i never heard West Side Depot going to change new depot logo. I will ask my father because he work at West Side Depot and i will find out.
Peace Out
David Justiniano "Meaney"
Anybody have GIFs or JPGs of the depot logos??
I've noticed that Huson depot has a new logo. It has a pink edge and the logo is navy blue where as the old depot is light blue and says Pier
That is the old logo, it was nice and then they changed it back to the current one. Any reason why? Will the one with the pink make a come back?
Peace
DaShawn
That's the old logo. Many busdrivers didn't like it because they thought the pink border was effeminate.
Jamaica does in deed have a red circle with the letters JA in white, with the J and the A sharing a common stroke.
Queens Village has a light blue circle with the letters QV in yellow, though no where near as imaginative as the Jamaica design.
Not necessarily a depot, but Queens Surface Corp. has been adding their 'logo' to the new CNG Orions, MCI's that look like they've been attended to and a few RTS's. Their logo is the World's Fair Unisphere in black on a white background with an orange outer circle with the words Queens Surface Corp. and Pride of the Fleet.
[At QS ... MCI's that look like they've been attended to]
MCI #937 & 949 are in the garage right now all torn apart for a major re-hab. incl. a complete paint job. Reminds me of my Pan Am days when the 747s came in for a new interior. I was always impressed that they got it all back togather again, though I did get a little mad at the parts they would ask for at the last minute, e.g. p/n for the whole bathroom when all they needed was a faucet handle.
Mr t__:^)
Since QS is all in one garage, our "logo" is still a Quality badge which has the Unisphere in the middle. Of the "privates" only Green Bus uses two depots.
Mr t__:^)
Hello Busfan, I want you to check my new webpage and more pictures to come. Check out my webpage
Beautiful job,"Meaney"!!! I'm looking forward to more of your "goodies". And good luck on your future employment;maybe you'll be driving in my "backyard"(Bx26,28 or 30).
Today i just add my webpage and check out the pictures of Old 100st Depot. I will add more pictures soon.
Peace Out
David Justiniano "Meaney"
Hey Justin
I just add a link to you site from mines, would you do the same?
http://geocities.com/MotorCity/Garage/7650/NYCTransit.html
Trevor
Hey Trevor Add http://www.angelfire.com/ny2/nyctmtabus/index.html because i just made a homepage today and Thank You for adding my lick into your site.
Peace Out
David Justiniano "Meaney"
I added 2 more pics of 995; one is the rear interior. Notice there are no seats on the driver side of the bus in the back. Also notice this bus has a back window. Check it out. http://www.angelfire.com/ny/kaybeespage/Nova995page.html
ENJOY!
Thanks for supplying more pictures of this bus.
I would like to know if you are planning to add NYCT bus electronic desination readings to your webpage. This has been very difficult for me & all busbuffs trying to get this from NYCT. If you are planning to add this to your webpage, when will it be on your webpage. Please post information on bustalk.
Sincerely,
Michael
I've been working with a programmer freind of mine to see about 'simulating' a luminator sign for a web page. Basically, there would be the list of codes pre-programmed, and you would choose the route, it would show all possible sign readings.
It's not as easy as it had seemed.
-Hank
When the 260 new articulated buses arrive in late 1999, which depots will they be assigned to, how many will each depot receive with their seriel numbers & what routes will they be assigned to.
Thanks,
Jeremy
as far as i have heard on the articulated,some will be sent to Flatbush depot in brooklyn and a few to Westside and 126th Street depot in manhattan. i do not know what numbers they will be.
The Forman at West Side told me that they and 126th stret are getting the old buses from the Bronx. The bronx are going to get the new ones. He told me that New Flyer won't give them the three year warranty, so they have to send them the manhatten. They were testing one at West Side the bus # was 1052 no thursday 6/17 they were traning the shifter to put on the pits and lifts. They are also going there to get be repainted for there three year overhale.
please explain what you mean by three year warrenty. if they cant send them to manhattan or brooklyn what will they do with 260 buses. is this another blunder on their part?
The new artics #5250-5509 will go to Kingsbridge, Gun Hill, 126th Street and Westside, The old one will funnel down to the manhattan depots. #5250 is already at kingsbridge on its pilot run!
Thanks you other provided info also!
Trevor
I do not know execaly what the forman from West Side ment by this. I just posted what he said to me. Maybe it ment that New Fkyer won't fix certing parts if they stay in the Bronx.
And I heard that FLAT will NOT get any. The TA has no credibility there in light of the in ground oil spill which was covered up for years. A politician doesn't want them because he feels the large size is unsafe and he worries that service will actually be cut due to larger capacity buses.
Can anybody confirm this? I was thinking about the same thing too. If there are larger buses then won't service will be cut?
This is why the first order of New Flyers did not go to 126th Street like the Budget said they would have. The deal is that when you put an articulated bus on a route it is literally 2 buses in 1 so you have to reduce the number of buses on a route. An RTS hold about 80 people full load and a New Flyer Galaxy D60 hold 145 people full load. Because of these facts politicians and the riding public alike in these areas along the M15 route have voice their opinons loud and clear that we would love to have these buses, but do not cut the service. So to avoid lots of problems the Bronx Depots of Kingsbridge were equipped first to provide these buses on the Bx55 which needed them badly! followed by the Grand Concourse route which also needed them badly. Then when the Bx12 gained some incredible ridership the first batch of New Flyers from Kingsbridge were transferred over to Gun Hill. The Bx5 also has heavy ridership due to it feeding the IRT 6 line and running to Orchard Beach in the summers like the Bx12. If this is the case by the time the new 5000 series D60's are delivered the M15 may not get them again because of oposition from the community and politicans. We shall see!
Peace
DaShawn
If anyone has the e-mail address for Trans-Hudson Express & Island Express for Staten Island. Please post e-mail address on bustalk.
Sincerely,
Michael
What are your favorite engines on both transit buses and intercity buses? I personally like the Cummings M11 and the old 6V92TAs.
Yep the 92s are old but I like the high engine rev sound when the driver hits the gas. They are much better over the 6V-71 which took forever to reach speed. Are the 6V71s still in use? If so where?
There's a bunch of 3000's-3300's running around in the city. (The Williamsburg Br. shuttle uses mostly these). There's even an old 1300 listed as still in service in Staten Island.
I ride 9601 every week and I hate that bus! There is an exhaust leak that is very loud under full throttle. It has been like this for months. The hissing, coupled with a cooling fan that runs constantly (these buses have fan clutches) makes the bus very loud during normal acceleration. When will this problem be fixed? Also, this bus has a very annoying 2-3 upshift, like a gear crunch. 9630 had the same problem, however, she had her transmission replaced. The new transmission shifts at a higher rpm than the old one, meaning that she really takes off from a stoplight. Sister 9653, an old friend from my days in Medford, also had her Allison replaced, but this was because of an overheating problem. She performs as well as 9630.
My apologies Eric B. My response is not revelant to your subject. I posted it in the wrong place. However, my favorite engine is the old 6v92 Detroit Diesel that was standard in the majority of NYCT RTS bus fleet. The 71 engine was the worst, but, if properly calibrated, wasn't so bad. NYCT RTS-II 1550 had the 71 engine and believe it or not, it was no slouch. NYCT 2499 however, was as slow as a snail.
I also liked the 6V-92TA. I think it was one of the best sounding engines. It sounds really good when it's near the red line. My all time favorite was the 8V-71 in both transit and intercity buses. One of my least favorite was the Cummins L-10. The L-10 didn't sound good and it vibrates like crazy. I like these new engines for their power, but even though I've gotten used to them - I don't think they sound good at all. I also like hearing the turbo whine. The 6V-71 sounded OK, but the lack of power made me turn on it. The 6V-71 seemed to be OK in the fishbowls. NJ Transit (or TNJ) had many fishbowls with 6V-71 (although they had manual transmissions) and they were anything but slow. I recently paced a WMATA fishbowl (yes, some are still running) at 52 MPH on Maryland state route 50. Although CNG burns cleaner I think they sound worse than any diesel.
Wayne
My personal favorite for sound is a real oldie. The inline 6-71 (Old Looks) and following close, the 6V-71 (New Looks).
For power, the 8V-71.
Being in a hilly area, I was pretty much raised on the 6 cyliner 71's screaming up the hills around here. The 92 series engines seem to lack the same "charm" when climbing hills.
I know others will disagree but I personally feel the 8V-71's were better by far with pulling hills than the 6V-92, especially the ones using the V-730 transmission. They were actually quieter than the 6 cylinder engines since they didn't need to fully rev out to get to the top.
A lot of what I've heard about lack of power has to do with the transmission more than with the engine. A 6V-71 engine using the old 2-speed hydraulic transmission has far less power than the same 6V-71 connected up to a 3-speed hydraulic or V-730 transmission. A 6V-71 with a V-730 transmission can easily outrun an 8V-71 that's using an older 2-speed.
Axle ratios also play an important part in speed and power. An axle geared for highway speeds will move the bus faster than a rear end geared for city driving.
RDChilds
I noticed that hilly cities tended to get 6 cylinder, while flat areas tended to use more 8 cylinders. I too thought that the power of 8 cylinders would be better on hilly areas. But maybe they burned a lot more fuel going up hills or something? That's all I could think of.
Some companies/agencies did seem to be loyal to either the 8 or 6 cylinder engine. We know that NYCTA didn't seem to know that they 8V-71 even existed. In Westchester County (Now Bee-Line) and Liberty Lines nearly all of their buses had 8V-71 engines. Also Queens/Steinway Transit had a few GM Fishbowls with 8V-71 - and of course they then got the GM/Canada (T8H-5307A) and Grumman 870 with 8V-71 also and they were awesome. New York Bus Service had lots of buses with 6V-71 engines and a few with 8V-71 (including their GM/Canada T8H-5308A's).
NJ Transit (then Transport of New Jersey) new look Flxibles were incredibly fast also. The 40 foot models (both transit and suburban) had 8V-71 engines. They also had 30 and 35 foot models with 6V-71's.
Wayne
I agree, but the TA had a different version of a Detroit Diesel 8 cylinder. The 6L-71V8 which was used in the Blitz rebuilds in the 5100 series on Staten Island, the 5500 series used in Staten Island as well and the 9000 series Flxible's. I noticed that they sounded similar to the other buses at the time but slightly different and these buses had used the V730 transmission which became the standard here with all of the newer RTS's and Grumman 870's. These buses were cool and that particular engine is one of my favorites as well as the 8v-71 and 6v-92TA and Series 50/60. I am really not a fan of the Cummins series. I saw a Bee-Line Flxible yesterday with one and it sounded horrible and had lots of smoke also.
Peace
DaShawn
My favorite is the old 6V92TAs. They are slow climbing hills on a full load but had some real crusing power. Like the high sweet pitch when the driver floored it.
Does anyone know the governed speed?
All BLITZ and most Flxible 9000 series buses used 6V71 engines, not 6L-71(V8) engines. Four? express Flxible 9000's, were manufactured with 8V71 engines and V-730 transmissions.
Some of the BLITZ rebuilds had new V-730 transmissions while the rest had their original VH-9's.
The following NYC area transit buses, continue to use 6V71 & 8V71 engines:
* Green Bus Lines: 1979 RTS's (1000 series) - 8V71
* Jamaica Bus: 1980 Grumman fleet (400 series) -8V71 and one 1980 RTS with a 6V71
* Queens Surface: 1979 ex Bridgeport RTS fleet - 8V71
* Long Island Bus: ex NYCT RTS's -6V71; Flxible Metro and Grumman fleet - 8v71
* NYCT: some 1981 and 1983 RTS's - 6V71
* New Jersey Transit and Private Carriers: ex NYCTA/MABSTOA Grummans - 6V71
* New York Bus Service: Two 1984 GM Classics -6V71 and GM of Canada Fishbowls - 8V71
Later,
Ray
So the transmission is why the fishbowls sounded different from the Flx. 9000's? Someone had suggested this to me before. I know the 9000's and some SI exp. Blitz's sounded more like the 1981 and 1983 RTS's. The difference in sound is mainly in the acceleration. The pitch of the Flx.& RTS engines reached peak more gradually than the fishbowls, which seemed to reach peak as soon as it moved. I guess the gear shiftng might have something to do with it also?
Transmissions are a big part of why the buses sound different when they are winding out. Exhaust systems can effect the noise also.
One thing I have noticed in the past and never heard very loud on other buses was a transmission whine in second gear with a V-730 transmission on AMGenerals. It was very loud on AMG's when the bus was accellerating and occurred just prior to the bus shifting into 3rd gear. The best place to hear it was inside the bus. I've noticed that on every V-730 equipped AMG regardless of property. It sounds almost like a jet engine turbine starting when the tranny is winding out in 2nd. You can hear it on somewhat on the other models that use a V-730 but engine noise seems to drown it out.
RDChilds
All of the Blitz rebuilds did not use the 6v-71. As per maintaince people at ENY that I spoke to in the past, the ones I mentioned earlier had the 6L-71V8, now I too thought they were 6v-71's as well but they sounded different than the other blitz's and Flxibles in the 7000 series and 5000 series. I also saw the engines of them when they were at ENY base shop and they looked different. My aunt is a security guard at ENY. I did not know there were 9000 series express Flxibles! Do you have the fleet numbers?
Peace
DaShawn
I don't know their numbers exactly, but it they were approximately 9125-9159??? Since I grew up in The Bronx I had never seen them when they were brand new. The first time I saw them was around 1980 and they had already been painted white. I have seen one with the 8V-71 engine - I think it was 9158. They had some differences from their local sisters. Instead of the typical blue high-backed seats they had the regular foward facing seats that were thinly padded. They also had a tan or beige interior and the seats were orange (I think!). They also had 2-piece destination signs on both the front and side. In the early 1980's many of them were transferred to 100 Street depot and at least one (9130) went to Kingsbridge where they operated in local service.
Wayne
I rode one in SI (S78 or 79--Yukon) in 1991. But it was 6 cylinder.
100st Depot have Flixble from #9200's to 9300's from early 80 to until 1991 i think but i never seen #9100's at 100st Depot.
All Blitz buses had 6V71 engines, none had 6L71V8's. I have a specification sheet from the TA that proves this. Besides, a 6L71 motor is a 6 cylinder in-line engine, not a 8 cylinder engine. Detroit Diesel/GM never produced 71 series engines in 8 cylinder in-line format.
The following Flxible 9000's had 8V71 engines:
9155-9159
Thanks for clearing that up Zach. I didn't know what type of DD engine the Blitz buses had.
Thank you for the clarifcation on that, It puts an end to my curiosity of the blitz rebuilds and the Flxible 9000 series. So here is my next question. The buses I spoke of is it because of the V730 transmission that made them sound different than the others?
Thank you in advance for everything!
Peace
DaShawn
Most of the Blitz rebuilds had VH-9 transmissions while others had V-730's. This made them sound a little bit like 1981 RTS's. The following list shows which Blitz rebuilds had V-730 transmissions:
5135-5159: 6V71 Engine & V-730-D transmission (soft seats)
5369-5389: 6V71 Engine & V-730-D transmission (Hard seats)
5557-5576: 6V71 Engine & V-730-D transmission (soft seats)
Later,
Ray
I don't know have many express Flxible 9000's had the 8V-71, but MaBSTOA's first five 9000 series Flxibles (9160-9164) had 8V-71 engines. They were local buses and were assigned to Coliseum depot. In the early 80's they were tranferred to West Farms depot. These buses also originally had New York City Transit Authority decals on them at a time when NYCTA and MaBSTOA buses were generally only transferred between depots within their respective divisions.
Wayne
When I was growing up in the 1970s, I rode the bus a lot, mostly Flixibles in the 7600-7700 series and GM buses in the 6000-6100 series. All these buses had a two speed transmission, which seemed perfectly suited fr city driving. The Flxibles were faster than GM ones. Then some newer Flxibles came equipped with a four speed transmission and a DD 71 engine; I think. They had a lot of power leaving a stoplight than their two speed sisters. When the GMs were overhauled in the early 1980s by Blitz, they kept their DD engines and transmissions. A/C was added, which didn't always work. The rebuilds were numbered in the 5000-5599 series. Most of them have been retired.
So to sum up what I've been seeing regarding transmissions, the VH-9 was a two speed transmission and was used on the old new-looks. (this is why the acceleration noise seemed to peak at a much slower speed than others). Newer fishbowls and Flxibles and everything afterwards used v-730, which was 3 speed (one person said four), and this was like a cross between the older transmission and turbocharging.
Is this correct?
A couple of other question: were VH-9's ever used with 6V-92? (Is this what the Peabody garbage trucks use? The older ones sound kind of like the old fishdowl engines, but accelerate like turbocharge (6V92). The next batch sound alot like the Orions, and of course, the newest ones. like everything else, have gone with some sort of 4 cylinder (probably the same series 50). Are the new series 50 buses V-730 also? Were the MC-9 transmissions V-730 as well?
I never knew the name of the 2-speed transmission, but the 1976 Flxible 53012-6-1 were last NYCTA buses to use the 2-speed transmission. None of NYCTA's fishbowls used the V-730 until some of the Blitz rebuilds got them.
I always thought that intercity buses used 4-speed transmissions. I'm not sure, but the MC-9's transmission seems to be the same or similiar one used in MCI buses from the MC-8 right up to todays' 102D/DL3's. Of course we're talking about automatic trannys here.
There are a few FDNY pumpers that sound as if they may have 6V-92TA engines.
Wayne
The MCI MC9's use the Allison MT740 series of transmissions which are 4 speed automatics. They shift much more smoothly in the MCI MC9, 9A, and 9B cruisers in NJ and charter systems that have older MC9's and 96 and 102 series coahes. The newer D series MCI use the Allison world series transmissions. The B-500 and 500R 6 speed automatics are used in the 102D3 and DL3's as well as the Dina's and Renissance E series coach. The first Orion V's that we are operating here in NYC use the 6V-92TA coupled to a MT740 4 speed automatic which is very jerky and then after that we purchased Orion V's with Series 50's coupled to Allison B400 5 speed automatics which are a much smoother combination. The garbage trucks here in NYC use the same set up as the 1993 orions with the 6V-92TA/MT740 combo. After a few years the trucks now have Cummins C8.3 and M11 turbos.
Peace
DaShawn
The 1993 NYCT Oroin V fleet, # 101-290, have Allison HTB-748 transmissions.
Most older NYC Sanitation trucks have 6-(L)71TA engines and HT740 transmissions, while newer trucks have CATERPILLAR, Cummins C8.3, L-10, M-11 , N-14 & DDC Series 40 & 50 engines with various transmissions.
The sanitation also has some with 6V-92TA's. I once mistakened it for an Orion V when actually it was a garbage truck! Thanks for that information on the diffrent powerplants and transmissions! One question. What type of transmissions are used on the Orion V's #291-317?
Thanks & Peace
DaShawn
ORION BUSES #291-317 use a ZF 4HP 590 transmission.
Later,
Ray
291-297, 299-300 sound different than the others. Does it have a different engine?
MCIMAN2000
RE: Engines used on #291-300:
291-294: DDC-Series 50-275hp
295-300: Cummins-C8.3-275hp
Did they re-power #298??? When it was at Kingsbridge I'm pretty sure it had a DD 6V-92TA.
Wayne
298 is definitely not a Cummins engine anymore. hasn't been for sometime.
Yeah, that's true that the Seagrave and American LaFrance firetrucks have the familiar 6V92's. 10 years ago, Denver had them with 8 cylinders (and they sounded like some old 8-cylinder bus) But like everything else, the newest ones have crossed over to the 4 cylinder engine. The Mack fire trucks have always had the standard truck engine that didn't sound like the buses. Why do these engines, and those of school buses, cars, motorcycles, etc. sound different? Are they another company than Detroit Diesel or Cummins?
I thought that Mack built their own engines. I used to like the old FDNY Cherry Pickers from the late 70's. The one in my neighborhood had a manual transmission.
RE:School buses. School buses are built on a standard truck chassis and they usually have the same diesel or gasoline engine. A couple of days ago I spotted two International vehicles side by side and they were identical at the front, but one was a school bus and the other was a truck.
Most vehicle manufacturers build their own engines. I can get complicated with cars because they use many different engines. Very often one car is available with engines of different displacements, cylinders or type of fuel. Example: In the U.S. a 1999 BMW 5 series sedan is available in two flavors, but in Europe the same car is available with several engines from a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder to a 4.4 liter V8 and a 3.4 liter 6-cylinder turbo diesel. Like buses, I can tell the number of cylinders by it's sound.
Wayne
So if most manufacturers build their own engines, then I guess what we've been hearing on buses and the trucks we've mentioned is the disctinctive sound of Detroit Diesel (I know a few of the older Orions have Cummins 6 cylinder, but I don't know if I've ever heard those, and if they are anything like DD 6 cyl. I've heard the Cummins 4 cylinder thoughas there are several in Fresh Pond)
I forgot to mention that Crown school buses in southern California sound somewhat like city buses with the old transmission (and alot of them look like old-looks) There are many GM trucks that have the familiar 6 cyl. sound, and I think Autocar is another one with the 6 0r 8 cylinder sound.
The distinctions in car and regular truck engines is not as noticeable as the DD series. I've always noticed that a 4 cylinder car/van/motorcycle sounds alot like an 8 cylinder bus, and the new 4 cylinder (series 50) bus/fire/garbage truck is not too different from an 8 cylinder car/truck/school bus. A 6 cylinder car sounds a little like a 6V-92 bus, but once again, not as pronounced.
I'm sorry. I meant to say that car and motorcycle manufacturers build their own engines.
Yo Trevor, Just Kidding
Any way i just want you to drop "Mean DJ" and add "Meaney" because everybody start calling me "Meaney". People keep tell me i look piss but i don't look piss and that the way i am. Any way Your webpage is great and i will add more pictures soon also im going to make "NYCT-MTA-Subway's Page soon. You can add that too. Thank You
Peace Out
David Justiniano "Meaney"
Done deal
Check it out and see if you like at
http://geocities.com/MotorCity/Garage/7650/NYCTransit.html
Trevor
aka MTA Boy
Hey if you guys want to have a private chat, post your email addresses. Otherwise there is no need to address each other-- the posts here are for all to read and to contribute to.
I saw the hybrid on the M14 route today (and even rode on it). The number on the top says 999,while on the side and back it says 995. can someone explain this to me?
According to sources at Hudson Pier, 999 was renumbered 995. However, this tidbit clashes with someone who reported seeing 999 and 995 together. Me? I just like to drive the thing.
Do you plan/hope to drive it tomorrow (Tuesday)? If you do get 995, what times are your run? I may be in Manhattan and would like to find 995 if I can.
Okay, I'll tell:
7:29 Eastbound (at 18 St)
8:10 Westbound (at Columbia)
8:59 Westbound (at Grand-FDR)
9:48 Eastbound (at 18 St)
10:33 Westbound (at Columbia)
2:24 Eastbound (at 18 St)
3:16 Westbound (at Columbia)
4:08 Eastbound (at 18 St)
4:53 Westbound (at Grand-FDR)
5:48 Eastbound (at 18 St)
6:37 Westbound (at Columbia)
Schedules have a way of changing, but I usually make my time. Also, there are no guarantees that I'll get 995, but I will try and I'm pretty sure I'll get her one or two days this week. All times are leaving from terminals and anyone that wants to ride her from this bbs can pretty much figure out where I'll be.
As a "little" bonus, from approximately 1:30 to 2:11, 995 will be parked on West 15 Street and 10 Avenue.
If you don't see me on Tuesday, check back during the remainder of the week. The schedule will be the same through Friday.
I can't explain the number confusion, but as several others have posted recently, this Low-Floor Nova is a diesel bus, not a hybrid.
How is the wait until they call you for bus operators? When will you find out how much you got on the exam?
If you filled out your answers on that sheet they let you take home, you can match to the tentative answers listed in the Chief from two weeks ago up to yours. You probably wont get official notification till sometime next year as I believe the current list 6022 has been extended to at least January.
On Saturay, I was on Dean St. I passed by B65#4067. I looked at the destination sign. The usual destination came up and then it said "Promotion Bus". What's up with that?
She's pretty popular among the handful of operators that drive her. Last week I had her on Wednesday afternoon and all day Monday or Tuesday. I was off on Thursday and on Friday, she was on 23 Street. I missed her by seconds! And what did I get to drive instead? 1700!!!
Saturday, I worked the 9 and could not take her. My reliefs were not qualified. Off on Sunday.
Now it's Monday and I had her all day. This is my last week on the M14. I've talked to the guy who takes her to 23 Street and a couple of others that like her. They said they wouldn't ask for 995 so maybe I'll get to have her all this week.
I ride 9601 every week and I hate that bus! There is an exhaust leak that is very loud upon acceleration. The hissing noise, coupled with a cooling fan that runs constantly (these buses are equipped with fan clutches) make for a very loud exhaust. It has been this way for months. When will this problem be fixed? Also, she also has a very annoying 2-3 upshift that sounds like gear crunch. Sister 9630 had the same problem, but she had her Allison replaced. The new transmission allows shifting at higher rpm's, meaning that she really takes off from a stoplight. Sister 9653, an old friend from my days in Medford, had her Allison replaced too, but that was for an overheatng problem. By the way, all these buses are 1996-97 Gilligs numbered from 9600 to 9699.
I am curious at the apparent lack of any coherent approach to the numbering of NYCTA buses in recent years. New orders of buses used to begin at even thousands or at least even hundreds. Different builders were assigned different thousands, for example, the Flxible new looks were all 5000s, 7000, and 9000s in the 60s and 70s.
When the first Orions came they had those impossible 5-digit numbers, but soon lost the first two and ended up with 3-digit numbers like the Grummans of the early 80s and the first GM new looks of the late 50s and early 60s.
The latest batch of Novas strangely range from late 4000s into 5000s, and the Orions have skipped from 3-digits into 6000s while the New Flyer low floors are filling up the high 3-digit numbers where one might expect to find more Orions.
Then, instead of continuing NF aritics in the 1000s following those already in service, the new order seems to have jumped in behind the Nova numbers at 5250, of all places. What's going on? Is this supposed to make any sense or is it totally arbitrary?
And I forgot to mention the MCIs starting late in the 1000s and lapping over into 2000s. This also seemed odd. Why could they not start cleanly at 2000? At least it appears that additional MCIs will continue this series.
They have to work around numbers of fleets still in service. They probably start low like that because if they started higher (at a round number) it would run into already used numbers. The order beginning with 1110 would run up to 1369, and there are still a few 1200's and 1300's in service or in storage. (I don't know why they don't just get rid of those first, instead of the higher 3000's which are being scrapped already). So now on the next RTS order, they will have to find a new series. I agree it could have been done much better. They shuld have continued in the 9000's first before going back to the 5000's.
It does appear the NYCT will use a block of free numbers to aviod conflicts. I'm somewhat suprised that they didn't renumber any remaining 1981 RTS to free up those numbers. In the 1980's the NYCTA did renumber MABSTOA's GM T6H-5309A (4800-4919) and TA/OA Flxibles (4000-4202, 4600-4727) and GM T6H-5305A's (4300-4499) to make room for the 1986 GM, 1987 TMC RTS. I also think NYCT should used numbers 9700-9949 for the 49/5000 Nova RTS.
Wayne
9700-9949 would not have worked for the latest RTS's, as there are 350 of them and not 250. I assume they didn't start at 9700 because they would have run short of 50 numbers when they reached 9999. However, I agree it would have made more sense to start the new RTS's at 5000 instead of 4900. And starting the MCI's at 2000 instead of 1860 would have also made alot of sense. I guess in this day and age, the most important thing is to use new numbers that the computer won't have difficulty with. Using logic is no longer in vogue.
4900series is a 350 unit issue 4900-5249
Anyone know what a drop box is or does?
I heard their on Eagle coaches and are used because of their short drive shaft. Eagle has its drive shaft in inverse relation to all other coaches.
BTW: Eagle only has 3 lagguage carpartments. The bus seems bulky but short. Anyone feel the same way?
Anyone know what a drop box is or does?
I heard their on Eagle coaches and are used because of their short drive shaft. Eagle has its drive shaft in inverse relation to all other coaches.
BTW: Eagle only has 3 lagguage carpartments. The bus seems bulky but short. Anyone feel the same way? Anyone happen to have a close-up of
the dashboard of a AEM-15?
I saw some pics of DD engines in MCI buses. The engine capartment looked like a mess. The were wires and pipes everwere. Has anyone
maintained these engines before? Was it hard to get to all the different parts?
I was riding on a Greyhound MCI MC9 last week. I saw a switch on the dashboard on the right side. It was covered by a red guard. I was pretty sure it was a toggle switch. It was labeled "Engine Emergency". What is that switch do?
It is the "damper" switch. The older buses has a Roots blower to force air into the engine. For odd reasons, sometimes a driver would turn the bus off, but the engine decided to keep running. Flipping the switch under that red toggle would drop a "shutter" inside the blower on the engine, and cut off the air supply to the engine.
Once this was done, a driver would have to go to the engine compartment and flip the damper shutter back to the open position to get the engine to run again. Usually, then, when the engine does fire up, it stinks like hell as there would have been a bit of unburned fuel in the system, and a big black cloud of smoke for a few seconds.
Is the roots blower the or a turbocharger? Why would it do that? Doesn't shutting off the engine cut power to the fuel pumps? Wouldn't that shut off the engine?
You can blame it all on the concept of the diesel engine. Instead of a spark, a diesel depends on the heat produced by the compression process to ignite the fuel-air mix, and provide power. This is why some diesels run rough on startup. It is possible for the engine to get so hot as to ignite the fuel without the benifit of air. It's much more complicated than that, but this is what causes 'dieseling' in your own car, when it continues to run after you shut off the engine. In a gasoline engine, the spark is used to ignite the mixture. If the engine gets hot enough, no spark is neccesary.
-Hank
Does anyone have rosters for Greyhound-- bus numbers, type of bus. WHich numbers were Americoach, Americoach 2 and then Americoach again (would have been Americoach 3 but never so named),and the egales (former Trailways)
From what i can put together:
1000s are 102DL3s with DD sereies 60 (year??)
1600-1700s are 102A3s from mid 80s
1800-2800s are MC12s from various years
2900s-3100s are MC12s with DD series 50s
4000-4100s are MC9s from early 80s
5000-5200s are MC9s from years unknown
6000-6300s are 102DL3s (45 ft) from late 90s
6500s are 102DL3s with wheelchair lifts
8900-9000s are MC9s years unknown
the 5000's are from the early 80's, andand 8900-9000's are from the mid-80's
There are also still some 8500's from the same time, which go to Atlantic City.
MC-12's began in 1992
Did you know the 102A3's were also known as MC-10's? (originally began with 1000)
When are the New Flyer Low Floor CNGs come? What depots are assigned to these buses?
Gleason is geting the low floors.
The only TA depot that is equipped for CNG operations is Jackie Gleason, on 5th Ave in Brooklyn.
-Hank
These buses are going to Jackie Gleason ONLY! The first 55 of these buses are due this weeks end!
Trevor
why are all these crappy buses ending up in Brooklyn? Flatbush has recently receive some 3500s, 3600s and 43-4400s from the BX. so not only does THe bX get new artics in 96 but they get them again in 99 that doesnt seem fair.
Be lucky because once you get these articulateds that are replacing the B41, B44 and B46 lines and the B49 also, the service will be cut. I feel you guys should get just new buses but be happy for now that you can keep the frequency for which you buses run.
Peace
DaShawn
The service will not be cut and MTA want more sevice because of increase customers. More customers have taken subways and buses around the city and that why the need more buses and subway cars. There is no way MTA will cut service.
I wish you were right but this is not true! This is exactly why the M15 does not have articulateds now! When you put a bus that is double the size of a standard 40 footer, it make no sense to operate the schedule the same way because that is not cost effective and this make these buses not appropriate for that line. Now I agree with you that the service should not be cut, but when those articulateds hit those routes, the service frequency will be changed to accomodate this high volume buses and it turns out when you look at the schedule that for every 2 buses one is cut because an Artic is 2 buses in one!
Peace
DaShawn
OK, You know that Maximum passenger in Articulated is 145 and RTS is 70, so that make Articulated two buses into one, well maybe the service frequency will changed? Let wait and find out what is going to happen in the future, But they will not reduced the buses.
Peace Out
David Justiniano "Meaney"
The way the M15 runs now, they schedule _2_ buses at certain times. So you get 2 buses leaving the terminal at 12:00 (or the way they run on th M15, one leaves 129st at 12:00, and another bus leaves 96st at the same time that the 129st bus gets there (say, 12:20) So, now you have a mostly full bus and an empty bus making the same timepoints.
Or, you see buses 1 or 2 minutes apart. This is the same deal. So instead of buses running on headways under 5 minutes at peak periods, you'll get them running a bit more spread out (5 or > minute headway), which will greatly please those bus bunching folk. So while it LOOKS like an initial increase and then a cut, it is truly just a 1-for-2 replacement.
-Hank
Thank you Hank! That is exactly my point. It will definitely help with bus bunching, but those same people seem to be content with the way things are now, which sucks! I talk to people all the time about that very fact and it is always the same answer. "I would love those big buses to come here, but I want them to run the same as they do now." and when I explain to them that this is not going to happen and why some understand and some don't. Once again thank you for understanding what I was saying.
Peace
DaShawn
I've seen sevice notices on brooklyn busses stating a span increase on the B15, JFK branch begining June 27th. Service will operate untill 230AM. MY first question is if the Q3 also recieced a compable service increase. Secondly why is there no infomation on this on the service notes section of the TA website.
I posted this material in the Agenda,I believe May Agenda
,,Q3 Not affectected
Suffolk Transit bus 9107 has a unusual trait that I have never seen on any other bus; city or suburban. Apparently, her A/C will not run if she is idling in gear. But when she pulls away from a bus stop, it comes back on, and it stays on until the bus comes to a red traffic light. My theory is that the idle speed is too low to run the A/C while in gear. As usual, no one at the Ronkonkoma depot will fix it anytime soon. She also has a very rough 2-1 downshift and an annoying 4-5 upshift. Rough shifting is not unusual for these Gilligs numbered in the 9100 series.
Bus Numbers 3294 (UP), 3302 (FLA), 3309 (FP) and 8357 (QV) have GM Blitz "Stop Requested" Signs on these RTS buses. Do you have any information about this?
534 (CS)has a strange stop requested sign also.
MCIMAN2000
Orions have different stop requested signs from rts's anyway
Just parts from the bin, that's all. They needed to replace thew old sign for some reason, and this is what they had to use.
-Hank
Kevin and I were at WestSide Depot yesterday and I was surprised to see MCIs, Orions and RTS from SI at WestSide. Nobody knew about this until now. An MCI pulled up along W40 Street around 330-400 dropping off drivers. Guess it's too far to go from Manhattan to SI yard. Another surprise is that I saw Articulated bus 1025 on upper level of the depot. What is 1025 doing there?
MCIMAN2000
It's no secret that some Staten Island and Brooklyn express buses spend the midday hours at West Side. Doing this saves a great deal of money, as the Operators go on their "swings" (meal breaks) earlier and end them later this way, and as the buses spend less time on the road.
As for artic 1025, West Side is going to get artics in the near future. The bus was undoubtedly there for training, clearance tests, or both.
David
A previous "Transit Transit" TV show had a report about the Westside Depot. It was reported that the MCI's are stored there during mid-day until the evening rush.
Any idea how many SI x-buses kept at westside during non-rush times. The PM x-bus service is often crippled by the inability of the empty SI x-buses to make the long trips from Castleton and Yukon depots into Manhattan on a timely basis. If the northbound SIE or Gowanus are jammed up, the result is a complete collapse of evening rush service.
Hey Kevin and Gary, My father work there and they going to have about 40 or 50 Articulated buses and they are testing inside the depot. MCI,& Orions not RTS resting at West Side for midday until pm rush hour. West Side Depot have four level and it pretty big Depot. Any way next week im going to give my camera to my father so he can take some pictures while he go on break but im not allow to go inside because im not a member of MTA and i could get arrest for going inside.
I saw RTS bus 3800 coming out of WestSide Depot. We took pics as our proof.
MCIMAN2000
Ok but West Side have RTS #3886 to 3897.
1. How would I get from KB depot to GH depot via bus?
2. Amsterdam Depot from John Jay College? (doesn't matter bus/subway)
3. MCH from John Jay? What subway runs near there?
4. 100 Street Depot?
5. 126 Street Depot?
Going to get more pics for my site soon.
MCIMAN2000
1----Bx 12 on 207 St to Gun Hill Depot
100 Street Depot via the M101 M102 M103 to 99st or 100st via 3 Av NB or Lex Av SB
126 Street Depot via the M15 on 1 or 2nd Av
1----Bx 12 on 207 St to Gun Hill Depot
100 Street Depot via the M101 M102 M103 to 99st or
100st via 3 Av NB or Lex Av SB
126 Street Depot via the M15 on 1 or 2nd Av
John Jay College is located on 10th Avenue and 59 Street.
MCIMAN2000
to Amsterdam Depot---take the 104 Bus,,on Broadway to 125 and Amseterdam
I believe it is the last stop on the M104
IRT 3 to last stop
M1 M7 M102 Buses to 147 st
Actually take the 3 train to 145th Street. The Depot is then a 1/2 block away on the left hand side of lenox avenue.
Peace
DaShawn
The TA started keeping the buses in Manhattan in 1994, in an effort to save the cost of driving the bus back and forth empty. Originally, they were kept at 54st (or was that Pier 54?) Depot. They will run about 25-30 out of the 100+ buses back to Staten Island as driver shuttles or return trips. There were, as I understand it, some trips that involved local service in Manhattan as well as the SI x-bus service.
-Hank
While there are _runs_ that involve both express and local work (an Operator will, say, do an X27 trip in the morning and some B3 trips in the afternoon), there are no Manhattan local trips on any of the express routes, Staten Island Division or otherwise.
David
[The TA started keeping the buses in Manhattan in 1994, in an effort to save the cost of driving the bus back and forth empty. Originally, they were kept at 54st (or was that Pier 54?) Depot. They will run about 25-30 out of the 100+ buses back to Staten Island as driver shuttles or return trips. There were, as I understand it, some trips that involved local service in Manhattan as well as the SI x-bus service.]
The depot at 54th and 9th Ave was called 54th Street depot (FFS).
Wayne
A lot of SI express buses hang out on the roof of Westside in the midday hours. Some drivers take a shuttle bus from their respective SI depot back to WS in the afternoon to grab a bus for the PM rush.
Doesn't Brooklyn count here? 20 Ulmer Park buses stay at West Side between the rush hours, too! And, yes, there's shuttle service to/from Ulmer Park.
David
[A lot of SI express buses hang out on the roof of Westside in the midday hours. Some drivers take a shuttle bus from their respective SI depot back to WS in the afternoon to grab a bus for the PM rush.]
Why are most diesel turbocharged? Any reason except to produce more power? Gasoline engines are not always turbo so why are diesels?
I noticed most of them were. Does it have something to do with the low RPM range?
If an engine has a turbocharger it will make more torque and usually more horsepower also. Diesel engines do tend to have less horsepower than a gasoline engine of the same size, but the diesel almost always has more torque which peaks at a lower RPM. Turbocharging on gasoline is not as popular as it used to be. Some have superchargers and most are now overhead cam, multivalve with electronic fuel injection which makes for an engine with a good amount of power. I know it is in my Honda.
Wayne
hello Busfans, Check out my webpage and today i just add information about Bronx Depots and i will add more soon. Check out my webpage, www.angelfire.com/ny2/nyctmtabus/index.html and enjoy it.
P.S. My webpages is under construction.
Peace Out
David Justiniano "Meaney"
Hey! Great bus page, Keep up the great work! I will keep visting!
Peace
DaShawn
What was the difference between the GM 5309's and 5310's that New York received in 72 & 73 from the standard GM 5307's that were produced between 71 & 77?
Also, were the 09's wide and the the 10's narrow?
RDChilds
Good Question, from a physical/cosmetic standpoint they were virtually the same except for in the rear where the exhaust was roof mounted on the 5310 and street discharged on the 5309's. That is what I remember.
Peace
DaShawn
The T6H-5309A and T6H-5310A were both 40' by 102" ("wide" as opposed to a 96" "narrow" bus). The 5309s were generally configured for local service, with 43 seats in a "perimeter" arrangement. The 5310s were generally configured for express service, with 47 seats, mostly forward-facing. My understanding is that because NYCTA and (starting 1973) MSBA bought so many of them, GM designated special model numbers for MTA purchases.
David
I was told that starting Monday, the Q20, Q20A and Q44 will go into effect. As I was told by a dispatcher on Main Street, Q44 will be limited everyday along with local service. Q20 will go from College Point to Jamaica along Main Street to Queens Blvd then to Hillside and onto Sutphin Blvd. What is the Q20A? Heard that's going to Jamaica too. I don't understand the difference between Q20 and Q20A.
Help me please!
MCIMAN2000
I believe the difference between the Q20 and the Q20A is the routes that the bus takes in College Point. One of the routes will travel along 14th Avenue (it's current route to/from College Point), and the other route will travel along 20th Avenue to serve the new shopping areas that have recently opened up on 20th Avenue. I believe they both will terminate at their current terminal in College Point, but I am not sure which one will travel along 14th Avenue and which one will travel along 20th Avenue.
Q20A is via 20 Av
Q20B is via 14 Av ,,old Q20 routing
Does anyone have any idea what are going to be the ltd.stops for the 44?
Northbound
Merrick /Archer
Accher/Parsons
Archer/Sutphin
Sutphin/Jamaica
Sutphin/Hillside
Main/Queens
Main/Union Tpke
Main/73 Av
Main/Jewel
Main/Melbourne
Main/Reeves
Main/60 Av/HHE
Main/Booth Memorial
Main/Elder
Main/Kissena
Main/39 Av
Main/Northern
Union/35 Av
Union /26 Av
Parsons/20 Av
Parsons/17 Rd
Parsons/14 Av
Southbound
Parsons/14 Av
Parsons.17 Rd
Parons/20 Av
Union / 26 Av
Union/31 Rd
Union/35 Av
Union /Northern
Roosevelt/Main'
Main/ 41 Av
Main/Sanford
Main/Elder
MainBooth Memorial av
Main/HHE
Main/63 Av
Main/Melbourne
Main/Jewel
Main/73 Av
Main/Union Tpke
Queens/Main
Sutphin/ Hillsdie
SUtphin/Jamaic
Archer/Sutphin
Archer/Parsons
Archer/Guy Brewer
Archer/Merrick
Merrick/Archer
Justin, you have a great page. Keep up the good work. Can't wait to see more pics soon. It's different and that's what I like about it.
Older buses and even the depots and logos. That's cool.
MCIMAN2000
Thank You for visiting my webpages and soon i will add more depot and pictures of depots too. By the way your webpages is great and i visiting your webpages almost everyday to see if you have more pictures Also "Kaybees's webpages is cool too and i like the New Novabus low floor.
Peace Out
David Justiniano "Meaney"
Please use email for personal communication.
-Hank
On MCI intercity buses there is a warning light on the dash "Lavatory
Emergency". Why would anyone have a lavatory emergency? What is this warning suppose to mean? "Help I fell in the toilet and I can't get out!?"
How about ---someone is Sick on the Bus,,need Ambulance
FDNY
That's exactly what it means. There's a button to push in the lavatory in case someone gets into trouble in there. Prevosts have the button, too.
Remember, some people stand while doing their business, and on a moving bus that can sometimes be difficult, especially going around a curve (and I say this in all seriousness). It's possible for someone to get hurt in there if he or she (yeah, more likely "he" if standing) isn't careful.
David
[On MCI intercity buses there is a warning light on the dash "Lavatory
Emergency". Why would anyone have a lavatory emergency? What is this warning suppose to mean? "Help I fell in the toilet and I can't get out!?"]
You ever try going potty in a moving bus? Hold on to yourself with one hand, your other hand braced against something in there....not easy...
And then you've got the parents that need to help their children...
-Hank
this telltale is on nyct mci buses which do not have a bathroom. nyct has since disconnected the telltale. a colleague at yukon says he drove for academy and when it comes on it means toilet is backed up.
Totally wrong about the light coming on when the toilet backs up!
That "LAV EMERG telltale comes with every MCI bus whether it has a crapper in it or not, it's just a standard instrument panel piece.
The LAV EMERG light comes on (and a buzzer activates) when a button is pressed in the restroom, by a passenger. I believe the button, in buses equipped with restroom, is marked "Press to signal driver in emergency".
Probably another silly ADA requirement!
Fernando Perez (Mr. Mabstoa) states:
{Probably another silly ADA requirement!}
No, it is NOT "another silly ADA requirement".
Those "LAV EMERG" lights on the drivers instrument panel have been
on MCI buses at least since MC-7's, possibly earlier. (My MCI experience goes back only to the MC-7.)
Other contributors have given some VERY valid reasons for the presence of such a warning light.
You must admit that ADA requirements have changed the transportation industry especially rapid transit. So my comment was grounded in fact's and not just a funny sarcastic statement. Is that OK with you Steve?
Has anyone here worked with a Eagle coach?
I have a few questions.
1) The buses usa a device call a drop box. What is this box for and why is used?
2)How does the dash of the Eagle company coaches look like? Do they
have toggle switches like the MCIs? Or are they push buttons?
3) The drive and tag axles are inverse. I head this was done to
increase storage space. How does this increase storage space?
4) When towing a bus someone said you have to remove the drive axle.
Why? Can't putting the trans in nutural enough?
I saw QS bus 334 in service for the first time in about a year. It was on the Q104 run 902. Took 2 pics of it. Also took pics of bus 201. Running on Q65 This afternoon.
MCIMAN2000
It was in an accident, apparently we had trouble getting the parts.
On Trevor's site, I saw that those RTS' had ZF transmissions. What are they like? Do they sound like manuals? Do the engines sound different? I ask this because of my own experience in Philly, seeing SEPTA's 3000-series Neoplans have 6V92's and ZF transmissions, they almost don't sound like they have 6V92's and they sound like manuals and kinda jerk during shifts.
Peace,
Big D
NJ Transit's RTS buses also have ZF transmissions and yes, they do not shift very smoothly. When the driver starts up, the bus accelerates fine for a few seconds then you feel a jolt as the gears shift. Same thing when slowing down. Because of this, stop-and-go traffic isn't a very pleasant experience on these buses.
I guess I better get used to it, though . . .
Golden Gate Transit in the San Francisco area has some RTS's with the 6V92 engine and the ZF Ecomat 350 transmission. Their buses all seem to shift smoothly, so I guess it is a matter of how the maintenance staff sets up the transmission.
I drive for the Orange County Transportation Authority, and we have 22 Gillig Phantoms with the ZF transmission. They shifted roughly when these buses had the Cummins L-10 engine in them, but due to stringent California emissions rules, the L-10 engines were replaced (at Cummins' expense) to C8.3's. The transmissions were reset at the time, and they started shifting really smoothly.
We also have some New Flyer D40's that had the L-10 engine, and they wound up being re-engined with M-11's. The ZF transmissions in those, for some reason, were NOT reset and they shift rougher than hell nowadays (but they're FAST!!)
Ten years ago, I drove for a large tour company, and we had a trio of Neoplan N116/3 buses with a Deutz air-cooled, 12-cylinder engine. Again, the same ZF transmission. They shifted somewhat roughly, but were very fast. They also had a manually activated transmission retarder (looked like a column-mounted shift selector!) that would bring the bus down to about 8-10 m.p.h. without the use of the brakes. Along with this feature was a transmission temperature guage, and if the manual retarder was used, say for instance, coming down a long mountain grade, the tranny temperature would really rise. If the retarder was used TOO long without the use of the wheel brakes, a loud beeper alarm went off! Then it was time to rely on the wheel brakes....
Recently I had a short layover at Orange County (John Wayne Int'l airport). While I was there I decided to go outside to do some bus spotting. As I approached the door I saw an RTS pass by rather quickly. I'm pretty sure it was a slopeback (with the retrofit, of course) and I thought I heard what sounded like a 6V-92TA(C) engine. When I went outside the bus was too far away for me to hear the engine. I know that the slopeback RTS (01 & 03 series) came with either the 6V-71 or 8V-71 engine. Does OCTA serve John Wayne Int'l airport and did OCTA replace the original engine with the 6V-92TA??? I know that SEPTA and WMATA put 6V-92TA engines in their RTS (which originally had 6V-71 engines).
Thanks,
Wayne
WMATA RTS's were 8 cylinder.
Regarding Wayne's comments ont he OCTA (California) RTS's:
Good ears, Wayne! Yes, the buses were re-engined in 1991 with the Detroit 6V92TAC's. At the same time they received the sliding windows, electronic headsigns, new upholstery on all the seats, and a few other minor modifications. The first 15 were done by Copmplete Coach Works (Riverside, CA) and the remaining 158 were done by Los Angeles Freightliner (Industry, CA).
Then, there was one bus (3098) that received a Cummins C8.3 with a ZF tranmission. And, the remaining bus of the 175-bus order (3086) was wiped out by a Southern Pacific R.R. SW1500 loco in 1984!!!
All the buses received the Thermo-King square-back retrofit air conditioner systems in 1983, except for the 3086 which was, ironically, the one unit that received a Trane a/c system with a different looking "backpack" type setup on the slopeback.
Thanks Steve,
I've always been interested in the transit bus scene in California. Unforunately, I don't know anyone in California and I had never visited. When I was there last month it was because I was re-routed due to my Las Vegas to BWI flight developing mechanical problems. I wish I had more time to go out and take a ride.
I was thinking that WMATA's RTS would soon be retired, but just last week I saw one freshly re-painted in WMATA's new paint scheme. I guess I shouldn't be suprised as I'm still seeing WMATA GM and Flxible new-looks.
Wayne
So the WMATA still runs their GM's and Flxibles in passengers service.
They must be the only major transit authority in this country still running them (among the ones that had GM's or Flxibles). I didn't know they had RTS's, though.
I though the Orions that they got a year or so back would replace most of the Fishbowls and New Looks. Then I heard that they rejected part of the Orion fleet.
What is the status of their bus fleet right now?
Thanks.
Yes, WMATA still has GM fishbowls and new look Flxibles in service. Of course they operate only during rush hours. Last year at this time there were lots of them, but you can still find some now. Even though the GM's are older (5301, 5304 & 5305A's from about 1960, 1965 and 1969) you still see more of them than the Flxibles (53096-6-1 approx 1977/78). I rode on a couple of the Flxibles about a year ago and they seem to be very comfortable and quick too.
WMATA does indeed have RTS. I don't think they liked the RTS very much as the slopeback model is the only model they bought. I see more of them in VA than in MD.
WMATA did announce that the Orions would replace the remaining new look buses by the end of 1998. Even before I heard this I was sure that the (latest) Orion order would permit WMATA to retire the remaining new look buses. WMATA was due to receive 262 Orions. I don't know why they gave up the 50 Orions - maybe it was a financial problem. My guess is money because if WMATA had money to spare the new look GM/Flxibles would've been gone long ago (and possibly some RTS too). It's possible that WMATA decided that some of the new look buses could operate a bit longer and therefore rejected the 50 Orions.
In response to DaShawn's question: I understood the 6V-92TAC to be the California version of the 6V-92TA
Wayne
Thank You Wayne!
Peace
DaShawn
Yes, WMATA still has GM fishbowls and new look Flxibles in service. Of course they operate only during rush hours. Last year at this time there were lots of them, but you can still find some now. Even though the GM's are older (5301, 5304 & 5305A's from about 1960, 1965 and 1969) you still see more of them than the Flxibles (53096-6-1 approx 1977/78). I rode on a couple of the Flxibles about a year ago and they seem to be very comfortable and quick too.
WMATA does indeed have RTS. I don't think they liked the RTS very much as the slopeback model is the only model they bought. I see more of them in VA than in MD.
WMATA did announce that the Orions would replace the remaining new look buses by the end of 1998. Even before I heard this I was sure that the (latest) Orion order would permit WMATA to retire the remaining new look buses. WMATA was due to receive 262 Orions. I don't know why they gave up the 50 Orions - maybe it was a financial problem. My guess is money because if WMATA had money to spare the new look GM/Flxibles would've been gone long ago (and possibly some RTS too). It's possible that WMATA decided that some of the new look buses could operate a bit longer and therefore rejected the 50 Orions.
The A/C still works too:-).
In response to DaShawn's question: I understood the 6V-92TAC to be the California version of the 6V-92TA
Wayne
Interesting! What is the difference between a 6V-92TA or TA DDECII,or III and a 6V-92TAC?
Peace
DaShawn
DDEC II and III are just the diffrent versions of Detroit Diesel Electronic Control. I don't think 6V92's have DDEC III, AFAIK, DD's Series 50 and Series 60 have it.
6V-92TA's do come in DDECIII. Here at the MTA we have the 8400,8500 series RTS's with them as well as the 93 Orion V's that have them with DDECIII. They seem to have more pickup and acceleration than their DDECII counterparts. We stopped using the 6V-92TA DDECIII's in new bus orders in 1994 with the arival of the 8600 series RTS's the first to have Series 50's in them, and up till now everything comes with a Series 50 with DDEC IV. I forgot to mention that the RTS Remans also use 6V-92TA DDEC III's with Catalytic Converters, while the 8400,8500 series used the same engine with trap oxidizers.
PEace
DaShawn
DaShawn I was probably thinking along those lines, just behind a series though (II-III vs. III-IV), that will happen when you're trying to think tired!
Peace,
Big D
Hey! We are Human! Talk 2 U Soon!
Peace!
DaShawn
Pierce Transit has some buses with ZF transmissions, for the most part they shift almost like allisons, excep the 800 series which are freeway coaches, and the local service they use em in just tears em to bits
We have some ZF's they were a bit jerky at first but the factory came in and ran them with the computer hooked up for a bit and recalibrated them. They changed out the eproms and they run fine now
they are coupled with L 10 CNG's
Zeek
I should mention that the 1999 RTS T-80206's # 5075-5124 have HP590 transmissions coupled to a Detroit Diesel Series 50 DDECIV. I find them to be the fastest RTS's here in NYC. But they can be a little jerky at times.
Peace
DaShawn
On Eagle coaches and I think MCI, there is a hatch near the rear of the bus in the aisle in the passenger carpartment. Where does that hatch contain or lead to? The drive shaft? Check it out.
http://busesonline.com/images/P0349Rib.jpg
Also does the 8V92TA and the 6V92TA look the same?
http://busesonline.com/images/P0349Rec.jpg
That hatch is directly above the differential, and the hatch can be removed from the floor to facilitate maintenance.
The 6V92TA and 8V92TA look "basically" the same except that the 8V92TA is longer; there is an additional cylinder on each side,
and therefore four exhaust manifold tubes on each side of the 8V92TA versus three on each side for the 6V92TA. All the peripheral components (alternator, power steering pump, filters, etc. are the same (at least on the ones I have worked on).
the 6v71 and 6v92 look identical from the outside and fit in the same engine mounts. the Turbo the 6v92 TA of course has the turbocharger added on top
Some transit also had the hatches in the floor> I do not know if it was a factory option or if the agencies added them. It makes it a little easier to get at the top radius rod bushings. I think the MTA put a brace under the floor over the diff. on the RTS's though stiffen it up a bit so the hatch would not work as well.
Does anyone know for sure?
What is that circular thing on top of the DD series 92 engines?
http://www.atlanticdda.com/images/engines/92eng.gif
What is the difference between aftercooled and intercooled?
If you mean that small thing that has the exhaust pipes wrapped around it, it looks to me like the turbocharger.
-Hank
I'm pretty certain aftercooling and intercooling are almost the same thing. Intake air goes into a chamber (for lack of a better term) and is cooled by either water, or cooler surrounding air, making it more compressable before the air goes into the Turbocharger's compressor. I think with aftercooling, the air passes through the turbo first, then through the cooler.
Peace,
Big D
Q44 Limited
To The Bronx To Jamaica
Weekday 6:04AM - 9:54PM 6:00AM - 9:50PM
Satueday 7:14AM - 9:57PM 7:05AM - 10:00PM
Sunday 8:00AM - 9:52AM 8:04AM - 9:59PM
Q20A College Point
Weekday 6:01AM - 11:05PM 6:02AM - 10:04PM
SAturday 7:00AM - 9:55PM 7:02AM - 10:09PM
Sunday 7:58AM - 9:50PM 8:04AM - 10:16PM
Q20B College Point
Weekday 5:50AM - 10:45PM 5:02AM - 10:16PM
* There is also early morming service orginating at Main street going to College Point
** There is also late evening service from Jamaica to Main Street
I made the mistake of riding the Q44 yesterday. First- the bus, it was an Orion (my first) and while clean was slow. (a 500 series). seats- hard plastic.
The route- very twisty and many switchbacks. In uderstand there is a change coming t0 eliminate Grand Central parkway and 150th Av.
Loading- Very full bus-many standees.
Passenger- there was a passenger drinking booze and objectionable. I could not get to the operator who I am sure could see the passenger. Other passengers also noticed this passenger.
I think artics should be considered for this line. I rode from Parsons/Archer to to Bronx Zoo. I rode to see different sectiosn of Queens.
Overall grade :C-. (the scenerey and the Bronx Whitestone crossing helped raise the score.)
I agree with you that maybe GH is a possibility to share their operations with Casey Stengel on the Q44. I was confused with the change, but now since talking to dispatchers and operators, I understand the change. I hate the Q44 route. That bus has to run every 2-3 minutes at peak times. With the colleges and high schools getting in and out, that line is a killer. I think more buses from Jamaica to Main Street Flushing only are a must. Just some thoughts.
MCIMAN2000
That 2-3 Minute headway is in the AM during the "School Open" schedual. I figure that in September There will be a beter than 5 minute heaway in the AM between Flushing Colledge Point and Reaves Avenue. And reverse service in the afternoon school rush 1-4PM There probaly will as be Evtra limited sevice to and from Hugh Grant Circle In the Bronx to serve the schools in the area.
When a bus air conditioning is on full blast, as I'm sure it was Saturday, plus the heavy load, acelleration/speed is adversely affected.
That is true, I read in a manual for the then TMC RTS and it said that the HVAC unit uses 30HP from the powerplant, so that means if you have a 6V-92TA rated at 292HP it will actually run at 262HP due to the operation of the HVAC unit. The Series 50 is rated at 275HP so if the same rule still holds true then that 500 series Orion was actually using 245HP for propultion.
Peace
DaShawn
That reminds me of the first generation of goldfish bowls in Memphis, TN-- they had A/C (Over the rear window) and for hills the operator had to cut off the A/C to climb the Hill. The last of the old look buses had a separate gasoline (diesel?) motor with exhauser tail pipe for the Thermoking A/C which had separate ductwork running along the roof. They got really cold! I remember the drivers had three switches to start those-- a choke, starter motor and compressor/fan.
Does anyone have the radio frequencies of the various transit bus companies including MASBSTOA, NYCT, Queens Surface, etc.
The NYC Transit and Mabstoa,,are Trunked lines,,,,,800 freqs
OK-they are 800 trunked! What is the fleet code. I have a scanner that can handle trunked frequencies( it can follow conversations if they switch to another channel.)
Try www.trunktracker.com/states/ny.html
This morning I was driving along Fordham Road and when I reached University Ave I spotted an Orion V from Amsterdam (#421) operating on the Bx3 (Kingsbridge route). Is this a school and/or rush thing???
Wayne
It may be just a school tripper that Amsterdam has, forgot what line it transfers from either the BX6 or BX15
Every once in a while in the NY Div. ERA meeting they will show slides of Canada, or someone will be selling pictures, and I see this red trackless trolley, made by brill that looks like a cross between a new look Gm and Flxible. The side windows are like Flxible, but the middle small window (opposite the back door) is square, like GM, not slanted like Flx., and there is the little window between the drivers seat/front foor and the front seats, also like the GM's, but shaped different. The windshield is more rounded, like the GM "Fishbowl" as well, but the rear window was flat like Flxibles. The difference from both GM and Flx., was that there were no standee windows. Pretty interesting vehicle.
Were any of these even made with diesel engines?
Are any still running anywhere, or have any been saved anywhere?
Were or are there any in the US?
What year or decade were they from?
You are seeing a Flyer E-700. to my knolege toronto had the largest fleet of em in electric mode. San Fran has 2 and Dayton has 1. diesel versions were made and the TTC had some along with BCT in vancouver and a few other compnays.
The trackless trolleys you refer to were manufactured in 1970-71 specifically to replace the TTC's original 1948 CCF-Brill fleet. In the excellent book, "50 Years of Progressive Transit - The Story of the TTC" there is a writeup of this fleet. I believe it was about 200 vehicles. The electrical components from the 1948 Brills was removed and remanufactured, and installed in new Flyer-built bodies. When I was in Toronto in 1987 I rode these vehicles on the 6-Bay and other trackless routes. Today the entire TTC trackless system is gone forever.
This morning on my way to work, I got a rare treat. 9653, which is usually assigned to the 7B route, was on my 68 route. She hasn't changed a bit. Pulls maximum revs in every gear, even sixth. She's seemed really fast this morning, better than sister 9630. These Gillig Phantoms have soft seats up front and in the middle, hard seats in the rear. They can carry up to two wheelchairs. I see her every morning, but I don't ride the 7B route often. The regular bus on the 68 is #9103, a five speed Gillig. I didn't miss that bus one bit, 9653 is always a joy to ride.
For a short time, Queens Surface was operating a former Red and Tan Flxible in express bus service. What was unusual is that the bus was still wearing her Red and Tan livery, with the words Queens Surface written over it. I didn't see the bus number, I was too far away. It is presumed that this bus was either retired or scrapped.
They left here, QS, in the early '90s. Sorry, but I don't know what was done with them.
Mr t__:^)
I remember the last QS flexible that I rode on the Q66 and it was in May of 1994. It was bus 821. Rode good, wish they kept a few around. The first QS RTS TMC was 275. This started the delivery of 125 to be sent to QS. A question though: Why does Triboro Coach have only 29 TMC'S and Green Lines have 33? Just a thought.
MCIMAN2000
[I remember the last QS flexible that I rode on the Q66 and it was in May of 1994. It was bus 821.]
I wouldn't have quessed that they lasted here that long, I was here a month then & saw a few Fishbowels ... of course then I didn't know what I was looking at.
Mr t__:^)
Thurston,
I'm not sure either, but in early 1994 I think Queens Surface may have had a few Grumman 870's left. I'm guessing that the arrival of the Nova RTS allowed the remaining Grummans to be retired.
Wayne
From what I have seen, the MTA retired their Flxibles in the 7600-7700 and 9000-9300 series because they were getting old, and they lacked wheelchair lifts. Some of the two speed Flxibles found a new life with the Postal Service, for a while anyway. They were painted all white with black wheels and I believe they were used for employee transports. The Transit police and the NYPD also picked up a few. They retained their MTA livery, but were modified with light bars and appropriate lettering. Not much is known about the rest, they were either sold to other agencies or retired.
From what I have seen, the MTA retired their Flxibles in
the 7600-7700 and 9000-9300 series because they were
getting old, and they lacked wheelchair lifts. Some of
the two speed Flxibles found a new life with the Postal
Service, for a while anyway. They were painted all white
with black wheels and I believe they were used for
employee transports. The Transit police and the NYPD also picked up a few. They retained their MTA livery, but were modified with light bars front and rear with Transit Police or NYPD lettering. Not much is known about the rest. At least one Flxible remains with the original blue/dark blue livery, and I believe one more in the blue on white livery. None of them are in passenger service.
On some MTA Flxibles, what was that hump on the back of the bus above the rear window for? I think it was for the A/C, but I don't think those buses had A/C.
All buses ordered by the TA from 1966 and later came with air conditioning.
The AC was on the flexes but the 1980's rehab removed it. I believe it was put back on sometime later. I remember riding them in the summer of 84 and they were warm inside
After the summer of 1983, the TA decided to stop repairing the AC on fishbowls assigned to local service and the Flxibles (all of which were on local service by then) because it had its hands full trying to keep the Grummans running. The fishbowl/Flxible AC was located in a position where it bounced around a lot, plus (at least on the Flxibles) much of the cool air ended up going out through the floor, of all places. In 1983, the AC on the fishbowls/Flxibles worked only 29% of the time (though one depot -- Amsterdam, I believe -- had it working 68% of the time). Given the dismal performance of the units and the huge effort being made to keep the Grummans running (and subsequently to keep buses operating past their prime as Grumman replacements), NYCT decided it wasn't worth the effort to keep the AC going on the older buses.
When 350 fishbowls were overhauled by Blitz as Grumman replacements, AC was overhauled (with new air distribution) on the express buses. It was removed (partially or totally, depending on the individual bus) on the local buses, and then the TA used a special grant from the city to install new units. These new units worked fine until the buses were getting near the end of their service lives, at which time the TA apparently stopped charging them with Freon; they still chugged away, but nothing happened. The AC on the Blitz expresses, IIRC, never did very much.
David
[The AC was on the flexes but the 1980's rehab removed it. I believe it was put back on sometime later. I remember riding them in the summer of 84 and they were warm inside]
Thanks Sid. I thought they were part of the A/C system, but I have never been on a MTA Flxible with working A/C.
I rode on bus 109 2 times today on the Q32. My question is why would they run a "coach" on a Saturday? I can see it on a weekday but not on a weekend. Don't CS have plenty of hard-seaters to run out on the road on the weekends? Also, at 61 Street and Roosevelt Ave right by the Q53 stop, I saw 4576 and a whole bunch of RTS buses lined up to go on the X81 to Randalls Island?! What is this X81 all about? When is this bus in service? Does the MTA have a schedule for this route?
Just a thought.
MCIMAN2000
1. Maybe the yard dispatcher gave the Bus Operator a choice of vehicles and he or she took the coach, or maybe enough hard-seaters were in the shop to create a shortage.
2. The X81 is a Woodside-to-Randalls Island bus that runs when there's a special event on Randalls Island, like this weekend's Irish-themed concerts. The fare is $3, collected only on the Queens end (loads through both doors for the trip back). There's a companion route, the X80, from Manhattan (I forget where) to Randalls Island.
David
[I rode on bus 109 2 times today on the Q32. My question is why would they run a "coach" on a Saturday? I can see it on a weekday but not on a weekend. Don't CS have plenty of hard-seaters to run out on the road on the weekends? Also, at 61 Street and Roosevelt Ave right by the Q53 stop, I saw 4576 and a whole bunch of RTS buses lined up to go on the X81 to Randalls Island?! What is this X81 all about? When is this bus in service? Does the MTA have a schedule for this route?
Just a thought.
MCIMAN2000]
I don't see why not,they are using the same exact bus 1993 Suburban Orion V on the Q74 during the week
Boy, you guys scared me with the title of this message! Starting tomorrow, I'll be working run 109 on the Q32 Monday through Friday, except for the week of July 4 when I'll be on vacation. Don't be too surprised if you see Miss 995. I still crave driving her. (BTW, she was on the Q32 this past Friday, but I still got her in the afternoon!)
I hope to see you this week on the Q32 with 995. I take this bus often.
MCIMAN2000
Does anyone know the routings for these Bus Routes
Thank you
Steve
X81 Starts from 61 Street and Roosevelt Ave makes a left onto Roosevelt. Goes down to BQE East entrance after 70 Street Goes on BQE to GCP and then over Triboro Br. Gets off at Randalls Island. Don't know about X80.
MCIMAN2000
What about the ret routing in the WOODSIDE Area
Thank you
Steve
x80 goes down 125st to the Triboro Bridge and gets off at Randalls Island. Essentially, it follows the M35 route, but stops only at the stadium. It's just a way to doublecharge people attending events on Wards/Randalls Island. Let's not forget, concert tickets have the parking fee included in the ticket price.
-Hank
Many posters wrote about the different sounding DD and Cummings engines.
Can anyone discribe the different sound of the engines?
Some school buses made by Blue Bird have the Cummins engines, especially the ones owned by United Bus. The 175 hp Cummins in these buses has a shrill sound, like a Caterpillar 3408; but not as loud. Most Gilligs, 1987 MCI MC9's and some of NJ Transit's Flxibles have a form of the DD engine. The sound is hard to describe, but, dpending on the choice of transmission, it has a nice whine to it, especially at high rpms. It sounds really sweet when paired with an Allison five speed automatic.
NJ Transit used the Detroit Diesel 6V-92TA in the MCI MC9A, 9B, and Flxible Metro B Transits/Suburbans. In 1994 with the purchase of the Flxible Metro D the use of the Cummins C 8.3 aka ISC has taken it's place. The Metro C CNG test buses NGV 1-5 used to use the L10G until they had surching problems and also due to the poor quality of PSE&G's Natural Gas they have been repowered with Prototype Detroit Diesel Series 60G's. There was one of these buses at the 1994 or 1995 Hoboken Festival. It is amazing to see a coach bus engine fit into the engine comparment of a Flxible Metro!
Peace
DaShawn
Speaking of different engine sounds, about 10 years ago, LA was getting new Flxible Metro's that sounded sort of like non-DD truck engines. St. Louis had some of these as well. I was told these were 12 cylinder. The MAN articulateds in Westchester also sound like this, and I was told that those were 12 cylinder. Is that true? Or was it an early Series 50 or C8.3?
Those Flxibles are powered by Cummins L-10 Engines. Bee-Line, LACMTA, Washington DC Metrobus, and a variety of others have chosen this engine. This engine is very powerful and is a great combination with a Voith Transmission. The M*A*Ns of Bee-Line are powered by a M*A*N engines but since the reman of those buses the transmission has been changed over to a Allison. The DDC Series-50 Did not show up on the Transit scene until 1994-95 as for the Cummins C8.3!!!!!
Trevor Logan
Thanks for this info
How many cylinders are the L-10 and the M*A*N engines?
The L-10 is a 6-cylinder engine. I also heard that the M.A.N. engine in the Bee-Line articulateds have 6-cylinders also.
Wayne
Today i just add more Manhattan,Brooklyn,Queens and Staten Island Division and Classic Depot of 100th Street Depot. More pictures soon.
Peace Out
David Justinianio "Meaney"
Excellent job on the bus depots!!! One mistake re the history of the Hudson Pier Depot---this pier was used by the Grace Line with the many "Santa" ships e.g. Santa Margarita that sailed between the U.S. and South America. These piers were built long before 1952 but perhaps this was the pier that was almost "totalled" in the famous and huge Grace Line Pier fire of 1947;then it could have possibly REOPENED around 1952 after massive reconstruction---I'll check further into this. BTW, I spent much time in the mid-1950's exploring the unique 12th St. garage (N.Y.C.Omnibus Corp.) with its wonderful mixture of Yellow Coaches from the '30s(numbered in high 300s and low 400s) and 20 of the newer "old-look" G.M.Cs.(3000thru3019).Keep up the great work,"Meaney";depot history is important to many bus fans!!!
Thank You very much about the Hudson Pier Depot but i have no information about the Grace Line in my book. Any way more classic Depot coming soon.
Peace Out
David Justiniano "Meaney"
Is there a site were I can get the LI Bus roster.Steve
100-130 Orion 5.501 1995 CNG
130-142 Orion 5.501 1996 CNG
143-199 Orion 5.501 1997 CNG
200-245 Orion 5.501 1997 CNG
500-549 Gillig 40102TB6V93T 1988
550-560 Gillig same info
579-599 Orion 5,501 1990
600-649 Orion 5.501 1991
650-656 Orion 5.501 1991
654-666 Orion 5.501 1992 CNG
700 Orion 2,502 1990 Demo
701-706 Orion 2.501 1995
707-710 Thomas Thomasliner 1996
750-799 Gru 870 53102-8-1 1981
925-999 Gru 870 53102-8-1 1981
1001-1033 FLX MET 40102-8T 1984
1000.2 Flx Met 40102-8T 1984
Purchased from NYC Transit October 1995
4206 GMC T80-204 1981 MABSTOA 2206
4243 GMC T80-204 1981 MABSTOA 2243
4278 GMC T80-206 1981 NYCT 1278
4290 GMC T80-204 1981 MABSTOA 2290
4375 GMC T80-206 1981 NYCTA 1375
4477 GMC T80-206 1981 NYCTA 1477
4505 GMC T80-206 1981 NYCTA 1504
4537 GMC T80-206 1981 NYCTA 1537
4597 GMC T80-206 1981 NYCTA 1597
Leased from Niagra Frontier Transit 6/1994
727 Orion 01.508 1986
734
735
740
747
766
773
DEMONSTATOR EQUIPTMENT
1300 DAC PSD 1982 Articulated
1301 same info
1303 Volvo 1982 Articulated
1304 MAN 1982 Articullated
1305 Scania BR112A 1982 Articulated
1306 FLX MET 50102-6-1 1983 Queens Transit 860
1307 same 861
1308 same 1984 Remanuf GMC
1309 same 1984 Reman FLX
1310 same ifo 1983 Green Bus 591
1311 same info 1983 Green Bus 592
Does anyone have any info on any recent purchases if any at all ????
Steve
Steve,
You seem to have left out the circa 1973 Fishbowls that were still iun service in 1980 and probably into the early 1990's.
BTW - Those buses were reasonably fast with a three speed
transmission. They usually kept up with car traffic on the Meadowbrook Parkway on the way to the Beach with no special problems.
But - good job on putting this roster together. Thanks for the effort.
I only highlited buses mfgr after 1980
I echo David's thoughts that you did a good job in putting the roster together. Here are a few comments based on some knowledge I have. Because I'm not 100% sure on some of this, please take my comments as only "as far as I know":
Gillig buses 500-519 are 35 footers, not 40 footers. Also, I believe the series goes as high as 563 (I recollect that there were 64 buses in that order).
I thought the Orion 5.501's may have started at 575 instead of 579.
There have been more CNG Orion 5.501's added. I believe the latest batch started at 250 and went at least as high as 283, more likely a little higher (to around 287). (I have been on 283.)
I believe everything except the Gilligs in the 500's, the Orion's in the 100's, 200's, 500's and 600's, and the Thomasliner's in the 700's are all gone (except some of the smaller buses, perhaps). The main depot at Mitchell Field has all the CNG buses, all the 40 foot Gillig's and some of the 35 footers. The Rockville Centre Depot has all the non-CNG (diesel) Orions plus some of the 35 foot Gilligs. Interesting, Rockville Centre is closed on weekends, so all service operates from Mitchell Field then.
The Thomasliners generally run on the JFK Flyer, but usually vans in the 2000 and 3000 series can be found on that route also.
While I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the above items, I hope this info will still be helpful.
I saw as high as #288 in CNG orions.
MCIMAN2000
are these buses 1988 buses
Thank you
steve
what year were these buses mfgr
Steve (thank you )
Regarding the Gilligs, 500-519 are NOT 40102TB6V93.
They are 35102TB6V92.
520-560 are the 40102TB6V92's according to production records Ihave from Gillig Corporation.
Thank you
How high did the number series go ??
Steve (what year mfgr??)
The MTA LI Bus Gilligs are 500-519 (35102TB6V92) and 520-560 (they are 40102TB6V92). They are 1988 models according to Gillig Corporation production records.
Apparently the order was originally for 57 units, and then they added four, as the last four are in a separate group about ten bunches down the list.
A Sub Talker has designed a new logo for Sub Talk. Howe about someone doing one for Bus Talk-- maybe a goldfish bowl?
More CNG Orions have arrived. I saw Triboro Coach bus 3070 on BQE today. Also QS buses 523 and 527. 527 must have just came out of the shop today because it had no decals, it was all white. Took a pic of it as proof. Hope it comes out good, it was under BQE on 48 Street. Hey Thurston: any more new arrivals (besides 523 and 527) /departures?
MCIMAN2000
Well, there's only a few more left on the orig. order. I understand that a few more arrived but don't know the numbers.
What's left: 530, 531, 533, 564, 565, 566. I suspect they'll all be here before Orion plant shut down (vacation).
Mr t__:^)
Hey Alan: email me your schedule on the Q32. I may see you there.
Did you have bus 995 today?
MCIMAN2000
Could we please cut out the To: stuff? Alan gives his e-mail address when he posts. If you have something to say to him, say it to him and not to us, please. (I'm saying this in public instead of e-mailing MCIMAN2000 so others will read the message and take heed.)
David
I'm sorry for any inconvenience but I didn't know how to get an emai address from the posts. Now I do.
MCIMAN2000
I agree,,if you have a personal letter or a request,,click on to that persons name ---ONLY
This is not an E-Mail Service,,thank you
Steve
To Northern Blvd.
1018
1545
1844
To Penn Station
1107
1619
1913
After the MTA scrapped their fleet of Grumman Flxibles, most of them enjoyed a second chance at various companies, mostly with Jamaica Bus, Triboro Coach, Green Bus and Queens Surface. The ones acquired by Jamaica Bus had their hard seats removed and replaced with soft seats. When I used to ride JB's former MTA Flxibles, there wasn't really a problem with people cutting up the seats. The problem was the seat cushions would end up on the floor. The A/C worked in a few of them. Green Bus' Flixibles, however, were poorly maintained. Washing and working A/C seemed to take a back seat, along with their RTS buses. The 71 engine and the four speed transmission was a great combination, since they were very fast. One thing annoyed me about the Flxibles. Apparently, the original air dryers were replaced, and these dryers made a shrill hissing sound. I know that's how air dryers work, but not like this. It got to the point where that's how I knew when a Flxible was comming. At last check, JB retired their Flxibles.
The MTA did not scrap any of their Grumman Flxible 870's, they were bought back by grumman, rebuilt and sold to other properties like NJ Transit. The DOT operators that have or had Grumman Flxible 870's did not come from the MTA, they were purchased at the same time the MTA bought theirs which equaled some 1100 units or so. The DOT operators units were never used by the MTA first that I know of. Once delivered from Deleware, Ohio they were operated by the approriate operators. JB still uses some Grumman 870's and If I recall correctly their units are the only ones that did not get the upgrade/rebuild that other operators went for. Because of this the 400 series 870's at JB only run during rush hours on low patronage lines. JB may have a small amount of Grummans still running today, but not for long.
Peace
DaShawn
The NYCTA Grumman 870's did get a second chance, but not with the NYCDOT-Privates. Most of them, approximately 620 of them went to New Jersey Transit after getting a mini overhaul from Flxible. A few went to Queen City Metro (Cincinnati). I don't know where the rest of them went. The NYCDOT-private companies in Queens (Queens/Steinway, Green, Triboro and Jamaica Buses) received their Grumman 870's new as an add-on to the NYCTA order. In fact they even had the 2 flashing (yellow) emergency lights that's been on every NYCTA bus since the 1968 GM T6H-5305A. The privates Grummans did differ from the NYCTA Grummans. The privates had 8V-71 engines, two-tone brown interiors and 2 X 2 seating. In addition to this the Queens/Steinway Transit Grumman 870's were 96 inches wide. The NYCTA buses had 6V-71 engines, two-tone blue interior, and single seating on one side.
A few years later Green Bus lines got a few second-hand Grumman 870's from Texas (Houston Metro???).
As recently as last Thursday I saw a Jamaica Buses Grumman 870 (#421) operating on the Q110. The Jamaica Buses 870's also had high backed cushioned seats. They were very fast and I was quite fond of them. I used to regularly ride Queens Transits' QBx1 and I'd always wait for a Grumman 870 or a GM/Canada fishbowl, which was just as exciting to ride. When I saw Jamaica buses #421 it looked and sounded pretty good.
Later Green Bus Lines and Queens Transit did test a couple of Flxible Metro's. These had 6V-92TA engines. I think the GBL numbers were 590, 591???. The Queens Transit buses were #860, 861.
Wayne
Interesting because I have a picture of #860 in the yard, brand new from the Flxible Corporation. I too love those GM Canada new looks they were so cool! New York Bus Service still has a nice bunch of them and they look brand new!
Peace
DaShawn
Pioneer Valley Transit Authority in Massachusetts received some of the ex-NYCTA Grummans; I believe they were the 13 96-inch-wide buses that had been bought for Avenue B & East Broadway but never ran for that company because it went out of business during/after the transit strike of April 1980.
David
If they were for Ave B and East Broadway, they were NYCDOT buses, not NYCTA. There are two seperate government entities that purchase buses in NYC, one is the MTA/NYCT, which purchases all the buses for TA and OA routes. The second is NYCDOT, which purchases buses for the franchise operators in Brooklyn (Command), Queens(Triboro Coach, Queens Surface, Jamacia Buses, Green Lines), and the Bronx (Liberty Lines and New York Bus Service).
-Hank
When the purchase went through for the MTA they had decided to put through the order for the Ave B & East Bway Bus co, That was under MaBSTOA. Ironically Ave B & East Bway went bankrup. So those had to come under the TA Purchase order, not the DOT.
Peace
DaShawn
About twenty ex NYCTA/MABSTOA Flxible Grumman 870 also went to Puerto Rico.
Just to add to the sighting of Grummans, I just spotted Jamaica Buses, Inc.'s #411 on the Q113 bus at the intersection of Sheridan Blvd & Wanser Ave in Inwood at approximately 6:30 pm. The bus looked like it was in immaculate shape.
I remember JB's Grumman Flxible #411. It was often assigned to "express bus" service from the 179th Street F train station to Belmont Park. These "express buses" made local stops on Jamaica Avenue starting at 187th Street. Glad to know they're still around.
When I used to live in Queens Village, it was always a joy to get the Flxibles. They're really fast and the engine sounds great. The soft seats were welcome after standing on the train all the way from Manhattan. I miss them a lot, but I get to ride Suffolk Transit's Flxibles. They look the same, but ST's Flxibles seat only 28 people, so they're really small. The DD 92 engine and four speed Allison was not a good pairing. She runs through her rev range quickly and she tops out at about 45-50 mph.
Can anyone tell me why a bus would be 14 minutes late at 2:30 in the morning?
After working the number 2 line from 1553-0122 I took the 0152 from W.P. to Pelham Pkwy. as usual expecting to make the 0224 #12 bus towards Inwood only to have to wait till 0238 for the bus to arrive. The driver was so nice even though it was raining, and myself and 5 other people were waiting under the cover of the shelter she stopped the bus 30 feet away on the corner of White Plains Rd.
If the driver of that bus #1018 reads this I want to thank you for yor professioalism (sarcasm)
I don't know which is worse - a bus running 14 minutes late or the same message being posted 3 different times!
Thanks Sid ... I needed a little chuckle to start off my day ;-)
Better late than not at all......
Hove you considered that they changed the schedule? I was leaving every morning (January 1999 Schedule in hand) with the intention of getting the 7:27 x17 from Annadale Rd. When the bus didn't show, I asked the driver of the next bus (7:31) what happened to the earlier bus. His response? I'm it. They changed the schedule in March, and didn't distribute new customer timetables. In fact, the customer schedules the drivers have (and kindly place in the take ones) are still the January issues. There are still schedules from September in some guide-a-rides, and schedule changes have been effected twice since then.
-Hank
A bus can be 14 minuites late anytime. Perhaps the B/O was a report man who got the run late, and the fact that it was raining doesn't lend to making up time. Then there could have been a wheelchair, a customer injury....etc.....
Can anyone tell me why a bus would be 14
minutes late at 2:30 in the morning?
After working the number 2 line from 1553-0122
I took the 0152 from W.P. to Pelham Pkwy. as usual
expecting to make the 0224 #12 bus towards Inwood
only to have to wait till 0238 for the bus to
arrive. The driver was so nice even though it was
raining, and myself and 5 other people were waiting
under the cover of the shelter she stopped the bus
30 feet away on the corner of White Plains Rd.
If the driver of that bus #1018 reads this I
want to thank you for your professionalism (sarcasm)
Can anyone tell me why a bus would be 14
minutes late at 2:30 in the morning?
After working the number 2 line from 1553-0122
I took the 0152 from W.P. to Pelham Pkwy. as usual
expecting to make the 0224 #12 bus towards Inwood
only to have to wait till 0238 for the bus to
arrive. The driver was so nice even though it was
raining, and myself and 5 other people were waiting
under the cover of the shelter she stopped the bus
30 feet away on the corner of White Plains Rd.
If the driver of that bus #1018 reads this I
want to thank you for your professioalism (sarcasm)
Lst week on bustalk, you posted a message regarding NYCT bus electronic desination reading list & you said on your message
"I've been working with a programmer friend of mine to see about simulating a luminator sign for a webpage. Basically, there would be the list of codes pre-programmed, any you would droose the route, it would show all possible sign readings"
I would like to know if there is any news on this, if so, when will you post this information on the webpage. Please post on bustalk.
Sincerely,
Michael
Before the X11 was seperated into the X7 & X8 in 1991,what was the service on all three brances of the X11 & how did each three brances run & there service. Please post on bustalk.
Sincerely,
Michael
Ypu seem to want a personal reply. Please send your email address.
-Hank
Some help, please. I once found a picture of an MSBA fishbowl, parked at Jones Beach, with a "Jones Beach" destination sign. Can anyone tell me where to find this picture. I have changed computers and lost the picture.
Thanks.
I believe that pic can be found at : http://web.utk.edu/~gallant/gmcbuses.html
If that doesnt work the link is on my homepage (click on Mikes GMC Page) http://www.angelfire.com/ny/kaybeespage
~~Kevin
Thanks for the lead. I found the pic at the first site you mentioned.
I rode the Q-53 to Rockaway today. All buses on this route were the new Orions with the cushioned seats. By the way, I also rode on NYCTA bus 172 on the Q-74 and have the white-and-blue paper magnetic transfer with the number of the bus on it to prove it.
Thet were running 2800's Sunday for the beach crowds.
I was at FP depot yesterday and I saw bus 3042 sitting in the rear between the two tracks on the M line. A surprise came to me when I saw 8134 sitting right behind it. Anybody knows what's up w/this bus? 3042 I know is scrap, what bout 8134?
MCIMAN2000
8134 is probably waiting to go to ENY base shop. Maybe they'll make a mistake and tow the wrong bus to the scrapyard!
Just as long as they don't take 4212! LOL