After attending the NYC Transit Riders' Council meeting 1.27.2000 and hearing complaints about artics slowing the service on M79, I tried a ride east from Broadway. What problems with three double-parked trucks on West 81 Street! The artics can bend, but double-parking, first on one side, then on the other, is quite a pain. Do artics run on other narrow streets that are difficult to pass through? How long ago did NY give up on 96" buses? Thanks. Joe
I had a talk,,today ,with someone AT the O N E Bus Co.,about some routing issues;
They run the following routes:
12
24 Newark Elizabeth
44 Tremont
302 Airlink
304 Pathmark Shuttle
306 The Loop
for the Red and Tan ,,owned by Coach USA
Also note,,12 is a Peak Hr Variation of the 24 Bus
Get this: while on my Q60 to go to school, I saw bus 4216 on X64? Don't they usually use from the newest to oldest for Express Service?
For example: 5100-9500-8900/9000/4500/4300/THEN 4200?! 4216 on X64 made no sense to me.
MM2000
PS QS 913 is naked with a fresh new slab of paint- saw her on QM4.
Last week I saw bus 9282 (an express coach) on the M30!
Dosent the x90 and x92 need express busses as it is? I saw a 9600 one night bringing a full load uptown.
So did I see 9282 on the M30, I don't know, but maybe Westside don't care what goes where. Who really knows what is up at that Garage!
Trevor
they sometimes do that because the m30 only runs rush hours, so maybe one trip goes on the m30(or 2), then goes to the x90 or x92 route. i used to see 3889 on the M30 last summer, so seeing 9282 on the m30 is nothing.
I did see 3824 on Q46 once. They used to run their 1700 and 1800 series on that route but since the arrival of the 4900-9300 series- I don't see them in local service.
MM2000
i am a business major and an avid transit buff. i was wondering how does one start their own bus company private or public? i am interested because i want to start one but i guess i don't know how. go figure. any info would be greatly appreciated,e-mail me if you can. thanks everyone.
lionel fortune
Well, first thing you do is find a decent bus. Then you get insurance. Then you deal with state regulatory agencies. Then you have to find customers.
It sounds like it may be easy, but it isn't. A buddy of mine bought an old 'Hound MC-8 and did charter work himself, out of southern California. He said once he was done with th state regulatory agencies, and then the periodic paperwork (for inspections, etc.) he was ready to sell the bus!! But he stuck it out, and was doin pretty good -- then he decided to make his company grow a little.
He said that as long as he did all the work himself, he made money. Once he got a second bus, and had to hire additional drivers, then he had to get all the insurances associated with having employees (i.e. Workers' Compensation, Disability insurance, etc.). And he said thn he started losing money, so he sold off the whole business and went back to working as a driver for one of the larger charter companies in southern California. He must be happy, as he's been back at that for eight years now.....
I ride LI Bus. Those buses I go on like the N27, N23, and N21 are always fairly busy, even in nighttime hours and weekends. There's plenty of ridership.
So what this I hear about cutting service? You gotta be kidding. They run the last N27 out of Roosevelt Field full with mall workers andd there are lots of servants on other routes.
How they hell can they cut any meat from the bare bones system LI Bus already is? If they cut out alot of routes, and evening and weekend service what are all these poor people supposed to do? How will malls and other establishments get help if most of their workers ride the bus.
Not only does this hurt the poor, it hurts all of us. Businesses will lose money, and you'll have a longer wait on line in the store.
Fed up with Nassau county's situation, businesses will look elsewhere to do business.
Bottom line is we cannot afford to have our bus system cut. Albany, it is your job to keep LI Bus running at it's current capacity or you've let Nassau county down.
I knew our crooked county government would cost us. Now that people realize it, it's too late.
The problem lies in the way MTA-L.I.Bus and its operations are structured, vis-a-vis MTA-NYC Transit.
In the City of New York, the MTA (through NYCT) holds the franchises on its routes, AND owns the buses and garages, AND is fully responsible for the service.
In Nassau County, its the COUNTY, not MTA, which holds the franchises, owns the infrastructure, and is responsible for the service. **MTA is merely a contract carrier!** Now it seems that the County Executive (Thomas Gulotta) doesn't feel like paying the contractor. That way, there will be money for the patronage employees (who, unlike other county workers, WON'T be required to give up two weeks of salary).
Since the County is unwilling to pay its fair share, L.I.B. has had to freeze salaries and stop hiring, and will soon have to cut service.
County legislators have responded that MTA should use its surplus to make up the shortfall. The problems with that are as follows:
1. The "surplus" doesn't exist. It's merely a SMALLER DEFICIT THAN WAS EXPECTED. (In other words, MTA owes only a few million instead of many millions.)
2. The Smaller Deficit Than Was Expected is due to increased riding by NYC residents. As usual, the city is expected to (over)subsidize everybody else. [Compare this to the fiscal crisis in California a few years back. The entire Orange County government went belly up investing in junk bonds, and L.A. County MTA was forced to give up $70M to bail out the 'burbs.]
3. Nassau County has a fiscal and legal obligation, which it chooses to ignore for purely political reasons.
4. Most bus riders in Nassau County are members of minority groups which tend to vote Democatic. Naturally, the Republican leadership wants revenge on them for electing enough Democrats to control the legislature. [Compare this to the fact that Republicans love the NRA because most victims of gun violence are Democrats.]
So, at the end of a long diatribe, it comes down to pure politics. It's a repeat of what happened in the City back in 1990-91. Will it ever end??
It's time that the voters of Nassau County wake up and smell the coffee. They have to get rid of politicians who have no clue about economics and just want to suck up at the public trough. If you listen to the pronouncements of the Alfred E. Newman look and sound alike Thomas "What Me Worry" Gulotta and his new side kick Peter Schmidt, everything is rosy. Sure it is, by cutting service, minorities won't be able to come into the Republican areas (read that as "white neigborhoods" as often. Therefore they are holding back the New York City sprawl (read that as "crime"). That businesses will suffer means nothing since their paychecks come in every two weeks.
L.I. Bus and Nassau County can't let these Nero's fiddle while Rome burns. Keep the pressure on and remember these clueless individuals in Nov 2001 if the county isn't under the control of a fiscal watchdog similar to the Municipal Acceptance Corp that NYC had to answer to in the 70's.
BTW, I am a Suffolk County resident and not a member of any political party.
Well as much as I'd like to see LIRR going into Grand Central, there are more pressing needs for which this money should go to, and that should be going to keep LI Bus afloat.
Not only will I have to find another way to get around, others will too. And that means more cars on the road. Ever seen Roosevelt Field on Saturday? It's gridlock, because of all the cars.
The county will become one big traffic jam (it is already, Mineola on any weekday). I don't want to be sitting in a traffic jam for years to come, perhaps I should leave Nassau county and move to Queens. Of course this gives the wealthy leadership of the county what they want, keeping the poor and minorities out (or at least keeping them within Hempstead).
Nassau does have an obligation to LI Bus and should honor it no matter what. Perhaps there should be some legal way of stopping the county from cutting it's LI Bus budget.
The "problem" is very specifically with the NEW Nassau Legislature and Tom Gulotta, because LI Bus has plans to buy more buses and expand service vs. retiring anymore of the existing fleet.
The Republicans want the new group of Democrats to fail, so the public will probally be the looser ... particulary those most in need of Nassau County services (it's not just LI Bus that they want to cut). That's realy too bad because the history of events that result in reduced ridership is that it's very hard to get those folks back.
Mr t__:^)
Gullotta has a hell of a nerve asking NYC residents to foot the bill for his mismanagement, by diverting our fares to his budget. Or Nassau County residents, for that matter. It's not like they don't collect taxes out there in Nassau County.
Well, it pains me to say it and it really is shooting myself in the foot, but some LI Bus service really should be cut. Having recently moved back out to Nassau County, I've been re-introduced to bus lines which have one or two passengers over the entire run.
I take one such line to and from my local train station. Sure, it saves me from having to drive to and from the station, but there are usually no more than 6 or 7 people on the bus -- even at the height of rush hour. During mid-day, there are only 1 or 2 people on each run. I'm fairly certain that there are a few runs during the day in which the driver could drive with his pants down and nobody'd figure it out.
Over the course of the day, 90 percent of the riders are either City commuters or domestic help coming out from the city. If this line were cut entirely, I don't think either group would suffer much. I'd find a way to the station, and the employers of the domestic help would pick them up at the station or pay their cab fare.
Worse yet, most of the riders have unlimited Metrocards for use on the subway once they get to the city, so LI Bus is probably getting less than $1.50 for the trips I take (I don't know how the MTA apportions revenue from the unlimited cards).
I pay plenty in taxes, and it really burns me when I see it going to waste. I guess I could look at this bus line as my little perk, but I don't. I feel guilty every time I step aboard this bus.
Chuck
Note -- I do recognize that there are plenty of LI Bus lines which should not have any service cuts. I'm just saying that there are plenty which have no reason whatsoever for existing.
[Worse yet, most of the riders have unlimited Metrocards for use on the subway once they get to the city, so LI Bus is probably getting less than $1.50 for the trips I take (I don't know how the MTA
apportions revenue from the unlimited cards).]
The brain trust at the MTA look at the unlimited" activity, then calculates what rate should apply to every dip/swipe. It is less then $1.50, but more then .75 Since this is one of the ways that LI Bus is similar to the DOT "privates" it does effect their financial health.
Mr t__:^)
IF Long Islanders feel that way the MTA should bail.LET THEM FORM THERE OWN BUS LINES. Its another case of 'so what, who cares if they have to wait a little longer for the bus.If they dont like it,MOVE TO QUEENS OR BROOKLYN. WEdont want you here anyway. YOUR not rich enough to live here'. Most people on L.I. drive anyway,and dont care about the bus. LONG ISLANDERS ARE SELFISH.
Keep in mind, also, that Nassau County celebrated its centennial at the same time the City celebrated the 100th anniversary of "unification."
Coincidence? Of course not. Nassau County consists entirely of towns and villages which seceded from Queens County to avoid becoming part of NYC.
Fast-forward to the present. Nassau still wants to be separate from the City, but also wants city transit subsidies. Can't Have It Both Ways.
THAT'S ALL WRONG!
When Andrew H. Green presented his plan for Greater New York, it did not include North Hempstead, Oyster Bay and most of Hempstead, even though it included the rest of the county. For most of the nineteenth century, eastern and western Queens were not on the friendliest of terms. This was exacerbated by the need for a new courthouse. The courthouse from the 1820s in the geographic center of the county, by the 1850s, a new courthouse was needed. The western towns wished to build in Jamaica, the eastern, in Hempstead. During this time, the eastern towns formulated their plans for secession. One of them included taking over Huntington, which then included Babylon. In 1898, when western Queens joined New York City, while it lost the majority on the Board of Supervisors gained in the 1870s with the foundation of Long Island City, New York City could vote on full county matters at the board, but could not be taxed. This angered the eastern towns, which finally achieved their independence as Nassau (the original Dutch name for LI) County in 1899. Exactly one year after Queens joined New York City.
So Greater NY and Nassau Co. didn't celerbate their respective centennials simultaneously, nor would the Eastern towns become part of the city had they failed to secede.
LI Bus does a good job of transporting people in trips not served by the LIRR. For example: Because the LIRR favors the Manhattan morning commuter by running westbound trains on both tracks, there is a long gap in eastbound service. LI Bus, though slow, fills in. The LIRR connects few north-south points. LI Bus connects Hicksville to the South Shore, Great Neck to Lynbrook, Roosevelt Field to Long Beach, Glen Cove to Hempstead. A westbound passenger can even get off a train at Mineola and catch a bus to Port Washington. Throughout the day LI Bus serves the shopping centers the LIRR zips by (Sunrise Mall, Massapequa; Roosevelt Field). As a Nassau voter, not a Nassau or LI Bus employee, I have to get to my legislator about this.
Very nice historical background ... thanks for posting it. Mr t__:^)
does anyone have the new codes for the bus destination sign changes as of january 2000?
1. What makes you think they were changed ?
2. Why do you care what they are ? i.e. they're not the same as the route or run numbers.
Mr t__:^)
If you need sign READINGS,I will help you
Steve
I just got the leader in the mail today and it says what bus changes are to happen this year. a lot of them are cool. i will list the following:
480 buses ordered 2001-2002
Colliseum Depot opening 2001
More parking facilitiles at:
126th St
Casey Stangel
Castleton
Kingsbridge
New depot to be bulit in Queens(though do not know where)
clean fuel upgrade at manahttanville.
though i wonder why no new depot in staten island?
480 buses to be ordered. several will be mci or new flyer over the road coaches. they better have an explanation for that queens depot since weve been waiting for 20 years for a 3rd depot on staten island.
NOPE WRONG!!!!!
Here is the 480 bus deal and the funny thing is that's a estimate, the real number is 478 (rounding up, such a TA move):
130 Hybrid Orion VI/VII Low Floors (This includes the last five of the '99 Order)
125 CNG Orion VI Low Floors
5 NovaBUS RTS-06 Hybrid Elctrics (1 coming in February)
140 New Flyer D60HF Articulateds (in back of the 260 Order)
75 Breda Low Floor
3 New Flyer D45S Vikings (1 already here)
Trevor Logan
I was talking to someone who talk to someone in Orion. The different in the VI and VII is that the VII will have steps in the rear section of the bus. This is so there can be more seating in the bus.
Queens????? WHY? SI Needs it more!
Trevor
Yes, of course Staten Island needs a third depot, and S.I. electeds have been requesting it for years.
HOWEVER, the same electeds have continually rejected every proposed site, because any site will BOTH remove land from the property tax rolls AND be in somebody's back yard.
Solutions:
1. Expand Yukon and/or Castleton.
2. Run S.I. out of Ulmer Park.
3. New depot in New Jersey.
4. Contract out to Academy or Coach USA. :-)
1 won't happen, there's no room at either site without taking private property.
2 is too inefficient, even for the TA.
3 see 2.
4 If Guy Molinari has his way, it'll be a reality. But you should have seen the flack Academy took after the last snow.
-Hank
the only place i could suggest putting a depto is near arthur kill road near the outerbrdige(where vererans rd is). there is not much there and a garage for at least 50 buses can work.
Anyone know the power ratings of the following engines?
DD 6V92TA
DD 6V92TTA
DD 8V71N
Cummins 8.3
Cummins L-10
Cummins M-11
Also, anyone have wavs. of the engine sounds?
You may want to try the Detroit Diesel & Cummins websites.
Wayne
There are a variety of HP ratings for the differnt blocks.
What engine is used in the Nova Low Floor?
I listerned to the wav from Tervor's web site and it didn't sound like a Series 50. Sounds almost like a Series 60.
The Engine on the Nova LFS is a 7.2L Detroit Diesel Series 40E rated at a 275 Horsepower hooked to a Allison World B300R 4-Speed Transmission.
Trevor
It is also available with the Cummins 8.3 liter Both are good engine packages.
What is the difference between a T drive and a V drive?
I know the V-drive is used on transit buses. What is the discription of a V-drive system? Are the Orions V or T drives?
The V in Orions V stants for bus model #5.
The ONLY V-Drive Buses known in service today are:
GMC, TMC, NovaBUS RTS
Flxible METRO / Grumman-Flxible 870
GMC New Look "Fishbowl"
GMC/MCI Classic
Flxible New Look
Neoplan AN440V
T-Drive
Everything Else including a new NovaBUS RTS-06 T-Drive bus!
Anymore V-drives, just add to the list.
Trevor
A V-drive system has the engine sideways in the back and needs the V-drive transmission to allow the power to "turn the corner" to the rear axle. I can't recall how much power is lost from the engine from the V-drive but there is a power loss due to the 45 degree angle the transmission has to make from the engine to the rear axle. Even still, some of those buses that used them could really move.
A T-drive system has the engine straight in with the transmission behind it and the transmission has a direct line to the rear axle by using a short drive shaft. The usually are more powerful as the 45 degree angle doesn't come into play.
RDChilds
Your right I miss understood what he ment by V-drive and T-drive. Nobody is perfect.
Robert
The transmission by itself uses energy the one extra gear does not make that much difference in power. The v drive does not use a much passenger space for the power plant. The Orions have that huge deck by the back wondow over the engine The GMC new looks had about 14" and the rear seat was over the muffler, nice and warm in the winter and summer.
I just saw 2611 on the B41. It must be one of the last 2000's in serives in New York City.
it is the absolute last one. they should preserve it for the museum.
It is a 1982 RTS,having been in 126th St. for many years prior to being sent to FLAT.
I will be running a trip on a New Look "Fishbowl" in the late Spring or early Summer. Date, Bus # and price have yet to be determined. What I would like to know is, Who is interested? Please bet back to me with questions, comments or suggestions.......Mark W.
Sounds good to me.
I'm Interested. E-mail me all the info at MTABoy2000@cs.com
Trevor Logan
Yea Let me know about this trip too.
Yup let me know about it also
Mark, good idea---BUT---dont think you will get a charter from NYCTA.
There is alot of red tape in charterting a bus from the TA. You got to remember insurance, cost, and A-LOT of other things the TA will add to the list.
One suggestion I do have is running a trip on a New York Bus Service F/B. These are the last F/B's running in the New York City Area. They will, no dobt, get reitred by the end of this year. Also, Laffayette & Greenville in New Jersey continues to run two ex-Connecticut Transit F/B's #240 & 205.
Other properties with F/B's:
* Triboro Coach: 2 Canadian GM's T8H-5307A, used for special events
* Jamaica: one operational F/B, used for special events
* DOT Lot, Brooklyn: Dozens of inactive F/B's
* Jetaway, Brooklyn: probably one active ex Jamaica Flxible
* Premire Tours, Bronx: one surburban F/B
* Campus Coach, Bronx: one ex NYBS F/B
* J & T Transportaion, Brooklyn: two or three ex Triboro F/B's
Good Luck, post if you need any support in this charter.
DOT does not have a lot in Brooklyn. It is owned by Varsity/Command. DOT is using the lot to temporarily store the scrap buses. Also, the fishbowls in that lot belong to Varsity/Command.
DOT is leasing the lot from Varsity/Command, that is why I called it the DOT Lot. The property across the street from the Command/Varsity Depot (Flatlands Avenue) is owned by the City of New York. Some DOT papers I seen referred the property as DOT Bus Lot. Not all buses at the lot are getting scrapped, some of the city buses will go on bid for sale or possible transfer to other properties, while the F/B's and Grumman's will most likely get scrapped.
Where on Flatlands Ave. Between what streets. I want to check this place out.
The location is at Flatlands near Fountain Avenue. It across the street from a Sanitiation Depot.
ok cool i'll check it out thanks for the info.
Two other possible fishbowls are:
Model 5302 ex-Red @ Tan Lines #74
Model 5308A
Both operated by Double A Transportation of Rocky Hill, CT. They were both on display at Bus Fest '99. Might be expensive since they would be coming down from CT. (Don't know where in CT, Rocky Hill is.
While not in NYC, add one active suburban refurished/repainted GMC Fishbowl at Harran Transportation in nBabylon; they do charter it.
Hey Joe, do you charter your Flxible New Look #699 ?
Sorry, but the bus is licensed for display purposes only; it cannot carry passengers unless you'd be willing to pay for DOT inspection, licensing, incorporation and annual insurance in the $15,000 range!
Even though I doubt I can come, e-mail me the info.
I will be running a trip on a New Look "Fishbowl" in the late Spring or early Summer. Date, Bus # and
price have yet to be determined. What I would like
to know is, Who is interested? Please get back to me with questions, comments or suggestions.......Mark
W.
Mark618@webtv.net
(Sorry for the double post)
Definitely interested. I'd just like for it to have A/C. If it's a former NYCTA bus - I prefer the T6H-5309/10A. If not a GM of Canada T8H-5307A would be awesome. I realize you can still catch GM of Canada fishbowls at (T8H-5308A) NYBS - so I guess if we're going for nostalgia a TDH-5301/2 would be nice.
Wayne
wouln't it be real cool to either get the hino that the ta got for a experiment or the Grumman they have on the bus fantrip?
Mu collection for scale model buses is impressive(well, i am a bus collector, so that's why i have so many). But i'm looking for some differnet models. this is what i have so far:
14 of the RTS models that say ny bus(wish i could get more)
31 Flexible Metro of MTA-NYC bus Design
7 Flexible Metro of Ac Transit Design
13 of GMC Fishbowl
3-gmc old looks(bought at a convention, and labled them metropolitan suburban bus authority).
i am looking fot the following scale buses in ho scale. if anyone knows where to get these, i would pay:
-Orion V
-more RTS models
-GMC New Look
thank you.
HO SCALE ONLY.
I'm a collector and have over 1500 buses, all types, materials, sizes.
Particularly like cardboard put-together types that transit agencies give away from time to time. Dealing with HO scale only will limit you considerabley; there isn't too much out there unless you go European.
Joe C
id o have european. a few man americanas. Neoplan made a carbonfiber bus, and it is avaible in ny. however. the body is not that strong.
In the Walthers HO model railroad catalog (found at most hobby shops), there is an English company called Pirate Models that makes HO bus kits. They offer several GM Old Look buses, a GM New Look, a slant-back RTS, a straight-back RTS, and the Grumman Flxible 870 and Flxible Metro buses. They are unpainted kits - the pieces are cast metal and you glue the front, sides, roof, floor, etc. Also a bit pricey - they used to go for about $30 each, and may be more costly than that now. But it's probably your best bet to find an accurate HO scale RTS bus ... at least until the good folks at Road Champs can be convinced to come out with an RTS to follow up the Flxible Metro!
- Jim (RailBus)
Ah, Pirate Models from England....
Their RTS -- one piece diecast body, but the windows must be affixed a little bit at a time to conform to the curvature. You just cannot do the windows all in one sitting. My suggestion is to affix the top edge of the window material ONLY, and once the adhesive of choice dries/cures, THEN to the bottom edges. Otherwise, you'll never get the window material to curve as needed.
The Grumman 870 -- easiest of all to do. The windows and doors are one sooid acetate piece with the separators between windows and the solid parts of doors printed on. As the window panels are flat, they are easy to put on.
The "5307" fishbowl -- all you "batwings" fans will love it. only problem is....it is a B**** to assemble. The floor, sides, roof, front, rear, and interior are all separate parts. Just do it slowly and one step at a time. It is a real chore to get one of these looking right. I did one years ago, and it turned out awful, so I took it apart and started over -- and worked SLOWLY. That made all the difference.
I've never done their 4502/4507 old looks. I DID do one of the P8M4905 GM Highway coaches, and the difficulty in assembly was right up there with the 5307 transit, owing to the same method of casting parts.
Can someone give me the address of Pirate's webpage, if they have one?
Thanks.
They do NOT have a webpage. I don't think they are still even in business.
The bus models they made were in the late 1970's and early 1980's. No new issues have come forth since.
I think the only reason that they are stll catalogued by Walthers is that Walthers bought some and they are still sitting in their hobby warehouse.
You might wanna try http://www.walthers.com
thanks.
I got a so-called catalogue for Pirate Models----Actually its typed list on yellow paper. I wrote in Sept 99 and it wasn't send until 1/7/2000. The address is:
John Gay
7 Horsham Lane, Upchurch
Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 7AL
England.
If you give me a mailing address via E-mail, I'll copy it and mail it to you. Just hope that my copier doesn't mess up with a yellow background.
send me the list
pingu45@aol.com
simon s miller
i wish they would come out with a rts or a gmc with batwing that didn't accuire assembly.
Really.....I would too!
I've been trying to figure out how to make "batwings" for a Corgi model. Best idea I can come up with is to use wood for the main part, and shape it with a router bit in a Dremel drill press, then finish it with plastic (i.e. styrene) for th outer panels.
Anyone got any suggestions?
Got your own deot there..... I am trying to do that but right now there are n more NYC or NJT Flxible Metro's I just have to wait. Where did you et the diecast RTS?????
B46M Limited
Sorry for the spelling errors. In a rush.........
B46M Limited
bought the rts buses the same places you can now buy the gmc new looks. they were the same price as those but havent seem them around for awahile.
Didn t they sell some GMC New Looks at the Transit Museum GCT store last year. I remember them in a Greyhound Livery
Those are the ones I was talking about.
$1.98 in Sav-On drug stores on the west coast. No package, no bubble-wrap, no box. Just a cute little GM fishbowl.
Pull it backwards, and it will spring forward on its own.
Two pseudo-Greyhound liveries -- one silver, one robin's egg blue. Plus a white bus with a blue stripe that says "New York Bus".
Steve Does Savon Still have them and at which stores?
None of the Sav-On stores in Orange County have any left. I have 'em all! :-)
None of the ones in San Diego county have 'em either. A buddy down at San Diego Trolley collects 'em and cleaned them all up too.
I see this future with LI bus, the same fate as Suffolk Transit.
Suffolk Transit operates Monday-Saturday only, and shuts down after 8 or 9 pm, sundays and major holidays. If you have to travel around Sufflok County on a sunday, you are out of luck becasue there is no bus service. the only service in suffolk county is the n19 to babylon and the N79 to Walt Whitman Mall in Huntington.
I hope LI BUS doesn't suffer the same fate as Suffolk Transit. Why does Suffolk Transit shut down on sundays and holidays. Some routes must be mobbed during the week and saturdays(like the S1-operating on route 110 between Amitivlle and Halesite). A driver nce told me they won't becasue people don't complain. Do they complain in Suffolk for bus service?
Does anyone know the exact details of Routes to be cut
Steve
From what I understand, the drivers were notified of some rough plans on Wednesday -- nothing is final, and nothing will become final until April. Apparently this is also not the first time that service cuts have been threatened, although the budget gap in Nassau is clearly worse than ever.
Chuck
The same fate did befall MATA in Memphis. back in the mid 1960s they ran 7 days until 115 am leaving downtown. In the 1970s they were cut back to 1215am and then 1115pm. In the mid to late 1908s along came ATE (a management company) in response to a financial crisis and Sunday service was cut as was night service after 6pm except for a very select group of lines at a 15 cent extra fare. Heaven forbid if you needed a bus on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Memorial Day, July Fourth. Some lines became rush hour only service and then only in the peak direction ( Heaven help you if you had to return home mid-day or reverse commute!)
The only good thing that resulted was the simplifcation of routes to main streets and a reduction in "spaghetti twists and turns"
Hi Anyone here work at the Jackie Gleason Depot. Got a question e-mail me" I HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE PERSON THAT WORKS THERE"
sure, I work their
I'm trying to get a decal or hat
the girl i work with at work. her father works at jackie gleason depot. she might be able to get these items for you. email me here if interested or at pingu45@aol.com
Why not? count be in too. but let me know about price, info and all that other good stuff
Either a Grumann or fishbowl- count me in- just let me know price, location, day and time.
MM2000
I just want to know that i see some of B/O are Bus Buffs & other not because most B/O don't really talk about buses. Im a bus buffs but i don't work for MTA & alway talk about buses.
Peace Out
David Justiniano
The majority of NYC Transit workers could care less about being a "buff". A few do take an interest in transit issues and a small few a genuine buffs.
For example, I work for OA but I do not one engine number of any of the buses. Yet I take an interest in subway operations and history of trolley and bus lines and current bus operations. Of course I only speak for myself but in my conversations with many of my bus operators many could care less about anything but a paycheck.
I work for transit on the subway side as a Station Agent. There too most do not care--they see it as just a job but I have met other buffs working for transit--both on subway and bus side.
I have asked off to ride trains all day!!
I found that when you work a job ,,the FUN comes out of it,,,in other words,the last thing you want to do when you go home,,is hear about the job
I was a Fire Buff ,,,for many years,,,before I came on the job,,I would listen to the radio ,PD and FD and TAPD,,now,,,16 yrs later,,the last thing I wantto hear,,is 10-75 Brooklyn Box 3241,,or 10-10 Suspicious Auto!!!!!!
Steve, you're so right. Before I started driving transit buses ten years ago, I drove tour/charter/airport buses (always full size highway stuff). One of my avid interests was to photograph transit buses, and had many opportunities to do so, especially when driving tour buses all over the western USA.
Needless to say, since driving transit, I have given up the bus photography and sold off much of the 35mm slide collection. (Of course, there is still a load of it I just WISH I could get rid of...) While I am still very interested in transit buses, I find that I don't want to be around them once I am away from the job.
I don't mind using transit to get around when I visit another city, but I sure don't want to spend my time waiting on street corners to photograph them any more.
My case on a bus buff is I love buses very much. I dreamed of driving the B61 down Bedford Ave. to Greenpoint for many years I even remembered each bus I took to school bus numbers. Unfortenately, since the numbers are not in sequence anymore and some of my favorites are retired like 3164 and 4621 and so on those were some of my favorites. My point is right now I studying Hotel, Rest Management at Penn State. Nothing to do with buses although I know CATA fleet very well.I love buses not in the deatail of what engine 8507 or 5190 has but i like them overall. If we enjoy our hobbies thats cool and if B/O or NYCTA doesn't like that well too bad. I love those pics either Trevor or the others take it puts a smile on my face. So Bus Buffs lets contuine to enjoy buses because its what we like.
I'm a bus operator way out here in southern California, and yes, I'm a bus buff too.
The thing is, in any profession, you are going to have most of the people who treat the profession as a job, and a job only. I would guess that the percentage of "buffs" in any profession would be very small.
My driver is somewhat a small buff. When I talk to him about buses, he seems interested, and he's also said to people that I know more about buses than he does.
As I've said a couple of times before, I'm a Subway Buff that happens to work for a bus company. I'm also a curious person who wants to know why. This site and the other "employee" friends that I've made have provided lots of input for my curiousity. This has helped me in many small ways at "work", gained me respect with DOT/TA folks I work with AND is a good way to here first hand from customers (I include buffs in this) how we're doing .... Thanks Dave !!!!
Meanwhile I'm realy getting into the subway side of this site, i.e. I've joined a Museum, attended club meetings, went on tours & "field trips" and learned a awful lot of stuff. Dave, my wife thanks you ... NOT :-)
Mr t
Thurston hit the nail on the head when he said he's a curious person who wants to know why.
The majority of buffs have this one thing in common. We like to know how and why and what. Thats why the majority of buffs have other interests other that just transit. My other hobbies include World War 2 history, histories of highway and police department motorcycles and cars and the history of salsa music amoung other things.
I am a operator for New York City Transit and a rail/bus buff. When I was younger, I wished to get a job for NYCTA. After taking millions of TA civil service test I finally got called for appointment as a Bus Operator. Now that I've been driving buses for a few years, I can really say that I enjoy the job. My first year was hard because of probation but once I got the hang of it all came natural. As a bus operator, I learned not to let things bother or stress me out. Many operators take things to heart which causes them to hate the job. When you are drivng a bus in NYC streets you gotta learn to take things in strive.
My love for the hobby will never end, I will continue taking pictures and visiting transit properties that were never visited. This job will never stop the enjoyment I have for buses and subways.
First off, what is a bus buff? And are there levels of buffery?
I knew all the bus numbers assigned at Hudson Depot. But were they Novas or TMCs or GMs? Only a vague idea.
I know that the 7500s here at Westside are remans but I haven't got a clue who the reman is. Or what their old numbers were.
I enjoy driving buses and feel lucky to have my job. I purposefully picked a run on the 79 Street Crosstown line in order to drive the articulateds. I especially enjoy driving the newest and the oldest buses available. (5300 is a joy to drive, for example.)
I'm picky about the routes I drive. (You won't see me on the M104 on Broadway.)
I'm intrigued by the routes. (The M21 is a particular curiousity.)
I take pride in my knowledge of the routes and the chance to give people travel directons.
I take pictures of buses whenever I go on vacation and frequently shoot a NYC bus if there is something that sets it apart from the rest of the fleet.
Am I a bus buff?
[First off, what is a bus buff? And are there levels of buffery?]
Alan, I can't say if you are a Bus Buff yet, but will say this, keep logging into this site and that's exactly what you are going to be!
I'm glad to here that there are a few of us who like our job. I'll bet your customers know it too! Keep up the good work.
P.S. There are a good number of drivers at this depot who like there job, but aren't bus buffs ... nothing a matter with that either.
Mr t__:^)
While i was in Queens taking pictures at 165st Terminal & i was taking pictures of #8939 waiting for the light to turn green. The car was in front standing on the bus stop & #8939 was behind the car, when the light turn green & the car didn't move so the driver went around to make the right turn but the car start moving to make a right turn too. When #8939 making the right turn & BANG!!! The left side of driver & fender are damaged & the bus right side in the back near the exit also damaged too. Look like it was #8939 driver fault because he wasn't looking. Who fault is it the driver of the car or #8939 driver??? I have the picture right before the accident.
Peace Out
David Justiniano
id blame the car, becasue he was in the bus stop. this happens a lot in the city, not accidents but the same idea
More important,,,were there any injuries or FDNY Activities
There were no injuries & no FDNY.
Peace Out
David Justiniano
The driver is not a he is a she.
Peace Out
David Justiniano
Right side accident = B/O SCREWED
Here is the picture right before the accident & the bus got to close to the car going to make the right turn.
Peace Out
David Justiniano
CAR'S FAULT! Was in the RTS's Blind Spot!
Trevor
The TA will claim the bus should have pulled into the bus stop or stayed behind the car.
Bottom line - they will hang the bus driver.
I think the fact that you were taking a picture distracted the operator. I will forward this picture and your e-mail address to the union chairman for the Queens Division.
Zack
QV bus operator
Taking a picture distracted the operator?
I doubt it.
1) David was at the other corner, the driver probably wasn't even looking at him.
2) Even if the driver was looking at David, I've had drivers looking directly at me while taking the picture, one even laughed, and not one driver got distracted.
Distracted the bus operator??? i don't think so because most B/O pay attention on the road not on the sidewalk & only problem it because on the right side is a blind spot. Also it daylight. The only way that distracted the driver if im using the flash. Any way i will be happy that you can send my email to union chairman for Queens Division & i will tell them what happen on the day of accident.
Peace Out
David Justiniano
Ignore him, and don't get yourself worked up over it.
-Hank
The operator is at fault. 99% of right side accidents are operators fault. As you can see in the picture the car is very far from the curb. The operator should've used much more caution when passing the car since it did not seem that the car was parked. Since it was the end of the line the operator was probably in a rush to get to the end.
What, no pic OF the accident?
-Hank
The driver is at fault beacuse he did not cover his right side. He will get charged for that off the bat.
There probably isnt a better "Before" picture of a right side accident about to happen than that. There may be a case for the b/o action if the car had its hazard lights flashing.
It must have been pull in time or relief time.
The car didn't have the hazard lights flashing & even the car not putting the signal to make the right turn. I don't know what this lady thinking about or wasn't pay attention on the road. If i was a driver behind the car than i will wait until the car leave not going around.
Peace Out
David Justiniano
The bus operator should have been paying more attention to his/her right side mirror while making that turn. Operators are trained to take their time and become defensive drivers. They (B/O's) must scan their mirrors every 3-5 seconds to prevent any accident. He or she would most likly be charged because it is a right side accident.
To Trevor,
Can you please find out from NYCT DOB on where a site for this new depot will be built & will it be built in Brooklyn or Queens or if you happen to know this, please post it on bustalk. I read about this in the Jan/Feb edition of the LEADER.
Sincerely,
Jerry
Sure, give me a day!
Trevor
The proposed Queens depot will be located in Maspeth at the former AVIS warehouse on Grand Avenue. There was another proposal to build a garage in Laurelton, Queens.
wouldnt it be easier to put a depot in laurelton, or better yet, let Jamaica Bus lines take over one or two of the lines at Jamaica depto(like the Q4 for example). Does Jamaica have enough buses to do another line, or the ta doesnt want a private line to do any routes whatseoever?
According to friends I know in Capital Planning, there is a plan to put a new depot in Southeast Queens around Laurelton.
Maspeth is not going to be a bus depot, its goning to be a new Central Maintenance Facility, NOT A DEPOT. This was confirmed today at 2:15pm!
Trevor
then where is the new depot in queens going to be? they said in the leader that anew depot was being bulit in queens. did they mean just a maintenence depot?
yes they did!
Trevor
Ooops, chill man, I mean Maspeth CMF. The new garage is proposed for Southeast Queens. Friends at Capital Planning and old colleagues at DOB told me it will be in Laurelton, Queens.
any ideas what lines they would move tolaurelton, or there ae closing jamaica and everything moves there
As I understand, TA wants to eventually close Jamaica Depot and move int this new facility.
wouldnt it be easier for Jamaica bus lines to take over some of Jamaica depot bus routes untilt he new depot. I mean, Jamaica has 4 local lines and 2 express routes. Surely they can handle oe more route.
It is partially a union issue.
The union would never approve sending TA Bus lines over to Jamaica Bus Lines. The TA would loose runs and therefore jobs, even if just for a short period of time.
As you can tell from my name, I live in Laurelton, Queens, and the TA would be in for a huge fight from the NIMBY's around here. They don't even want a Pathmark supermarket, much less a bus depot.
Don't get me wrong, I would love to see Jamaica Depot replaced--the place is a dump! The only place they can put a depot is on Merrick Blvd. between Springfield and Farmers Blvds. at the old UPS building. I guess the same routes would continue to operate there.
This is the proposed site TA is looking at.
The proposed Queens depot will be located in Maspeth at the former AVIS warehouse on Grand Avenue. There was another proposal to build a garage in Laurelton, Queens.
THis is an old request
Please cut out the name stuff
example
To Trevor_______
Thank you
Steve
This has been posted many times. I would bet it will never end so just let it go.. Its just as annoying to read a post that says please stop the To Trevor_____ posts 500 times a month.
I agree. I've actually seen more "please stop To Blablabla" posts than I have actually seen "To blablabla" posts.
So threads that start that way should immediately be deleted. If we can't stop the simpletons from posting this way, we get rid of the simpletons.
I know the answer, but I won't tell you because apparently you only want to hear it from Mr. Logan.
Since I've never seen you post something not specifically address to him, why do you bother to post here? He has his e-mail on the board.
Go to any bus manufacturer's website (or any company's website you're interested in, for that matter), e-mail them, and ask if they can mail you a brochure.
If you get Metro Magazine, you can order them thru there also
Saw 8227 in a brand new coat of paint today, no ads.
Do any of you know why do some of the buses without the speakeasy system still have the little pedal thingy? Do all the buses come equipped with that, but not the speaeasy system? I'm confused. One one of the buses with the pedal but no system, whenever the pedal was pressed, you'd hear a loud beep.
Whats a speakeasy system?
The PA system?
Well, sort of. It is a new system installed in some of the new buses where a driver depresses a pedal on the floor of the bus, and a microphone picks up the driver's speaking. Find out more about it at www.cleverdevices.com
Does it serve illegal alcohol too?
Hmm... I never tried it.
All buses have had the pedal, but only recently have the speakeasy's been installed. In the old system, the floor mike worked with the gooseneck microphone which is almost impossible to find now.
When the speakeasy beeps it means that either the sytem is out of order or the PA button is not depressed on the main radio panel.
Thank you :)
I see that 5175-5024 will go to HUD instead FLA. Is this true?
B46M LIMITED
I still heard FLA was getting them, I'm talking with the TA tomorrow about the new depot and I will ask them about 5075-5124 again!
Trevor
5075-5124 are FLA bound
On the driver's dashboard, near the bottom, I've noticed a little white square button that says "push to test" on it. And when you press it, the phone rings. I've never even heard the phone ring, it's usually a series of 2 low beeps than a high one. Why is the push to test thing there, and when would that phone even ring, ans for what reason?
The phone is a two way radio system. Why they use a radio shape like a telephone makes me wonder. Maybe it is used to test the silent alarm system which is build into the "telephone". Then again it may be just that, used to test the radio. What bus did you see it on? Orion or RTS? Privite or TA?
I never noticed that before.
The test button is found on RTS models 1979-1987. They might be on other models not sure about that. The test buttons were there when those speed switch lights were around the little orange light that came on when the bus comes to a complete stop found on 1979-1982 RTS Models. Those were the days. One bus that would have that is 3154 I saw it today on the B40 route
See Ya
Ken
Are you all talking about the left side of the steering wheel column?
The push to test button is for the tell-tale panel - all those lights and symbols that come on and off much like on a car's dshboard (low oil, low water, low air, stop lamps, all that stuff). During the pretrip and the air brake test youre supposed to press it to see that the lamps are working, particularly the low air light and the audible low air buzzer/bell. Its a bell on older RTS and a more pleasant sounding beep kind a thing on newer RTS.
Yep thats it thanks for the info.
This was on 9517, a new Nova RTS, and it was a loud bell. Probably would've woken me up if I had dozed off.
My driver came in yesterday with 9517, and it had the speed switch thingy. Does the "speed switch" thing really do anything other than signif that the driver has come to a complete stop?
We have the "Speed Switch" indicators on our 1980 GM RTS's (03 series). On those, the Speed Switch just lights up when the bus is under 1.5 miles an hour, nothing else.
One of those RTS's (#3100) has been modified, so that when the Speed Switch light is off, you can push the door lever into the "Rear Door Open" positions and it does nothing. When the light is on, the rear door WILL activate, and so will the brake/throttle interlocks.
On our Gillig Phantoms, same thing....light on, rear door works. Light off, nothing.
On our New Flyer buses, same thing, but there isn't any Speed Switch light -- just the door/interlock works or doesn't work
Thank you.
On a TA RTS. Although I have only seen it on the Novas.
I you hear that same phone ring as you hear when the "Push To Test" button is pressed, just get out of the bus immediately.
That loud bell ringing means the bus is on fire.
I'm serious.
Whoa. Well, it rang, and I rode it from Chatam Square to 14th and first avenue (on the M9. How'd ya guess?), and I didnt blow up.
Ok, forget my last post. I misunderstood ya. If it rings when yo don't press it. Ok.
I would say thank you to all of the bus talkers that supported TransiTALK from the beginning, also thanks for supporting the other people's page (Kevin Barsky/Gary Chatterton, DaShawn Pretlow, Clayton Parker, Jason Davis) when they were not with TransiTALK.
Now that they are, I hope you will continue to support the page. As to now we are 13 people strong which includes the following new people:
Marques Boles
Jason Benedetto
Tevi Abrams (Mr. M9)
Avery Carter (My Brother)
Janay Key (My Sister)
DaQuane Cary (My Cousin)
Brian Wardy (DaShawn's Nephew)
As we will begin to see more work from these people on TransiTALK. Avery Carter on down to Brian Wardy are all under the age of 10, and yes we are starting them young and keeping them out of trouble and off the streets, that was the main point of creating TransiKIDS!
Support them on there work as you will begin to see more of their stuff on TransiTALK.
To view the completely new staff, Click Here.
Thanks for taking the time to read this!
Regards,
Trevor Logan
TransiTALK
And I would like to announce that my pictures will soon be up on TT! (I hope)
Uhm...this is a family board.
-Hank :)
You always have to throw your two cents in (Hank). Some things never change. :)
2 cents, fifty cents, what's the difference?
-Hank :)
At least you make me smile when i visit Bus talk :)
You failed the test! The answer is 48 cents!
-Hank :)
Hank, you made me giggle this AM, thanks :-)
Mr t
Lol :)
You always bring funniness to this board :)
saw #8397 today on 5th avenue. was comning up on 48th street and didnt see what line it was on. looked good though. Also, rode on #110 on Q32 this afternoon. I know this is a express bus, and has some scratches on the back windows. Why does Casey Stangel run this bus on local lines? Are they so short buses? No wonder the windows on the express buses are scratched. That's the same thing that happened to Ulmer Park's 1800's. They put them on local lines and the windows got scratched(look for 1834 to be believed).
Here is a list for you guys:
110 Q32 saw her heading towards Manhattan.
9536 X64
Green Bus 644 QM15
5503 shining bright on Q60.
MM2000
Blame the TA's unfair allocation of the 1997 (9250-9349) express coaches. UP has practically all of them. Queens Divison has the most 1982 coaches. While they are in basically good shape, they are 17-18 year old buses. QV has 10 of them, and JAM has 5 along with 5 1984 seat converts (with no leg room). JAM has 22 coaches and 15 of them are 1985's or older. QV has 20 coaches and only 5 of them are the 1996 coaches (9252-9256)!! Having said that, it seems as though QV manages to run all of their soft seaters. JAM is the guilty of running at least two 9500's or 5100's on the X63/64. This is due in large part to UP having 85 1997 Nova RTS's--QV, JAM and WS have to "share" the other 15.
As for CS, they have had 295, 296, 297 and 299 out of service for the longest time. Those are in addition to their growing maintenance problems. Since the Q32 is a high priority line, they have to make service somehow. Bus 110 has been on the Q74 also, so that is probably where they have gotten the window scratches from.
someone once said here that ulmer park needs 128 express buses to cover the X25,X27,X28 and X29. It would be nice if Ulmer Park got more newer express buses and sent some of the 9000's to Queens. However, the only express buses they got were the 3800's and 4800's from yukon and castleton. Is NYCTA in their next order planning to do more express buses? This time for Queens. I think they should order at least 50 buses, and spread it between QV,JA and CS.
Don't forget about Westside, they run the X90 and X92 and have 2 or 3 of the 9200's there.
Staten Island should have gone to all MCI coaches and sent their 70 or so Orion style coaches to Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens to replace the older busses.
I'm not sure if I agree that assigning most of the 1997 RTS Express Busses to Ulmer Park is unfair. They handle a significant amount of express service. They also have alot of old busses (1700/1800s, 3800s, 4800s). The original shipment should have been to replace busses in both Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan.
Queens certainly does deserve new express busses though - and will need them soon. Those 1700s and 1800s - as well as they run now - are approaching 20 years on the road. The 3800s are getting up there in age as well. If the TA does not plan on doing major overhauls on these busses soon, then new express busses will have to come from some where, especially with service increasing so much in the last few years. With all the new busses being ordered, I haven't heard any definite information as to whether there will be an express bus order within the next 2 years. Does anyone know?
In addition, why does the TA retro fit 3500s and 4500s with express coach seating when these busses are being retired soon? Why not do the 8000s and 9000s that will be around for quite some time to come?
there will be an order for 350 or more express over the road coaches placed this year. nyct wants to test the viking before placing an order with new flyer or mci. these buses will not arrive for about 2 years and will replace all non over the road express buses.
I can understand UP and other depots putting 1700s, 1800s and 3800 express coaches on the local lines. Those busses are not used as much now.
There is no excuse for any depot to put new express coaches (100s, 600s and 92xx-93xx) onto local lines. I really can't imagine how they would operate on a busy local line anyway with the seating arrangement and lack of standing room and isle space.
I heard that at UP the new coaches will never be sent out even if Local Lines need those busses. I always figured it was the same way at other depots.
Sometimes express buses are assigned to local lines and vice versa. This occurs for three reasons.
One, the yard dispatcher is an idiot.
Two, service must be made and the yard dispatcher sends out equipment as it becomes available.
Three, express buses have less restrictive governors and or higher transmission ratios, so local line drivers grab them to run faster.
110 and 111 were on Q32 today and 113 was on Q74.
MM2000
Just got the final word from procurement, 4:20pm Today, that 5075-5124 will see new life at Flatbush and NOT Hudson!
Trevor
Sound like Brooklyn & Queens getting newest buses from Bronx & Manhattan replace oldest buses.
Peace Out
David Justiniano
Any word as to when the bus transfers to Flatbush (5075-5124) and Ulmer Park (5205-5229) will begin?
The 1998-99 Nova RTS moves to Brooklyn should take place as the new artics are delivered.
when will 5205-5229 get to ulmer park?
Which types of busses are these?
These are the Only Diesel RTS that the city has with the ZF Ecomat HP592 Transmission!
Trevor
I, for one, can't wait to see the ZF tranny buses, 5075-5124, in Bklyn. I will be riding them on the B41 during my lunch hour. One thing is for sure, they are going to a great depot. Flatbush is up there with Queens Village and Jamaica in terms of maintenance!
i dont think the neighborhood residenta are really in awe of that place.
I have 4 words for that: damn damn double damn!
Oh well.
Why doesn't the TA order more buses with the ZF?
Thank you very much!!!!!!!!
B46M Limited
Don't Blast this because it's a sub pic and not a bus pic, Everyone should share this rare photo by me!
This is when I caught the R-142As being delivered across the GW Bridge!
Always
Trevor
Nice pic! And remember to close your HTML!
-Hank
IRT train? Looks good :)
Don't Blast this because it's a sub pic and not a bus pic, Everyone should share this rare photo by me!
This is when I caught the R-142As being delivered across the GW Bridge!
Always
Trevor
Is this one of the new trains that is suppose to be on the "L" line or replcaing a redbird in the bronx.
Replacing the Redbirds!
Trevor
Thanks Trevor.
Nice web-site hope I see you one day on these field trips
Ken
I can't believe they transport those cars with the side doors open. It was also interesting to note that they have quite a bit of 'trim' installed already, yet they most definately do not look 'finished'. I wonder if they were on their way to the TA, or going from Port Elizabeth to Yonkers for Kawasaki for final assembly?
-Hank
They were on thier way to Kawasaki in Yonkers from Port Elizabeth for final assembly because they WERE NOT finished at all!
Trevor
Anyone ever ridden on the RTS with the Plug type rear doors?
I rode on those buses once and I would like to know: Does the door open by itself when the drive puts the control handle in the back door position? Or does the passenger have to open it themselves?
I was confused by the thing and decided to leave through the front!
Also I don't like the older QSC RTSs. They have no stop request sign just a bell that rings up front. I end up ringing the bell 12 times.
NJ Transit's RTS has the plug doors, those are driver operated but when I was living in Maryland, the WMATA Metrobus RTS had plug doors that were passenger operated until they replaced it with the swing out doors.
The reason why Metrobus replaced thier plug doors with thw swings doors is because a lady feel out the back door and was killed while leaning on a plug rear door and it was deemed unsafe, unfortunately I witnessed this accident too, so I really wasn't a pretty sight, after that accident Metro removed all RTS's out of service until the door were replaced with Swing out door!
Trevor
The doors shouldn't be 'openable' when the door switch isn't activated. Even with the brake depressed, unless the door switch is activated, you need a battering ram to open those doors. If the interlock were to fail, which in the cited case it most certainly did, it wouldn't matter WHAT type of doors they used.
-Hank
The 1979 RTS Plug type doors where found unreliable in quite a few buses of that year, Metrobus just had the bad luck of really expeirencing why! And unfortunatly so did I have to witness someones death!
Many of Plug type doors (rear-wise for the RTS) were found unsafe for models years 79 through 83, in 83 the plug doors recieved a new design that made it more reliable.
Those buses made with the plug doors pre-1983 we given a new set on the behalf of Vapor Incorporated, It was kept hush hush, thats why no one really knows the truth behind, but after that accident, I had to do some diggin, Metrobus was the only ones that did not go for the recall and kept the orginal doors. Believe me, that family got paid!
Trevor
i have been on buses with the plug type rear doors only twice. once, back in 1990 in Mobile Alabama and here. Green Bus Lines still runs them (#1000's and #300's and #630-1). They are sometimes on the Q22 or Q35 line(think they assigned to rockaway depot). The driver operates the door. can't understand why the ta never bought them.
Maybe they knew about the dangers of someone falling out and hurting themselves. I guess the doors operate like the old fishbowls expect those rear doors folded. If I get a chance I get a pic of a CATA from state college and show you what I'm talking about. Oh if anybody likes webcams. CATA has a nice one at one of there bus stops. www,catabus.com click on live cam. Some nice orion, and new flyers. The best time to see a fishbowl pass is during morning and evening rush hour. Same time as here in NY. Good Luck
Have fun
Ken
Nwe looks had the folding doors on the first 2 series the rest had the two outward opening doors. The doors could be opened with a touch bar, manual push with a spring close or driver operated.
RTS plug doors can be driver operated or touch bars. I have never seen them manually operated.
The flat RTS rear doors are easier to operate, and maintain. They also let less junk and dust fly in .
Not all rear doors on the fishbowls folded. Some just hinged out like NYCTA's present RTS's. I don't think NYCTA or MABSTOA had any of the fishbowls with rear doors that folded open. I forget where I have seen them, but they did exist (Los Angeles had them, now that I think about it -- and their folding rear doors were treadle-operated). And on the other hand, there are a lot of later "old looks" that had the push-out rear doors as did NYCTA/MABSTOA TDH5106's.
I think the reasons NYCTA opted for the push-out rear doors on their RTS's is the time it takes to open and shut on the plug doors, plus there is less maintenance on the push-out doors that just swing on hinges. I may be wrong, but I think NYCTA is THE property that initiated use of this type of doors on their RTS's. Never saw them any place else until well after NYCTA's were delivered. (Long Beach, CA started getting them a couple years after NYCTA, and their maintenance staff cited the same reasons I mentioned above for specifying the push-out hinged doors.)
Well then the CATA Fishbowls with the folding in rear doors must be pretty old.
If they were US built, they would be the first or second series (4517/4519/5301/5302/5303/5304).
However, I have seen the folding doors on some 5307's that were built in Canada.
In any event, the new looks haven't been made since 1977 in he USA or 1981 in Canada.
Folding rear doors were apparently an option on GMC/GMDD New Look buses right up to the end of production. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in Boston specified folding rear doors for all of buses until 1982. This includes buses built by GMC, Flxible, AM General and GMDD. The last MBTA buses to be built with the folding doors were three orders of GMDD New Look buses: T6H-5307N's #6400-6424 in 1979, T6H5307N's #5200-5299 in 1980, and T6H-4523N's #5700-5726, also built in 1980.
- Jim (RailBus)
Correct, NYCTA and MaBSTOA never had fishbowls with rear doors that folded open as with the 7000/9000 series 5106 old looks; though for some reason I thought I recall seeing some of the 7000's that did. Can anyone confirm this. I had been meaning to ask about this for awhile.
Yes, some old looks (I do not know what series) did have swing out rear doors. also interesting to note that early new looks had glass in bottom half of the rear doors. This was removed in later editions when passengers kicked out the glass in the lower half of the doors. The more things change.......
Peace,
Andee
The glass on the bottom half of the doors was still available if the transit property wanted it as an option. Many chose not to have it but there were still properties that had it.
I too thought it was phased out until I saw more modern fishbowls that still had them and found out the doors with lower glass were an option still available through 76 on US built units and into the 80's in Canada.
RDChilds
True, I should have specified that this was a TA/MaBSTOA decision.
Peace,
Andee
I did see TA fishbowl 649 with those rear doors with the glass on the bottom half. That's the only one on a TA bus I recall seeing. Also one day riding an old look 7000 series with the swing out rear door, the safety braking system wasn't working. At one stop, the bus started in motion while a student was still stepping out as he was holding open the rear door. I think I used the front door!
At least a couple of MABSTOA TDH-5303's at KB had one (of the two) rear door replaced with one that had the glass in the bottom half. They were 6478 and 8369.
Wayne
As I recall, all of the TA's 7000 and 9000 new look GMs had passenger operated push out doors with windows in the upper part only. Fifth Avenues 2600s (I think) were the same except they had glass in the bottom also as did the 3000-3009 Mack C-49s (really classy buses!)
Add to that list the Surface 3020-3059 series which became MABSTOA 3221-3260 series; they had upper and lower windows in push-out doors.
(I just saw a picture of an Edmonton, Alberta [Canada] TDH5105, and it, too, had push-out rear doors with upper-only windows.)
>>>I forget where I have seen them, but they did exist<<<
Public Service Coordinated Transport, The previous incarnation of NJ
Transit had tons of fishbowls with bifold doors in the rear. They used them mostly on their intrastate routes.
You may find a pic here--- http://www.cybercomm.net/~dmackey/psct/369b.html
Peace,
Andee
I drive RTS's with "plug" doors every day of the week.
The way they are set up where I drive (Orange County, California), when we push the control handle to one of the rear door positions, it lights up the green lights and activates the rear door -- and the passenger has to press a tape strip on the door handles to actually make the door open. It will then remain open until the driver moves the control to the closed position.
We can also make the door open from the driver seat. The "Rear Door Bypass" switch on our buses is a momentary-contact toggle, so when we push it for a moment, the door will open if we have the control handle in one of the rear-door-open positions.
I did drive RTS's at another property -- and the Rear Door Bypass switches there were either ON or OFF. In the Off position, the rear doors were opened by the passenger pushing a tape switch. In the ON position, the rear door would open the moment the driver moved the door control to a rear-door-open position. In both ON and OFF positions for the Rear Door Bypass on those buses, the door would shut when the control handle was moved to a closed door position.
(That property was Riverside Transit Agency, also in California.)
If I am not mistaken some of the CTC older fishbowls(940-950's series ) from the mid 60's had the bifold rear doors
Yes, I rode those. I think they were Ex- Worlds Fair Grayhounds.
ebay item #252821597.
Looks purtie good.
And you'llpay through the nose at e-Bay. Those things have been selling for $19.95 out west (Tuesday Morning chain stores).
I saw a story on News2 web site about the subject above anyone have more details on this story. Check it out www.newsradio88.com click on 60 buses coming to NYC.
See Ya
Ken
Someone requested that I post the signs,,,NO CODES
S40 ST GEORGE
FERRY
S40 GOETHEL RD
VIA RICH TR
S40 SOUTH AV
S40 ARLIGTON PL
S40 PT RICH AV
VIA RICH TR
S40 HOWLND HOOK
VIA RICH TR
S42 ST GEORGE
FERRY
S42 CLYDE PL
ARNOLD ST
S42 FOREST AV
HAVNWOOD AV
S44 ST GEORGE
FERRY
S44 S I MALL
YUKON AV
S44 CLINTON AV
S44 POST AV
JEWETT AV
S46 ST GEORGE
FERRY
VIA CASTLTN
S46 W SHORE PLZ
VIA CASTLTN
S46 MARINRS HBR
VIA CASTLTN
S46 TELEPORT
VIA CASTLTN
S46 JEWETT AV
S48 ST GOERGE
FERRY
VIA FOREST
S48 MARINER S HBR
VIA FOREST
S48 HOWLAND HOOK
VIA FOREST
S48 JEWETT AV
S48 SOUTH AV
S48 RICHMOND AV
S51 ST GEORGE
FERRY
VIA BAY ST
S51 LINCOLN AV
RICHMOND RD
VIA BAY ST
S51 SAND LA
FR CPDNO BL
S51 MIDLAND AV
KISWICK ST
VIA BAY ST
S51 FT WADSWORTH
GRANT CITY
VIA BAY ST
S51 FT WADSWORTH
ST GEORGE
VIA BAY ST
S51 FT WADSWORTH
SAND LA
FR CPDNO BL
S52 ST GEORGE
FERRY
S52 S I HOSP
SEAVIEW AV
S53 BAY RIDGE
95 ST STA
S53 PT RICHMOND
S53 BAY RIDGE
86 ST STA
S53 VICTORY BL
S54 W NW BRGHTN
S54 ELTINGVILLE
RICHMOND AV
S54 FOREST AV
S54 SEAVIEW HSP
S55 S I MALL
S55 LUTEN AV
EYLANDT ST
S55 AR KILL RD
RICHMOND AV
S55 HYLAN BL
BERTRAM AV
S56 S I MALL
S56 LUTEN AV
EYLANDT ST
S56 AR KILL RD
RICHMOND AV
S56 HYLAN BL
BERTRAM AV
S56 WOODROW RD
S57 PT RICHMOND
S57 NEW DORP
S57 SEAVEIW HSP
S59 PT RICHMOND
S59 TOTTENVILLE
S59 WLLOWBRK RD
S59 LUTEN AV
S59 S I MALL
S59 HYLAN BL
S59 S I COLLEGE
ELTINGVILLE
HYLAN BL
S59 S I MALL
YUKON AV
S59 S I COLLEGE
PT ICHMOND
S59 S I COLLEGE
TOTTENNVILLE
S60 GRYMES HILL
S60 CLOVE RD
VIA HOWARD
S60 ST GEORGE
VIA HOWARD
S61 ST GEORGE
FERRY
S61 S I MALL
YUKON AV
S62 ST GEORGE
FERRY
VIA VICTORY
S62 TRAVIS
VIA VICTORY
S62 JEWETT AV
S62 CLOVE RD
S62 S I COLLEGE
VIA VICTORY
S62 RICHMOND AV
S66 ST GEORGE
FERRY
S66 PT RICHMOND
S67 ST GEORGE
FERRY
S67 PT RICHMOND
S74 ST GEORGE
FERRY
S74 TOTTENVILLE
S74 RICHMOND AV
C74 CLOVE RD
S74 ROSSVIL AV
S74 RICHMOND AV
S76 ST GEORGE
FERRY
S76 OAKWOOD
MILL RD
S76 NEW DORP
TYSENS LA
S76 CLOVE RD
S78 ST GEORGE
FERRY
VIA HYLAN
S78 TOTTENVILLE
VIA HYLAN
S78 BUFFALO ST
S78 RICHMOND AV
S78 EBBITTS ST
HYLAN BL
S78 LUTEN AV
EYELANDT AV
S78 HUGENOT AV
S78 CLOVE RD
S78 NEW DORP LA
S79 BAY RIDGE
86 ST STA
S79 S I MALL
VIA HYLAN
S79 YUKON AV
S79 RICHMOND AV
HYLAN BL
S79 CLOVE RD
S79 NEW DORP LA
S90 LIMITED
ST GEORGE FERRY
VIA RICH TERR
S90 LIMITED
HOWLND HOOK
VIA RICH TERR
S91 LIMITED
ST GEORGE
S91 LIMITED
S I MALL
S92 LIMITED
ST GEORGE
FERRY
--------------------------------------------------
S92 LIMITED
TRAVIS
S92 RICHMND AV
S94 LIMITED
ST GEORGE
FERRY
S94 LIMITED
S I MALL
YUKON
S96 LIMITED
W SHORE PLZ
VIA CASTLTN
S96 LIIMITED
ST GEORGE
VIA CASTLTN
S96 LIMITED
MARINRS HBR
VIA CASTLTN
S98 LIMITED
ST GEORGE
VIA FOREST
S998 LIMITED
MARINRS HBR
VIA FOREST
S98 LIMITED
HOWLND HOOK
VIA FOREST
S98 LIMITED
RICHMOND AV
VIA FOREST
S I R T SHUTTLE--ST GEORGE FERRY
S I R T SHUTTLE --TOTTENVILLE
S I R T SHUTTLE -- GREAT KILLS
COAST STORM
EMERGENCY ROUTE
RECEPTION CTR
EVACUATION CTR
TO SUBWAY
PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME FOR ANY CODES
STEVE
A full list is available at www.news12.com/longisland/lifeatures/mtabuses.sl
If I messed up typing this then go to www.News12.com - click on Long Island, scan down the page to the LI bus headline and follow the link.
Are these New Routes
Steve
They aren't new routes, a couple of them have actually been around for years but I never knew they had their own numbers.
They are special trips (usually one trip in each direction each day) to take kids to the Catholic High Schools. (I didn't know about the N77 District Court Shuttle). The two runs from East Rockaway were shown in the N36 schedule for a few years (I think it was the 36).
I think that the line from Roosevelt to Holy Trinity and Kellenberg may also be only a few years old, many parents moved their kids to Catholic schools when New York State took over the Roosevelt schools.
Chuck
Are GBL buses 601-606 former JBL buses? Reason I ask is b/c they have same brown seats on 601-606 as they do on JBL'S buses. And I believe back in 1993 or 1994, I saw Bus 600 on Q41. I heard that 601 was scrapped either accident or fire. Where's bus 609? I think JBL 531 was formely known as GBL 1002. 239 and 269 were scrapped b/c of accidents too, I think.
MM2000
Jamaica Bus #501 is ex Metro-Dade County Transit, built in 1980. GBL 601 was burned in 1997; 609 was renumbered 648. 601-622 are all original GBL; 623-647 & 650-652 are all ex COMMAND.
THE SOURCE
U mean 531 is the 1980 bus, right? And why would they renumber 609 to 648? Makes no sense. 655-659 are ex-Commands too. 653-654 are ex-Triboro Coach Methanol Buses. What about GBL 239 and 269, what was their unlucky fate?
MM2000
Correct, JBL #531 was built in 1980, it is ex Metro-Dade County Transit (Miami, Fl). I do not know the reason for the renumbering of 648, I will ask my friend that works at GBL. Also, GBL #239 was renumbered #649. This information is from GBL records. Bus # 269 never existed; the 1985 fleet is numbered 222-268 & 270-292. The serial numbers change between the two batches.
THE SOURCE
Yes, the staff of TransiTALK has done it again. More Images, More Juice than Minute Maid. Drop by and suck in the culture!
Click here to see Update
Regards,
Trevor Logan
TransiTALK
BusTalkers who want to ride and chat with me are always welcome.
Best time to get on my bus during the week (except Monday) can find me at Broadway and W. 79 Street at 12:55. After that, my schedule can fall apart quite easily. In the late afternoon, I'm there at 5:30.
On Saturdays, look for me at about 2:35 and later on, at about 6:20.
I'll be working 19 run on 79 until further notice.
WELCOME ABOARD!
Note to Trevor: Since I'm working on 2/12, I can't make the lunch get-together, but you and everyone else are invited to join me on the bus.
Typical NYCTA destination codes are easy to remember. Here is a break down on how they work on newer buses. There are four number codes used on a destination, for example: 5131 is Q13 MAIN STREET FLUSHING, while 5130 is Q13 FORT TOTTEN. The number 5 code is: Queens Destination; 13 code is: Q13 route; 0 code is: north/east and 1 code is: south/west. Miscellaneous short turn codes are numbered 2-9. So lets say if the Q13 had a short turn it will be 5132/3/4 ect...
First numerial code stands for divsion/borough:
*1 & 2 number code is Manhattan
*3 is Bronx
*4 is Brooklyn
*5 is Queens
*6 is Staten Island
*7 is express routes (example X1 is 7010)
*8 is Miscellaneous short turns and/or more destinations than 9.
*9 Subway Shuttles
I hope this can answer some questions you all might have on destination codes.
THE SOURCE
At this depot/company we're all in one borough so the Q65 is 651, but the express routes don't follow the same numbering system.
Mr t__:^)
DO the codes require initial programming. Let's say that a bus line starts a new route to be called Q110 to run from 59th Columbus Circle to the Queens/Nassau Line (fantasy route). does someone have to set up codes for this line
The Q110 is a Jamaica Buses route :-)
Yes, if a route is created, or a destination is changed or added, or a street name is changed, or an attraction (like a college) is added at the end of a line, or anything like that, a new code must be input. It's a problem; the chip in the farebox can hold just so much information!
David
Do you have a complete listing of all codes?
1 Newark
2 Secaucus---Journal Square
5 Kinney
7 City Subway-Substitute Bus Service
11 Newark-Willowbrook Mall
12 Orange ==elizabth ==24 Peak Hr Variation Only
13 Broad St==Clinton Av
18-22 Plainfield ==North Plainfield
25 Springfield Avenue
24 ORange ==Elizabeth
26 Irvington===Elizabeth
27 Mt Prospect
28 Newark ===Montclair
29 Bloomfield Avenue
34 Market Street
37 Lyons Av
39 Kearney Av--Chancelor Av
40 Kearney ==Jersey Gardens
41 Park Av
42 18th Avenue
43 Jersey City
44 Tremont
52 Morris Avenue
56 Elizabth ===Winfield
57 Tremley
58 Elizbeth==Kenilworth
59 Plainfield --Newark
61 Monmouth Beach ==Newark
62 Newark =Woodbridge--Perth Amboy
65 Somerville--Newark Express
66 Mountainside==Newark
67 Toms River==Lakewood===Newark ==Jersey City
68 Old Bridge==Jersey City ==Weehawken
70 Livingston Mall--Newark
71 Newark--West Caldwell
72 Paterson ==Newark
73 Livingston==Orange =Newark
74 Main ===Passaic
75 Butler --Newark
76 Newark =Hackensack
78 Newark Secaucus
79 Newark Parsippany Express
80 Newark Avenue
81 Greenville
82 Hudson
83 Hackensack---Journal Square
84 Bergenline--Park Av
85 Hoboken ==Harmon Meadow------Mill Creek
86 Nungessors ---Exchange Place---Newport Centre Mall
87 King Street
88 Norht Boulevard===Journal Square
89 Union City
90 Grove Street Crosstown
92 Orange Crosstown
93 Bloomfield -City Subway
94 Stuyvesant Crosstown
96 18th Street Crosstown
97 East Orange===Montclair
99 Clifton Avenue Crosstown
107 Irvington -PABT
108 Newark PABT
112 Clark== PABT
113 Dunellen ==PABT
114 Bridgewater==PABT
115 Rahway ===PABT
116 Perth Amboy PABT
117 Somerville-PABT
120 Bayonne---Wall Street Express
121 North Bergen =PABT
123 Union City ==PABT
124 Harmon Cove--PABT
125 Journal Square PABT
127 Ridgefield Union City PABT
128 Boulevard East PABT
129 Secaucus=PABT
131 Sayreville PABT
133 PABT --Aberdeen --Old Bridge
134 Browntown -Wall Street
135 Freehold -Matawan --PABT
137 Toms River -PABT
139 Lakewood --Old Bridge ===PABT
144 Fair Lawn -Hackensack -PABT
148 Midland Park ==Fair Lawn ---PABT
154 Fort Lee--PABT
155 Bogata-Ridgefield Park ==PABT
156 Englewood Cliffs==PABT
157 Teaneck--Ridgefield Park PABT
158 Fort Lee --Edgewater--PABT
159 Fort Lee=PABT
160 Elmwood Park --PABT
161 Paterson Passaic PABT
162 Paramus ===Maywood-PABT
163 Ridgewood PABT
164 Midland Park --PABT
165 Westwood -PABT
166 Dumont Tenafly PABT
167 Harrington Park -Dumont==PABT
168 Paramus--PABT
171 GWBT Paterson
175 Ridgewood GWBT
178 Hackensack GWBT
181 Hoboken GWBT
182 Hackensack GWBT
186 Dumont GWBT
188 River Road GWBT
190 Paterson Passaic PABT
191 Willowbrook Litte Falls PABT
192 Clifton PABT
193 Packanack Lake--Willowbrook ==Park/Ride --PABT
194 Newfoundland ---PABT
195 Willowbrook -Cedar Grove PABT
196 Warwick PABT
197 Warwick Wayne PABT
300 Newark International Airport PABT
302 Newark--International Airport--AIRLINK
303 Broad Street Shuttle -=Newark Penn Station Shuttle
304 Pathmark Shuttle
305 Liberty State Park Station--Park/Ride Shuttle
306 Newark Loop
308 Great Adventure =PABT
320 North Bergen -Park/Ride--PABT
321 Vince Lombardi Park/Ride---PABT
322 Meadowlands Park /Ride---PABT
323 PNC Arts Center Park/Ride --PABT
702 Paterson --Elmwood Park
703 Haledon East Rutherford
704 Paterson Willowbrook Mall
705 Passaic -Willowbrook Mall
707 Paterson Saddle Brook
709 Bloomfield -Paramus
712 Hackensack-Willowbrook Mall
722 Paterson -Paramus Park
742 Paterson ==Greystone Park
744 Passaic Wayne
746 Paterson Ridgewood
748 Paterson Wayne Willowbrook Mall
751 Edgeewater Fairview --Paramus
752 Oakland --Ridgewood -Hackensack
754 Moonachie --Paramus
755 Edgewater-Fort Lee-Paramus
756 Fort Lee --Paramus
758 Passaic -{aramus Park
770 Paterson ---Hackensack
772 New Miford -Hackensack --Secaucus
775 Paterson _Paramus
780 Englewood ---Passaic
Metropark Loops 1-2-3-4-5
M10 New Brunswick =Woodbridge
M11 New Brunswick South River
M13 Perth Amboy --Middlesex County College
M14 North Brunswick-_New Brunswick--Middlesex COUnty College
M15 New Brunswick -East Brunswick--Woodbridge Ctr
M17 Perth Amboy ---Campbell's Junction
M18 New Brunswick--Old Bridge
M19 Piscataway-Plainfield ---Metuchen
m20 Asbury Park--Pt Pleasent Beach
M21 Red Bank-_Long Branch
M22 Asbury Park--Malls---Red Bank
M23 Freehold Raceway Mall--Red Bank
M24 Red Bank--Highlands
M25 Red Bank --Sea Bright
M26 Asbury Park-Freehold
M27 Long Branch ---Asbury Park ---Seaview Square Mall
MCM1 Morristown ---Willowbrook Mall
MCM2 Morristown --Morris County College
MCM3 Greystone Park--Livingston Mall
MCM10 Morristown --ROckaway Mall
MORRIS COUNTY METRO ROUTES
If anyone needs any Operational Materials ,,regarding these Routes,Let me Know
Steve
Title correction
Academy
18-22 (51) Plainfield---North Plainfield
61 Monmouth Beach to Newark via Rte 36
2 Secaucus --Journal Sq
88 North Blvd--Journal Sq
123 Union City ---NY
125 Journal Sq --_NY
322 Meadowlands Park.ride---Meadowland PLaza -NY
323 Garden States Arts Ctr----Park RIde---NY
Metro Park Loops 1 2 3 4 5
M19 Piscataway --Plainfield--Metuchen--Middlsex M
all
---------------------------------------------------
O N E
B U S
24 Newark Elizabeth
44 Tremont
302 Newark ,,Newark Airport --AIRLINK
306 The Loop
--------------------------------------------
Red and Tan
M10
M11
m13
m14
M15
M17
M18
978 Newark----- Raritan Ctr
979 Irvington-- Raritan Ctr
--------------------------------------------
SUBURBAN
139 Lakewood ---Old Bridge--NY via Route 9
also NJT Howell Garage runs this Route
884 Clinton ---Somerville Connection
980 Centenial Avenue Employees Shuttle (S Plainfield area)
986 Murrey Hill COnnection
989 Hillsborough --Bedminster
------------------------------------------------
Lafeyette and Greenville
305 Liberty State Park Station--Park and Ride
-------------------------------------------------
Transbridge
250 Allentown-NY
251 Doylestown--Frenchtown--NY
-------------------------------------------------
Community
351 Meadowlands Sports COmplex---NY
also NJT Meadowlands Garage
751
752
753
755
756
762
772
780
970 Passaic--Totawa--Wayne
971 Paterson---Totawa-wayne
----------------------------------------------
Salem County Transit
423 Penns Grove--Pennsville--Wilmington,Del
468 PennS Grove--Mannington--Woodstown
---------------------------------------------
Delaware River
890 south Main St
891 Hackman Street (N Main St)
----------------------------------------------
Lion Corp
976 Lawrence---Princeton JCt--RR STATION
977 West Windsor--Princeton Jct RR Station
------------------------------------------------
Town and Country
965 County College of Morris--Parsipany
966 Convent Station Employee Shuttle
967 Sparta Diamond Express
973 Downtwon Hacketstown Express
--------------------------------------------------
PABCO
MCM1
MCM2
MCM3
MCM10
-------------------------------------------------
TCT Transit
M20
M21
M22
M23
M24
M25
M26
M27
31 images had been added on NYCTransiTrans Bus page & enjoy it!!!
Peace Out
David Justiniano
You website looks more and more like transit talk's by the day!!
Thank You to those who organized and presented the 2nd Polo Grounds Tour. It was excellent and I enjoyed it very much. I was wondering if you are going to update the Group Photo? Also when was all of the ornate staircases removed from the Harlem side of the bridge? I could not hear due to traffic at that time. thanks again
Guess 8939's accident wasn't that serious b/c I took a pic of her on Q17 today.
mm2000
I just received a pair of SEPTA Flxible Metro's done by Road Champs. This was a special run, requested by SEPTA, so you will NOT find it in retail stores (unless a few got away from Road Champs....)
You can buy them for $8.00 each -- plus $5.00 shipping per order, directly from SEPTA's Transit Museum store.
Here's the URL:
http://www.septa.com/store/tmstore.html
The only drawback is that they do NOT have online ordering; you must print out the order form and snailmail it to them with your address and remittance. They DO take Visa and Mastercard, though.
Lucky you, when I ordered them they were out, guess I will try again.
I guess they must have gotten more. I sent the order off via snailmail on 1/29/2000. And they were on my doorstep on 2/5/2000.
Nice quick service!!
Now if only the tax refunds would come that fast! :-)
Did SEPTA ever run Flxible Metros? I cannot ever remember seeing one. I thought they went right from GM and Flxible new looks to RTS and Neoplans. Unless I'm wrong about this, it seems odd to make a model of a bus which never existed.
No they did not have them.
There's nothing odd about them being made in model form. Regardless of whether they were "prototypical" versions or not, they sold, and that is what Road Champs intended.
Road Champs makes nine versions for general sale, plus they did special runs for CAT (Las Vegas) and SEPTA (Philadelphia). Of the nine general sale versions them made, only four properties depicted actually had buses that were exactly like the models.
can you list the ones that road champs made, as well as the special ones that they made for certain cities?
Flxible METRO-D Road Champs Models Made were:
MTA-New York City Bus
New Jersey Transit
DART – Dallas Area Rapid Transit
Houston METRO
SEPTA – Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority
St. Paul “T”
AC Transit – Oakland CA
Chicago Transit Authority
Metro-Dade Miami Transit
MARTA – Atlanta
Flxible METRO-D Road Champs Specials were:
San Francisco MUNI
Sky Bus – Natural Gas
LACMTA – Los Angeles
Trevor
As far as I know, the SEPTA was a special. The Natural gas bus I know of was issued by another maker for Ohio Natural gas. The L.A. and Muni buses are news to me; I'll need to check my sources.
Joe C
The natural gas bus wasn't for Ohio Natural Gas, it was just a bus with a blue sky paint scheme on it from Road Champs. The LA and Muni bus I've only seen one of each from someone that has the two models!
Trevor
And guess who painted the SF Muni, LACMTA, and the Clean Air buses?
ME!!!
I did them special for another bus fan who actually has a web page, and is the co-editor of Western Transit (Mr. Craig A. Barnes).
The "Clean Air" version is actually a North San Diego County Transit District (Oceanside, CA) version. It's one of their 2000-2004 series buses. They run around with only clouds and numbers on them. I've also done some of their "normal" blue/white/teal paint scheme onto some of the Flxible Metro models. The hardest part was the lettering along the roofline, had to do it letter-by-letter; at my ripe old age, those small letters sure cause a lot of eyestrain!
I've done probably a dozen of the SF Muni ones, as there WAS a source for the logos. The logos were actually intended for HO scale PCC cars. They also made an O scale version, which I have used on half a dozen Corgi fishbowls too. Unfortunately, the source discontinued them, they are NOT available any more. The stuff was actually rub-on "Instant Lettering". Muni was the only transit property they made stuff for; the rest of their stuff was vintage railroad cars in all scales.
i would want to buy the sky bus(the clena air one). I attempted to get it via the Bus yard, because it was told to be ordered through it, yet i'm unable to. If you know of any way to order this model, let me know.
Mr. Barnes, whose web page it is on, is not able to mass-market them, as I was the one who painted them for him. I simply don't have the time to do that sort of thing any more.
The SF Muni version is not available any more, simply because the manufacturer of the logos is not in business any more.
The LACMTA version? I did the logo on my computer, and painted the rest. I used decal stripes.
If you want the LACMTA logo and wish to do a paint job on your own, I'd be happy to e-mail you the logo file and you can enlarge/reduce it to whatever size you wish.
Thanx for setting the record straight, Steve. I knew Roadchamps did not factory produce these 3 versions of the Flx Metro.
Got to be very careful what gets posted and read here. I see people running all over the country, dollars in hand, looking for things that don't exist, or exist in someone's private collection. (aka scratch built).
Joe
i also know that road champs didnt make las vegas models, however, they are avabile in las vegas(maybe as a promotion gift, like the SEPTA one.) I plan to have 4 of them in my hands withing the next 2 weeks, and i wait for te day when road champs comes out with either a RTS or a NOVABUS model.
Road Champs DID make the Vegas Bus, I am looking at the bottom of the one I bought there 2 weeks ago and says C) 1995 Road Champs West Caldwell NJ etc made in China
just ordered the 4 from vegas. cant wait to see what they look like. any way to contct road champs to see what new ones will come out with in any bus, shape or form? or is that all they are making?
RECAP of Flxible Metro-D models made in HO scale:
Road Champs general production:
NJ Transit
MTA (New York)
CTA (Chicago)
DART (Dallas)
AC Transit (Oakland)
MDTA (Miami)
MARTA (Atlanta)
MTC (Minneapolis-St. Paul)
MTA (Houston)
Road Champs special runs (that we know of anyway):
SEPTA (Philadelphia)
CAT (Las Vegas)
And here's what *I* have painted:
OCTD (orange County, CA) -- old colors, single orange stripe
NCTD (Oceanside, CA) -- new colors, blue/white/teal
NCTD Clean Air -- clouds
MUNI (San Francisco)
MTA (Los Angeles, CA)
On the ones I have panted, sorry, no more will be available. These were all done either for my own collection or for close friends. I
still have a couple dozen more that I will be doing up for some properties but have not decided which. It all depends on how close I can get lettering/logos for properties.
could u send me a pic of the ho bus you did for mta-los angeles?
Just to make sure here... all of these were Flxible Metros? And if so, metro-A's B's, C's, or D's?
The Road Champ models are METRO-Ds!
Trevor
thanks :+)
How do i find out if road champs will make any newer buses(either RTS,Orions or NOVABUS desgin in the same way that they did it in the desgin as Flexible Metro that they did. I would order them if Road Cmaps did. if anyone knows how to contact Road camps via email, phone # or a webiste(preferrably website or #, as my computer is down till 02/11/2000).
send # if possible or list what road champs buses are comning out for 2000.
No, SEPTA never had The Flxible 870's or Metros. SEPTA (for once, they used their brain cells) had mostly Neoplans in their fleet. Their fleet (from 1970-2000)consists of:
General Motors: The Fishbowls
Flxible: Fishbowl look-a-likes
AM General: Flyer Trolleybuses
General Motors: RTS
Neoplan: AN435 and AN440
Volvo: Articulated
Ikarus
Neoplan: AN460 Articulated
I hope this will answer your question Steve as I happen to be a SEPTA employee (although I operate a subway train).
Joe Heston
Whether or not SEPTA had them (I know they did not....), SEPTA is the one selling the models -- they had special runs done by Road Champs.
Citizens' Area Transit in Las Vegas, NV also had some done. However, unlike the SEPTA versions, th CAT ones come in a plain box with no markings. Also, the texture of the color printing on the CAT buses feels different than all the other models made by Road Champs. Makes me wonder if CAT didn't just buy a wagonload of blank buses and had them screen printed somewhere in Las Vegas instead of having Road Champs do them.
Road Champs retail price for the buses is usually $8.95 -- but they can be had for about half that at major toy outlets. SEPTA charged $8.00 for their in-house versions -- and CAT is charging $10.00 for theirs.
CAT still has 4 of the Metros still running
if u know a way to get the buses from las vegas, let me know. i have 4 of them and i got them through a friend. and when i tried calling cat, they do not ship them to ny, but if u live near the transportation center,come get them. help!!
How many we talking about? I don't live in Las Vegas, but do make trips up there every couple months and might be able to help out.
would about 9 do?
please email if u can and how to work out this transaction.
thank you
Just heard from a friend of mine who was in Las Vegas this past weekend (he drives tour buses) and he said he went to CAT's "Downtown Transit Center" where the buses were being sold, and they told him they are out of stock on them now.
I'll see if thy get any more in when I go up there myself in about two or three weeks>
never mind steve. i called Citizens Area Transit and talked to a lovely young lady in marketing, who told me how to send them a check to get them shipped to ny. thanks for your help though.
Yeah, they seem a bit mixed up at CAT -- the downtown transit center is where you can buy them over the counter and I guess there are some personnel there that don't want to be bothered with them.
A friend was up there last weekend -- and he was told they were out of stock. Yet someone I work with today mentioned they had plenty of them on this past Tuesday. Must have been a different person at the counter!!!
Glad you were able to get a way to have them shipped.
They don't ship to NY??? That may be a new policy becasue they shipped mine. Heck, for the price they should ship it.
Joe Caronetti
When attending last years 1999 MTA New York City Transit's Bus Roadeo at Randals Island, I noticed that there were far fewer Vintage Transit buses on hand. For example, the only Museum Transit buses I saw at the annual bus event were the 1956 General Motors yellow body Old Look bus (#3100) and the 1969 Flxible New Look Transit Authority bus #4727 featuring its original exterior green body scheme.
As for the upcoming 2000 Transit Bus Roadeo, I would like to see the agency bring out more of their Vintage GMC New Look Fish Bowl Buses like the 1959 TDH-5301 model (bus#100), and the reknown 1963 TDH-5303 GM bus #3758 to the bus event this coming June! Are there any N.Y.C. Transit bus operators and bus enthuisiasts out there who would like to see a bigger variety of Museum Buses out there at the 2000 Transit Bus Roadeo?
I'd like to know when and where it will be, directions if it's anywhere out of manhattan (which it most likely will be), enterance fee if any, and all that stuff.
most of these museum buses are inoperable and have to be towed to these events. 100 is such. nyct brings these buses to the bus festival once yearly and you will see a nice selection there.
While most of New York City Transit's Museum buses may not be able to operate, many of these treasures like the 1963 GMC TDH-5303 model green body bus #3758 should go in for a major mechanical and structural overhaul at N.Y.C. Transit's Bus Central Maintenance Facility at East New York. Back in 1996, I can remember seeing my favorate 1963 GMC New Look bus #3758 when the Bus Roadeo was held at the Casey Stangel Bus Depot. Yet, when I attended the more recent Bus Roadeo last June at Randals Island, there were no GMC New Look Fish Bowl Transits present at the event. I would just like to see a bigger variety of Vintage Transit buses at the upcoming 2000 Bus Roadeo. As for the N.Y.C. Transit Bus Festival, there is very little space in between the buses at the Transit Museum property to take full close up photos of the Classic vehicles. How do you get N.Y.C. Transit's Central Maintenance Facility to properly tune up many of these reknown classic GMC New Look Fish Bowl buses so they can be preserved for public display?
I fully agree with you that 3758 should be shopped for major mechanical work. I remember that bus brand new at Crosstown around 1963. Please realize I am nostalgic for the old buses. If most have to be towed in for events, as trollybus stated in a recent post, then they all need major work. But quite frankly, the TA budgets manpower, shop space, and materiel. The mission of the TA is to give taxpayers the most bang for the buck. The priority and budgeted funds and manpower is to keep the everyday buses in good repair and provide full service out of each depot. Yes, we are bus and/or rail fans. But the average Joe and Jane who rides the bus to work daily doesn't want financial resources and manpower diverted to restoring something that is an old rustbucket in their eyes (not ours!).
Went to the TA museum and got 3 bus decals. 146St, Walnut, and 54St. There were plenty of 146 and Walnut, But the 54St appeared out of nowhere. Im going back later this week to see if they have any more. Do anybody know what decals are at GCT and TS?????
B46M Limited
PS The 146St is similar to the Flatbush depot sticker
they have the same stickers as at the museum that you went to. i got 54th street and walnut there.
I went there today. There was only 146St and Walnut. And only few at that. Im going back to Downtown Bklyn tomorrow and see if I can get another 54St. I will also try to see if my friend that works for Flatbush could get me a couple of decals. ENY depot is three stops from my house so I will try to get some decals there also..........
B46M Limited
PS: I also got a destination readings for Ulmer Park as well.......
Starting today, the Q48 continues to Janet Pl turns left then goes onto Roosevelt Ave back to regular route to save time. It will no longer go down Prince St then onto Roosevelt Ave like it uaually did. FROM LGA- Main St remains unchanged.
MM2000
Read my Agenda News,,,Please
i had a chance to ride 4665 J/G Has anyone been on this one lately. It has the old Metrocard sticker on the side. Is this one going to be scraped or overhauled soon.
One other question besides the buses looking pretty in the scrap yard, refering to Carlton Ave. and 39th Street. Where will they be heading next. I would love to have one of those bad boys in my Garage.
Take Care
Keep warm
Ken
Is it going to be scraped or overhauled because it has an old sticker? I doubt it. When they put the new stickers on, they just paste them right over the old ones. The new ones peel off, the old ones are back on display. They also may have just replaced that panel on the bus with a leftover from the shop. This weather is murder on Fiberglas body panels.
-Hank
This morning, on my way to work i saw Orion #6019 on the M104 route. I know this bus is from Mothe Clara Hale becasue it has the sticker. Di Mother Calra Hale get the M104, or Amsterdam short buses today, or is there antoher reason?
This probably short routing cause I have seen this on M4 in the early am on buses going to 110th/5th(and they weren't low floor orions either)
the M-4 from Mother Hale is becasue Manhattanville and MCH split the route(used to be with the B-82,B-8 and Q-44). Must have been a fluke i guess.
How does the ta decide which buses to scrap and or retir? I mean,there are still 3000's still running, yet if you look at those buses that have been retired are 3700's and 4000's. Wouldnt they have retired the 3000's and 3100's frist before the others(#3712 just got retired while #3295-#3299 are still running at Ulmer Park).
keep up the good work to all those here ;-)
There are few 30xx to 33xx running out of Brooklyn Depots & Ulmer Park got a lot of 37xx & QueensVillage Depot got alot of 39xx running in Queens also some of 17xx & 18xx too. Also Manhattanville have 34xx running. #3712 i took that bus middle of Janunry & fellow week i found #3712 retires from the road & now it on Scarp list.
Peace Out
David Justiniano
It usually has to do with the maintenance work that was recently done to that paticular bus. For example, if a bus recently received a rebuilt or new engine that is under warranty, the TA will keep the bus until the warranty runs out. There are other maintenance reasons for keeping a bus versus another bus.
Some buses have also been rebuilt.
Two questions regarding NJT's route numbering:
1. Why is there no 200-series? Are those numbers being saved for the independents? Or for Monmouth, Middlesex, and/or Morris Counties?
2. Why are both 800- and 900-series numbers used for the "Wheels" routes? There seem to be few enough of them to justify only a single hundred-series.
250-259
Morris --Sussex,--Warren,Hunterdon Interstate Lines
Trans-Bridge Routes
250 and 251
800-829 Middlesex Local Lines
801 is Metro Park loop 1
802 Loop 2
803 Loop 3
804 Loop 4
805 is Metro pk Loop 5
810 is M10
811 is M11
813 is m13
814 is m14
815 is M15
817 is M17
818 is M18
819 is M19
830 to 839 is Monmouth Local Line
830 is M20
831 is M21
832 is M22
833 is m23
834 is M24
835 is M25
836 is M26
837 is m27
870 to 879 is Morris Local Lines
871 is MCM1
872 is MCM2
873 is MCM3
880 is MCM10
880 to 889 is SOmmerselt Local Lines
890 to 899 is Warren local lines
900 to 920 Operational Training Routes
as follows
900 to 906 fare simulation routes
907 to 908 not assigned
909 Fare simulation Route
910 not assigned
911 fare simulation route
912 not assigned
913-914 fare simulatin
915-918 not assigned
919-934 fare simulation route
960-970 north Jersey Suburban Services-WHEELS
975-989 central Jersey Suburb services wheels
360-379 SCHOOL SERVICEs
372 is Bloomfield HS ,part of route 34
362 is Linden HS ,part of route 62
363 is Ridgefield .Paramus Catholic HS,,Part of 163
390-399 Miscell Services
390 Northern Division Mail Truck--Greenville Depot
394 NY Lot Person ,38 st---Fairview Depot
399 Southern DIvision Mail truck =Washington Twsp
1190 C-Lot NY lot person----Fairview Depot
1-49 Essex Local Lines
50-59 Union locals including 18-22 route51
60-79 Newark Suburbans
2 ,80-89 Hudson Locals
90-99 Essex Crosstowns
100-109 Essex Interstate Lines
110-119 Somerset-Middlesex-Union Interstate Lines
120-129 Hudson INterstate LInes
130-139 Monmouth -Ocean -Interstate Lines
140-169 Bergen INterstate PABT
170-189 Bergen Interstate GWBT
190-199 Passaic Interstate PABT
300=309 Northern Airport -Special Sevice LInes
310-319 Southern Airport---etC
320-329 Northern Parn and Rides
330-349 RR Substitution Services
350-359 Sports Complex and Racetracks
400-449 South Jersey Interstates
450-499 South Jersey Locals
500-549 Atlantic Local Lines
550-559 Atlantic Suburban Lines
600-620 Mercer Locals
700-749 Passaic local
750 799 Bergen locals
820-829 Middlesex Locals
830-840 Monmouth Locals
870-879 Morris locals
Reference ====NJ Transit Lines Codes
1/29/2000
Copy this stuff down,there is alot of info here
NJT Northern Division
Hilton,
Orange
Big Tree,
Greenville,
Ironbound,
Howell
Market St,
Wayne,
Oradell,
Fairview,
Meadowlands
NJT Southern Division
Washington Twsp
Newton Av
Egg Harbour
Hamilton Twsp
I noticed today, a run which I see every day that usually gets '98 novas, today got a reman. Could it be that these buses are being treated like new buses?
Remans weren't viewed as new buses by the Department of Buses, even when they were just back from the overhaul shop or from Midwest Bus. Perhaps the regular Bus Operator assigned to the run has a "deal" with the Yard Dispatcher to get a '98 Nova, and either the regular Bus Operator wasn't there at pullout time or the regular Yard Dispatcher was out.
David
It was the regular driver, and a while ago I asked him how he always got the novas, he just said that they're at the front of the line.
Anthough now I do have an idea... it was 7556, on the M9, so it might have just gotten transferred from Westside that morning.
#7550-#7556 went to Hudson Depot & #7557-#7559 went to 126st Depot.
Peace Out
David Justiniano
RIP to Latino Rapper Big Pun a.k.a. Christopher Rios
why did the 7500's get moved? to make room for the articulated. I would have moved the 4000's out first. Or better yet, send the 7500's to Ulmer Park. they have #7511-#7534 allready.
Because West Side Depot getting over 100 new artics & transfers some of RTS buses to other depots. Soon oldest buses like from 34xx to 45xx will be retired in next three or four years from now when new buses deliever to depot. So sit back & see what next.
Peace Out
David Justiniano
RIP to Christopher Rios a.k.a Rapper Big Pun
I Would have moved the 3400's and 4000's first from WEstside to 126th and hudson. Let older buses leave first, but i guess you right. the Ta does strange things with buses. Also, is this the correct list of routes that are getting the articulateds?
M23
M34
M42
M79
M86
M96
M14-(if Hudson closes,WEstside could take it)
Artics going to be on M14 soon, M23, M42, M86 starting next month, M96 i don't know what that, & M102. M34 will not get Artics & M79 already full artics on the road but what i hear it for Temporary & they are testing.
Peace Out
David Justiniano
RIP to Christopher Rios a.k.a Rapper Big Pun
David is Quite correct, Artics from west side will see service on the
M14, M23, M42, M86, and the M102.
Trevor
does that mean the M14 will be moved from Hudson to Westside? and if this is true, when?
The 4xxx series have already been moved first. At Hudson we received the 412x series first like 4122 which broke down the day she stared service and 4019 also came down along with 4127. Then about a week to a week and a half later the 75xx series came down. I must say as a Lower East Side resident, they are quite a welcome addition to the family. As I mentioned in an earlier posting, 7553 is my favorite thus far. She has excellent acceleration and even when with a full load she takes off and she kicks! So I say welcome 7500 series remans! and I hope they stay for a while to come.
Peace & Blessings
DaShawn
Located at Farragut and Williams. There really is no Farragut Rd at that point, but it would be if the projects were not there.........
B46M Limited
Did the route change,,at all ??
Saw it on the Q34......ON WATER STREET, MANHATTAN!!!!! Seems like the operator put in the wrong code
B46M Limited
That's odd, possibly the driver was a new one to the MTA.
Clayton Parker
TransiTEEN Photographer
A Division of TransiTALK
212-894-3701 EXT 3763
NOPE, a TA driver couldn't have done that. The farebox/destination sign is smart enough to know who's bus it is, so if you try to log in as Q21 on a Jamaica Bus it'll complain, because Q21 is a Green Bus. The route in question is a QS route, so it was probally a driver who either loged in wrong or picked up a bus from a Express driver & forgot to log in him self. We ALL can also log in as: Not In Service; Training Coach; Special; Pardon Our Delay; and a few others.
Mr t__:^)
As most of you might know, NJ Transit and private carriers are in the process of replacing older Flxible Grumman 870's with new NOVA RTS buses.
This is your chance to get pictures of this equipment while still in operation. The following is a list of various properties and old equipment that can still be found: (I only listed private carriers that are easily accessible by PATH)
* Lafayette & Greenville: still runs 2 ex Conneticut Transit F/B's:
about 4 1978/79 ex CT Transit Grumman's; ex TA/MABSTOA Grummans; ex NJ Transit Grumman's
* A & C Bus: About 2 1978 ex CT Transit Grummans; ex TA/MABSTOA & NJ Transit Grumman's
* COACH USA (formerly Drogin/Trans Hudson): ex TA/MABSTOA Grumman's
* Academy (22Hillside): ex TA/MABSTOA Grumman's; ex TA and other second hand RTS's
* ONE BUS: ex TA/MABSTOA Grumman's
* Bergen Avenue: one 1978 Grumman; ex TA/MABSTOA Grumman's
Also various small operators that operate to Journal Square
Journal Square: Lafayette & Greenville, COACH USA, A& C BUS, 22 Hillside & Bergen Av
Hoboken: L & G & Academy
NEWARK: ONE BUS & Orange
Exchange Place: L & G
Don't let this slide threw your fingers. Go out there and photograph!
QUIT IT! lETS KEEP THIS SITE RESOURCEFUL; STOP GLAMORIZING YOUR SELF AND OTHERS ABOUT YOUR CREATED SITES. EVERYONE HERE WANTS TO SEE BUS CURRENT EVENTS, HISTORY AND RECOLLECTIONS. NO ONE CARES IF YOU ARE THE VICE PRESIDENT OR PRESIDENT OF YOUR SITE---STOP ACTING LIKE MTA BIG SHOTS. IF YOU HAVE UPDATES ON YOUR SITE, DONT PUT IT HERE!
We guarantee you will never here about another update or important information again. Also since this site is bus related there is nothing wrong with informing bus buffs about an update on our site. If you dont like it then dont visit it. Since you are not the webmaster of Bus Talk and you dont make the rules dont tell people what to do here.
go fuck yourself
Yeah thanks a lot whoever you are. Now Pirmann's gonna flush the boaard again.
VERY MATURE FELLA!
Trevor,David this is KAME. YOU guys make peace with each other. Stop this. ITS been blown WAY out.YOU each have a passion for what your doing,the love shows in your work. There's nothing wrong with the sites you guys run there are both created by people with vision,care understanding and virtue. So guys,let cooler heads prevail and make peace.
Ummmm...I didn't necessarily agree with your comments, but I thought you had a right to express your opinion. However, you lost me when you used the "F" word. Other posters here are right: don't be surprised if David Pirmann flushes the board after this; moreover, don't be surprised if the board goes away altogether.
David
It is a valid point that there are too many updates and wasted time on these web pages. Enough. Once in a while its OK, but not everyday. If someone is interested in a web site tell them to bookmark it on their browser and revisit when they want to.
Maybe Dave will see whats going on here and put and end to it.
OH GOD PLEASE PEOPLE, First off This is my first time reading this thread I have no clue as to what is going on here. TransiTALK updates weekly not everyday. Please stop this, TransiTALK is getting a bad rap for something very stupid. I for one will not be held responsible for this. I don't know who even posted under the name "TransiTALK", I Just Not Responsible for this one and I will not be held accountable if this board is removed, this is too much.
Me and David are allies not enemies. We help each other out. This is rediculous please stop this before we loose this board, PERMENANTLY!
Also to whom ever wrote the post about us posting updates, we do that for those that are new to the board or for those that at least would like to be notified of Update, David Justiniano does it to, we do it because it is bus realted.
Please just stop all of this. And Again I will not be held accountable for all this. I barely post here and when I do its like a huge deal or a battle starts, I'm not a trouble-maker nor will I allow that title be attached to my name or TransiTALK.
Trevor Logan
Let it slide.
Commericals:
1. Selling stuff has no place here, however I don't mind a Bus/Sub Talker (note I don't like visitors doing this) who also sells stuff announcing an event, e.g. show at King of Prussia, and mentioning that he'ld love to see you stop by his table WITHOUT going into what he has to sell. If he/she is a regular you know what he sells.
2. Events ... I don't mind ONE or two small post about an upcomming event, e.g. MC Swap meet ... this is how I find out about a lot of them.
3. TV show/Publication ... I don't mind a small post about upcomming TV show of magazine feature, e.g. Transit Transit or Trains Magazine feature on NY & Atlantic
4. Calendars ... Bill Newkirk is a good example of the right way to do this. He is now a regular SubTalker ... I for one am glad that he here & shares with us. There was some questions about his calandars. He was very low key about it.
5. Models for sale ... once an individual has announced a find, or answered someones question, further discussion between interested parties should be done off line, e.g. I do that with MC trades as the rest of you may not care about the Orange Transfer that I'll trade for the original four old blues ....
6. Museum/club events & open houses ... this site has been the reason that I've been able to attend many of these, so long as we use some self control I don't think the others mind seeing some posts on them.
Item last ... don't answer the phone, don't use the "F___" word.
Encourage NICELY folks to stop/modify their attitude or don't respond.
Not responding may be the best, as it seems that some are imposters who are just trying to have fun with us ... this isn't the first time.
Mr t__:^)
Mr Pirmann, seeing these annoying posts here on BT, please wipe some of these people off of this board! It would make it much better. We have children on this board that don't know how to grow up and act their age. This post is for bus information only and an update on let's say TransiTalk is bus related for the buffs to check out. I say 3 strikes and delete this board all together. We're going on strike 2 now. STOP THE HARASSMENT!
I'm not a babysitter. If people can't behave the playground will be closed.
-Dave
No Message Necessary!
I believe it is. After this drama, its might need a final flush. Also Like I stated in a previous post, I will not be held accountable for this mess, i didn't start it nor will I finish it.
Trevor
You can help by not responding to questionalble posts and feeding their ignorance.
To be honest you did fuel the fire in this! The little comment that you made under the name of "B_____" was not called for and it not only was a link to your e-mail address but your IP address! I will not do the hank thing at put your business out for everyone to see, but please do not continue with your child like games. It will cost us our beloved Bus Talk! Let the games end here and forever!
He is immature and lies. Oh yeah, He saw the R-110B on the Canarsie line. I work at 207 th st and.......THEY WERE NEVER THERE!!!!! But, "He rode them" Talk about credibility. He lies and postsunder other names. To see things quiet down, SKIP HIS POSTS!!!
Thank's OK DaShawn.
207.198.251.8
-Hank
Saw her on Q32 today.
Yes! 7550-7556 are now residing at Hudson Pier depot, while 7557-7559 are now at 126th street. I rode on 7553 this afternoon on the M14c and it was a treat. She was really fast and powerful, and she still had her WestSide depot sticker as well.
Peace & Blessings
DaShawn
Saw her on Q46 today.
MM2000
What are the bus numbers of the 1993(or 1994) diesel RTS buses at Jackie Gleason, and why do they barely run them?
8398-8399, 8567 are CNG RTS. Always having mechanical problems.
MM2000
Because there wasn't enough CNG buses in Jackie Gleason Depot & they only have 56 New Flyer C40LF & 30 Orion CNG buses. Some of Diesel RTS buses still running.
Peace Out
David Justiniano
RIP to Christopher Rios a.k.a Rapper Big Pun
Don't know why Gleason returned the 9000 series buses with the Gleason Depot logo patched on them. Doesn't make sense to me.
Saw her on X64 today.
MM2000
Couldn't you have at least put all of these sightings in a single post?
On the subject of buses that were supposedly retired, saw quite a few 17xx and 18xx RTS outbound in the BBT this morning, as my x5 made the EXTREMELY slow crawl from about 1/2way over the Gowanus viaduct until we got on the FDR.
Oddly, both the x2 and x5 have been rerouted from West St to the FDR for some months now, yet their signs still indicate they use West St. How long does it take to reprogram those frigging things? (as part of the reroute, the x3 and x4 now serve Battery Park City, instead of the x2 and x5)
Also, I may have seen 997 this morning. An odd-looking (compared to the MCI) 3 axle bus was making loops around Drumgoole Rd West and Annadale Rd this morning. I was in a rush, so I didn't get a good look; I'm only sure of the 'MTA New York City Bus' emblazoned on the left side behind the driver's window.
-Hank
Saw her an ex 126 St bus on Q46 today along with 4304.
MM2000
GMC RTS #4304 used to be at 126th Street Depot?? & #4114 used to be Hudson Pier Depot back in the 1999.
Peace Out
David Justiniano
RIP to Christopher Rios a.k.a Rapper Big Pun
WHO CARES WHAT BUS YOU SAW. I SAY 2611 ON THE B2 TODAY!! BUT WHO CARES?????????? MUST YOU WASTE BOARD SPACE WITH THIS???????
Saw #6350 on 5th Avenue today, running as a M5(run o20) while #6354 was running on the M2 line. The paint job is completly different for 6350 and 6354. Is that the way they were done, or when 6355-6359 show up the paint job will be different.
Also, i talked to a driver on the M3 today, who said he doesnt like the newer buses becasue they cant handle crush loads. Is it easier to put all these buses on the M60 instead?
Buses 6350-6353 are 1998 models which were going to go to NJ Transit, but at the last minute they backed out on them and NYC Transit bought them for a cheaper price due to the fact the buses were already painted, so bascily it was a quick paint job done on them. 6354 on the other hand the TA bought brand new, without no paint job on it. So I guess you can say 6350-6353 are painted darker because they wanted to cover the NJT paint really well.
Jason
Also the seating is different. The reject NJT units (6350-6353) have full cushion transit style seats and they have their Orion Builders plates on the front which is not standard MTA protocol. I wonder why? But Jason is correct, 6354 is the first "TA" specified Orion VI Hybrid bus with the Newer paint job minus the black. On a sighting note, 6352 was on the M103 this afternoon.
Peace & Blessings
DaShawn
First this is NOT a commercial ... we do sell MCs over the phone and can take you for a ride, but I'm not posting this to fill seats ;-)
Can one of you with the shart pencils ID the first QS Orion to get wrapped ? I'll give you three hints. First correct answer gets a prize.
1. Wrapped today at lunch time.
2. EXPRESS yourself with the right answer
3. You can easily DISCOVER the right answer.
Second part for extra credit, we weren't the first in NYC.
Does anyone know who was ?
Mr t__:^)
orion bus with a discover express card on it. which #?
by the way, NYBS was the first to do wraps on buses.
Is it One of the 500 Express or a naked 400 local that hasn't arrived yet? My guess is bus 581.
mm2000
It is a 500, but not 581.
Who got wrapped first, related to which company wrapped Orion's 1st.
Mr t__:^)
Some Express-seating bus with a Discover ad on it.
Yes, A 500 Orion, but which one .....
No prize for incomplete answers.
Mr t__:^)
While i was going to park my 1987 Toyota 4 runner & i was surpire the bus #4118 Bx11. The bus got new paint scheme & came from Crosstown Paint Shop.
Peace Out
David Justiniano
RIP to Christopher Rios a.k.a Rapper Big Pun
Does anybody know how to get to Ironbound Garage in Newark? Does any buses from Penn Station go by there as well?
Thanks,
Jason Davis
I can tell you which routes originate from Ironbound
56
57
58
59
62
80
81
112
113
114
115
116
117
126
128
Steve (this list might help you )
Do those buses actually pass the garage itself?
Thanks,
Jason
By Car: Ironbound Depot is located on Doremus (spelling might be incorrect) Avenue. Take Route 1 & 9 Truck to Doremus Avenue Exit; Follow Doremus Avenue until you see the depot on right hand side. This is the CMF for NJ Transit.
Almost all Buses are stored inside, a few (about 10 or so) are outside awaiting work to be done. It is hard to take pictures since the fence has wood panels blocking it. My advice is to make arrangements to visit the shop, there is alot to see inside. By the way, the facility is a few blocks from the NIMCO Bus Scrap yard.
Where's Jerry Springer when u really need him?
MM2000
REAL SMART ASSHOLE, FAN THE FIRE. I GUESS I SHOULD SAY GOODBYE TO BUSTALK RIGHT NOW.
It apears to me that at least for a while Westside depot will be all artic operated local routes. When delivery of their 69 artics from the addisional order of 140(these busses were originally slated for Flatbush Depot) Also it appears that it will operate all OA crosstown line north of 14th Street at least temperailly untill 100th Street re-opens. If that ever happpens. I believe that the M10,20,30 and 102 will probably go to Hudson.
Hank get a life!!
I've seen the same sign problem on the Q65A - the reading comes out as:
Q65A 164 ST (centered)
Q65A via J (right-justified)
It could be a problem with the "via" phases of the multi-phase readings.
Dude how'd you do that?
He used an image editor. Not quite complicated, you can do it with Paint.
That's only part right. I created a QuickBasic (an old, but good BASIC language editor) program to generate the signs. A snag-up on this is that the word "via" is on the same line as the word "QUEENS." Using this program, I made a screen capture in Windows (making in a window and pressing the Print Screen button). I transferred this to Paint, where I edited the screen captures of the correct and incorrect signs to what they really look like. Finally, to convert those .bmp files to .jpg's, I used Microsoft Photo Editor. That's how I did it. :-)
BTW, Hopefully I can make a Java applet that does this. If that ever does happen, I'll put it up on my site & make a post here.
There already is one. If I can find it, I'll post it. I originally saw BMT Lines post it.
A freind of mine is working on one as a project for her programming class. I supplied her with the codes and displays for all the SI routes. Hopefully, when it's done, you'll just be able to key in a code, and the sign will display correctly.
-Hank
R.M., Dear friend and colleague,
If you're going to go to all the trouble to capture and post what you've seen, the least I can do is pass it on to our maint. folks.
Thanks for your input.
Mr t__:^)
The possible return of the Flx Metro line will be welcome news to the Baltimore MTA, who fell in love with the Metro in 1982 and stayed with the marque until the doors closed. Now we buy from NABI, basically OK buses, but occaisionaly trouble prone. We can't seem to make up the mind about engines, the 3 orders of NABI's all got different engine/transmission equipment.
The big headache here is DOT SIGNS. The NABI 9900's have LED signs, which are supposed to be fail safe. NOPE. We've already seen several 99's with malfunctioning signs. I suspect that DOT/LED signs are vibration prone, and buses bang all over the streets. Our LRV's have High Visability Dot signs, with nary a failure.
The LED signage is still basically a new technology to the bus industry, LED has been around for a while as many may know but only recently began showing up in huge number in the transit Destination Sign industry. y feeling on that is that it was introduced to the Destination sign industry with no real testing. Although the Ballios "Orange-Type" Destination Sign (i.e. used on Green Line's Orion V #5503, Command's Orion #4961, and the MTA's Orion #522) have shown no problems and the same can be said for the Twin Vision signs (i.e. used some of the 1999 Nova RTS and the new Vikings).
I believe Luminator just hasn't worked out all of the bugs. The new Novas at NJT, every once in a while you'll catch one with a sign that blinks. BAD BUSINESS I TELL YA!
Trevor Logan
While I agree that is is "bad business" to be putting out all the signs which "don't work", I disagree that the use of LED signs is new in the industry. I'm sure people feel that it's not a widespread use, as there are so many buses (and companies) in the N.Y. metro area, and many of those still did not have electronic signage as the fleets had not been replaced yet, though NYCTA started using the electronic signage back in 1979 when the Grumman 870's started showing up.
They have been in widespread use out here in California since at least 1979 -- very few buses have been delivered with older curtain type signs. One of the last "holdouts" (for lack of a better term) was San Francisco Municipal Railway; their recent NABI order came with electronic signage.
That said, I'm gonna say that I still preger the older curtain-style signs. I think for some systems, the electronic signage systems, at a few thousand dollars a pop, are a flagrant waste of money. (There is a three-bus, two-route system out here in California that just HAD to have 'em -- $4,400 for each bus! Curtain signs would have been less than a grand each -- and those 1986 buses --and routes -- have not changed yet!)
Using the electronic signage systems in buses has a couple drawbacks: dirt and vibration. That is what causes most of the problems and we see "bad" signs. Rarely do you see the electronic signage in airports (for example) with non-functioning letters, etc.) Between the jarring around on the road, and the dust circulating around (especially when the buses are at a vacuum system where everything goes right past the sign system out the front door...), the signs see a lot of "abuse".
I agree with you Steve, although the electronics can be changed in an instant, almost.
Surprisingly, I was in Albany last week and saw that they still use curtain roll signs! How many agencies, large or small, still use curtains?
Joe Caronetti
It makes economic sense when it comes to large systems such as New York, DC, LA, or SF. It doesn't make much sense for the use you mention. It shold also be mentioned that if the current signs relied solely on LEDs, they'd be unreadable in daylight. If they relied solely on flipdots, they'd still be prone to breakdown. So they're a compromise: reflective flip-dots and always-on LEDs behind them. Every LED is always lit, and if you catch the sign from the right angle, all you see is a band of yellow light. The flips are still the sign.
-Hank
Not necessarily true Hank! I've seen the Ballios "Orange-Type" Destination sign during the day time and its still quite bright. I depends on the Manuafacturer I think. And it's quite sorry to say that Luminator goofed up on this one. I have yet to see a problem out of the Twin Vision signs now being used on some of the 1999 NovaBUS RTSs we have.
In a nut shells, IT'S LUMINATOR'S FAULT!
Trevor
WHICH BUSES HAVE TWIN VISION SIGNS?
The Ballios is a completely different type of sign. I'm talking about the Luminators that the TA has been using since 1981.
-Hank
OH OK!
Trevor
I got to thinking (dangerous...) but maybe the reason that there are so many problems with Luminator recently is that they are trying to make too many sign systems in too little time (and of course, like true American business, trying to cut costs by hiring cheaper labor and using cheaper parts....) Just a thought....
Overall I think the signs have improved over the years. PAT in Pittsburgh at one point back in 1984 had 820 electronic signs (front and side) in it's new Neoplans and out of the 820, less than half of them displayed correctly (most were displaying Egyption hyroglyphics as we called it). Today less than 1% of the buses have non-functioning signs.
Road condtions and weather conditions do have a lot to do with failures I believe but the newer signs seem to hold up better than those made ten years ago as failure rate has gone way down. The electronic control unit was more to blame for PAT's sign problems than the sign itself as the garbled letters were on both the front and side usually.
We have one bus at PAT that has white letters instead of green and it's much easier to read I feel. Looks almost like the old curtain signs when you stand back a little. PAT was looking into getting more of them but the white letter signs cost twice as much as the standard green letter signs.
RDChilds
At this depot the Luminator sign in the 400s & 500s are different, as is the wiring. Meanwhile Luminator has done at least one upgrade to try and fix this wide spread problem.
I have memories from my days at Pan Am. They were the first cutomer of the Boeing 747 built from "off the shelf parts". Our engineering group was very busy for a while as most of the mfg. "improved" these standard components to either make them better or cheeper.
Case in point our 400s have less gas tanks then the 500s (8 vs. 12).
This saves weight so we can pack in more happy travlers.
Mr t__:^)
Uhh... the signs on the '99 NOVA RTS's are Luminator Signs.
UH If you traveled outside of Manhattan, you'd see some of the 52xx series RTS-06 with Twin Vision LeDOT LED Destination Signs! DUH!
Trevor
Sorry for not knowing every single thing about buses.
Even some of the ZF Transmission-Style RTS's have the Twin Vision Signage (5075-5124)
Trevor
2969 dose have a double wide door. I just look at it the other day before I left work. The Mack Old Look door a smaller the 2969. So I would say one was saved it just has a different nember.
Can't wait till Bus Fest 2000 to verify. Thanx Robert at JG for double checking
f/k/a Hart Bus
#4789 became #2969 some years ago. Some background: 4789 was one of 400 unique (only in NY) model 5101 GM coaches built in 1948-49, that were 40 foot, 96" wide buses on a short (35 foot bus) wheelbase. Numbers were 4500-4899. The buses had a double width front door (four large folding, bi-parting panels that opened outward). The buses were designed primarily for Queens subway feeders (to Flushing and Jamaica) and Staten Island ferry feeders (St. George terminal), where the large door would expedite loading and unloading of large numbers of people at a single location. About 100 5101's ran in Brooklyn at any given time; most were put on routes converted from trolleys in the late 40s and early 50s. Later on the 5101's were transferred to Manhattan Division routes from Staten Island, and a few ended their careers around 1966 on MABSTOA routes.
The real #2969 was a NYC Omnibus GMC 4509 of 1949 vintage that was used in a famous publicity shot of Ralph Kramden and the Honeymooners gang. Since #4789 was built around the same time as #2969, it was renumbered to #2969 and assigned to Jackie Gleason depot (in Brooklyn, the fictional home of Ralph Kramden).
Andy, Thanx for the info. I printed it out and will put it along side the post card when I put in my photo album that I started at Bus Fest 99.
Is GMC TDH-5106 #7144 still in existence. Its the fourth bus in the post card along with 2969, the Queen Mary & #303. Anyone definitively know its whereabouts or is now a million razor blades?
As I posted recently, according to the UTC roster (and another roster), #7144 is currently stored at Hudson Pier Depot.
Then the TA need to update that info for its new buses..... OK???
B46M Limited
Agreed!
02/29/2000
9306WF,
You're right about the name of the driver training outfit. I stand corrected on the fishbowl being ex-New York Bus Service.
Bill Newkirk
Same applies in ATU-land (Queens/S.I.). If a route operates M-F only, then all of its runs get Saturday/Sunday off automatically.
In theory, however, an ATU driver on a weekday-only route could get weekday RDOs, and then work a Miscellaneous run on Saturday and Sunday. However, such a thing would be done only at the union's written request, and such a request is not very likely to occur.