1)Took 2 bus trips one to Baltimore and another to downtown DC. The Baltimore trip was to try and ride the 8500s (which I did) and the DC trip was to ride the 2460s (which I did)
2)WMATA has finally started to take those DAMN banners off of the Orion VIs, that started last week.
3)Bus swap between garages as Landover has Southern's 9700s, and 8820-24 with Southern getting landover's soft seat 4000s (4081-87).
4)The bus stop at the mall I worked at has been moved near to Ruby Tuesday as they are moving the food court down to where the old bus stop was and the construction equipment is needed.
5)My car broke down and I have taken Metrobus and rail for about a week and a half, up till today. Made for some interesting rides and for one instance a walk about an hour home.
I made notes about all of this stuff and will post it soon (when I could find the other two note pads).
I would say the past two weeks were fun but the only fun part was riding the bus and train.
Broadband is in the future, cuz I don't want to get cut off again.
Chuck Greene
I haven't done too much bus or rail fanning lately, except for a few days last week when I was in NYC on a business trip. No exciting bus trips there, except I saw some of the new artics on the M102 and rode several R142's on the 5 and 6 train.
I did see a real old GM Old Look bus going down Lexington Ave. coming off of 42nd St. I can't remember what it said on it as it was dark, but I thought it had a gold stripe on it.
Hopefully, you all get to go to another city soon and get to have some fun there.
Along with our anniversary we have a update full of photos, a new and updated roster, a new movie and a new Toy Models section.
www.transitalk.org
Click, View & Enjoy!
Regards,
Trevor Logan
www.transitalk.org
Very nice job with the website!!!! Happy Birthday Transitalk!!!!
How do you do it? How do you and you crew keep a transit website like this going? I can not imagine you guys having any kind of competition.
Nice job and keep up the good work. Let's see you make it to "Transitalk...The Decade!"
-Fred
Dave: Seriously? If so, e-mail me @ metrod3700@cs.com. We'll do this Coach USA style.
Trevor
-Jay
An Orion I with a red stripe passes by towards the beginning (perhaps a special PACE run?), followed by a few New Flyers, tons of Flxible Metro Ds, and even the elusive early-model WFD RTS 96-inchers with rear windows that were specially built for CTA (the ones that actually had a decent-looking front end).
Needless to say, I jumped up and screamed with delight at all of the Flxibles rolling by.
-F.
Peace
David
Next Stop Manhattanvillie Depot 4/3/2003 on M5 & Casey Stengel Depot 4/4/2003 on Q32.
BX31 # 5416
Peace
David
Next Stop Casey Stengel Depot 4/4/2003 on Q32
#4543 - B7
#4864 - B6 - Local
#4945 - B82
#4960 - B82
#7533 - B6 - LTD
I think you mean bus #4643 on the B7. Bus #4543 is with Hudson. I saw it last Friday on the M21 on Houston St. I do believe it was bus #4643 from Flatbush Bus Depot.
#4331 - B6
#4543 - B7
4543 B82
BTW-I was on it
Thank You
Thank You
Peace
David
Bus #418? Are you sure about that? I thought bus #418 was at Amsterdam OR could we be getting buses from Amsterdam when THEY close?
Great.....I just started another rumor (sarcastically)
No, and for one big reason. West Farms (or Coliseum, because I have read TA material saying that will be the depot's new name, but I have heard WF on this board) will only operate CNG buses. It will also only have about 160 buses(assuming it gets half the Orion 7 order and the Orion 5s from JG move to WF (COL). I would say that this new depot will take the pressure of Kingsbridge and Gun Hill, both of which hold at least 300 buses each right now. This could also make room for more artics in KB.
X1-#1897-MCI
Is it because only the newer buses have the M60 designation with airport symbols on their LED signs? Does management feel the older buses wouldn't be able to achieve high speed on the Triboro? Or does it just make a better impression for people who just flew into town to board a nice NEW bus? I doubt most passengers would say "Eeew, they're running the crummy OLD buses on the M60. Why don't they stay on the M5 where they belong?!"
This doesn't seem to be an issue at ENY and JAM, which run the B15 and Q3 respectively out of JFK. Both those routes seem to run their share of pre-'96 buses. Then there's the Q10- on which, like all GB lines, age and condition of buses is never a factor.
Q30
4910, 4933, 7002, 7023, 7026, 7034, 8370*, 9357, 9359, 527, 538, 618***, & 619***.
Q31
4923, 7003, 7029, 8376*, 8377*, 8379*, 8383*, 8386*, 9370, 508, & 532.
Q88
7022, 7034, 8358*, 8364**,8372*, 8388*, 611***,613***, & 616***.
Q43
513, 521, 525, 630***, 4499, 7011, & 7028,
Saw most of Orion Buses from Queens Village Depot
505, 507 on Q43, 522 with Orange Sign on Q2, 527, 528, 624.
Note:
*=Repower
**=nonpower
***=Soft Seat
Peace
David
Glad to see 7002 in service on the Q30. That means it survived its charter duty service this past Saturday, where I thought it ran quite well.
Are you sure you saw bus #538 on the Q30? That means the QV has buses #505-538? Oh boy!
B26
4552, 4740, 4744, 4745, 5058, 5062, 5065, 8007**, 8015**, 8151*, 9176, & 9196.
B38
3986, 4379, 4380, 4382, 4658, 4671, 4673, 4681, 4693, 4706, 4707, 4708, 4722, 4731, 4737, 4745, 4832, 8004**, 8006**, 8010*, 8153**, 8157*, 8158*, 9151, 9154, 9170, 9173, 9181, & 9603.
While my bus pull in after 12:30pm saw most of 4600's, 4700's on Track 7 & 8 & most of 8000's, 8100,s 9500's on Track 1 & 2. Also saw two non-power buses are 8002 & 8032.
Note:
*=Repower
**=Nonpower
Peace
David
Peace
David
More Bus Observation tomorrow @ Flatbush Depot
New Flyer CNG
#801,803,807,819,826,833,858,865,875,879,884,903,916,920,922,932,936,943,945,954,961,969,974,980.
TMC-RTS
4645,8090 (NP),8091 (RP),8450,8536,8546-8547,8552,8566.
Brand New Orion CNG
7563,7569,7571,7573.
Old Orion CNG
584.
Tomorrow im heading to ENY Depot, & Next Week Gun Hill Depot Twice, Castleton & Manhattanville Depots.
Peace
David
According to the UTC roster, Museum Bus 2124 is stored at East New York Depot in Brooklyn.
I believe the Transit Museum is temporarily closed. It is supposed to reopen sometime this coming Summer.
10) Did you know if you show the driver some skin you get to ride free?
9)Maybe if all the seats are taken you can ride on daddy's lap.
8)Oooh man my bladder is full
7)Is that Old spice?
6)Do you think they'll make me pay an extra fare for mr zippy here?
5)Wanna trade pants?
4)This is the first day Mommy let me the ride bus alone
3)Can you believe I found this in the trash?
2)Here bussy bussy bussy, here bussy bussy bussy
1)'Tonight I celebrate my love for you'
Hope I got them pretty close, I didn't realize that they were doing it and tried to type them down as fast as possible. If anyone saw it and has corrections for me, I'm not sure about number 8, all I managed to type was 'Bladder'.
10. "You know, if you show the driver some skin he lets you ride for free"
9. "If there aren't any seats you can sit on daddy's lap"
8. "I cannot control my bladder"
7. "Lemme guess -- Old Spice?"
6. "You think they're gonna make me pay an extra fare for Mr. Zippy?" (holds up puppet)
5. "You wanna trade pants?" (unbuttons pants)
4. "This is the first day mommy's let me ride the bus by myself"
3. "You believe I found this in the trash?" (eating a sandwich)
2. "Here bussy, bussy, bussy, bussy! Here bussy, bussy, bussy, bussy, bussy!"
1. "Tonight I celebrate my love for you"
JD
-F.
-F.
Also, did a bus pull up to the stop, or were others seen? Dimes to dollars, I'll bet it was mostly RTS.
-F.
---Brian
Jim D.
Anybody have additional info, feel free to post.
This is a list of repowered buses. This list contains from my personal obsverations and from transitalk.org. If I have left out anything OR added a bus number on here that does not belong here then please correct me. I do make mistakes and I'm not ashamed to admit it. So here's my list of buses:
1990-1991 TMC RTS-06
8000-8001, 8005-8006, 8012, 8015-8017, 8021, 8024, 8026, 8032, 8035-8036, 8038-8046, 8048-8050, 8052, 8054-8057, 8059, 8062, 8066, 8069-8074, 8076-8087, 8091, 8093, 8095-8097, 8099-8103, 8108-8110, 8112, 8115-8117, 8120-8121, 8123, 8125-8127, 8130-8132, 8135-8136, 8139-8142, 8146, 8148, 8150, 8152, 8154-8157, 8159-8160, 8162, 8164-8166, 8168-8172, 8174-8176, 8180-8191, 8194-8195, 8197, 8199, 8205, 8212, 8214, 8216-8218, 8220, 8222, 8229, 8232, 8237-8238, 8240, 8242, 8244-8247, 8249-8250, 8252-8253, 8256, 8258-8262, 8266, 8269, 8275-8276, 8281, 8283, 8286, 8290-8291, 8293, 8296, 8299-8301, 8304-8305, 8310-8313, 8317, 8319-8322, 8324, 8326-8327, 8330-8331, 8336, 8340, 8343, 8345-8346, 8349-8350, 8352, 8355-8358, 8360, 8362-8365, 8367, 8370-8373, 8375, 8377-8396
1993 TMC RTS-06
8401-8460, 8463-8466, 8468-8470, 8472-8474, 8476-8479, 8487-8489, 8491, 8493, 8495-8496, 8499-8500, 8503, 8505-8506, 8508, 8510, 8513-8514, 8516-8564
1993 Orion 05.501
101, 105, 109, 111-114, 116-118, 120, 122-124, 127-128, 131-137, 140-174, 177, 179-194, 196-211, 213-221, 223-230, 232, 234-246, 248-266, 268-274, *276-309, 312-313, 315-316
* - Buses #291-294 were already came with the DD 50 Series Engines.
ALL of these buses are repowered BUT bus #8099 has been scrapped. I'm sure my list is accurate. I added buses #8382 from QV and #8505 from HUD because I saw them repowered.
Peace
David
yukon
repowered
8293
8295-8297
8299
8301
8303-8305
8307-8312
8314
8315
non repowered- 8294, 8298, 8300, 8302, 8306, 8313
8313, and 8298 havent been around in awile, so i suspect they may be getting repowered.
I must repeat that this list is a combination of my personal observations and transitalk.org bus roster page. I've been getting e-mails from various people whether I work for or know anyone from the MTA. Well, I do KNOW people from the MTA but I did not get this info from them. All I'm doing is making sure that the list I have is accurate...that's all!
GO NYCTA!
B12#8102
Can you be sure about that? ALL of those buses are not repowered? According to the Transitalk.org roster bus #8385 is repowered.
Otherwise, thanks for your information!
Robert
Robert
-F.
-F.
-F.
Going back to a previous point, there is no way an ISB could power an RTS. It is more suited to smaller, lighter vehicles.
-F.
How big is an ISB anyway? I know it is a fairly small engine and makes our SLFs sound like giant Pintos taking off...one even set a car alarm off Downtown recently.
-F.
Robert
Connex (formerly TCT Transit) runs the Monmouth County 800s from their facility in Neptune. Since I own a diesel, I can tell you firsthand, the darker the smoke, the more likely the engine has burned/is burning something.
B1-#4768-RTS
B70-#7566-Orion VII
-AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
BX31 # 5402
-AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
BIG AL
By the way, is 4792 gone yet?
B1-#4331-RTS
B64-#9298-NOVABUS
Peace
David
BTW: Next Week my work assignment is Queenvillage Depot 4/7/2003 on Q30 & Fresh Pond Depot 4/11/2003 on B38.
BX31 # 5400
http://www.bussounds.com
NA Transit Sound Section
http://www.natransit.com/sound
NA Transit Video Club
http://www.natransit.com/video
Enjoy,
Stephen Lam
Gillig Phantom
WHEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeEEEEeeeeEe. (Voith downshift).
If only this computer had a sound card. :)
-F.
If you know what it means to "ride the short bus", you'll get what I'm gonna say;
If I get a job driving for Shuttle-UM, then not only do I ride on the short bus, I drive the damn thing!!!
Yeah, this logic has to be a byproduct of way too much college level homework, especially English101.
If you get a job, drive the Tuesday night Circuit runs. Many Tuesday nights I drove, I was the only male on board. : ) Sorority rush night!
They had 30-foot Blue Birds (ugh) until 1998, when they got 35- and 40-foot New Flyers LFs (a vast improvement). I drove in 2001, right before they phased out their 35 and 40-foot RTS and Flxible fleets from regular fixed route service for more New Flyers (this time, an unwelcome change...I miss the ADBs). In that order, they received a few 30-foot NFs. So I worked in an interim in which I missed the short bus altogether...LOL!!!
My usual mode of mobile office was the 40-Foot Flxibles, so I guess you could say I drove the LONG bus.
-F.
(I am not a clean freak BTW - Just an observation)
Of course, the interior condition can be attributed to lack of of maintenance of the CS staff.
Two buses with bikes on the racks. I am sure that as spring and summer are ushered in, this will be a more common sight. Today's bikes were on the fronts of a J5 and a T2, one bike on each.
C40LF 2343 was at Friendship Heights this evening on the even 30s. I actually got decent pictures this time since it was stopped in the terminal. Also got a few when it was coming around Wisconsin Circle. Its side sign wasn't working entirely properly, it was saying this:
35FRIENDSHIP
35HEIGHTSNICE DAYHAVE A NICE DAY
Anyone else see the C40's doing that? I did get an AVI movie of it (and a stare from the driver).
Yesterday, I also saw a C40 at Friendship as well as 4309. Then, a few blocks away, I saw Ride-On 5409, which I would have ridden for the first timeif I had gotten off at Bethesda. Oh well...
For those of you coming Saturday, you got another e-mail today. See you Saturday!
I wonder if it was LIB's decision to do this or did NYIT get them to do it?
I was riding the N20 to NYIT today and notice the driver making the turn in to drop us off and was surprised, everyone on the bus was shocked. They thought they were on the wrong bus.
There's a notice inside the buses that lists the LIB lines have schedule changes effective 3/31 I believe.
Starting off today I got 8813 Flxible Metro on the A12 heading towards the Landover Metro Station. I took the train from Landover to L'Enfant Plaza then from there to King Street and from there to Van Dorn Street, where after a wait I got DASH bus 55, a Gillig with an M11 engine on the AT5. One most days I would take this bus to work, but I had to stop off at the grocery store and get some things. After I got out of the grocery store, I got DASH Orion V 65 same route and same engine to work.
Coming home I was hoping to catch the 17A to the Pentagon, but I had to hurry, and luckily there were no late customers, so I closed on time and left, hoping the bus didn't come, which it didn't. When it showed up, it was WMATA Orion V 4241 on the 17A going towards the Pentagon. The driver I got was pretty fast, so fast, the bus was running at a sound level that I haven't heard before and he was passing alot of cars. Anyways I got to the station, hopped on the rail took it to Addison Road, where I got an A12 Orion V 4262 going home.
That was all the fun I had today and more tomorrow, as my car hasn't been fixed yet, so one more day of bus and rail rides.
I will post more info as I am just beginning to plan it. If anyone has any particular route or bus system they want to ride let me know (if anyone chooses THE BUS, I will bring along a shrink to have your head examined, just kidding).
My email address is wessambig@aol.com
An initial plan will be available in mid May, with a final one in late June.
-F.
-F.
If anyone cares....
I saw several new New Flyers* with SEPTA* paint on I-80 early Sunday morning in western PA and eastern OH. They were eastbound, I was westbound trying to stay awake while driving a Van Hool. Don't know why they were there though, unless they were staying north to avoid tolls.
Mike
*(I think, correct me if I'm waaay off)
MTA to Take Over Private Bus Lines.
Seven private bus lines will be taken over by the MTA ... (nothing new here) ... under an agreement tentatively reached between the agency and City officials. (hmmm, I had heard that the City was going to make an anouncement April 1st) ...
The LETTERS between Marc Shaw, a depty mayor, and Katherine Lapp, the MTA's ececutive director ... (now that makes it sound official)
Not much new info to provide - except for the new date.
City wants takeover deal for private buses by June 30
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the city have set a target date of June 30 to reach an agreement on the MTA takeover of seven private bus lines.
The city wants to end the $100million in annual subsidies that it gives to the companies, which run 1,300 buses and carry 114 million passengers annually in Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Manhattan.
A takeover also fits the shared goal of Gov. Pataki and MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow of moving toward a more regional transit system.
The MTA is reviewing the assets and facilities of the companies, New York Bus, Command Bus, Liberty Lines, Green Bus, Jamaica Buses, Triboro Coach and Queens Surface, and the services they provide, according to correspondence between MTA Executive Director Katherine Lapp and First Deputy Mayor Marc Shaw.
But there are potential stumbling blocks.
Kalikow has said he would not take on additional service if it meant more red ink. And MTA and city officials agree that a takeover can come only after the private companies raise their fares to keep in line with the Transit Authority's. The fare for buses run by the TA, an MTA subsidiary, is slated to rise to $2, from $1.50, on May 4. Express bus fees are increasing to $4 from $3.
Warren Woodberry Jr. and Pete Donohue
THank You
Gee, the papers could have made money selling ads in the space they wasted on that one.
The Mayor and his people may WANT this, but there not going to get it. There is no way that the State will simply assume another $100 million in operating expense, nor should they. Amd the savings to be gained by consolidating the DOT opeartions into the MTA are minimal at best - certainly nowhere near $100 million.
JD
1) It is likely that the city will pay something less then $100 million
2) The $2 local fare, ending of off peak discount and $4 express bus fare would cut into the need for $100 million dollar subsidy
3)Upper management salaries = $1.4 million. Administative expenses such as HR will also be elliinated.
4)Combination of bus routes andother effeciencies (command bus currently dead heads nearly 8 miles on all its express runs back to the depot)
Add added expense of TA pay scale and bennifits
One questing. Is the $100 city subsidy include payments on dept incurred to build the new bus depots and purchace the newer orions V's
NYS is also kicking in $50 currently
Plus, all the fare increases and such...that'll certainly give many people headaches...i'm surprised about reductions on routes 93 and 94...I thought those were such strong routes!
That's JUST how I felt about the old RTS we used to have in Houston. They each had their own distinct personality. Some I LOVED to ride and others were just, "I guess." It takes a bus years to develop it's own personality though as they are just engine quirks really. These quirks don't develop unless the buses get around 8-10 years old.
The Metro GM (I refuse to call her a CEO) even made it a point to announce the retirement of the RTS buses at a public board meeting. The oldest were about 20, the youngest were 17.
They replaced them with the uber-boring Cummins powered 3200-3535 series New Flyers. They are fast, but never, and I mean NEVER, have I heard a more boring engine. When the A/C is off, yes, it is very unique. But 99% of the time, the A/C is on, so I'm just like, *sigh* another 3xxx New Flyer.
Only 10 Neoplans were built with rear destination signs, 3122-3131, which were assigned to Red Arrow. Those buses are about to be moved to Midvale for their pending retirement (if they haven't been moved there already).
Even the front destination signs were different between the 8000s and 3000s. The 1982-85 Neos (8000s) had a smaller size text display.
Every type of bus has their own distinctive thing. What I was talking about was within the Neoplans, where not only the engine differed, but there were other things. For instance, 3200 with the bi-level sign which was later changed to an LED sign. 3414 wtih the DDC50 engine.
3200 - which had been at Frontier for the past few years - is now at Callowhill. I had seen this bus on the 46 last week. 3414 was originally assigned to Allegheny, but was moved to Comly after Allegheny became an all-artic depot.
I'm going to try and dig deeper within this mess to see if there's another way out of this mess rather than such draconian cuts.
Yet, they are currently accepting delivery of 60 Phantoms and will be accepting delivery of 160 new Advantages, in addition to wasting money in tons of other area's. If PAT does everything they are threatening to do, I don't even want to think about what that would be like.
http://www.postgazette.com/transportation/20030329port2.asp
You are failing to understand a key point of transit funding: capital costs versus operation costs. They are two totally isolated budget categories, and money from one cannot go to the other.
In theory, I agree with you completely: cancel the Gillig order, keep the perfectly worthy Orions for another few years, and let that money patch up holes in the operating budget. Seems to make perfect sense. However, federal and state rules do not allow the money to do that. Maybe that's not the way it should be, but that's the way it is. I know how much you love to chalk everything up to PATransit's incompetence, but this really is not their fault.
I never said cancel the Gillig order. What I am saying is, the order should have never existed in the first place. By law they are required to keep a balance budget. While the funding issues aren't their problem, there are plenty of area's in which they waste money. Even if that money isn't comming out of funds for operation (which a lot of it does), they are under such close scutiny, they need to start doing a better job of cutting corners.
B100: Here is my proposal. It will be combined w/ B2 and will still be called the B 2 out of Flatbush. It will run as follows
TO Mill Basin - Strickland Dr.: Bus stop will be at the current B 100 bus stop. Will run as the current B 2 until it reaches on Kings Plaza. At Ave U it turns left and the next stop will be at the entrance of Ave U at Kings Plaza (current B 3/ B47 bus stop) then onto Mill Rd then follow as the B 100 route
TO Kings Highway Station - E 16 St: Vise versa except at Ocean Av. At Ocean Av left to Ave P. Then left on E 16 St to bus stop.
The current B 2 bus stop will be used as the B 47 bus stop or/ and Q 35 bus stop (if used as the Q 35 it will be an advantage for Flatbush Av riders as an alternative to the subway station in Midwood)
B103: Here are my changes. Extend to Gateway Center Mall. It will be the best and only east - west bus route to Gateway. It still will run limited w/ some minor changes.
At Corteleyou. It will replace the B 23 making all B 23 stops east of CI Av. The B 23 east of CI Av will be replaced by the B 67 only at 16 Av. An alternative idea would be using the Canarsie bound buses reouted along McDonald instead of CI Ab and then onto Cortelyou Rd.
The bus stop at Beverley Rd will be at Cortleleyou Rd.
The B103 to gate way will use Flatlands Av then onto Gateway Dr via Vandilla. It will make local stops east of E 96 St.
Questions comments
B49 Limited
RTS #1137 on the #29
RTS #1137 on the #29
If you're a passenger, I'm not aware of any laws that prohibit people from saving a seat. It's more of a matter of common courtesy. Try making something up once again, complain to the operator or ride a different trip.
Should a wheelchair passenger board, one set of the two rear fold-up seats must be given up. Failure to relinquish these seats will result in removal of the bus from passenger service while awaiting NYCT supervision and the NYPD.
There are laws regarding both of these policies, however I don't have them on-hand. I'll see if I can find the actual statute in addition to the policy.
NYCT policy also mandates that a seat is not guaranteed with your paid fare (a school pass constitutes a paid fare), nor may a seat be occupied by anything other than your person (ie: book bags, packages, etc.), nor may a non-paying child under 44" occupy a seat should a fare-paying adult request such.
Those are your NYCT seating rules applicable to buses. Print me for handy reference :-)
Please let your colleagues know this, both in CS and in the rest of the TA. And remember, if those kids try to assault you, they face 7 years!
You pay your fare to ride the bus, not to necessarily seat on a seat, something I've learned. :) If anything, preferred seating should always goes to the disabled and elderly. I've seen people think kids should go into that as well, though it's too ambiguous. I mean, if it's a baby, carry it. If it's a toddler, you could hold it as well. I've seen situations where elderly people are holding on a pole in a crowded buses with a dribbling 5 year old on the bus shaking like crazy. Where do you draw the line...?
Do the other privates allow this. Why are these apparent express buses not parked in manahattan getting ready for the evening rush.
There is one bus parked on E35th street between Filmore and AVE S every weekday.
Well this morning i rode the B-100 for the first time (Bus 358) and i noticed the following
1-The B-100 makes no stops between E.16th St and Nostrand Ave on Quientin Road except for Bedford Ave for school kids.
2-To reroute the B-2 from Ave R to Queintin Road will not make sense since their is no traffic generators to be found their.
3-To reroute the B-2 the one block will not be in the best interests of the riding public since it will now take longer for them to get to their destination especially if the B-2 gets additonal service from short trips especially during peak hours after a consolidation takes place.
4-Since school kids walk from Kings Highway and the B-7 and B-82 routes the one block they can walk from Ave R and the B-2.
5-The TA can always add school trips to the B-2
But the idea of running the B-2 on Quientin Road will happen when it snows on July 4th or unless Ave R is made one way
Thank You
"1-The B-100 makes no stops between E.16th St and Nostrand Ave on Quientin Road except for Bedford Ave for school kids."
Almost no gets on or off the B2 along that stretch. Riders who currently get on west of nostrand on AVE R will just take the B31. Prior to the early 1990's B31 reroute there was 7 bus per hour on AVE R. More then what the is needed to cover local riders.
There is almost no demand for riders to go from E36th and ave S in central marine park to say E27th and Ave R. There is nothing but single family homes.
"2-To reroute the B-2 from Ave R to Queintin Road will not make sense since their is no traffic generators to be found their."
There are no traffic generators on AVE R which now has 14 bus per hour "passing through" Once again the route mearly passes throught there because it is in the between Marine Park and the Trains station not because there is local traffic needing the service.
"3-To reroute the B-2 the one block will not be in the best interests of the riding public since it will now take longer for them to get to their destination especially if the B-2 gets additonal service from short trips especially during peak hours after a consolidation takes place."
WHY?
"4-Since school kids walk from Kings Highway and the B-7 and B-82 routes the one block they can walk from Ave R and the B-2."
The issue is having bus loads of students trampling down a narrow residential street with narrow side walks not the fact that the kids have to walk. As it is now the mass is split between the B100 and B2. Coming from Kings highway(B7, B82) along Bedford is an apartment buildings
"5-The TA can always add school trips to the B-2"
At extra expense. This may be fine during the afternoon, but is useless in the morning where the problem is more acute
"But the idea of running the B-2 on Quientin Road will happen when it snows on July 4th or unless Ave R is made one way"
I can believe you worked for the TA because you are very short sighted and can not see outside your narrow one size fits all mold.
Moving the B2/B100 to QR makes sense both politically and operationally.
Politically.
- No service is lost; service is actually enhanced along Ave S and R in marine park (not all rush hour B2/B100 will service mill basin, there is not enought traffic in this neighborhood of single family homes)
- Extra traffic and the trash and property damage along Bedford between R and QR it will be midigated. The block association is not happy with the current level of traffic. Add more that will go over well.
- No backlash of moving the line because there is still bus service at aproximatly the same interval as before.
Operationaly.
- Riders on the B2 will be droped off closer to the train station entrance. Since the B31 re-reouted to kings highway station, the B2's drop off point got moved behind the B31 bus stop 1/2 block from the station along QR(between E15-E17th street)
-B31 riders will no longer have to run in front of traffic to catch there bus as it will take over the current B2 bus stop located adjacent to the subway entrance
-Reduce the backups when B31 and or B2 blocks each other from passing slowing the trip to the station down. this happans frequently at Ocean Ave and Ave R. The few addtional runs required to pick up the B100 riders would make this situation unbareable
- Maxamize bus utilization
1)B31 which tends to pull out of Kings highway with less riders then the B2. Since the free metrocard transfer went into effect, some local residents take either B2 or B31 instead of walking. People tend to take the B2 because you do not have to cross the street. This strands some Marine Park bound B2 riders due to the bus being full while B31 pulls with empty seats
2) combine off peak B2/B100 loads. Both ride midday nearly empty
- Reduce the cost of a dedicated bus tracker on the B100 who hangs out in the dunkin donuts all day.
Thank You
You do not have any knowledge of these bus lines and the communitues it serves. I have been riding these lines for over 15 years. The B2/B100 is a commutter shuttle and nothing more
It is not a full service bus line that serves populations where people use buses as there primary means of transportation
If there were a parking lot at kings highway station to park at all day for free or by monthly pass many of these commuters would drive to the station. the B2 and B100 would be empty.
Some people do drive to the station, but by the time you find a spot it is quicker to just take the bus
-AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
B35#9398
B43#9092
9092 B6
4543 B82
There are plenty of lovely neighborhoods in brookyn. I even find areas of queens that are far more ghetoy then brooklyn.
New mill basin
Mill Basin
Bergan Beach
Marine Park
Madison
Sheapshead bay
Dyker heights
Bay ridge
Hamilton heights
Cobble hill
Park slope
Williamsburg
DUMBO
Sea gate
Brighon Beach
bensonhurst
Borough Park
Plus a few I am missing, More the half the borough is very nice. Areas that are not have one thing in common.
--AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
I travel through Bushwick all the time, and I love it. I was also born there too. :P
If you want to talk about rundown areas, then look at the south Bronx...
1. One, some, or all of the following routes may be moved from Gaithersburg to Silver Spring: 46, 47, 48, 49, 70. This is to even out driver work hours and deadhead time. This would take effect with the September or January pick
2. 15 deisel buses are susposed to be arriving very soon to operate from Silver Spring. I don't know who manufactured them and a result, do not know the model, but they may already be in the process of being shipped. THESE ARE NOT THE ORION VIIs!!! Other buses might move to Silver Spring due to its larger maintenance capacity.
3. The Orion VIIs will MOST LIKELY send all the newest Orion Vs from Gaithersburg to Silver Spring
4. The Orion VIIs may have some problems when they get here. Gaithersburg CNG facilities are essentially at their peak and a new fueling station may not be ready in time for these buses.
5. At yesterday's Scheduling and Planning Comittee meeting, they decided to do studies of the following routes to study schedule adjustments, among others: 46, 10, 16, and 56. The latter is late approximately 75% of the time
6. There are no major changes planned at Gaithersburg for the next pick, no word on Silver Spring. The pick went to the printers yesterday or today and drivers should pick next weekend.
7. Students MAY ride free at all times starting in September
8. The 124 remains once the new garage at Shady Grove opens. Changes to the 70 routes from Shady Grove to Gaithersburg TC and the Route 124 lot may be made at that time.
That wouldn't surpise me to see all of the newer Orions transferred down to Silver Spring, they have some of them already and Gaithersburg has been getting most of the newer buses.
It seems that the trend of bus assignments will be this:
Whenever a CNG order comes in, it MUST go to Gaithersburg. To keep average age within the fleets at each deopot as close to equal as possible, the newest deisel buses will go to Silver Spring. The proof that this trend seems to be what they do is when the 2001-2002 Orion Vs arrived, the 1999 Gilligs, the newest old buses at Gaithersburg, moved to Silver Spring.
According to mapquest some are 8 miles or more from the end of line to the command depot.
It would make sense to make UP a express only depot and to shift some of UP lines to commands facility. Servicing only MCI at UP would bring about some effeciencies
This line shuffling could be fun?
Any ideas
If anything the Command BM-1 and BM-4 should also be in Flatbush while the BM-3 be in Ulmer Park.
The B-103,BM-2 and BQM-1 should remain with the Command depot. But the problem with the Command depot its got to be Pull Outs and Pull Ins only so i will recommend that the B-14,B-15,B-17 and B-42 can also go to Command.
The problem is Flatbush with other than the B-47 going to East New York really has no place for the B-2/100,B-31,B-41,B-44,B-46 and B-49.
The B-1,B-4,B-64,B-74 in Gleason also will not work. Just to expensive. One possibility is the x-27 going to Gleason if the TA wants to use the Command coaches but they will not want to do that.
Because of this your hands are really tied.
Thank You
The combined b2/b100 does not need many more buses then the MTA currently operates on the B2. If Flatbush ever gets articulated buses, these could be used during rush hours further reducing the number of total runs needed.
The B2 is never really sardeen can packed plus moving the bus to QR will remove some riders that get on at nostrand and AVE R. Those riders will be served by the B31 which tends to be less busy
MABSTOA had one group of 1960 Fishbowls it inherited from Fifth Ave./Surface Transit. They were numbered 3101-3220 and lasted till the mid-1970s (don't remember the exact year). After MABSTOA received its first two large groups of 5303 Fishbowls from 1963 through 1965, the 1960 models were assigned almost exclusively to Kingsbridge Depot to serve Bronx routes, most notably Grand Concourse, crosstown routes on 163rd, 167th, 170th, and 207th/Fordham, Webster/White Plains, and University Ave.
Or they stand right at the front of the bus, tell the driver they want the next stop, and then pull the bell cord. Strange, eh?
Something else that gets me is that someone pulls a cord to stop the bus and then say, "Oh I mean the next stop" If you ride the bus on a regular basis shouldn't one know where the stop is and also don't they pay attention where they are and request a stop when they see where there stop is. I was riding on a DASH bus and one fool press the stop request cord, the bus stopped and noone said the next stop or anything to that matter. I am pretty sure the bus driver was mad as hell. Then when the bus left that stop, it rang again, this time person finally got off of the bus.
The operator could turn off the bell but it wouldn't be worth it. He would also have to turn it back on again when he left the terminal and that wouldn't stop people from yelling out "NEXT STOP PLEASE!"
I am not sure if the guy is regular, and hell I have made mistakes in determining where the next stop is, and I have gotten extra foot miles, for that blunder.
For instance, last night one guy, who seem to be regular, hit the cord to stop the bus and it was his stop, the driver asked him if it was his stop, and he really said nothing, but as the bus began to pull away from the stop, the guy said "Oh yea this is my stop" and the driver stopped the bus to let him off.
If I am the only person on the bus, I might pull the cord to remind the driver that I am in fact on the bus. I do this more often in New York on a route like the M79. When I would ride to Riverside Drive, a stop which hardly anyone goes to, I would ring the bell so that the driver would drop me off at the stop, instead of my winding up at the layover point. Of course, I am sure other people ring it all the time.
I really don't see the problem with this.
He is just lucky he didn't do it now or his punishment would have been riding in an Orion II for a week, HA, HA!
Also, has anyone here actually ridden an Orion 4?
Matt
Matt
Not only are they ugly, they are also crap, if you ask anyone with the Toronto Transit Commission. Those buses died for the most part after only about 9 or 10 years. When David Gunn came up there, he ordered those buses OOS and mostly scrapped b/c of maintenance problems. The Orion 3 has to go down as one of the WORST buses ever made (and I am counting the Nova LFS). And it should be the American Idol losers be made to drive these buses around, with Paula, Randy, Simon, Ryan, Trevor (Logan) and Steve (Hoskins) "enjoying" the ride. And dont forget the Gillig (Advantage).
Also, if anyone has ridden an Chumpion in revenue public passenger service, I'd like to know about the ride, and whos operating that bus. (Airport Shuttles do not count.) And does the MTA LI Bus that looks like a van, but based on an International truck chassis, count as a van bus?
As for the 1986 buses, I am not sure of what their original depots were, except for the 45 King Specials (4554-4599 out of JAM, now with many gaps). Where did these buses start? (I think 4300-43something went to 146 St, but I am not sure what the last bus was.)
Yeah, I agree with you. then QV got buses #3960-3984. I remember seeing bus #3966 on the Q31 in June of 1991.
Those buses were not reseated to express form unitl the late 1990s...I think!
I was just wondering if anyone has a fleet roster of the buses for CCTA in Burlington, VT, or if someone could direct me to a website that has it. The fleet is mostly RTS' bus I'm just trying to figure out the years of manufacture for them.
Thanks,
Matt
www.angelfire.com/ny5/nebuses/rosters/
Hopefully this should have the answers you are looking for. The CCTA fleet consists of all RTS, save for a few trolley replica buses used for a downtown shuttle route.
Mark
Matt
BIG AL
This will probably be the biggest change in FP since the 1996 Novas(9140-9185). The fleet can finally go back the way it was in 1999, before it went straight downhill.
B11#8455
--AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
The bus FAQ glossary at nycsubway.org is woefully limited and somewhat outdated.
Any takers?
As for being "woefully limited," be greatful something is there. Before I wrote it, there was NOTHING.
Michael Ditkoff
Washington, DC
If Dave doesn't have the time or interest to update the section, why not place it elsewhere? I'll gladly put it up, but I don't feel like creating it.
Personally, I have no use for a transit glossary. But there are many here who do, and would benefit from such.
So here's what I'll do:
All you guys who have an interest, send me your terms, phrases and definitions, and I'll put it online for all to view. Duplicate submissions are fine, just be sure it's factual and it details the agency in reference.
M4- send me the update and I'll use it as a base page. Together, along with everyone here, we can put up a complete Bus FAQ's page. Created by bus fans.. for bus fans.
What do you think? Start sending those emails....
I'll send you the info Dave never posted tonight or tomorrow. If I have to choose between dancing and Bustalk.....
Michael
Washington, DC
Run 017 on the M23, this is done so they can track the bus operator, and what buses that driver takes out.
-AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
In Washington, DC, the run ID is the block number which stays the same for the entire day regardless of the number of drivers that operate the bus.
I asked this question last month and got a clear, informative, answer from Brooklyn67(?). If you use bustalk's archives, you should be able to find it. The original message included the words "please end my confusion.
Michael
Washington, DC
Michael
Washington, DC
David
A big thank you to everyone who came on today's trip, especially for bearing with us and all the changes and modifications to the itinerary. I know some of you were saying how we should have some more DC events and we should definately stay in touch to arrange those.
For those of you who did not come, here is my trip report. Of course those who came along are free to make comments or additions. Pictures from various group members should be coming in over the next several days. Dave, get in touch with me to let me know how to get this stuff over to you.
And now, my trip report:
The second Washington, DC SubTalk trip will probably be remembered for its numerous delays, missed connections, and other minor mishaps, but it will also be remembered by those who went as it being a great time for all and a chance to meet the faces behind the handles. My day began when I took Rohr 1088 from Friendship Heights to Grosvenor, where I met Mark Greenwald (Mountain Maryland), and his son, Jeremiah. We then took Breda 4029 to Union Station to meet up with everyone else. En route, Ken LaCapria boarded the train.
Upon our arrival at Union Station, we found out that train 79, which was transporting our out of town contingency was 30 minutes late, so we started looking at Mark’s Rohr roll sign and my copy of The Story of Metro. We rolled through the roll sign from end to end and introduced ourselves until the train arrived. At 10:45, the train did arrive, so our group set out towards the Metro. The group consisted of myself (WMATAGMOAGH), Alan Braunstein (Faxman), Chris Der (New Look Terrapin), Wayne Johnson, Chuck Greene (TransitChuckG), Mark Greenwald (Mountain Maryland) and his son, Jeremiah, Tristan Cunningham (BusStalker), Raymond Mui (aznboy4305), Bob Vogel (chuchubob), Perry (whose last name I don’t remember but his handle is 1C/Ballston), Walter Walsh, Ken LaCapria, Carlton Walton (Transit is my Drug), and Chris Garnier, a total of 15 people.
At the Metro, those who did not have day passes bought them and we proceeded to the platform to wait for the train. It was Breda 3239 and we took it to its last stop, Grosvenor-Strathmore. As members of the group announced facts and trivia at several stations, the entire car grew quiet, an event that happened many times throughout the day. At Grosvenor, we asked a bystander to take a group photo of us around the rollsign. We then took advantage of our day passes and went to Mark’s car, where he showed us a framed map showing the Green Line to Rosecroft Raceway, the Yellow Line to Huntington, and the Blue and Yellow Lines to their original southern terminals, among other things. After some time, we proceeded back onto the Metro to continue onwards to Shady Grove. To that, we were on Breda 4003. Ray left the group upon our arrival at Shady Grove.
At Shady Grove, we took the first of the two bus legs of the trip on board the Q2 route, operated by WMATA. We had Orion V 2144 from Montgomery Division. The ride was fairly fast and served its purpose, allowing us to cross to the other side of Montgomery County without riding the Red Line all the way around. Again, the tour guide type announcements got the attention of everyone. At Wheaton, we alighted and went to Wheaton Plaza to have a quick lunch. After lunch, we boarded the Metro again by using the longest escalator in the system and the second longest in the Western Hemisphere. We rode Breda 3271, the last car of the train, from Wheaton to Glenmont, expecting it to be the lead car on the next trip out. But the next train was already at Glenmont and on the other platform, so we crossed over. The lead car of that train was Breda 2023. At Silver Spring, Carlton ran out to get pictures of a Neoplan AN460 Articulated and we made plans to meet him later. The rest of the group got out at Fort Totten with plans to wait for Carlton. Unfortunately, he missed the next train from Silver Spring and by the time he caught up with us, we had missed two Green Line trains. Fortunately, we were able to get pictures of the Capitol Limited passing by Fort Totten on the CSX tracks.
Another unfortunate thing was that both trains we had let go while waiting for Carlton were Bredas, and the one we ended up taking was also a Breda, not the CAF we had hoped for. The lead car was 3277. At this point with the trip nowhere near our original schedule, we polled the out of towners who agreed to go for a train an hour later, giving us more flexibility in planning the afternoon. After passing the pocket at Mount Vernon Square where we saw the next Yellow Line train would be yet another set of Bredas (notice we haven’t been on anything else as of yet), we decided to go to L’Enfant Plaza in hope that the Blue Line might have something different. At Gallery Place, we saw a train of CAF cars on the Green Line heading towards Greenbelt. Luckily, a train of Rohr cars pulled in at L’Enfant. We got on the third car, took advantage of the large number of tourists at Smithsonian to move up to the second, and at Federal Triangle, finally made it to the lead car, 1288. We were separated in the process but reunited by the time we reached Pentagon City, where we took a brief but needed bathroom break.
After our break, we went back to the Metro where we decided to take the Blue Line out to Franconia-Springfield. The lead car of the Blue Line was 3081. Unlike two years ago when our Franconia-Springfield bound train broke down between Van Dorn Street and Franconia-Springfield, we made it to Franconia-Springfield without any delays. It was at this point that Ken left us; his car was parked at Van Dorn Street. We then waited for a Fairfax Connector bus to take us to Huntington, thinking it would be just as long as the Blue to Yellow Line routing. The 109 trip on Orion V 7797 took a mere 50 minutes, but it was well worth it. Once again, all point of interest announcements created a hush through the entire bus (popular group, aren’t we?) and we got to see a few cherry blossom trees. At Huntington, after observing there was still a small pile of snow under a tree in full bloom, we went up to the platform and found a 6 car train of CAF cars with its doors wide open and awaiting the group. At this point, we had ridden on board cars from each of the five shipments of cars. The lead car was 5051 and it was the first ride on board the CAF cars for a number of people in the group. Unfortunately, the interior LEDs were not working but that did not dampen anyone’s spirits at this point. We saw some of the Tidal Basin cherry blossom trees as the train crossed the Fenwick Bridge from Virginia to DC, the closest we came to seeing them. At L’Enfant Plaza, where we got off, a train of CAF cars on the Green Line was sitting there but just before anyone could get in a position to take pictures of the two CAF trains along side each other. We then proceeded downstairs, to continue onwards, Chris Der left the group to go to the MCI Center.
We took the Blue Line, lead car Breda 4019 (having gotten both a Rohr and a CAF, the Breda didn’t bother people too much), to Addison Road. At Addison, we were able to photograph the rear car of the train under the now fast setting sun, as well as a train of Rohr cars waiting to be laid up on the opposite track. We decided to ride in the rear of the Blue Line train back to Stadium-Armory so that we would be up front on the Orange Line out to New Carrollton. Unfortunately, transit police had to do a quick investigation of something on board the train, so its departure was delayed, making us miss the New Carrollton bound Orange Line train. After yet another wait during which we got pictures of a Breda train going to Addison Road and a Rohr train to Vienna, we got on board Breda 3174, which took us out to New Carrollton. By now, it was nearly dark, so the busfans in the group had trouble making out the various MetroBus lots along the right of way, but they still managed. At New Carrollton, we went into the Amtrak waiting room to say our goodbyes and get a much needed drink from the station vending machines.
At this time, Walter, Alan, Carlton, and Bob went to wait for their Amtrak train, which this time arrived at New Carrollton on time, left on time, and arrived at their respective destinations on time. Mark and Jeremiah went ahead to start going back to their home. The rest of the DC area contingent, now consisting of myself, Perry, Wayne, Chris Garnier, and Tristan, boarded an Orange Line train led by Rohr 1267 to head back to our respective residences or whatever intended destination we were bound for. Perry left at L’Enfant Plaza, the rest of us got off at Metro Center but Chris and Wayne headed towards Glenmont, while Tristan and I headed towards Shady Grove on board Breda 3254.
All things considered, everyone considered the day to be a successful one. We passed through approximately 73% of the stations on the system (61 out of 83 stations). For those of us who had been on the first SubTalk trip to Washington in April of 2000, we had each now traveled the entire system in its entirety at least once. At least three other people on the trip had completed their tours of the entire system. And everyone was pleased to have met various people who had merely been online acquaintances before with the hopes of meeting each other again in the near future and also those who had hoped to but were unable to join us.
Carlton
Cleanairbus
Transit Is My Drug
The Cleanairbus Transit Page
While on the Q2 when we got near Wheaton, the Clever device system announced the old reminder about the front seats being priority seating, catching all of us off guard since we didn't expect the announcement. We did not hear the eating/drinking/smoking announcement during the trip at all.
The fare will remain at $1.50 as the full fare $1.00 for students and $.50 for seniors and of course the usual $.25 transfer. I had ask my supervisors had they seen the new transfers yet but they had not. I will let you guys know anything as it comes in.
BTW how do you post pictures here? I bought a web/digtal camera that takes great daytime pics. I got my Flxible #9325 and Orion #9940 I'd like to post for the group to see or even donate to a transit bus web site. Any help or tips would be great. You guys have a safe day and travel safely!
Dave
6A RONKONKOMA RAILROAD
It's very nice that you are willing to post pics here, so what you have to do is upload your photo(s) to a server that allows posting of images on other sites, unlike Geocities.com and Tripod.com, unless you have a paid account. I have one currently, so do other people here, you can e-mail to them and then post a link to them here. If you e-mail any one of us, you can probably learn how to post links that work...
Mine is cleanairbus@yahoo.com
Thank you
Thanks
Artics 5510 and higher are in the process of delivery. According to a recent (but not the most recent) UTC Bus Roster, here is the tentative and, I assume, speculative delivery plan for this artic order:
"NEW-FLYER ARTICULATED:
5510-5513 (4) 126 5510-5511, 5513 delivered
5514-5537 (24) MJQ 5519, 5526-5528, 5530-5531, 5537-5545 at MJQ,
5515, 5517-5518, 5520 at 126, 5529 at MCH.
5538-5618 (81) 126
5619-5699 (81) 100
5700-5741 (42) MJQ
5742-5769 (28) CS"
Note that the assignments for these buses are a big deviant from what was originally planned, and they are still altering the assignments as we speak, I bet...
Carlton
Cleanairbus
Transit Is My Drug
The new 5500-5700 series seem to be coming in a spuradic order as opposed to in numerical order. The earlier 5500, that being 5500-5509 are spread across 3 garages. 5506 & 5509 are at Quill, 5508 is at Gun Hill and 5500-5505 & 5507 are at Kingsbridge.
Regards,
Trevor Logan
www.transitalk.org
Carlton
Cleanairbus
Transit Is My Drug
http://cleanairbus.tripod.com
AMI
--AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
AMI
First of all the consolidated B2/B100 and the Green Lines Q 35 will be assigned to Flatbush Depot. Fresh Pond will pick up the Q 39 and Q 67 routes. But the fun comes with the Command routes.
The B-103 needs only 7 buses peak hours to cover its service according to the current schedule. The express routes need the following amount of buses in AM Peak to cover its current schedule
BM-1 30 buses
BM-2 25 buses
BM-3 25 buses
BM-4 15 buses
BQM-1 10 buses
I determined this by looking at each schedule and figuring 90 minuates return from 57th Street except on the BQM 1 only 1 hour to return for a 2nd trip.This is how i determined how many buses are needed for each line. I may be off slightly but i believe i am in the ballpark.
Logistically the BM-1 and BM-4 should be assigned to Flatbush and the BM-3 can be assigned to Ulmer Park or Flatbush. However because Flatbush,Ulmer Park and Fresh Pond are at capacity it may not be possible to assign these routes to the above depot.
Let us look at all Brooklyn Division Depots
Flatbush which will be getting IMO the consolidated B2/B100 and the Q-35 will lose the B-47 to East New York to make room for these two lines. Since no other Flatbush line can be assigned to another Brooklyn depot it is just not possible to assign the BM-1 to Flatbush.
However it is possible to move the BM-4 to Flatbush if the TA was to use a smalllot north of Ave N at Utica Ave for storage. The area i am talking about is now used for driver parking and some TA tow trucks are kept there.I have indeed seen the lot.The area i am talking about is where the B-3 and B-46 routes turned around prior to 1971
Ulmer Park can receive the BM-3 if either of the following is done.
a)The x-27 is transferred back to Gleason
b)The lot on 25th Ave at Harway Ave which is currently used for driver parking is used for storage if the community does not object. However neighbors do not like drivers parking on the streets.
Logistically to transfer any of the current Ulmer Park local routes out will greatly increase operating costs and i do not believe it will be feasible.
To make Ulmer Park an all express line depot also will not be feasible for the same reason.
Fresh Pond will lose the B-48 to Gleason and possibly the B-20 to East New York so it can take in the Q-39 and Q-67 routes.
Gleason staus will be determined by the other depots.
The current Command depot will retain the BM-1,BM-2 and BQM-1 routes and possibly the B-17 and B-42 and maybe the B-15 from East New York. This depot can only be pull ins and pull outs due to the lack of routes for drivers to travel on.
The B-20 should be in East New York because of the location in the middle of the line
Thats my opinion.
Any comments
Thank You
"b)The lot on 25th Ave at Harway Ave which is currently used for driver parking is used for storage if the community does not object. However neighbors do not like drivers parking on the streets."
Both lots will not see any Buses stored on them anytime soon. The lot on Utica and Ave N caused tons of community oppositiion when the MTA tried to store buses temporarily a few years back. The local politiacians are hiding behing the fuel spill problem to drum up community support. Another argument is that it is across the street from a playground. Both bogus arguments.
Of the Two the harway ave lot has a better chance. The problem at this lot is that the MTA was idling buses there in the morning disturbing the local residents and filling there houses with smoke in the summertime
But isn't the Utica Ave lot only have commercial properties around it?
Thank You
You are right it is on the corner of utica and ave N. It shares a block with a small strip mall, on ave N, Utica ave in both directions is commercial except for the Playground that is directly across the street and is sandwiched in on the south by the main flatbush depot parking lot.
The small playground I mentioned is directly across the street. They used to park garbage trucks on the asphalt softball feild up until the early 1990's. There was a sanitation garage located across the street from the playground.
The concilman and state senator are in a protracted battele with the MTA over the fuel spill that apparently the MTA knew about and did nothing for over 10 years. The anti-depot stance is a campaign issue for the local politico's
BTW, the point of all of this is that for many years, that Avenue N lot was an active bus/trolley loop, with many vehicles constantly pulling in and out 24/7 with no community opposition.
When the streetcars were discontinued in the Spring of 1951 i believe it then became a park.
BTW-The original Flatbush Depot was the back of the old streetcar yard
Thank You
4543 B82
--AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
'Yes, just because ONE old bus came over to Brooklyn, we are a dumping ground.'!!!
You Brooklynites are one to complain! :P Queens is NYC's bitch! I mean for god's sake, only now is Stengle and Village getting those MCI's, technically old, mind you. Any word if Jamaica has 'em?
"'Yes, just because ONE old bus came over to Brooklyn, we are a dumping ground.'!!! "
These are the 1985-88 buses in Brooklyn that are here right now, NONE of which are originals to their depot! Brooklyn Division originals are starred.
3902, 3918, 3951, 3960, 3962, 3969-70, 3986*-7*, 3995*, 3997* (go to hell), 4116*, 4141*, 4214, 4215, 4217, 4300-4302, 4330-4332, 4359-60, 4367, 4379-80, 4382, 4390, 4393-4, 4408, 4410-1, 4413-4, 4416-8, 4420-2, 4424-5, 4428, 4430-1, 4433, 4437, 4439-41, 4444-6, 4450, 4452, 4458, 4462, 4464, 4468-9, 4497 (This bus was stripped at Walnut before being repaired, reseated, and coming to UP), 4543, 4552, (4600, 4602, 4604-5, 4614, 4616-29, 4631-8, 4640-2, 4654-60, 4663-9, 4671-4, 4676-7, 4679-84, 4686, 4688, 4693-6, 4698-4734, 4736-4750, which are Brooklyn origs), 4753-4, 4756-60, 4762-5, 4767-9, 4771-2, 4774-5, 4777-82, 4785-7, 4789-91, 4854-5, 4857-69, 4871-2, 4874.
Aside from the 4600s and about half of the 4700s, none of these buses, and NONE of the 1986 fleet was original to NYC. The 1986 fleet only began to arrive in 1999. I did not include scrapped buses 4357 (fire), 4358, 4406 (sold to RIPTA, not scrapped), 4407, 4409, 4412, 4419, 4426-7, 4432, and 4438, among others.
His work is top notch but will take about 6 months from the date of order......If anyone is interested please e-mail me privately.
Bill "Newkirk"
Bill "Newkirk"
B8#911
David
Enjoy!
Regards,
Trevor Logan
www.transitalk.org
Bill "Newkirk"
Trevor
Peace,
ANDEE
Regards,
Trevor Logan
www.transitalk.org
Peace,
ANDEE
Michael Ditkoff wrote:
I wrote Bustalk's "woefully limited and somewhat outdated" glossary you mention. I wrote the second installment ONE YEAR AGO and I'm waiting for Dave Pirmann to add it. Everytime I write him, he says he too busy to add it. It's his web page and there's NOTHING I can do about it. He will add the second installment when he has the time. As for being "woefully limited," be greatful something is there. Before I wrote it, there was NOTHING.
I wrote:
I ddn't mean to offend you, but it is what it is. It is limited and somewhat outdated. While it's great that someone took the time and initiative to offer a glossary of transit terms, it falls short as-is, but that doesn't mean the effort isn't appreciated.
If Dave doesn't have the time or interest to update the section, why not place it elsewhere? I'll gladly put it up, but I don't feel like creating it.
Personally, I have no use for a transit glossary. But there are many here who do, and would benefit from such.
So here's what I'll do:
All you guys who have an interest, send me your terms, phrases and definitions, and I'll put it online for all to view. Duplicate submissions are fine, just be sure it's factual and it details the agency in reference.
M4- send me the update and I'll use it as a base page. Together, along with everyone here, we can put up a complete Bus FAQ's page. Created by bus fans.. for bus fans.
What do you think? Start sending those emails....
1201-1658 GMC RTS-04 1981
2201-2579 GMC RTS-04 1981
1659-1858 GMC RTS-04 1982
2580-2704 GMC RTS-04 1982
3001-3325 GMC RTS-04 1983
3400-3799 GMC RTS-04 1984
3800-4218 GMC RTS-04 1985
4300-4599 GMC RTS-06 1986
4600-4899 GMC RTS-06 1987
8000-8399 TMC RTS-06 1990
101-317* Orion V 1993
8401-8567 TMC RTS-06 1993
400-630 Orion V 1994
8600-8703 TMC RTS-06 1994
631-680 Orion V 1996
7000-7049 CMF Reman RTS-04 1996
7500-7559 Midwest Reman RTS-04 1996
8750-9349 NOVA RTS-06 1996
1000-1069 New Flyer Artic 1997
1070-1109 New Flyer Artic 1997
9350-9699 NOVA RTS-06 1997
1860-2039 MCI OTR 1998
4900-5249 NOVA RTS-06 1998
6350-6359 Orion VI 1998
800-989 New Flyer LF-CNG 1999
6000-6349 Orion V 1999
*-#101-#174 orignally arrived in May of 1993 with #93001-#93074. The TA had to change the numbers to 3 digits so the buses could be tracked by computers.
Then you forgot the......
1999 New Flyer D45SHF Vikings #996-998.
Regards,
Trevor Logan
www.transitalk.org
One more thing: isn't 317 the only 1994 Orion CNG, and #400 and #401 were the 1994 Orion V diesels?
Carlton
Cleanairbus
Transit Is My Drug
The Cleanairbus Transit Page
Also, 101-196 were originally delivered as 93001-93096. 197 was the first one to have 3 digits.
8750-1 are RTS-06s from 1995.
-F.
One cannot re-engine something with a 6V92 nowadays unless is is already equipped with a 6V92....
Go Series 50,
Stephen
Cummins L10 is certified as Euro 1 standard.
Cummins M11 is certified as Euro 2 standard.
Cummins ISM/ISL/ISC are certified as Euro 3 standard.
VTA Flxibles also had new tailpipes when they were converted to Cummins ISM. The reason for this is that the higher the pipes are, the more they can trap the particulates and emissions and that is what new transit buses (after 1983) have pipes into the air.
Respecting the Past - Celebrating the Present - Embracing the Future
NA Transit - Transit Sounds
http://www.natransit.com/sound
NA Transit - Video Club
http://www.natransit.com/video
Regards,
Stephen Lam
(Gillig Phantom)
At JFK, the 1989 New Flyer D40LF buses do have top tailpipes.
Dave
It's really sad how they push for usage of public transit here but don't try to make it more inviting so. I'm hoping for a state take over if you ask me. We are going down in the dumps... FAST!
Also, the series 50 provides 275 hp. I know the M11E provides 208 hp. How much hp did the L10 and L10G provide?
I guess our mechanics don't know how to "electronically" make correct engine/air intake fuel burning adjustments on these buses. They also are suppose to be clean burning too but as from what I discribed above I don't think so. We even have one that the exhust comes right out of the back upper grill instead of the pipe! Though I they corrected that. The Gilligs aren't too bad many just don't have the horsepower to pull away from bus stops or the fuel pump!
Dave
S59 SAYVILLE
-F.
Okay the Gilligs and Flxibles we have with 6V92 engines are:
Gillig #8703,8730,8731 These are the oldest Gilligs.
Gillig #9100 to 9108
Flxible Metro # 9321 to 9326
Because of money problems with the County these buses will be here for a long, long time. So come on out and ride them while you can!
Dave
4/5/3:
The 11:20 am B30 heading towards BWI Airport had standing room only, looked about 10 standees on it. Heading to work, spotted 2013 and 2066 with no banners, with 2013 having a camera. 2063 on the other hand still has a banner.
4/7/3:
2010-banner removed unknown route
2012-banner still on unknown route
2057-banner removed with loud brakes on the T18
2049-banner removed on the A12
2186-camera running on the S2 I think
2464-was spotted at Metro Center, most likely about to do a 42 run. On 2460-64 they have a yellow decal on both sides of the bus behind the last window indicating they are running John Deere engines. I rode a couple of weeks ago(when I had phone problems). I will give my review when I post the bus trip withing the next few days.
Another Neoplan artic has the wording "Articulate With Us" at the top, near the center, I think WMATA is beginning to get cheesy with their sayings.
That is it for the past couple of days. Sunday I was really nowhere near any buses as I was in Charles County moving merchandise from a store to a temp location as the old one is being remodeled. I will post my bus trips to work, when my car wasn't working later and also post the sub portion on subtalk.
Saw one of your favorite buses, a Champion, operating on Arlington Transit route 51. It was a brand new CNG bus with Orange destinaton signs, numbered 5214. They have some new Ford Cutaways, too. That system is really expanding. Today, a new ART route 41 began operation from Court House Metro to the Columbia Pike area near the Barcroft community via Clarendon, Virginia Square and Ballston. I believe there are about 9 routes now.
Private Bus Negotiations
Non-Existent, Owner Says
By Angela Montefinise
Amidst reports that the City is close to finalizing a deal that would transfer seven private bus lines to the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), one major private bus player told the Tribune this week that there is no deal – because there are no negotiations.
According to one private bus
company owner, there is no deal
for a transfer to the MTA because
there are no negotiations.
Tribune Photo by Ira Cohen
Jerome Cooper, board of trustees chairman for three of four private bus lines in Queens, told the Tribune that no one is negotiating a deal to place private buses under City control. He said, “The City keeps saying they’re going to have a tentative deal by the end of March and a final deal by June. No they’re not, because there is no deal and they know it . . . This information about negotiations keeps getting leaked, but it’s not true.”
In a letter dated March 31, the MTA informed Deputy Mayor Marc Shaw that it is “committed to working with the City of New York to pursue a mutually beneficial agreement on or about June 30, 2003 for the MTA to assume responsibility for the provision of bus services in those areas of the City currently served by seven private bus companies.”
Still, Cooper – board chairman for Green Bus Lines, Jamaica Bus Lines and Triboro Bus Lines – said, “Nothing’s going on. There’s nothing happening.”
The only other private bus line in Queens is Queens Surface, which is owned by President and Chief Executive Officer Myra Burke.
The four Queens lines, which run nearly 500 buses on 44 routes in the borough, have had franchises with the City since the 1930s, meaning they use City buses and equipment to provide a service for the City. The lines have been subsidized by the City since 1974, and in 2000, the seven lines received $162 million, according to Independent Budget Office.
Mayor Mike Bloomberg, citing problems with the private companies’ efficiency, has been trying to move the lines to MTA control, but Cooper said, “No one can run these buses better than us. We are given old buses and old equipment, and we still do a good job.”
He added, “If he wants to take over the buses, I can’t stop him. I’m not averse to it either. I can make a lot more money developing real estate. But this is all we know, and there are many obstacles to a City takeover that no one is talking about.”
Good!!!! I don't want a takeover to happen!!!
Then this city will be far too dull!!!
Save the privates!!!
#404 Q104
#2818 Q18
#616 Q60
#4944 BQM1
#1489 BXM7
#3026 BXM11
#3701 Q111
That's because the negotiations have already happened, among three guys in a room in Albany. They've already decided the when and the how, and they might even share this info with the rest of the world (especially with Bloomberg, the MTA, and the DOT companies) at some future date.
And for all you GM car nuts, Tom Hanks fans, and Valley Metro riders, there is also Axe Apollo and Phoenix. :)
-Fred Donaher
Currently starring with Al Pacino in "Scent Of A Grumman"
Bad enough I need to shower after driving one for eight hours a day.
We have one route in our agency, work it for eight hours, you come home smelling really uh, exotic....like fish and garlic combined. Goes through some rather ethnic neighborhoods.
-F.
When I hear the name 'Orion', I tend to think of the constellation, rather.
I could almost borrow a quote from Stephen King's "Christine"; "There's nothing like the smell of a new car..." (and I won't finish the quote since this is a family board...LOL).
-F.
Trevor
Peace
David
B1-#9326-NOVABUS
B8-#870-Flyer
Another question is this: If the MTA took over the privates, will the Q53 be merged with the Q11 since they virtually share the same route on Woodhaven Blvd? Will they make the line a local line or retain some semblance of express service?
All of these garages are owned by the bus companies, not the City nor the MTA. Hence, the MTA could not use them unless they acquired them through condemnation or negotiation.
Q21 Local Rockaway Blvd Subway to Rockaway Park (B 116th Street Station)
Q53 Express/Limted Stop Rego Park To Rockaway Park (B 116th St Station)
Do not combine the Q11 with Q53 Instead Combine the Q11 and Q21 Lines and have short trips from Rockaway Blvd to Either Howard Beach Or Hamilton Beach and leave the Q53 As Is.
Q21-merge with the 41(seems like most logical choice)
Q41-extended to B116 & Broadwalk(if you can have the 113 run from Downtown Jamaica to Far Rockaway:the 41 can run from the same area to Rockaway Pk.)
Q53-run as a LTD. instead of express from 63rd Dr./Queens Bl. to B116/Broadwalk.(this is being done ala 44/20) except with 2 differnt routes.Ltd. to 11 local on Woodhaven and Ltd.to the 41 local on X-Bay.
I smell a Grumman Fiasco cooking!
Trevor
Trevor
--AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
Actually, that area of Bklyn is the borderline of Crown Heights/Weeksville.
B65#8566
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Suck on that you RTS haters!
DENIED!!
RTS
ACCESS GRANTED!!
--AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
There is a fact that we all have to accept, "There is always a chance". No chance doesn't mean no chance. It means the time hasn't come and once the time has come, everything must either come, stay or go.
Flxible Metro, fishbowl or RTS had their glorious time serving the major cities in the East Coast and I'm sure most bus fans here had a good time enjoying it. But once the time has passed, we have to accept them. I have to accept that there are TAs turned away from Gillig and went to other manufacturers for new orders. In fact, that is why I think videos and photos taking are very important to record this very moment so that one day in the future, I can easily review how nice, great, and excellent they were with that paint scheme, engine sound, and passengers on that bus route when they were around.
I'm also sure everyone always hears that time will tell whose buses held up, whose didn't. In fact, time will also show who did business successfully and fatally. Obviously, Flxible Metros¡¦ and RTS¡¦s owners didn¡¦t do the job quite well to keep the some large TAs to be loyal to them. Let¡¦s look into bus purchased after just right after their Metro and RTS orders. For example, NYCTA (Orion and New Flyer), NJ Transit (Neoplan and MCI), LACMTA (Neoplan, NFI and NABI), CTA (LFS), WMATA (Orion and NFI), PAT (Neoplan and Gillig), MBTA (NFI, NABI and Neoplan), Maryland MTA (NABI and Neoplan).
I know that a fleet with multiple bus models is not cost and effective for most TAs. But as far as our viewpoint as concerns, it is good news to have different kinds of buses around. There would be days we want to ride our favorites, there would be also days we want to try something else, there would also be days we get tired of others and stick with our favorites. Thus we would not take it for granted when we were riding on our favorites and now keep on saying ¡§I want the oldies back¡¨ and carelessly forgetting the buses that are around us at this very moment. New Bus will not always be the newest but old ones will definitely be the oldest.
I¡¦m trying my best to be as objective as I can and I hope I'm not offending other people's choice. But as a bus fan, I think we should be looking more into the good side of each bus model not just digging into opponent¡¦s malfunctions and ignoring self's weaknesses. If one just likes one particular model only and hates every other buses exist on Earth, a question will just pop-up into my mind: Does he/she qualified to be a bus fan?
Respecting the Past - Celebrating the Present - Embracing the Future
NA Transit - Transit Sounds
http://www.natransit.com/sound
NA Transit - Video Club
http://www.natransit.com/video
Regards,
Stephen Lam
(Gillig Phantom)
You are forgetting one very important theme:
"Change is bad and must be resisted whenever possible"
Chip
To me, changing new/old buses will not change~
Stephen
And the result was a bar strip down the center of the interior roof? So my feelings are based off of the test. I'm not saying bring back the METRO or the Fishbowl or even RTS. But these Orion 7s were pushed upon the MTA. These are Pataki's buses. Honestly, if was up to the MTA, I believe that these would've been more New Flyer C40LFs. Or they could've went with the proven Orion 6. By NOOOOOOOOO, This was Pataki's idea to be the first with this bus and THAT didn't even happen. Mississuga, Atlanta, Gwinnett County and if I'm not mistaken Toronto has thiers up and running. But god only knows the problems they are encountering with the bus.
The Original CNG Demo #7560 didn't even pass the 30 day test. However the Hybrid Demo #6365 did. I have a little optimism BUT VERY little.
Regards,
Trevor Logan
www.transitalk.org
The hybrids require are more complicated to maufacture then a CNG or desiel bus. Once a new assembly line starts up you want to keep it simple until all the production issues get worked out. Take a look at new car roll outs by auto makes. Many options including engine choices are not available for 6 months or more after the initial product release
In addition the hybrid technology is evolving, parts are becoming lighter, more standardized and effeciencies are improving. The delay in the new hybrids coming to the streets of NY is a good thing
The orion 7 is a jobs program for NY state. Pataki is hoping that if these buses go well in NY orion will win orders from around the country.
The main problem with the orion 7 is that it copied an old new flyer design that new flyer itself is in the process of phasing out with the introduction of the INVERO.
I'm sure all the FP people here will disagree when you say, "save the 4600's/4700's". We are so sick of them.
As for Toronto, there's only one unit so far. Apparantly it's doing good, but it goes back to Orion every so often here and there. Its the pilot unit so whatever TTC has problems with will be changed on this bus and then the rest of the order will be done with the changes requested. A few changes that might occur are switching the rear doors to slide and glide (I think that's what its called) from push out, and switching it to air start rather than electric start. But to tell you the truth, the TTC is actually impressed! (confused)
Don't forget though that Mississauga's and TTC's are diesel rather than CNG, so there might be a few differences in the reliability department.
The drivers also like these buses because according to a few, its more like driving an Orion V rather than a low floor bus.
Matt
What's really embarassing is that NovaBUS and New Flyer officials were there the day the bus shook apart. Now how embarrasing is that for Orion?!
Regards,
Trevor Logan
www.transitalk.org
They do it rail a lot!
Regards,
Trevor Logan
www.transitalk.org
I mention Flxibles, newlooks and RTSs is because those models were proven and lasted for decades, these buses might not last five years if they break down as soon as this one did.
You have New Flyer and thier Invero & NABI and thier CompoBus. The 07 was Orions attempt. I give them credit for making the attempt but it was a sad attempt. The Original 07 design was basically a fax copy of a D40LF right down to the front panels. Then there was this current design which basic "Shaked It's Body Right To The Ground." Orion made its adjustments. Ok fine, but I honest think that second day on the property and down its just unacceptable, at least a week and I wouldn't be so skeptical. But TWO DAYS, come on!
Again none of this is my bias towards other buses I like. If I knew and felt that this was a quality product, then I wouldn't speak negatively about it. The New Flyer Invero really isn't doing that well either from what I'm hearing. The NABI 40-LFW/45-LFW CompoBuses haven't hit the road yet so there is no "report" on them yet. But compared to the Invero's problems, the Orion 07 tops out as the shit of the year. If Orion is serious about this model I think they REALLY need to take this bus back to the drawing board.
It was what just over a year that the bus was just coming off the drawing board and now we got production models all over the place? The Invero was in testing for at least 2 years and same for the NABI CompoBus. The 07 is coming too fast, and with CNG and Hybrid models we are the REAL lab rats for this bus.
Regards,
Trevor Logan
www.transitalk.org
Well, to clarify this a little here, PAT is forced into accepting low bidders. Manufacturer loyalty plays little into what PAT is forced to purchase and I know for a fact that they write the bids up for a particular manufacturer.
The order of Neoplans after the RTS order was a "take it or leave it" deal since it was a large State purchase and if they didn't participate, they wouldn't get the matching money they needed to bid out for buses on their own. In 1986 when they received their second order of Neoplans, PAT threw the Neoplan bid out twice as they wanted RTS's and had the bid tweaked for RTS specs but after Neoplan threatened legal action since it was the actual low bidder, PAT was forced to accept the bid (and got us the best order of coaches since the 1971 T8H5307A's).
As far as the Gilligs go, PAT wanted buses fast and took the lowest bid that met the tight time requirements written into the bid. The Nova Classics were received after the Flxible Metros BTW, not the Gilligs.
The term "loyalty" I defined as: Manufacturers should make the customers loyal to them. I would assumed that Flxible knew this back in the 90s. Flxible should be as you said, "Neoplan threatened legal action since it was the actual low bidder", the lowest bidder when PAT went to order buses in the 90s, which ended up to be Nova Classics. The reason I didn't throw in Nova because as I said Nova and Flxible didn't do their business successfully. They should do everything if they still want the customers come back and said, "Dude, can you build me new buses again?"
It is sad to see SEPTA having troubles with NABI as I like NABI 416 with Series 50 and B400R very much. To be honest, I really like this powertrain combination on a NABI than on a Gillig. AC Transit got the same buses in 1997, right just after SEPTA did. Because Gillig withdrew its bid at final moment, NFI was throw out of the bid, Orion didn't come back with solutions to their 3-door version Orion VI, and AC Transit still hold options with NABI, AC Transit awarded another contract to NABI last Fall for low floor buses in addition to the Van Hool orders. The 40LFWs are now in the delivery process.
I know that there are quite many people here who like SEPTA having Neoplans. In fact, if NFI had problems like with NYCTA, SEPTA will have a big chance of getting Neoplans again since they won't consider Gillig, NABI and NFI, leaving Orion the only competitor for Neoplan. Meanwhile, Neoplan fans should be happy to see, which I am too, that Neoplan are showing up in other cities like Boston, Baltimore, DC, and San Francisco. Even Denver RTD went back to Neoplan for new coaches after having MCIs.
Stephen
I agree with you. New designs needed to be tested in real life. The computer simulations and laboratory results will not factor in some unknown or rare situations. That's why accidents happen. As long as the design meets the specs, the manufacturer did the job. It will leave to the TA to discover the design flaws and problems. If the bus is still under warranty, the manufacturer will definitely be responsible for fixing, reviewing, and perhaps redesigning the bus. It is just like we customers buying electronic goods.
Stephen
BIG AL
I drive them and I love them. I've driven a 5 and a 6 also, but the 1 is by far the best for ride quality and driver comfort!
Regards,
Trevor Logan
www.transitalk.org
Regards,
Trevor Logan
www.transitalk.org
Regards,
Trevor Logan
www.transitalk.org
D.
B64-#4778
Peace
David
On a serious note, during the Rodeo (Houston LiveStock Show and Rodeo that is) Metro uses alot of buses to transport people. Among them was 4528. The bus was in "decent" shape on the outside, but if you looked under the bus, the accordion had been ripped open and was draggin along the underside. Very nice. Very nice.
And then, earlier this week, I had seen bus 4514 with it's roof A/C sticking straight up in the air. It had been torn up and it a piece of it was pointing up at the sky. It was horrible! And it was in service! Good job Neoplan. Artics Suck.
I was in Houston recently and got a tour of the Fallbrook facility. That shit was not cute that I saw, the only thing that looked good was the maintenance pits floors.
I see no preventative maintenance there!
Regards,
Trevor Logan
www.transitalk.org
Wayne
The accordion should not have been busted in the first place. The bus is only about five years old. Metro shouldn't have to be worried about an artic coming apart at the seams because Neoplan can't manufacture a bus properly.
And of course the artic 4514 wasn't sent out with a piece of it's A/C in the air. It obviously ran into an underpass or something or maybe even the wind pulled it up. There's plenty of other craptacular artics Metro would've sent out if it had been in the yard looking that bad.
Next - I don't know about Houston's system and don't pretend to know. ...and I'll be the first to admit that. I think it's fine to debate some issues but I think your thing jumping on folks who don't agree with you is a bit overboard and getting quite old as well. Why should you care if many BusTalkers: dislike the RTS, like the 870/METRO, can tolerate Orions and speak out against the NYCTA? The important thing should be that you like the RTS and you've listed (many times) why you like them and no one really jumps down your throat for liking them. Me - personally... I think your opinion is just that and you're entitled to it.
I say all that to say... Yes, I think NYCTA has made some stupid moves particularly involving the 870 fiasco, Yes - I think NYCTA and other agencies often try to blame others for their shortfalls, no - I don't care much for the RTS and yes I like the 870/METRO. ...and the fact the you disagree will not sway me. Again, it's about being individuals with different likes and dislikes.
Wayne
Wayne
Also to add a couple of other observations from yesterday was seeing maybe 3169 heading towards the 14th Street bridge into Virginia during the pm rush. I also might have seen what could have been a University of Virginia Bluebird near the Holocaust Museum, of course I could be wrong. I did some years ago saw an Orion I from the University of Virginia heading along Constitution Avenue heading towards I-66.
Or we could get the ultimate revenge and leave the country stuck with unlicensed/uninsured commuter vans, or maybe Gilligs.
-F.
-F.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/02/21/60minutes/main541565.shtml
I'll assume your bus company is a startup company with limited cash flow.
Since the price tag of a new Gillig is too high, in the hundreds of thousands and you need buses right away, you probably need to buy some retired coaches and ship them to Iraq. These retired coaches can be Flxibles, RTS, Classics, or whatever are left from major TAs in the East Coast because they will be used, as you said, in major cities in Iraq, Baghdad and Basra.
Once, you got the computer up on the track and revenue is increasing, then you might consider getting some coaches from Europe particularly from France and Germany since they are in favor of peace in Iraq. Neoplan (Europe) and MAN would be obviously your best choice.
Also, you will be building depots, planning bus routes, maintaining buses, placing bids for new buses, increasing ridership, and organizing roadeos...how interesting?...sounds like playing Transport Tycoon~
Stephen
I was boiling mad when I got back to the office but everyone was more concerned with my well being. The boss will look up the DMV records of this guy tomorrow and he will probably get an earful from the police and our Public Safety guys. There was no cosmetic damage to my bus, thank goodness. The irony is that I don't normally go that way, I usually take 112 straight down. Now I know better.
D.
D.
Actually, those other three companies do have 1993-1994 TMC RTS-06 buses:
Green Bus Lines:
1993-1994 TMC RTS-06 #1143-1182
Jamaica Bus Lines:
1993-1994 TMC RTS-06 #3830-3865
Command Bus Company:
1994 TMC RTS-06 CNG #4903-4917, #4919-4926, #4929-4931
Triboro Coach Corporation:
1994 TMC RTS-06 #1183-1184, #2136-2147, #2801-2829
1994 TMC RTS-06 CNG #G2050-G2073
I'm not sure if you were saying that those depots did not have any TMC buses but they are helpful once the MTA scraps 1985-1987 GMC RTS-04/06 buses.
Hope that helps, my friend!
QS Bus, however is 900-954 (with many gaps b/c 25 are OOS) as the only pre-1993 buses.
528 Q110
257 Q60
5322, 5323, and 5325, BTW, were sent to Frontier from Red Arrow. IIRC, Red Arrow took at least 3 ElDorados from Frontier - 4534-4536.
AFA Midvale goes, I saw a NABI with at least 2-3 rear taillights missing - not burned out, but completely missing. I think it was 5175, which has yet to be overhauled.
Speaking of Midvale, some of the 3437-3450 buses are showing up at Red Arrow. I had 3440 the other night on the 104. I've also seen 3260-3264. Red Arrow sent some of their older 3000/3100s to Midvale, presumably so they can be retired sooner rather than later.
Based on all of those observations, I think SEPTA is attempting to make Red Arrow and Frontier 100% w/c accessible by the summer or even fall sign-ups. I haven't seen any of the low 3200s that were at Frontier for many years recently on the Norristown routes, so that tends to tell me that they are close to being a 100% w/c depot. Same with Red Arrow, though there are a few stragglers left (most notably 3153-3154, 3233-3235, 3238 among others).
Of course by the way this bus has no bike rack.
www.regionaltransitservice.com
2) Check out TransiTALK.org, for photos and details on paint schemes. A better source is to ask any of the NYC based members who post on this board. They can give you everything, including the fleet numbers that were on the 1980 buses. E-mail the webmaster, and he`ll give you further information.
Interior the floor was black, window posts, ceiling was white and seats were two-tone blue (2X1). Double seating on drivers' side and single on the other side.
These buses also had the GMC logo on the front, but not the back.
Wayne
www.regionaltransitservice.com
Wayne
On a related note, what are the PHLASH buses generally like in terms of age and repair?
BIG AL
Sorry Big Al, I had seen a picture of 1201 with a license plate and all new windows, but no depot sticker. I wasnt sure if it was off the revenue roster at that time.
BIG AL
I am pretty sure you are correct. RTS's with 1+2 seating have always had the single seating on the driver's side. It is the Orion V's that have it the opposite, i.e., double seating on the driver's side. Does anybody know why the NYCTA seating scheme on the RTS's was reversed on the Orion V's?
Wayne
That's T8W204
I believe Toronto has 50 Orion 6's (#9200-9249) and they are all CNG. Perhaps you are talking about Orion 7's and not 6's, as I believe Toronto is supposed to be getting some of those about now.
Matt
Matt
-F.
The Gillig Phantom back irks me as the PAT fleet number due to the design is forced to be on the left hand side and the license plate is on the right. I prefer a plate on the left, but, the center plate (Orions) will do. I do not like a plate on the right side though. It just doesn't look right. UGH
Here is something interesting I noted; we have two 1976 Flxible New Looks in our museum, a 35-foot from Valley Metro (Roanoke, VA) and a 40-footer from PenTran (Hampton, VA). Both are the same make and model year from the same state, yet one has the license plate pod on the lower right, while the other has it on the lower left. What's up with that...were they possibly made to be that way on the spec sheet, or was it simply a factory flip-flop? Can anyone shed light on this?
-F.
-F.
And not only does it vary from agency to agency, but within each agency it will vary, depending on WHO actually wrote the specifications.
The agency I drive for always started buses with "01" when they began a series....but the 1983 Gilligs for some odd reason, got specificed as to be delivered with "00" for each series (4000 and 4500 series).
As this thread started with bus rear ends, the strangest I've seen is the group of Gilligs that went to Palm Springs in the 1980's. Instead of a digital rear route number display on the "normal" bulge designed into the rear a/c cover for that purpose, they actually put the license plate there (and the associated lamp to illuminate it)!!! They decided they didn't need rear route displays. And the usual "hole" in the engine door for the license plate was...FLAT!
Regards,
Trevor Logan
www.transitalk.org
-F.
-F.
Motorcoach would be the MCI A and C series prior to the wide wraparound rear grille
As for Gillig Advantage low-floors, I know that Louisville's system (TANK) is a large city that bought them, Delaware's bus system (DART First State has them, too)...
Just to show you that it's not just small transit systems that purchase Gilligs, though it might be geared to them...
Carlton
Cleanairbus
Transit Is My Drug
http://www.cleanairbus.tk
Regards,
Trevor Logan
Gillig Phantom
The Bus #840 @ Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, HI
http://www.natransit.com/video/840.mpg
The Bus #839 @ Honolulu International Airport, Honolulu, HI
http://www.natransit.com/video/839.mpg
AC Transit #2832 @ Bay Fair Bart, San Leandro, CA
http://www.natransit.com/video/2832.mpg
County Connection #501 @ Dublin Pleasanton Bart, Dublin, CA
http://www.natransit.com/video/501.mpg
Wheels Prime Time #4085 @ Dublin Pleasanton Bart, Dublin, CA
http://www.natransit.com/video/4085A.mpg
Wheels Prime Time #4085 @ Walnut Creek Bart, Walnut Creek, CA
http://www.natransit.com/video/4085B.mpg
Gillig Low Floor
Wheels #4011 @ Dublin Pleasanton Bart, Dublin, CA
http://www.natransit.com/video/4011.mpg
Wheels #4012 @ Dublin Pleasanton Bart, Dublin, CA
http://www.natransit.com/video/4012.mpg
Respecting the Past - Celebrating the Present - Embracing the Future
NA Transit - Transit Sounds
http://www.natransit.com/sound
NA Transit - Video Club
http://www.natransit.com/video
Regards,
Stephen Lam
(Gillig Phantom)
New Flyer D60LF VTA 2301 Rt.22
http://www.natransit.com/video/2301A.mpg
P.S.: Your videos do not prove a thing....you could be PURPOSELY shaking the camera, you probably don't have it mounted to anything when shooting, so you can praise Gillig all you want. You are a recent (5-6 years) immigrant to this country, and do NOT drive a bus for a living....all you are, is a bus fan who is ga-ga about a bus that most drivers every think is a GENUINE PIECE OF CRAP.
Yes, maybe you are right that my hands weren't stable when I record it. BUT YOU DEFINITELY HEARD THE SOUND FROM SHARKING WINDOWS AND OTHER OBJECTS SHAKING TO FALL APART!
When was the last time you pick up a Gillig? That was 13 years ago when OCTA ordered them! If Gillig is a PIECE OF CRAP, it died CENTURIES AGO WITHOUT A SINGLE ORDER!!! CAN'T YOU LET THEM IMPROVE IN THESE THIRTEEN YEARS?
AND YOU SIMPLY HAD NO PROOF OF A DOOR FALLING APART, PERIOD!!!AND OCTA IS STILL RUNNING THEIR GILLIG EVEN HUNDREDS OF NABI CAME IN LAST FEW YEARS!!
And I will continue to praise every bus including Gillig and you go ahead and say them POS!
Good Luck!
PS. To Mr. Logan and other who works for TAs, I am sorry and please forgive and forget my words in this post as my post is directly replying towards Steve Hoskins.
As for the doors on Gillig Phantoms, there is a hinge pin on the top and bottom, holding the actual door panel to the door hinge arm, which is fastened to the spindle that turns to open and close the doors. The hinge pin (about 2.5 inches long, either 1/4" or 3/8" diamater) seems to have a nasty propensity of vibrating out from the rough ride, and then the door falls off its mountings. And for somee really odd reason, it seems to do it at the TOP first, so when it does fall, it usually gets twisted against something such as a bus stop sign, another vehicle, etc.
But in this video, that Gillig was made in 2001, and the door opens slowly...
http://www.natransit.com/video/4085B.mpg
Sorry for repeating the video again as I only have this video with passengers deboarding the bus...
Stephen
One of our maintenance people said the reason it happened was very poor, sloppy drilling of the hinge arms and using inferior materials to make the hinge pins themselves, plus the vibration of the bus loosening them up.
I don't think we can ask for more....
That's a far jump from systems like PAT where you write something up and the write up card gets "lost."
In the morning last week, I had a Classic that was constantly giving a Do Not Shift light and was locking up in 2nd gear. It was checked on the road by the city maintenance guy and he stated that the transmission oil temp sensor indicated the tranny fluid was hot, but, he felt the fluid and said it was normal. A faulty sensor appeared to be the cause of the problems. This coach barely made it back to the garage, but, was written up and the operator was told to put it on a maintenance row. Fast forward to five hours later, another operator on another route is on the radio with the same coach with the same problem. The light is on, the coach won't pull a hill, it won't shift, etc... This particular trip had to be shown out of service because a coach change could not be arranged. So, in short, a group of people waiting on this rush hour trip got a "no-show" all because maintenance can't do their jobs correctly. A response form isn't necessary, but, it would be nice if they either fixed the problem or pulled the coach.
Finally, late in the week, they ended up throwing it on the deadline as I guess it had one too many "on road failures..."
-F.
A year or so ago, an operator whom I am friends with, was sent out with Classic #2616. On his second trip, there was a big bang, lots of smoke and a complete engine failure. A coach change was sent and the Classic went back to the division on the wrecker. A week or so later, the operator inquired about what happened to the bus and was told that it had a cracked head and that it finally gave out. The guys in maintenance actually had a bet as to how long the bus would last before it blew. When asked why the head wasn't replaced since it was known to be bad, he was told, "...it has to fail on the road before we are allowed to repair it." Needless to say, this coach went on the deadline and had to wait it's turn in the long line of other buses up for repairs and ended up missing a half year of service.
Overheats are a joke around here. When one comes back in from a coach change due to a hot engine, it is simply pulled around to maintenance, sprayed down with cold water (it has to be a severe overheat for them to do that) and put back on a row to go out again. Often, an operator who requests a coach change due to a hot engine, gets a coach that has a hot interior and vice versa. They just swap them around.
Any news about the Neoplan LF 5018 or what is its status?...Is PAT going to retire it or have it fix?
Neoplan #5018 is doing fine (aside from the side destination sign that's been stuck on 16F CITY VIEW for months, LOL). You are probably referencing #5019, which is the one that burned on McKnight Road over the summer. This coach is not getting rebuilt and will be getting scrapped. It is still up at Ross Division on the deadline.
Even though I may have such bad experience once I tried, I will still think that is their character. Up to now, I really don't hate any bus in particular. As in my previous posts including the New Flyer D60LF thread I posted just right before this, I avoided using adjectives like suck or crap to describe 2301. I just said the windows are shaking and that's all I have to say. Windows do shake in every transit bus. The only North American manufacturer who did the job well should be MCI. Maybe that's because they used non-open windows, which preventing the windows from shaking...
I admit that I used to be selectively choosing buses to ride, like Muni's MAN artic VS Neoplan AN460, Samtrans Volvo artic VS NFI D60, VTA 1986/90 Flxible VS 1992/3 Flxible...and now I feel regret that I should have ridden them more, got more photos and sound recordings. Even though, I rode Chicago CTA's MAN artic, they just don't have the character like Muni's, such as the noisy sound, the crowded route, and the kind of people. Everything seems to be changing so fast...that's why when I had chance to go other cities last year, I rode their buses that there aren't any in the Bay Area like Seattle Metro KC's Breda Duel, Vancouver Translink's E902, LACMTA's Neoplan AN440 CNG, Chicago CTA's MAN artic, New York NYCMTA's Hybrid Orion VI, Toronto TTC's Fishbowl and Ikarus Orion III, Pittsburgh PAT's Classic, and Denver RTD's Neoplan Metroliner AN340/3...etc...so that I won't have the same feeling again when these buses retire...> <"
Back to the Gillig's front door, they had changed the front door design three times in 1993, 1995, and 1998 since OCTA ordered the buses. There is also another version that Seattle and Honolulu has, but I don't have the pictures. In fact, if you see the "The Bus" demo flash on Gillig's website, the front door has bigger windows and the hinges are hidden on the top. Anyway, the front doors here in the Bay Area are working properly, none that I heard had doors falling out...
Here is the difference I've found so far:
Smaller Door Version, 4 Windows
Taller Door Version 1, 4 Windows
Taller Door Version 2, 2 Windows
Taller Door Version 2, 2 Windows, Hidden Hinges
I apologize for being that rude too....
With Best Regards,
Stephen
PS. If you are interested in the differences, I created a page and it is located here, http://www.natransit.com/gp/Gillig_Phantom1.htm.
If you are working on getting your CDL, the first step is to study the CDL manual available here: http://www.dot.state.ia.us/mvd/ods/cdl/cdlmanual.pdf
Or you could probably stop by your nearest driver licensing center and get a paper copy. The next thing you do is take the written test to get your CDL permit, and then you can take the two written endorsement tests (air brakes; pax and cargo). You can do all of this before you are signed up with a transit operator, at least you can in my state anyway. Although your CDL permit and endorsement test results may expire after a year.
I've gotta say though, after driving over-the-road coaches for just over a month now (or 4700 miles), I don't think I could go back to transit. I don't see why anyone puts up with that shit, unless they absolutely need to be home every night. Let's see, getting paid to go to New York City, to the Omaha Zoo, to take the hometown hockey team on the road and see the game for free, to take one of the local college baseball teams on the road, to go to an amusement park in Kansas City and get in for free, being on the open road at 70 mph..............
..................vs...................
.................Waking up at 5am every day Monday through Friday, going in to work and driving the exact same split shift and routes every day Monday through Friday, making stops every block, driving in 15 minute circles and never exceeding 35 mph.
Gee, let me think.
If you get into transit, use it as a springboard to get into coach driving. And try to get out before the novelty wears off after about a year or so. I loved my first job at the University of Iowa (they ran a better bus system) but it all went downhill at the Des Moines MTA. I wish I could have transitioned to coaches right away after graduation but oh well, here I am finally. I found it funny reading on this board about how people try hard and go through long waiting periods to get on board with some of the big city transit agencies when there I was the other week, the 22 year old kid from Iowa driving the 45 foot Van Hool around Times Square.
Mike
I have driven transit, and I have driven tour/charter work -- as well as airport line service. The thing about transit -- yes, you deal sometimes with the scum of the earth, but work is steady, the pay is usually better, and there are usually decent fringe benefits. (I did have that at the airport line service....but the company decided to close rather than compete with the new influx of shuttle van operators.)
Driving tour/charter coaches, well the equipment is a LOT nicer. The clientele is a LOT nicer. But there are slow seasons when you don't work. And there are busy seasons when you are dying for a day off. The pay isn't as good, and hate to say it, but out here in California, it's rare to find one that gives any sort of fringe benefits!! When I drove tour/charter, I did work for one of the larger companies (with a very interesting variety of equipment from a bunch of manufacturers) and the pay was good, they actually had benefits. But the folks running the company had no bookkeeping skills and "forgot" to pay taxes, bus lease fees, etc. so they ran into all kinds of legal problems and basically don't exist any more. (I bailed at just the right time, about a year before they failed.) I know it is different in different parts of the country -- but California has very few decent private companies that would be worth looking into for a life career.
What was your major, by the way?
Right now I'm a student pilot very close to my private license. After that it's the instrument rating, then commercial rating, etc, etc. I am actually able to afford my training with my current job.
Mike
But once I started driving them on a regular basis, I saw that they were NOT the bus I thought them to be. I saw roofs that leaked, warped bodies right from the factory (look in a left side exterior mirror, and the bodies bulged!!!), very drafty driver areas down by the feet that also leaked in rain. I saw dashboards made of cheap plastic, where the park brake knob would pull right out of the dash when pulled -- and toggle switches that fell through the cheap plastic. And then the front door hinge pin situation -- lost one on bus 4201 whenit was my regular bus, which seems to be a jinx -- one time the whole rear plastic body cover over the a/c system fell off on the street when it was about six months old. (That happened on a few of them...the fastening screws would vibrate loose.)
I also found once I started driving them that visibility was very poor out of the right side, almost as bad as a GM Old Look -- such as when trying to judge where the curb is pulling into a stop, due to the windshield center panel (the slant part...) and the farebox sitting right in the way (no matter what size farebox). And the shakes, rattles -- I NEVER heard brand new buses doing what the Gillig's did, right from the time I picked one up at the factory (it was NOT for OCTA, I was working elsewhere).
As for what you mention about windows rattling on VTA 2301 -- are those windows glass, or plastic? The D60LF's I drive all have glass windows, and do NOT rattle. I've seen plastic windows really shake and rattle even on the best riding of equipment (bus or rail).
But the thing is, you are praising the Gillig Phantom bus only as an ENTHUSIAST who has not a single moment of experience driving or maintaining one (just like I used to) and many people in here who ARE transit professionals have agreed with me that they are an inferior bus. And these are not only drivers, but also people who have quite a heap of experience in maintenance on many types of buses too. To be frank, I have heard only ONE maintenance person say they actually preferred the Gillig Phantoms over other brands. BUT -- what other brand did they work on? orion 01.502's. It was a small agency in Washington. Eight Orion 01.502's (some may have even been TMC Citycruiser versions) and four 30-foot Gilligs. The Gillgs were almost a decade newer than the Orions, so OF COURSE they're going to say the Gilligs are better. Go to any transit operation where drivers/maintenance have a choice of a few different types/manufacturers, and you won't see the praise for Gillig. Sure, go to an agency that is mostly Gillig....or the Gilligs are the newest stuff they have, of course they're going to praise them.
Now, PLEASE DO NOT THINK I am totally ga-ga over New Flyer. Some of the stuff they have made over the years has been pure crap too. I'll never forget the original D40LF demonstrator they sent us at OCTA in 1994. I felt it was a poorly/cheaply built bus. Then our 1995's arrived, and they drove like, well, tanks. The 1998's? Like a totally different bus. Same engine and tranny, but it was like night and day comparing out 1995 and 1998 models of D40LF's. Our mechanics feel the same way...and they don't even drive them out on the road. But the D60LF's I drive on a daily basis feel to me to be the most solid transit buses I've driven in years, and I do have quite a list under my belt (sorry to sound like I am bragging, but it is true.)
Oh...by the way, I don't know whose it was -- just thought you might be interested -- I was at Tehachapi the other day, and saw some Gillig low-floor driving east on Highway 58 -- it was grey and white with green diagonal stripes...my wife said it was a really attractive looking paint job. I was on a side road, far enough so I couldn't tell whose it was. Do you have any idea whose paint livery that might have been?
In fact, I will ask them the newest equippment. Like NABI 436 for Samtrans and NABI LF for AC Transit. As for VTA, I will ask them about Flxible and RTS.
So far, the operators I spoke have different comments. Yeah, none of them said I like Gillig to hell, but non had said to me I hate them.
They all have different preference.
Two guys, one young lady, and one in her middle ages from AC Transit said the NABIs are good, Gillig are ok. Only an old lady in her retiring age said I wish they could go back to Gilligs. Afterall, the comments from them about the Van Hools are not that good either. They said the fuel tanks are too small that they ran out of gas easily. That's why the artics are now assigned to 2 trips in the morning and 2 in the afternoon.
VTA drivers' comment also varies. There are some who like RTS due to the fact that they seat more higher. However, some of them expressed that they pickup slow. As for Flxibles, most of them have a rather good. Only one comment is that they are falling apart. As for Gilligs, some drivers said they have a tight stirring. But the passengers said to them they prefer Gillig since the bus came with cusion seats. Only one guy said new equipments are always better, meaning the fact is that he prefer anything that is new.
As for Samtrans' they don't have pretty much a variety of comments since the majority of the fleet is Gillig. So far, I asked them about the new NABIs came in. There was one driver saying the driver's compartment had water leaking, but he didn't say if he likes or dislikes the bus...A Chinese guy who worked for Samtrans's contractor MV Transportation who operates Samtrans's old equipment said the 1990 Gilligs have a tight stirring wheel comparing to the 1990 D60.
That is so far from what I heard from operators. Gillig is not hated by everyone at least.
As for mechanics, I don't really know how I can talk to them...
Another company in the area, Skytran, operates some old used Phantoms that used to be Alamo Rental Car shuttles. Im guessing these Phantoms are mid-80's vintage. When they got them a year ago, they were in pretty decent condition. Now, a year later, those things are beat up peices of junk. Missing body panels, bumpers, rear hatches, all banged up, smoking like a chain smoker, never washed, etc... But they take the beating, and seem to keep on running. *shrug*
-Tyler-
Disney Transport
Now, I hope you are ready for the upcoming clips including Flxible, NABI, New Flyer, Neoplan, RTS and Orion. I will remove old ones and upload more new clips focusing on the first four models since I think you guys are well experienced riders with RTS and Orion.
I will be using a resolution of 352X240 clips for you to evaluate these other buses. I think Windows Media Player 9 will display it correctly and you can view it 2 times the orginal resolution. Real Player also does a good job on playing these clips. However, if you like, I can also provide higher resolution too...:p
Please use the same criteria as you did with Gillig. Ready? Let's GO!
New Flyer D60LF VTA 2301 Rt.22
http://www.natransit.com/video/2301A.mpg
How about 1 NABI, 1 Neoplan,1 Nova, and 1 Flxible movies?
NABI 416 AC Transit 3160 Rt.57
http://www.natransit.com/video/3160A.mpg
Neoplan AN440 Muni 8221 Rt.28
http://www.natransit.com/video/8221.mpg
Golden Gate Transit Nova RTS 1261 Rt.80
http://www.natransit.com/video/1261.mpg
Flxible Metro VTA 9251 Rt.36
http://www.natransit.com/video/9251G.mpg
I use a camcorder and Ulead Software to handle the clips.
Regards,
Stephen
Please open this page and right click save.
Please open this page and right click save.
Click Here & Enjoy
Regards,
Trevor Logan
www.transitalk.org
I rode 1503 (Blue) on the 6A Troy Hill and 1507 (Green) also on the 6A Troy Hill last week. I also had 1514 (charcol) on the 11D Perrysville. Even though I like the Troy Hill, it is not the most grueling run to test a bus on. The Gillig gave an adequate ride. Whether or not the bus would handle any better than any other PAT bus on rough stretches of road, such as Neville Island or West Carson Street remains to be seen. The bus did have good power and a very good turn radius. I've been told the Recaro operators seat is comfortable.
There are several issues that I have in regards to this order;
Issue #1:
Location of Headsign ODK
This is a PAT spec issue, not the fault of Gillig. The headsign ODK could be located next to the diagnostic panel above the operators window. Instead, it's located on the front panel.
Issue #2:
Low interior clearance
Whether the Gillig sits higher in the air than the other series of buses or the ceiling is lower or flatter, I have yet to determine. In either event, I felt like I was on cloud 9 and I didn't like it. One tall operator told me he had to duck to avoid hitting his head on the ceiling.
Issue #3:
Short front windshield
The front windshield is not very tall at all. Also, no blue shading on the top... If you are a standee, it may be tough to see your upcomming stop.
Issue #4:
Bell chime
Too loud. Too cheezy. What happened to the days when a real bell or buzzer rang ? Everyone has converted to these electronically produced sounds. The Phantom bell sound is a loud, high pitched chime that would be better suited to indicated a Stop Engine light or a Low Air Pressure warning, rather than, a Stop Request indicator. Several operators and a few passengers have complained about how loud it is.
Issue #5:
Operator seat position
A few operators have mentioned the operators seat in some of the coaches are off center with the steering wheel creating an awkward driving position.
Issue #6:
Glare, Glare, GLARE!
I will be trying to hunt one down at night to see for myself, but, I was told that the glare problems are attrocious. The interior orange LED destination sign creates a lot of it. Also, street lights and other countless distractions from outside show up on the passenger windshield. The purple floor and the dash board also show up as glare on the drivers windshield. Maybe dimmer shields that are inside the light covers on the 5000's would help?? One operator took one out last week at night and said he wouldn't do so again until this problem was corrected. He ran a good part of his run (the bus was empty) with the lights out, however, the interior sign was still a problem as you can't shut the signs down on PAT buses. Blanking it out would be the only way.
Issue #7:
Cheapness
Sorry, but, the bus had a cheap feel to it all around. The interior and styling is nice, but, it just feels like something is missing. The plastic looking paneling on the interior front looks flimsy and cheap. The Orion V paneling and styling is similar, but, much more heavy duty looking and feeling. Some of the paint jobs on these new buses are less than perfect (runs in the paint)... One operator mentioned problems he had with the headlights and marker lights cutting out on him occasionally the other night. Also, I was told that 1501 was sent back to Gillig as it had major wiring problems. The beginning of electrical problems, already?? I hope this is not a sign of the future.
**********************************************************************************************
I didn't notice much rattling, aside from a slight farebox rattle on 1503. Many of the back destination signs don't work... The retarder on 1507 was a bit overzealous. 1514 was the quickest (and my favorite -- although when the operator changed the destination sign downtown, the interior side sign completely died) of the three I rode, as 1503 and 1507 had a short delay on their take off.
So, after reading this, I'm sure you are all thinking that I must really hate these buses. I don't love them, that's for sure, but, hopefully they will grow on me. Time will tell. These are just the initial issues I have with the coach. I will say that the quality that the prior 35 footers had such as the Orions and Neoplans just doesn't seem to be there. PAT works 35 foot buses hard. But, hey... let's hope I'm wrong and that they have a long and sucessful life at PAT!
-F.
February 5, 2003
http://talk.nycsubway.org/cgi-bin/bustalk.cgi?read=64937
March 15, 2003
http://talk.nycsubway.org/cgi-bin/bustalk.cgi?read=67987
Stephen
Mike
(who wants to go over to Belgium and kick someone's ass for putting the door open switch right next to the cruise control set-grr!)
B1-#4854-RTS
B70-#7566-Orion VII
Uh huh. So, you're trying to tell me that NYCTA kept 1500 potentially dangerous buses on the road, all the while retiring 850 other dangerous buses. The RTS-04's had teething problems, but I don't recall EVER hearing anything like that.
And I still think it's pathetic for a bus that's on it's second day to break down.
If it's built by NovaBUS, I can beleive it. I got to drive Disney's 4859 when it only had 300 miles on the odometer. None of the dash lights worked, the wheelchair ramp didn't work, and the STOP ENGINE light was constantly coming on. This bus isn't an isolated incident I'm afriad.
-Tyler-
Orion VII 824 :)
--AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
Wayne
I suspect we will have to wait until the investigation is over to find out what happens.
Tony
Tony
There are two different stories re: the NJT Neo artics that are circulating, depending on whom you believe.
STORY 1) The Neoplan order may in fact be on hold as part of the State of New Jersey's investigation of the former VP and General Manager of Bus Operations. The state is reportedly investigating the Neoplan order to see if there were any irregularities similar to the NovaBus and MCI orders (ie. any kickbacks).
STORY 2) The Neoplan order delays may not be related to any criminal investigation. Another story circulating on line (at the NJ.com transit forum) is that the buses have some weight issues that is holding up the testing process.
Somehow, if #2 was true, I suspect either Tony or Troy would've said something about it. That said, it wouldn't shock me if #1 was in fact the case. That would be a damn shame if the order was cancelled because of the greed of a single executive at NJT.
Tony
First off I spotted 9767 on the A12 with no bike rack. Second was spotting 9814 on the G2 with the route number correct but as a destination "IN SERVICE". Saw a couple of Neoplan artics on the S routes. Other than that went to the seminar and that is all I saw on my way to work.
Coming from work saw some very odd bus observations. First off I spotted 8950 running on a Virginia route, not sure if it was a Four Mile Run, Arlington or a Royal route. This bus used to run from Bladensburg and must have been recently switched within the last couple of weeks. I saw Fairfax Connector 7771 Orion V with the same non-able-to-see Vultron destination signs, running on the Pentagon to Herndon express routes(can't remember the name). As I was about to cross the 14th street bridge, saw 9748 running on the 24P, couldn't see if it had FMR run numbers (most likely) or this bus was switched.
As I rolled into DC and got to Federal Triangle, I saw what may have been the most puzzling observation date. I saw 2011 (of FMR) about to do a run on a Northern route, as it had an N as the first run number. I don't know if this going to be another garage switch or just a loaner for a while. It didn't say what route it was going on, as it said Not In Service. At Dupont Circle saw 9273 with M4 route number in the back. Last but not least saw 2027 on the 84, not ususal to see this type of bus on this route.
B11 NOT IN SERVICE
Typical, Vultron WMATA sign.
The 24's do use several FMR buses which throws Pam off since its normally an Arlington bus with the Smartrip box. I've taught her to learn the block number and if there is an "F" in the first box, get money ready. If it has an "A", should be ok to use Smartrip.
On Nov. 12, 2002, Metro began testing a new farebox that accepts SmarTrip cards to pay fares on 80 Arlington Metrobuses. Customers can still use cash, tokens, passes and tickets for fare payment on the test buses, but pennies will not be accepted. When using currency, bills can be inserted into the farebox facing any direction. Fare value can be added to SmarTrip cards on the test buses with cash, but during the test period there will not be the 10% bonus on value adds of $20 or more, as there is with a Metrorail fare purchase. To help speed boarding and processing, please add value using $5, $10 or $20 bills, rather than $1 bills.
The new SmarTrip farebox may not always be available on all buses on the test routes, so customers using SmarTrip cards should be prepared to pay fares using cash and get paper transfers. See the SmartTrip on Metrobus brochure and the press release. The SmarTrip farebox is scheduled for installation on the full Metrobus fleet during the summer of 2003.
Either way, 90 days should have ended around February 12 and it is now April 10 so something is going on. Maybe it is 90 WMATA days which seem to be longer than regular days.
Wayne
M15#5516
The base fare of $2.00 will remain THE SAME. However, the price for tokens will go up 10 cents to $1.40, and the price for transfers will go up to $.70. The Suburban zone fare will remain the same.
The main fare increase will be in the REGIONAL RAIL. Intermediate zone charges (up to 2 zones) goes up to $2.75 from $2.50, and the fare to the city from a Zone 3 station (off peak) will go from 3.75 to a whopping $4.25! There are also increases for transfers between SEPTA and NJT at Trenton (between the R7 and Northeast Corridor Line) as well as for chartering of buses (how do you charter a bus anyway?) and for parking. There appear to be public hearings at locations in each of the 5 counties.
Anyway, these changes will begin on or around JULY 1, 2003!! Better stock up on tokens once again.
MCI?
Does the company have Neoplans or Vanhool coaches? If so on which lines do they operate?
1982-84 MCI MC-9A Cruisers, Ranging From Bus #6390-6672. Currently In Retirement Phase.
1987 MCI MC-9BCruisers, Ranging From Bus #5265-5294. Currently in Retirement Phase.
2001 MCI D4000 Cruisers, Buses #8454-8503.
2003 MCI D4500 Cruisers, Buses #8524-8555. Currently In Delivery Phase.
1984 Orion 01.501, Buses #RC112-RC115.
1995-98 Gillig Phantoms, Buses #RC130-RC139, RC150-RC166. Some are 40' & Some 35'.
No Neoplans, No Vanhools.
The MCI Stuff you can find on Routes 9, 9A, 11A, 11C, 14, 14E, 14K, 21, 22, 45, 45A, 45E, 46, 46, 47, 48, 49, 84 and 84L.
The Orions and Gilligs run on the Transport of Rockland local lines 59, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96A, 96B and 96C.
Regards,
Trevor Logan
Coach USA/The Red & Tan Lines Operator
www.transitalk.org
Trevor, it is about time Rockland Coach started receiving these! Are any of them in service yet?
By the way, I've noticed in the past few days that Short Line has finally started using the destination signs on its new MCI D4500 Cruisers delivered a few months back. For months, those signs were blank.
The others were shipped off to Community Coach for use for a new William Patterson University Contract. We recieved nothing in return!
Regards,
Trevor Logan
www.transitalk.org
Regards,
Trevor Logan
I have some observations on Suffolk Transit:
1996 Gillig Phantom 35 Ft #9604 - S92
1996 Gillig Phantom 35 Ft #9606 - S92
1997 Gillig Phantom 30 Ft #9711 - 10A
1993 Flxible Metro-D 30 Ft #9321? - S42 or S45
1999 Orion 05.503 #9919 - S54
1999 Orion 05.503 #9963 - S69
Enjoy my friends!
Dave
S61 CORAM PLAZA
1. There is one 30 foot Orion V assigned to Montgomery Division. Which one is it?
2. What route does it operate on?
3. Where does that route operate between?
4. Which WMATA route ran from Friendship Heights to Shady Grove and which Ride-On route or routes now operate over that route?
5. Which WMATA route ran from Bethesda to White Flint via Old Georgetown Road?
6. Which bus routes compose of the "even 30s"
7. Which MAN articulated is painted in the new paint scheme?
8. Which RTS had suburban style seating and no rear door?
9. Which WMATA routes operate in both Maryland and Virginia but not DC?
10. Which WMATA route operates in all three jurisdictions WMATA serves?
11. What was the original name for GEORGE (26A, 26E, 26W)?
12. What is the number of the Old Look Flxible in the WMATA historic fleet?
13. Which WMATA bus was painted silver for the 25th anniversary?
14. What WMATA route was the special bus service for Janney Elementary School in Northwest?
15. What division did the last GMC Fishbowls and Flxible New Looks operate from?
Good luck!
1 to 3 - Don't know
4 - T4 - Now Ride-On 42 and 46
5 - T6
6 - 32, 34, 36
7 - Don`t know
8 - 9112
9 - 14 Smart Mover
10 - N11-13 - It crosses from Virginia, Into DC, then Maryland while on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
11 - Elec-trek bus
12 - It's a GM and the number is 1912
13 - 9343
14 - Don`t know
15 - Four Mile Run
2)It was running on a shuttle from the White Flint Station to the Mid pike plaza, I guess that answers three also I believe the route number was the S90.
4)T6, ran from Friendship Heights to Montgomery College and used alot of artics.
5)T4
6)30, 32,34, 36
7)5119
8)9112, also the only RTS to have chrom wheels
9)N11, N13(PG to Alexandria), and the 14A,B,C,D (Montgomery County to Tyson's Corner)
10)B11
11)That's a damn good question, and I wish I new the answer
12) 1912
13)9343
14)aaahhhhhhhhhhhh
15)Montgomery
The 30, 32, 34, 35 and 36.
1. There is one 30 foot Orion V assigned to Montgomery Division. Which one is it?
3900, as seen here.
2. What route does it operate on?
S95
3. Where does that route operate between?
White Flint Metro and Mid-Pike Plaza Park and Ride
4. Which WMATA route ran from Friendship Heights to Shady Grove and which Ride-On route or routes now operate over that route?
T6, now Ride-On routes 42 and 46
5. Which WMATA route ran from Bethesda to White Flint via Old Georgetown Road?
T4
6. Which bus routes compose of the "even 30s"
You should have known this question was too easy to be true. The answer is 30, 32, 34, 35, and 36.
7. Which MAN articulated is painted in the new paint scheme?
5119, as seen here
8. Which RTS had suburban style seating and no rear door?
9112
9. Which WMATA routes operate in both Maryland and Virginia but not DC?
A not so greatly worded question, so I did this. You had to say the 14A, B, C, and D, and the N11 and N13 was an acceptable answer.
10. Which WMATA route operates in all three jurisdictions WMATA serves?
Again, the wording was left to be desired. The B11 is the only route that has stops in all three jurisdictions, but the N11 and N13 enter DC for several hundred yards while crossing the Wilson Bridge. You had to say B11 to get full credit.
11. What was the original name for GEORGE (26A, 26E, 26W)?
Electrek
12. What is the number of the Old Look Flxible in the WMATA historic fleet?
1912
13. Which WMATA bus was painted silver for the 25th anniversary?
9343, as seen here
14. What WMATA route was the special bus service for Janney Elementary School in Northwest?
J43, this was the question to prevent anyone from aceing the quiz ;-)
15. What division did the last GMC Fishbowls and Flxible New Looks operate from?
Four Mile Run
Here are the final scores:
Ray (aznboy), I am sorry, none of your answers were able to gain you any points
Far Rockaway A train got 1 point
Mdlbigcat got 7 points
and, in first place
WES with 11 points
Hope everyone who tried had fun and thanks for playing.
-F.
Perhaps you need to read more of Flxible Corporations history.
Yes, they most certainly did make an "old look" style bus. From the early 1950's on....many of them. Go to the Ohio Museum of Transportations web site (http://www.omot.org) and lok at the builder production lists. They're all right there.
-F.
-F.
I started off by getting The Bus 62897, a Gillig Flxible on the 21 and took that to New Carrolton, where I got my favorite of the Bus's fleet, 35' Thomas SLF 63032. At about the intersection of Cipriano Road and the Annapolis Road off road, the bus wouldn't move. The driver turned off the bus a couple of times and turned it back on, but it wouldn't move. He opened the front and back doors with the button over them and it still didn't move. He finally decided to tinker with the wheelchair ramp and that did it, the bus was finally able to move, after 10 minutes of not moving. I was still able to get the 9:20 B30 bus going to Baltimore which btw was 4394. At about this time also started to see some of Southern's 97s on Landover routes one being 9726 on the F14.
I got to Baltimore and got light rail car 5009 on the way to Patapsco, and there caught 9940, a NABI, on the 51 to the intersection
of Bentalou street and North Avenue and caught a 60' NABI, that being 9605 to Walbrook Junction, where I took some pics. I was also hoping to catch an 8500 on the 13 as the last time I saw one on that route, but after about 30 minutes of waiting and taking pics I decided to catch the next bus to Canton, which was Flxible Metro 8671 on the 13 line. After a brief wait where I saw a lot of 8600s going into service, about 2 or 3 including the one I caught, up came NABI 9840 on the 7 line, where I took to go downtown and ate.
Seeing as it was getting late, I decided to take the subway to Mondawmin in which I got car 155. As soon as I got out of Mondawmin, I saw the main object of my trip which was an 8500, to be exact 8519 on the 22. I took this bus to East Baltimore (can't remember the exact place), walked a couple of blocks and caught 0014, the newest NABI and last in service new bus purchase on the 10 going back into downtown. I stood the whole way which made me one of the first people off of the bus. I got off infront of the LR station at Baltimore Street. I got LRV 5051 back to BWI and just missed the B30 back to Greenbelt and had to settle for 4393 about 35 minutes later.
One note, I have been seeing Bluebird transits running for Howard transit the past couple of times. I thought they might have been bought used as it seems someof their buses are used, or those might be corridor transit's Orion Is. Anyway I got back to Greenbelt got 9733 on the R12 to New Carrolton, a Flxible Metro D and then caught 9769 on the F14 to home.
At the time of this writing I have been hearing that the Neoplans are still having problems, and they might not be seeing service as of now and I want to try and catch a 8500 one door before they go.
My cousin and I bought around 10 of them, and painted them in WMATA colors, and I added backs to them, some of them looked good, some of them looked like crap, so some were redone. I made them out of sort of cardboard tape and paint and glued them on piece by piece onto the bus. I must say I did a decent job of it. I even made some destination signs for the front and side, using masking tape and a pen, later using numbers found from tape and videotape packages stickers.
We later changed the RTS slightly and made up our own transit agency. Does anyone else remember those buses and does Hot Wheels still make them, it has been a while since I bought Hot Wheels cars.
Usually what happens is, they make one huge production run (over in China) and they are distributed and not seen again, unless the dies were somehow saved (usually not the case over in China).
I'm trying to figure out which came first, the HK or Malaysia ones....can't figure by the bunch I have (RTD and school bus versions, two of each).
-F.
I used to do the same thing with those; in fact, I painted them in our local TA colors to match our Grumman 870s as that was the closest thing I could find to them at the time. On the back, I used huge fleet numbers to match ours (183, 195, etc.) and even made up some fantasy schemes. When I was 13, I even went so far as to cut two of them and make a 40-foot version with Alcoa-ish rims from a semi. The end result looked good (the scale length of these is about 30 feet).
I recently came upon one of these that is severely damaged (caved, burnt roof towards the front, broken windows); I plan to take it and another one and make a 40-footer again, this time in either WMATA or Baltimore MTA colors. If anyone is interested, please let me know!
-F.
I started off with getting 9727 on the A12 up to the intersection of Martin Luther King Highway and Addison Road. Walked about a mile and waiting to turn was the U8 I needed to catch going to Minnesota Avenue. I got there in time to catch C40LF to Minnesota Avenue. To add since the Columbia Park Road bridge is closed for rebuild and the Cheverly Station is right outside so some buses had to be rerouted, one that was, was the F8, which was seen at MLK Highway and Columbia Park Road, far from where it usually goes, anyway back to the report.
I got to Minnesota Avenue Station and a few minutes later came NABI 5230 to downtown. My mission for today was to try and ride a 2460 series with a John Deere engine. Some buses came here and there, 5227 had no working sign, 5310 now has a bike rack. New Flyers were passing here and there, and about 20 minutes later a 2460 passed on the way to terminate at Farragut Square.
At about this time I started to notice some buses being detoured down 13th street because the anti-war protest had started up again. The only bus that got through was an S2 Neoplan artic, everything else went down 13th street, so my 2460 might go down the detour route, which it did. My butt being as dumb as it is, stayed until I saw the bus and had to hurry near the old convention center to catch. I had plenty of time as the bus pulled up about less than 5 minutes later.
I got it and the first impressions were, it does sound a tad bit like the C8.3 engines, the ones below it have, actually sounds like a cross between a C8.3 and you guessed it a tractor engine. The ride was ok, but didn't have the acceleration that the C8.3 have, but I enjoyed the ride. Also the tailpipe is a bit different than the C8.3 engines are in that when the tailpipe comes out from the bus, it ripples then goes smooth as the tailpipe curves. Another telling feature is the green wording in the yellow box after the last window that states that this bus runs with a John Deere engine.
I took the bus to Brookland and waited after another C40LF passed on the 80, and about 15 minutes later caught on the 80 got 2449 back to downtown. I then ate lunch and went to 7th street and caught Neoplan artic 5303 on the 70 to the intersection of 7th Street and Indenpendence Avenue, where I caught 4308 on the 34. This bus had hardly noone on it until the next stop where about 30 little kids got on the bus and also this is when the bus got a little noisier. They took the bus to Eastern Market and got off, I took the bus to Naylor Road. At Naylor Road, as the bus was pulling in a New Carrolton bound F14, 9704 was heading out, just missing it by seconds. After about an hour wait and about a couple of pics later caught 4034 on the next F14 home. As the bus got to Addison Road I saw more ex-Southern 97s, both waiting to go into service and they were 9725 and 9731. The rest is history, I got home and couldn't write up the report and we all know why.
This was the last bus trip I have taken since this one, and do plan to take more of course with the big enchilada coming as the bus fan trip being in July. More details to come on this one.
1-What was the highest numbered Flxible new look at SEPTA?
2-What was the highest numbered GM Fishbowl at SEPTA?
3-What is the highest numbered transit vehicle at SEPTA?
4-True or False / there is a gap in the numbering of the 1982-85 Neoplans.
5-Here is the prefix to NJT routes before the statewide route numbering system went into effect. I`ll give you the prefix, you give me the primary area these routes ran in:
A-
B-
M-
P-
6-The 126 is the Hoboken-PABT route. What was its original route number?
7-What was the name of Trenton's Bus system before NJT takeover?
8-What SEPTA routes were created with the breakup of the A buses?
9-PSCT-TNJ-NJT had GM fishbowls with Bus-O-Ramas on them. True or False?
10-True or False / When SEPTA borrowed some WMATA Flxibles, some of the fleet numbers on the WMATA buses duplicated the fleet numbers on some of the PCC Trolleys.
11-South Jersey used letters to identify most of their routes before 1989. Here's the letter, give me the number:
A-
D-
F-
V-
12-Some South Jersey routes had numbers. I`ll give the original number, give me the current number.
6-
7-
9-
9a-
71-
101-
104-
117-
Note: Route 6 changed twice give both numbers.
I know some of these questions are way-out-there, but that adds to the fun of asking them. I will post the answers on Sunday.
5. A-Atlantic City
B - Bergen County
M - Middlesex and Monmouth counties
P - Passaic County
6. 63 Hoboken-NYC
7. Mercer Metro
9. PSCT amd TNJ did, NJT did not - the Bus-O-Ramas were removed in the 70s.
11. A-450
D Philadelphia-Haddonfield, was dropped before the 1/6/1990 renumbering
F-400
V-457
12. 6-456-was then dropped (redundant route)
7-407
9-419
9a-409
71-413
101-551
104-554
117-317
2. 4427
3. 9111 - Kawasaki PCC car at Elmwood
4. True (first Neos were 8285-8584; then 8601-8875)
7. Mercer Metro
8. A was split into the 9, 27, and 32
10. True - SEPTA leased ex-WMA Transit 2642, 2643, 2645-2650, 2652, and 2654, which were also PCC car numbers
1) Highest numbered Flxible -- 6665
2) Highest numbered Fishbowl -- 5099 (until 1980)
3) Highest numbered Septa vehicle -- 9111 (Kawasaki Car)
4) True - (8285-8434, 8435-8584, 8601-8725/1301-25, 8726-8875]
5) A-Atlantic City
B-Bergen and Passaic Cty lines
M-Monmouth and Middlesex Counties
P-Passaic-Paterson-parts of Bergen Cty
6)-63/Hoboken-NYC
7)-Mercer Metro
8) 9, 27, 32
9) True but they were removed by 1981
10) True. They were about 5 buses that had the same numbers as the 1942 PCC cars.
11) A-450
D-404
F-400
V-457
12) 6, became the 456, then the 405
7-407
9-419
9a-409
101-551
104-554
117-317
Kcram - had 5 pts [gets 1/2 pt each for questions 11 and 12]
Ctrabs74 gets 5 pts
Neoarticfan gets 1 pt
I`m surprised nobody knew both systems One gets the SEPTA questions, the other got all of the NJT questions. I ride both systems so my knowledge of both is quite extensive. Thanks for participating.
Mark DeLoatch
mdlbigcat@comcast.net
So much for SEPTA at your service....
Chuck Greene
On Sunday, April 13th (All day), the eastbound track will be taken out of service between Berks and Allegheny Stations. Passengers traveling eastbound from Berks, York-Dauphin, Huntington, Somerset and Allegheny Stations must board trains on the westbound platforms. An 18-minute operating schedule will be in effect for both directions.
I called it in so it was quite a scene with the police, paramedics, fire department, my boss and a supervisor to take pictures. The woman actually left, but Suffolk Police went to her house to get her side of the story. She says I sideswiped her. Um, that's fine and dandy, but I had nine people on my bus who could testify that I wasn't moving at all AND we got pictures that show damage to one area only, not one long scratch and a damaged bumper.
Monday morning I have to fill out all this paperwork and my bus will not be fixed until everything has been processed. I get the same bus to drive every day so it will be embarrasing for a few weeks. I'm sure the shop steward will be cursing me cause he will have to order a whole new lamp set.
One person did go to Mather Hospital. I went to see her with the boss and she's fine. That's a load off my mind but it still bothers me. I don't like to see none of my passengers hurt because of someone else's stupidity. The one saving grace was that everyone was belted it.
Since I have seniority, I get the same bus to drive
every day and I am responsible for keeping her
fueled and clean every day.
Glad to hear noone was hurt that bad.
BIG AL
126: 5026, 7536, 5025, 9039, 9198, 8185, 8213, 9214, 8442, 9034, 9207, 9029
FB: 5081, 9438, 9395, 9404, 5117, 9431, 5113, 5076, 9426, 5100, 9392, 5118, 9416, 9413, 9414, 9394, 9428, 9388, 8154
UP: 9298, 4862, 9296, 9087, 9081, 4774, 9332, 9096, 4775, 9327, 9323, 4497, 9089, 4771, 9295, 9324, 9335, 4792
ENY: 9040, 8910, 5021, 4982, 8120, 4433, 4979, 4950, 9068, 8907, 4987, 8933, 4633, 5237, 9030
JG: 8554, 8680, 8455, 8520, 8547, 8689, 8538, 8095, 8518, 4647, 4648, 8533, 8551, 4649, 8457, 8460
FP: 3987, 4686, 4672, 8007, 9164, 4713, 4723, 5059, 5074, 5058, 8151, 4683, 4890, 8015
Now, the only thing is: When will they finally get rid of the Snediker S-curve to make all L riders' commute faster, especially in the morning?
4919 Q30
4796 J
3987 FP northbound
8095 JG southbound
4872 B83
Big Al, I might drop by Fresh Pond tommorrow too(around 5-6 P.M). Please put the 9100's to make my trip more enjoyable on the B13. Let the 4600's/4700's go on the (L) shuttle.
4/11/03
B13- RTS #5061
Q55- RTS #9593
BIG AL
--AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
As for the S curve, it will be gone soon [its about time].
The 35' Thomas buses that they've had since the late 90's are nothing but trouble, someone told me. They're already looking at getting rid of them and buying 8 more Gilligs. In addition, the 1986 and 1987 30 foot Flx Metro B's are way past their useful life and are slated for replacement in 2005 or 2006. One person said they thought it would be Thomas SLF's. Who knows since they are having such problems with the other Thomas buses. It could be Gillig for all anyone knows.
The 1991 Flx Metro B's will still be hanging around for awhile, though. There are 12 1986's and 87's that will be out of there shortly, leaving them with 6 30 foot B's and 2 40 footers. I believe one other B was totalled a few years ago.
The BUS could be a candidate for the Thomas' or maybe even Ocean City, MD. 60 footers would be nice, but I don't think its feasible since the maintenance bays aren't large enough to accommodate them. I think some of the turns on campus may be too tight as well. I don't remember a standing load on any of the 40 foot routes. The only ones that get packed are the on campus circuit runs or shuttles, but they usually use 30 footers for those since 40 footers would have a tough time back in the dorm areas. I remember having a hard enough time with some turns with the 30 footer.
Also, why can't a V8 car engine that delivers 275 hp be used in place of a DDEC S50 engine or a DDEC 6v92 engine? (All provide the same amount of engine power.)
Horsepower is a misleading measurement. The HP generated by an automobile engine and the HP generated by a heavy commercial engine (bus) might be roughly the same, but the torque on a bus engine is way different, and this is why bus engines are in fact much more powerful. Seriously - could you really imagine the engine from a car powering a 60-foot bus?
Buses/Trucks need low-end torque more than anything else. To get the huge amounts of low-end torque you'll need a rather lage displacement engine (preferrebly a diesel). I don't think HP figures are necessarily misleading, but it's often used in a misleading way. Another thing: A diesel engine will always have lots more torque (at lower RPM) than a gasoline engine of the same displacement (size).
Wayne
The ratings of Series 50 for buses range from 250-320hp at 2100rpm. The 320hp version is widely used in articulated buses like NFI D60HF, D60LF as well as coaches like MC 12, like 29XX-31XX. The Series 60 ranges from 350hp to 550hp. However, according to Neoplan's website, they offer their AN460 with Detroit Diesel Series 60, DDEC IV, Diesel, 320 HP. Cummins M11-310 E, Diesel, 330 HP, which means Cummins has a higher horsepower.....um, does anyone know more about the CAT engine that NJ Transit had specified on their AN460?
Just click here and join in! If you have mIRC (reccommended) but do not know how to access the room using it click the link and then click on "How to get mIRC". If you want to get mIRC, follow the same instructions. Please note, the room has now moved to irc.webchat.org. The room name is still #chathamsquare.COME HAVE SOME FUN! JOIN IN NOW!
DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS MESSAGE. YOUR QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED IN THE CHAT ROOM.
Along with some changes, it also shows some of the artics Manhattan just received.
--AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
http://pichosting.pcthike.com/brutuskend/lamers
Here's their web site:
http://www.golamers.com/
Yes, they are real, out of Green Bay Wisconsin.
Their buses occasionally show up here in southern California, believe it or not.
I just saw one of them down here at Disney... 660 I think it was?
-Tyler-
Disney Transport
Left West Chester on the 104 to 69 St Terminal at around 9:00am (5587/4217 block), heading to a local bowling alley a few blocks east of 69 St Terminal on Market St (Gehris Lanes in Upper Darby to be exact; I usually get a few games in on Sunday mornings, since it's only $1.60 per game, but that's another story).
Caught the P&W to Norristown and waited for the 99 to King of Prussia; had 5658 (6145 block) for the 2:00pm towards Phoenixville. After a few minutes, I caught the 125 to 30 St Station (5663/6174 block), bought my TrailPass, then took the El to 69 St, and returned to West Chester on the 4:00pm 104 (5402/4128 block).
As you can see from the buses listed, every single bus that I caught was a New Flyer. I don't think I've ever had that happen before since the 5600s started arriving...
There's a very interesting history behind 3361...
After working out of Red Arrow from the time it was delievered in 1988, 3361 was one of 4 Red Arrow buses (along with 3362, 8711, and 8715) that was leased to Krapf's Coaches for use on the late (but not really lamented) 202 line between West Chester and Wilmington in 1995.
When the 202 was cut back to Brandywine Town Center (in the Brandywine Hundred section of New Castle County less than 1/2 mile from the PA/DE border) and the 314 bus between Boothwyn, Chadds Ford, West Chester, and Goshen Corp Pk was introduced, the Neos were returned to Red Arrow. That occured in 1998.
Both 3361 and 3362 didn't stay at Red Arrow for long, maybe a few months, as they were both sent to Callowhill, along with 3357-3360 and several other soft seat Neos. I think it was last year, but 3361 was recently sent to Midvale, either as a result of the 5400s arriving at Callowhill or when Midvale swapped a few ElDorados to Callowhill last year so the latter could use them on the 30 and 63. 3362 is now at Frankford.
(FWIW, the ElDos were later sent to Frontier for some bizarre reason that I still can't figure out. This means that 4574-4580 have already been moved around more times in the two years that they've been on the road than nearly half of the NABI fleet has been since they arrived in 1996-97.)
Now, 3361 is finally return home to Red Arrow where it belongs. I wouldn't be shocked to see 3357-3360 also make the move to Red Arrow as well within the next few weeks.
In Philly, we started on SEPTA with Flyer 5420 on the 44. I noticed something about the Flyers, they vibrate when they're idle. You could put your girlfriend on these buses and she would get an orgasm from all of the vibrations from these buses. I got off at City and Conshohocken Ave, to get a snack. The next bus was a 65. It was Flyer 5465, and the bus was filled with a gaggle of nubile, young girls, that reaised the perv in me. When they got off at 54th st, {4 minutes later}, I refocused on my trip. This bus vibrated too, I wonder if all of the Flyers do that.
During the 40 minute wait at 69th St, I finished off my soda and Krispy Kreme donut (guaranteed to be fatal to diabetics like me), and got on 5646 on the 108. During this ride, I had a startling sight when a Neoplan passed going the opposite direction, look how high the windows on the Neoplan were. I got a more equal level when the bus got to the Airport, and passed a Nova LFS on an Airport roadway. This bus didn`t vibrate as much, maybe because it was almost brand new, or maybe I was sitting in the low [front] portion of the bus.
After hanging out at the Airport, I took 7139 to Center City on the R1 Shuttle bus. Another thing I noticed, these Neoplans tend to bounce when they hit any small bump. The suspension system is pretty suspect when these buses are at speed, like the awful swaying the Volvos did when they`re on the expressway.
I missed the 403 at Market East, so I waited for the next NJT bus. I got RTS 1250 on the 404. As usual, the Cummins engine is LOUD. Along the way, we almost hit a stupid bitch in a SUV at Broad and Arch. She tried to turn right [to go east on Arch St, which is one-way westbound], when she realized her mistake, she almost hit the bus on the right side. After that scare, it was smooth sailing to Camden.
While waiting at the Walter Rand Tranportation Center, I got a good look at the usual human misery show that is downtown Camden. I got to see the usual assortment of homeless, drug addicts, suburban punks looking for drugs, and when I got on the 450, the assortment of the skankiest hookers on Broadway. I wouldn't pay 2 cents for these diseased skanks. On the 450, I got RTS 1251. During the trip, I heard a pop, and suddenly the bus seem to lose acceleration. It hissed as it was going down Black Horse Pike and on Nicholson Rd, up to White horse pike, when I got off, and walked the rest of the way home.
NJT 3089/3041-403
SEPTA 5420 - 44
5465 - 65
5646 - 108
7139 - R1
NJT 1250-404
1251-450
Hopefully, I should take a more extensive trip now that the days are getting longer and warmer. Next time, I`m gonna to go out of town.
On that stretch of I-95, the ride quality is HORRIBLE. If it were my decision, the R1 Airport shuttle buses would operate from Market East to the Airport via Market St, Suburban Station, JFK Blvd directly to 30 St, serve University City, then run express via I-76 en route to Eastwick and the Airport.
(I understand that Ed Rendell championed that rule during his first mayoral term)
Fresh Pond
3951(oh God, why?)
4683
4686
4709
4720
4747
4749
8014
9178
5062
5066
5068
5074
East New York
4634
4946
4970
5024
5209
5235*(when I was riding this, I saw the 9602 on the B13, grrr!)
8104
8913
8923
8933
8934
9067
Flatbush
5083
5117
5123
8137
8164
9383
9390*
9419
9422
9423
9428
9432
9439
Jackie Gleason
8093
8450
8460
8520
8527
8538
8540
8554
8555
8563
8674
8675
8678
8679
Ulmer Park
4767
4768
4786
4871
9077
9090*
9093*
9297
9303
9304
9306
9335
9337*(Best ride of the shuttle)
126 Street
5052
7538
8446
9045
9198
9205
9207*
While Fresh Pond had the worst overall set of buses today, Ulmer Park was rockin' the shuttle with their 96'Novas. Ulmer Park was definately the best of the shuttle today ,as I made half of my trips on their buses. On a side note, 9093 and 9390 were back-to-back, and I was almost confused with their #'s, but I managed to ride both of them today.
(L) Shuttle to Lorimer- RTS #9090
(L) Shuttle to Bway- RTS #9337
(L) Shuttle to Lorimer- RTS #5235
(L) Shuttle to Bway- RTS #9207
(L) Shuttle to Lorimer- RTS #9093
(L) Shuttle to Bway- RTS #9390
BIG AL
I saw it yesterday on the shuttle. The front destination sign had larger type than most, and it scrolled very slowly. Is it a different model from the ones on other buses? Do any other NYCT buses have it?
Thank you.
That is correct, When WMATA first started revenue service on matrorail (03 29 1976) the contractor (Cubic Western Data Systems) that was contracted to install the AFC (Automatic Fare Collection) was not ready to deploy the equipment. As Oren stated old stile bus fare boxes were used. The 2 fare boxes were installed to left and right sides of the front of octagonal shaped unit with one side open to allow the station manager to sit in the middle of the unit and operate the fare boxes. All fare media that was valid on metrobus was also valid on metrorail. Tokens, tickets and cash. The cash fare during the first 14 months of operations was $0.40. I am not sure, but I vaguely recall bus transfers were also issued on request using the same type of transfers used on metrobus.
I'm trying to tell the difference in the type of buses. Like for example,
GMC RTS-04, TMC RTS-06, NovaBus RTS-06, etc.
What about the Gilligs and NABIs
Gillig 40TB096? Is that it?
NABI 416.08 is 40 Ft but what about NABI LF artic?
Cn somebody give me a list of codes for ALL the buses from Flxible Metros to Gilligs and Neoplans?
Thanks in advance!
> Gillig 40TB096? Is that it?
There are or at least have been 40, 35, and 30 foot Phantoms in both 96 inches wide and 102"
There are 40, 35, and 30 foot Low Floors (a.k.a. Advantage; H2000LF) but I think they only come in 102". They're damn nice driving buses if they're spec'd right.
There used to be a "Spirit" but it isn't around anymore.
And before they made transit buses, they made school buses.
Whoa whoa whoa, there. H2000LF means HERTZ LOW FLOOR introduced in the year 2000. It's a stupid gimmick that Hertz Car Rental identifies its Gillig low floors with - it is NOT a real model number. Since Hertz's Gilfs were some of the first, they fooled a lot of people into thinking that H2000LF was a legitimate manufacturer-issued model number, but it certainly is not.
mls515 is right-on about the Phantoms - they are offered in any combination of the standard lengths and widths. Gillig has gone through a few different model numbering systems. A model number for a current Phantom would be something like G11N102S50 (or something like that - anyone feel free to help me out here...)
Also, Gillig publicizes the smallest of its low floors as a 29-foot bus. Not that it's that much off from 30, but it's just what they say.
Incidentally, I can't end this post without saying that I think Gillig low floors are crap to drive. Don't have any first-hand experience with Phantoms, though.
My friend, that's it! Model numbers! Can you give me a brief list of model numbers for Gillig, NABI and NovaBus (especailly after 2000)? This was what I was looking for but I did not know how to describe it. Thanks in advance!
Um, notice I put 'H2000LF' in parenthesis with 'a.k.a.'.......
.........meaning I realize that isn't an official model designation, just that some people might think that it is.
Close. For NABI 40-foot standard-floor buses, 416 is the base model number. Any "decimal" after that represents an individual order number. The way NABI does it, each customer gets its own decimal. 416.08 refers to SEPTA's NABIs specifically. So 416.09 is essentially the same model, but with slightly different specs for a different customer (I believe 416.09 is AC Transit).
NABI's standard-floor artics are model 436. They do the same thing with the decimals.
The low floors are 35LFW, 40LFW and 60LFW. The decimal designations figure into these numbers too.
Also, regarding RTS model numbers, "RTS-04" and "RTS-06" are really shorthand designations. In the case of NYC, those can be expanded to RTS T80 204 (or RTS T8J 204/RTS T8W 204) and RTS T80 206, respectively. These numbers can be decoded quite logically, but I have not the time to go into depth right now. I'm sure someone else can do so (or I can later!)
All of the other manufacturers use fairly logical, fairly easy-to-decipher model numbers. It just takes some time to digest the numbers and go over them in your head to figure it all out. This is what transit buffs do in their spare time...
B1-#9316-NOVABUS
B70-#7568-Orion VII
Do you know that LACMTA is testing GPS? I was under the (mistaken??) impression that the bus information signs were triggered by the same system that holds traffic signals green for the buses, using roadside detectors to determine the location and approximate speed of the closest approaching bus, and displaying a rough approximation of the bus's ETA to the bus stop.
It is possible that there is an unpublicized Lo-Jack like device in the buses for emergency summoning of aid.
Tom
Compare with entering your "PIN number" in the "ATM machine" while working for the "NYCTA Authority."
Global Positioning Satellite system. Sometines abbreviated GPSS.
Tom
--AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
Because the Orion VII CNG order is just starting to be delivered, logic would suggest that the HEV buses will not come in until a good portion or all of the CNG deliveries are completed. I wouldn't think both types of buses would be coming off the assembly line at the same time.
--AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
-F.
You're just a young whippersnapper, Fred!!
I look at some bus photos of buses I remember being delivered when I was eight years old (i.e. the GM New Looks numbered 1-165 in NYCTA colors) and then read postss saying that they haven't been in service for 20-25 years. Kinda makes me feel like....an OLD FARt!!!
(Just for the record, I am 52 and have been driving buses since 5/16/1973!!)
-F.
-F.
WMATA (Bladensburg, Arlington, Northern, Landover*)
Fairfax Connector
GEORGE
DASH
RIDE ON*
THE BUS*
*=If time permits
Once I start putting time point connections together, I will have a better understanding how long it will take and what buses we can ride.
I know off hand we will ride a New Flyer CNG, GEORGE and Fairfax Connector. If we do get to ride THE BUS, I hope that on the route we do ride it will have a Thomas SLF, and not one of those damn van buses that seem to run on that route, with hopes that they would put their newer SLFs on that route that just came in about a couple of weeks ago. I will let everyone know when the trip is finalized and it will be on Oren's website as well as on Bustalk.
Hope to see yall there :)
Chapter 11 Choo Choo | Lyrics | www.railfanwindow.com | My other car is a Shelter Express truck
---Choo Choo
Shelter Express' contract is with NYCDOT, which regulates the positioning of all bus stop shelters, mailboxes, and other "street furniture." SE pays for the right to install and maintain the shelters, and then sells the advertising space on the side panel.
- - - - -
[Anyhow, has anyone else ever seen these "Shelter Express" guys?]
I've seen them around for years.
Shelter Express is a private company under contract to Viacom Outdoor,Inc. a major outdoor advertising company. Viacom has a franchise with the NYC Departmemt of Transportation that allows it to post acvertising on bus shelter locations throughout the five boroughs. Viacom is responsible for erecting, electrifying and maintaining the bus shelters, at no cost to the City. And, the City gets a portion of the advertising revenues [about $12 million a year]. Truly a good deal: the City gets the amenity of over 3,000 bus shelters and millions of dollars of revenue.
Shelter Express was founded in 1988 and has been cleaning the bus shelters twice a week for the past 15 years. The company also does all of the advetising posting for Viacom. Since, I am the executive director of Shelter Express, it is gratifying to read that our bus shelter maintenance staff are doing such a good and efficient job.
Next time, get the number of our truck so we can reward our employee's good work.
Thank you.
Micahel Strasser
Sorry i can not do the link here as i do not know how to do it
Thank You
So true. I like my beer cold, my tv loud, and my buses burning 100% authentic diesel fuel!
---Choo Choo
BIG AL
I MUST stop by Fresh Pond tommorow. I've been waiting for this moment for so long. Once the 3900's/4300's are gone, the average age fleet can finally improve. I can't wait for Fresh Pond to kill all of those old hand-downs we've been dumped with. Hey, maybe its possible we can get newer buses from Manhattan too. Finally, I don't have to feel jealous of the other depots. We should send our 4600's/4700's to Kingsbridge, I know they would like them.
I'll be looking for 8520 and 8521 tommorow.
Send the 4600/4700s to Kingsbridge? Hell, we'll gladly take them. LOL.
Anyway, congratulations.
Were they in bad shape like the Green Bus Lines?
BIG AL
I hope this helps...
David
BIG AL
-AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
BIG AL
-AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
--AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
--AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #2865
WHY????
Can you please list the artics that you have please? Thanks in advance!
It would be:
9140-9228(89)
5025-5055(50)
But knowing our luck, those buses will probably go somewhere else in Manhattan.
B1-#9298-NOVABUS
BIG AL
The 4900/9300 series we have here at QV can't compare. I'd scrap every one of those bad dreams for a decent 8500.
BIG AL
BIG AL
BIG AL
BIG AL
--AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
--AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
Anyway, I'm glad for DaRidge and others around FP territory now that they gets to see the 8500's and not complain so much on the pre 1990 buses ;-).
Michael
Wash, DC
Regards,
Trevor Logan
www.transitalk.org
Regards,
Trevor Logan
www.transitalk.org
It seems that the Gultan-Luminator "split" signs on the 9600s are there to stay. They have been pretty reliable, plus they have a lot of parts and software compatable with the Luminator Megamax signs on all Metrobuses delivered between 1993 and 1995. Even these are not all that different from the LED Megamaxes on the 2000 Orions. And even those are not that much different from the current Luminator Horizon all-LED signs.
By the way, the Gultan-Luminator split signs are my favorite. The route number is so important and it deserved a panel of its own. Not to mention I just love the way they look.
Wayne
Peace
David
Orion 05.501 #154 has been at MJQ!
Carlton
Cleanairbus
Transit Is My Drug
So I guess Orion 05.501 #154 is back at QV! That's good but maybe not for long! The MTA could make things interesting in the next several months!!! So, keep that pic because it could be a collectors item. I got some pics on buses that I'm keeping because they are collectors BUT I do not know how to post pics on BusTalk. Anyways, nice pic on Orion 05.501 #154!
I tell you it's ashame the mechanics here can't correct problems with the buses. Everyday we have break downs. I think it's embarrasing. One driver told me to cantact Fox's Problem Solvers to check out this situation. Suffolk Bus needs help! Oh by the way was the tow truck from Bruno's?
D.
The first one, which I first heard a month ago, dealt with ummmm
Bus-0-phobia-something. It dealt with a guy who couldn't take buses for he had fear of them, and a psychiatrist tells him the benefits of riding metrobus and the scared freak finally realizes the benefits of riding the bus.
The second is of two guys talking and one explaining how he takes metrobus everywhere, to the store, work, museum?, here and there and everywhere.
I guess now there will be a WMATA bus commercial hitting the airwaves soon.
Yeha, i've heard that on DC101 (best FM station in the area. it kicks serious ASS!). Guy's name is like Richard HoobieDoobie (or something like that). personally I think it's a really lame commercial.
Here are some sites with photos of MBTA equipment:
http://www.transitalk.org
http://www.cleanairbus.tk
http://www.nycrail.com
Thank you
He saw some messages about possible changes here on bus talk and HERE IS SPECULATION ON WHAT MAY HAPPEN. THIS IS UNOFFICIAL AND SPECULATION ONLY !!!!!
1-It is believed that the Q-21 will be consolidated with Triboro's Q-53 route. The reason's are as follows:
a) Both the Q-21 and Q-53 Rockaway Park terminals are very close to each other and can easily be consolidated
b) The Q-21 has a low ridership base basically along Cross Bay Blvd in Howard Beach and Broad Channel
c) To have the Q-53 make local stops south of Liberty Avenue will add very little running time since the Q-21 does not pick up that many passengers. No additional drivers or buses will not be needed to accomodate the Q-21 passengers on the Q-53.
2-While a possible Q-21 consolidation with the Q-41 could develop a new ridership base between Jamaica and Rockaway Park such a ride can be done on one fare with a transfer between the Q-41 and the Rockaway Park route
3-A Q-21/Q-41 or Q-11/Q-21 consolidation will still not end the problem of duplicate service with the Q-53. It will also greatly increase costs on the consolidated routes.
Basically the most efficent method is the Q-21/Q-53 consolidation
Thats my opinion and the opinion of my source at the TA and is completely UNOFFICIAL
Thank You
Keep in mind that the Q53 line is an express bus running from Woodside to Rockaway Park. So I don't think people would want to pay $3 to and from the beach. Also at the present time the Q53 is a Triboro Bus and the Q21 is a Green Line Bus. I think it's unlikely that one bus company will give their line to another. Even through both bus companies are owned by the same people.
I find that most people do not ride the Q21 because they don't know when the bus runs. According to the Queens Bus map the bus runs every 72 minutes after the morning rush. In the morning it runs better. But not all buses go to Rockaway Park. It seems that the line is more for students going to/from the high schools out there.
If there is any bus line that should absorb the Q21 is the Q41. That bus is closer to duplicating service on the Q53. If there was more bus service going to/from Rockaway Park it would get the beach crowd in the summer. After all a bus that goes directly to the Boardwalk would be appealing to people. And if it ran more often than it does now and started from Jamaica, it might work.
Maybe it should bve called the Q41A. Regular Q41 service coming out of the 165 St Bus Terminal can be crowded at times during rush hours without an extra load of people going to/from the beach.
Although listed under Express Bus Service on the Queens Bus Map, the Q53 charges the regular local fare and accepts Fun Passes.
If you want to combined something, combined the Q11 and Q21-two current locals.
During the summer months extra service can be added for the additional ridership
Thank You
Basically you will never get the people off the A Train for the bus.
That's why when and if the TA takes over the Private Lines the Q-21 will be consolidated with the Q-53.
BTW the running time will basically be the same for the consolidated Q-53 route even with making the local Q-21 bus stops. If anything consolidated Q-53 passengers will see imporved service
Thank You
Improved Q21 service won't relieve the crowd off the A line. But it would give an alternate route for people that live out there.
The Q53 besides being an express bus, it is also a different bus company. Unless MTA takes over the Queens private buses, I doubt if those 2 lines will consolidate. And the Q53 does have some heavy ridership.
The Q-21A did indeed stop at the Euclid Ave IND Station and the New Lots Ave IRT Station but its last stop was Linden Blvd and Ashford Street. I use to take it from there
Thank You
Please read my postings on the subject.
Thank You
PS Have a nice holiday
Thank You
A Q-53 branch to Far Rockaway is not feasible at this time. Possibly in the future if parts of the Arverne section of the Rockaways are rebuilt.
Thank You
AMI
LOL...
Carlton
Cleanairbus
Transit Is My Drug
Sorry, I had a nice day today!
Rochester Transit uses GMC RTS-03 buses #750-829 (I think), FGrumman Flxible, Orion 05.501 #1000-1114 (I think), Gilligs, NovaBus Classics #601-620. No Neoplans and yes they do have New Flyers. C40LF buses to be exact! Hope that helps!
I also have the all-time Rochester transit roster available at my site.
B13 Southbound
Regular via Cresent st
Left on Atlantic Av
Right on Elderts Lane
Right on Liberty Av
(in COnduit Blvd)\
Left on Euclid Av to regular
B13 NOrthbound
Regular via Cresent St
Right on Belmont Av
Left on Autumn Av
Right on Pitkin Av
Left on conduit Blvd NOrth
right on Cresent St to regular
BRONX Division
Amsterdam Depot
Bx3, 6, 13 , 15
M100 M101 M104
-------------------------------------------------------
Gun Hill Depot
Bx1 , 4, 5 , 8 9 12 14 16 17, 22 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 34 36 39 40 42
Bx55
--------------------------------------------------------
Kingsbridge Depot
Bx1 2 3 7 9 10 11 13 16 18 20 28 31 32 35 36 39 41 42 55
--------------------------------------------------------
Mother Clara Hale Depot
Bx 19 21 33
M1 7 30 98 Lenox Av Shuttle (SH)
---------------------------------------------------------
MANHATTAN DIVISION
126th street Depot
M15 31 35 57 66 116
Manhattanville Depot
M2 3 4 5 18 60 96 101 103 106
Hudson Depot
M6 8 9 11 14 16 21 22 34
Q 32
Michael J Quill Depot
M10 20 23 26 27 30 42 50 72 79 86
M 96 98 102 106
X90 92
BROOKLYN DIVISION
East New York Depot
B7 12 14 15 17 20 25 42 45 60 82 83
Q24 56
Jackie Gleason Depot
B8 9 11 16 23 35 37 43 51 61 63 65 67 68 69 70 71 75 77
Flatbush Depot
B2 6 31 39 41 44 46 47 49
Fresh Pond Depot
B13 20 24 26 38 39 48 52 54 57
Q54 55 58 59
Ulmer Park Depot
B1 3 4 6 9
X 25 27 28 29
x 37 38
B36 64 68 74
QUEENS DIVISION
Casey Stengel Depot
Q 12 13 14 15 16 20A 20B 26 27 28 32 44 48
Q58 74 76
X51
Jamaica Depot
Q 3 4 5 17 42
Q77 Q 84 85
X 63 X 64
Queens Village Depot
Q 1
..
Q 2 30 31
..
Q36 43 46 75 79 83 88
..
X32 x68
STATEN ISLAND DIVISION
Castleton Depot
x 10 11 12 13 14..16 18 20 30
X42
S40 42 44 46 48 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 59 60 62 66 67 74 76
S78 81 84 90 92 93 94 96 98
Yukon Depot
X 1 2 3 4 5 6 7,,8 9 15 17 19 22 31
S55 56 59 61 74 78 79 91
B47 No longer Split Depot Operation
4/14/03
S54 No longer Split Depot Operation
4/14/03
X2 No longer Split Depot Operation
4/14/03
David
The B-9 was a Ulmer Park route from 1950 to 1987
Thank You
David
Steve
Actually, it does - somewhat. Look at the posted schedules* and you'll find the occasional supplemental school-open trip (for example, a Bx9 trip out of JFK High School) and/or morning extra on what would otherwise be a Kingsbridge route.
- - - - -
* All Transit employees (at least in administrative titles) have received an agency-wide memo regarding the release of non-public information. However, a pick which is already working is public knowledge by definition.
Recommended Implementation June 2003
to Discontinue Bx55 Service North of Fordham Road on weekends and Monday to Friday 7 PM to 7 AM
Bx 41 Service will be increased --Limited ---later in the Morning and earlier in the Afternoon
Bx41 Limited Service will operate
weekdays 640 AM to 9 am
and 230 PM to 530 PM southbound,,,
weekdays 7 00 to 930 AM AM and 215 to 610 PM Northbound
Bx 41 Local service will operate during the overnite periods
on a 60 min Freq starting at 130 AM SB and 1 00 AM Northbound until normal operation starts 510 AM SB and 546 AM NB
B24 and Q59 Service Consolidation in Williamsburg
recommended Implementation june 2003
All B24 will operate to Williamsburg Bridge Plaza
all Q59 via Grand Street,Rodney Street ,Metropolitan Av,,Marcy Av,Grand St ,Kent St,Broadway .Wythe Av,,South 8 street ,Kent Av
return via Kent Av,Grand St,Marcy Av ,Grand Street
SUBWAY SERVICE
Draft Service Plan MANHATTAN BRIDGE REOPENING early 2004
*B* 6th Av Express Brighton Express,,via Manhattan Bridge
Rush Hours Bedford PK Blvd to Brighton Beach
Middays 145 st to Brighton Beach
Evenings 145 st to Brighton Beach
Weekends does not operate
Late Nite does not operate
Span of evening service to be determined
*D* 6 Av / 4th Av Express via West End Express
Rush Hours 205 st to COney Island (Peak Av direction Express in the Bronx.
Middays 205 st to Coney Island
Evenings 205 st to Coney Island
Weekends 205 st to Coney Island
Late Nites 205 to Coney Island---Local in Brooklyn
*M* Nassau Street Local,4 Av Local via West End Line
Rush Hours Metro Av to Bay Parkway
Middays Metro av to CHambers St
Evenings Metro Av to Myrtle Av
Weekends same
Late Nites same
*N* Broadway Express 4th Av Express via Sea Beach Line
Temp Terminal in 2005 pending Stillwell Terminal COmpletion
at 86 street/Gravesend
Rush Hours Astoria to Coney Island via Bridge and Broadway Express
Middays Astoria to Coney Island v ia Bridge and Broadway Express
Evenings same as Rush Hour Service
Weekends Astoria to Coeny Island via Bridge and Broadway Local
Late Nites Astoria to coney Island via Tunnel and 4th Av and
--Broadway Local
*Q* Broadway Express Brighton LOcal--pending Stillwell Terminal construction in 2004
57 / 7 av to Coeny Island
*Q* Broadway Express Brighton Express DISCONTINUED
*R* Broadway Local 4th Av Local
via Tunnel --additional Rush Hr Service
71 Av Forest Hills to Bay Ridge 95 st Rush Hours,Middways,Evenings.Weekends ,
Late Nites 36 st to 95 st Shuttle Service
*W* Broadway Local
Span of evening Hours to be determined
Astoria to Whitehall Street Rush Hours,,Middays,,Evenings only
no Weekends or Late Nite service
Bus Schedule Changes for Summer 2003
for the following routes
b6 b7 b13 b26 b35 b36 b45 b49 b54 b61 b65 b74 b77
bx 4 5 16 26 31 34 39 55
m 1` 2 3 4 5 6 7 8,23 98 100
q 16 24 55 56 58 59
s 40/90 51/81 53/93 54 59 s62/92 76 78
Question for Bx41 O/N service, will it go all the way up to East 241st st, or short turn at either Fordham (current from 1-2:30 AM), or Gun Hill?
although Bx55 night service should have been restored first, this is ok as well. The Bx39 should run all night as well though
B13 Southbound
regular via Crssent St
Left on Atlantic Av
Right on Elderts Lane
Right on Liberty Av
Left on Euclid av
to regular routings
B13 Northound
regular route via Linden Blvd
right on Euclid Av
Rigth on Sutter Av
Left on Autumn Av
Right on Pitkin Av into Conduit Blvd
Left on Conduit Blvd
Right on Sheridan Av
Left on Liberty Av
Right on Autumn Av
Left on Atlantic Av
Right on Cresent St to regular
supercedes previous notice
B41 Southbound
regular on Veterans Av to stznd on Veterans Av near side of east 71 street
B41 Northbound
from new B41 terminal on Veterans Av nr side of east 71 st ,,via East 71 st,,Avenue U,,East 70 st ,,to its regular route to Downtown brooklyn
New stop on N B trips on East 70 st ,,near side of Veterans Av,,this is the 1st stop of Downtown Buses
The most common buses you will see in Rochester are New Flyer D40 low-floors and Nova Classics, followed by the NABI low-floors. New Flyer D60 articulateds and El Dorado minibuses are used on selected routes. On weekdays, you can also see MCI cruisers, Gillig and Classic single-door suburban buses, and Orion V city buses.
All of the GMC RTS buses and Flxible Metros have been retired.
JD
David
Robert
7567 B61
982 B61
--AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
Only observation I saw was seeing 4397 doing Charter service @ Dupont Circle.
4/15/03
These observations were only of buses @ Carmen E. Turner maintenance and training facility. Alot of the unrehabbed 8700s weren't there which meant one of two things 1) They have returned to service or 2)They were sent on their way to the big bus yard in the sky. I believe the number one option occured, see 4/16/03
4/16/03
The first observation was seeing 8839 on a Landover route, but couldn't tell which one it was. At Dupont Circle, coming from behind me was 4079 with its bike rack in use. It was running on the N2 going towards Friendship Heights. My first unrehabbed 8700 sighting was seeing 8779 on a 30 route near Washington Circle. Before I got to work, saw 9372 needing some assistance at Federal Triangle.
Coming back from work, the first sighting was hearing the air conditioning running on FMR 8731, ahhhh, signs of summer coming. The next sighting was seeing unrehabbed 8762 on the 34, heading towards Naylor Road. At Farragut Square saw 8907(Northern) about to run on the N4(Western) and at Dupont Circle saw an still 6V92 engined bus running, couldn't see the route number or what bus number it is, too far away, probably either 9640 or 38, that is all I have been seeing lately. Last but not least saw 8814 with no bike rack.
Please explain?
Thank you.
Later I will post pics...
Carlton
Cleanairbus
Transit Is My Drug
Carlton
Cleanairbus
Transit Is My Drug
Photo 1
Photo 2
Try those and lemme know...since my Tripod account is messing up on me right now...
Carlton
Cleanairbus
Transit Is My Drug
#5407 on the M86 @ 86th/3rd, manhattan.
#5407 on the M86 again, rear shot.
Carlton
Cleanairbus
Transit Is My Drug
NYCT and its rear routee signs...ay, sheesh...
Nothing new...
Carlton
Cleanairbus
Transit Is My Drug
Nice pics!
Thanks~
AMI
AMI
Gun Hill will go Orion and artic, but the Bx31 would most likely be transferred out of Gun Hill into West Farms, which will have, you guessed it, Novas and Orion VII CNGs in it...
Sorry, dude...
Carlton
Cleanairbus
Transit Is My Drug
BIG AL
-AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
BIG AL
-AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
--AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
-AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
BIG AL
One of our loopy female drivers made false sexual harrasment allegations directed at me and the boss. She looks like Reba McEntire on crack after a train wreck. We can't just fire her cause she may sue the town. Instead, the boss in conferring with the town attorney. Basically, we're building a case against her. For now, she's still employed but I have orders not to be around her. No problem there since standing next to her is about as creepy as spending the night in a cemetary.
When you are dealing with possible litigtion, it is probably a wise idea not to post anything about it on any communications medium available to the general public.
Photos from: Clean Air Bus Website
--AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
For those who didn't see them or cannot, here is a link to my Orion VII Gallery page where I keep them...
Carlton
Cleanairbus
Transit Is My Drug
2. Run Bx39 buses 24/7, night service will terminate at Pelham Parkway, runs every 40 minutes
3. Bx55 will run every 20(or 40) minutes at night, Webster Avenue needs bus service at night which was cut in 1995
4. Bx15 night service will run every 60(or 50) minutes only
5. Bx36 night service should run every 40 minutes, not every 50
6. Bx17 night service should be restored, Pt Morris needs night service
or
7. Bx33 could run(instead of the Bx17) at night, the only Harlem crosstown bus to the Bronx that doesn't have 24/7 service(like the Bx6, Bx15, and Bx19)
8. Bx9 weekend night service should be increased to 45 minute headways instead of the current 80, waiting 80 minutes for a bus is horrible
they give the Bronx nothing but buses and expect us to wait all night
9043 M30
5188 M103
Well, that means it is a sign of things to come! I wonder if Queens will cash in on this. Oh yeah, they are when the Orion VII Hybrids come to Queens Village! I hope they get rid of those 7000s! They can keep everything else except for the 7000s and anything before 1990!
Also, what depots originally had 173-316 (originally 93073-93096 and 197-316)?
173-232, 291-297, 299-300 started at CS
233-290, 298, 301-316 started at KB
400-401 started at CS
505-580 started at CS
317, 581-610 (CNG) started at JG
Wayne
Wayne
Definitely true. Unfortunately, I don't recollect the breakdown between depots, but I am pretty sure both Castleton and Yukon got some.
where there any passengers on the bus?
LOL!
Doubt that the bus will be out there anytime soon....The bus will be evidence in the inevitable bunch of lawsuits that will follow. Some will be from the insurance companies looking to recoup monies they've paid body shops to repair the damaged cars.
When I was on the March of Dimes "D-types to the Dock" trip on 8/26/01 we passed the back of the Jackie Gleason Bus Depot and the bus involved in the Thanksgiving Day Crash in 1999 was still in the yard in its damaged state. It was almost two years and not yet repaired, so don't expect anything to happen to #224 until the attorneys and the DOT are done with it.
If I have time Friday, I will pass by Thriftway Auto Body in Medford/Coram, LI where some of the Green Buses are sent for repainting. I'll report next Sat. if there is any news.
Carlton
Cleanairbus
Transit Is My Drug
Bill "Newkirk"
I think not!
I started off seeing 8712, another unrehabbed 8700 in service about to start a B2 run @ Mount Rainer. In downtown, saw 4280 using its bike rack and saw 4084, now at Southern, had an ad that would make one think it still is running from Landover. It had an ad for Beltway Plaza, which is usually served by Landover routes and one Montgomery route (C2) and Bladnesburg route (R3). The C7 and C9 doesn't directly serve Beltway Plaza, just bypasses it, but anyway back to the observations. A block away, 4230 was doing charter service, parked between two tour buses, and behind two over the road coaches. A person was taking a photo of the back of one of those buses. As I pulled into park at the mall where I worked at, saw 9309 running on the 17B.
Going home, only saw one observation and that was 4045 of FMR without a bike rack.
Gillig has three production lines. Each production line produces 1 bus a day, 7 days a week. 175 buses are sure no problem for Gillig. PAT is getting their 160 GLF this year. Please be advice that besides New Flyer D40LF, Gillig Low Floor and NABI 40LFW may be the other two popular and best selling low floors around. Gillig Low Floor sure has more number of buses built than Neoplan LF, Nova LFS, Orion VI.
And yes, until Gillig Low Floors are tested and proven to be failure and needed to be RETIRED after six years of service, making a statement "they would NEVER work in DC" is just the same as saying Orion VII are craps, which IS totally biased~
The only difference between statements about the Orion VII being "crap" and statements about Gilligs are that the O-VII has already proven to be unreliable (RE: the infamous shaker table test which the O-VII initially failed).
TOR Route 59: Nyack to Suffern via NY Route 59
Too much running time, You Can EASILY run up to 10 Minutes Ahead of Schedule.
TOR Route 91: Spring Valley to Nyack (This is the county horseshoe line)
Needs to be rescheduled due to high volume on this line, It is VERY hard to keep the bus on time.
TOR Route 92: Spring Valley to Nyack (The is the county's south horsehoe line)
NO RUNNING TIME AT ALL! NO BREAKS, NO NOTHING!
TOR Toure 93: Nanuet to Suffer/Sloatsburg
Too much running time, easy to run up to 15 minutes early.
TOR Route 94: Spring Valley to Stony Point
Not enough running time, however this line carries light, so its not that bad.
TOR Route 95: Mount Ivy to West Haverstraw
WAY too much running time, easy to run up to 15 minutes early.
TOR Route 96A & 96B: Monsey Loops 1 & 2
Just enought running time to piss you off. No real breaks.
TOR Route 96C: Monsey to Suffern (Senior Citizen Shuttle-As We Call It)
I've ran up to 20 mintues hot on this line......Nuff Said!
The Tappan Zee Express: White Plains to Suffern via Spring Valley
This is out of the Mahwah Garage (Ran by Coach USA Short Line), but from talking with the operators, you have to leave the start of the line at least 15 minutes late not to run hot. Whoever covered that trip must've been new and didn't know.
The Cross Rockland Express: Suffern to Nyack
No Clue about this line, it's rarely seen. Also operated by the Mahwah Garage.
The West Haverstraw TZX Shuttle: Stony Point to Palisade Center Lot J
So much damn running time, you can miss a trip and STILL make up the time.
So in turn the county of Rockland has some homework to do, and as drivers we have complained and nothing has been done, they've even created a new Route called the 91X which goes from Palisade Center Mall to Stony Point, haven't ran the line yet so I have no comments on it yet.
Regards,
Trevor Logan
www.transitalk.org
Coach USA Westwood Garage Operator (Red & Tan Lines / TOR Contractor)
* Still sporting MJQ logos.
In addition to the 56 1996 Nova 90xx and 30 1999 Nova 50xx series buses, 126 will also lose 27 out of it's 37 RTS Remans 70xx & 75xx series and 15 of it's 1990 80xx series buses. 10 Remans will be retained with the fleet numbers yet to be determined and 24 1990 80xx series buses will also be retained. 126 will retain all of it's 17 1993 84xx series buses. An additional 49 1993 84xx and 85xx series buses will come into 126 with the likely provider to be Hudson Pier Depot. This information is posted in the Yard Dispatchers office but as with anything related to the TA, is always subject to change.
I hope it goes this way:
9000's to UP, JA, or ENY
9186-9228 to FP
5025-5054 to UP.
On Saturdays, it's been nothing but Fords in the AM and mid-day, with maybe one or two ElDoroados covering the PM runs.
Interestingly enough, some of the ElDos now have an EZPass tag; on a couple of the buses, they're posted on the windshield, but on others, they are roof mounted. That tends to tell me that you won't be seeing any Fords out in Lower Bucks.
About the EZPass tags, I guess that's to make passing through the tolls much faster (obviously). I always see Dorados on the Turnpike going somewhere (maybe King of Prussia?) and go through the tolls.
As you can see, I really despise the cutaways.
Since SEPTA is getting new cutaways, maybe they should check out the ones used by Ride-On in Maryland. They`re 100% better than the P.O.S. they`re running now.
A question. Why does everyone seem to hate Midvale's unoverhauled NABIs? 5185 and 5202 still have the SEPTA logo in the back windows. Most NABIs had them removed a long time ago. Any other Midvale NABIs like that?
Joe Butler
Septa3371@aol.com
#3 West End Jeff
#3 West End Jeff
#3 West End Jeff
Robert
#3 West End Jeff
According to Dave Mackey's roster, there are 80 of them (2501-2580).
Although they weren't originally delivered for Bergen County operations, a switch was made early on under which Community gave up some 40 foot RTS's and got some 30 footers. With Academy having taken over the Community contracted service a few months back, it is now possible to see some of the baby RTS's in lower Bergen County, as Academy seems to be storing them either in Secaucus or Hoboken and deadheading them to and from the Paramus/Hackensack area.
Tony
Every 30-foot RTS I have seen is in the NJT paint scheme used only on those particular buses. I have heard that they came up with this scheme because the standard NJT paint scheme would not fit well on such a short bus.
The remaining ones are leased to Private Carriers. I know that some of them show up on the Bergen lines (750 series routes), but I think Connex had a couple for use out in Monmouth County as well. PABCO uses about 10-12 of them on the Morris County Metro system, and I think one of the IBOAs in Bayonne has a couple of them.
AFA these buses operating into Philadelphia, I'd see them occasionally on a 400 short turn or on a peak hour 406 to Medford. Other than that, I don't think they've been in Philly that often.
Tony
Tony
Still they may pop up at times on the 400, 403, and 406. These lines usually use the Flx Metro B, most of which are not Wheelchair lift equipped. The Baby RTS's are used on these lines to fulfill requests for Wheelchair lift bus service.
Newton Ave:
317/318 - MCI D4000's
404,405,407,413,419 - RTS, Metro B and D (exact fare lines)
409 - Mostly MCI's but RTS and Flx Metro B and D usually do rush hour trippers and express service
Washington Twp:
400, 403 - Mostly Metro B's but a MCI will do an occasional run.
406 - Both Metro B and MCI's do this run.
Sometimes a Baby RTS will sneak on one of these lines.
401,402,408,410,412 - Mostly MCI's, but Metro B's will fill in on occasion.
313,315,316,551 - Exclusively MCI`s. On the 313/315 you might get even luckier and get a restroom equipped MCI.
On the Intra-state (within NJ) lines (450-455,457), Newton Ave garage usually uses their RTS, and Metro B and D buses on these lines. Except for the 317/318 and 409 lines, all of Newton Ave lines are exact fare. On the Washington Twp. garage lines (459,463,554) the Baby RTS are used on the 459 and 463, with Metro B`s making frequent appearences, but on the 554, it uses MCI's the majority of the time. Before the arrival of the new MCI's, Wheelchair lift Metro B`s did occasional runs on this route. They don`t now that the new MCI's have lifts.
None of Washington Twp.'s lines are exact fare.
The 313/315, 316, 317/318, and 551 run to the Greyhound Terminal. All of the other routes loop around Center City on 6th, Market, Broad, and Vine Sts.
I hope that give you information on NJT bus operations.
Mdl.
Yes, PABCO has #2569-2580.
BIG AL
:-0
Imma ask the Maintenance Foreman to send out the 8000s & 8100s instead, this can't be.
--AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
I wanted that to happen and send the 8000 and 8100 series over there and then the left over 8500s, well I don't think we are going CNG 100% because once Manhattanville, etc go CNG, then we might have some RTS here also because we would be sharing our buses with them also.
--AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
BIG AL
BIG AL
How interesting that these buses are coming to Fresh Pond. I know that DaRidgewoodBusBuff is VERY happy! Can you tell me from your opinion.....what buses do you think would go to Ulmer Park since you work for the TA and can give us a better perspective on things? Thanks in advance!
BIG AL
Thanks for your input. Please keep us posted. You are doing a great job at Fresh Pond and a great job by posting good info to us about the buses!
The dwarf stared directly ahead while driving, and kept repeating the same words over and over.....tick-tock....tick-tock...tick-tock..." The man asked the person sitting next to him what the story was, and was told that the dwarf was a common sight on the Metro Bus runs, and was a great driver to boot.
"But why does he keep repeating the same words over and over?", asked the man.
"Well", his neighbor said, "I called the bus company myself to find that out. Seems the dwarf passed all the driving tests with flying colors, so they hired him right on the spot."
"But why does he keep repeating the same words over and over?"
"Oh, that's his job", was the reply. "He's a Metro-gnome".
In light of what has happened in South Ozone Park (or as some news stations call it Springfield Gardens!) Anyway, GMC RTS-04 #224 is now gone and I just heard that TMC RTS-06 #601 has been gone for a while. Are there any other scrapped Green Buses?
Also, if this keeps up, the MTA might not have to worry about taking over the buses. Just purchase new ones!
Note that all the info on which buses tend to run on which blocks tends to changes with the schedule change!
Have fun up here.
-F.
-F.
What the roster like in MTA Baltimore? I went to the Baltimore Transit Archives and the roster has "Effective November 11th, 2002?" I forgot the exact date. Actually, it was in Januray of 2003...I think. Anyway, can you give an updated roster? Not depot by depot but a roster of what is running. If there are number gaps, then that means those missing bus numbers are scrapped. Thanks in advance.
So then I get off at Sutphin Blvd and I see the wreckage of GBL RTS 224 on 150 St with numerous firetrucks and police. So I wait then 10001 on the Q6 comes and I ride that to Jamaica, we do good but got stuck in traffic for a couple of minutes by Archer Av. So I wait for the Q43 LTD and I get 518 and he goes pretty smoothly while LI Buses whiz by us. I get off at Springfield Blvd and the Q27 was right across the street so I take the Q27 to the last stop at Jamaica Av and I walk down Springfield to Hepmstead Av to catch the Q2 or Q110 and the 110 came first and we go pretty fast via Jamaica Av until I get off at the last stop. I wait about 10 minutes before the Q113 comes and it got crowded quickly so I decide to take the long distance journey to Far Rockaway and we do very good speed throughout but at the JB bus yard, I noticed a GM New Look was there [I'm clueless on that].
So I get off at Mott Av and I have to wait 15 minutes before the Q22 to come so I waited in the store and bought some chips and it was COLD out there and when it came, the heat felt SO GOOD! So I take that to B 116 St and I have to wait only 10 minutes [thank God b/c it was around 9pm] before the Q35 comes and we leave right away and boy we FLEW DOWN Newport Av and we was going fast throughout and I ahd the front seat making it even more exciting :-) and the trip to Brooklyn took only 1/2 an hour [I think we maxed out via Flatbush Av]. We made very few stops on the trip and then I took the B11, which was waiting at Flatbush/Nostrand and took it to Coney Island Av & Av J then I walk on home from there since I wasn't waiting for the B68.
NF 885 B8
R68 2770 (Q)
R68 2921 (S)
R32 3401 (C)
R44 5279 (A)
GBL RTS 1160 Q7
GBL RTS 10001 Q6
Orion 518 Q43 LTD
Orion 256 Q27
JB RTS 3846 Q110
JB RTS 3833 Q113
GBL RTS 245 Q22
GBL RTS 613 Q35
NF 870 B11
Let me tell youfrom PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.......Supthin Blvd and Archer Av (that intersection) is a nightmare! You got the Q6, Q8, Q9, Q40, Q41 and Q60 on Supthin Blvd. Q20A, Q20B, Q24, Q30, Q31, Q43 and Q44 on Archer Av and Q54 and Q56 on Jamaica Av. A lot of buses and not enough room to manuver!
Just one question. The Q35 was going down Newport Avenue? I didn't know it was open again. For the past couple of months, the Q35 has been operating on Rockaway Beach Blvd.
Jamaica Bus has a restored 1972 fishbowl that originally served Hudson County Boulevard in New Jersey. It is numbered 3001 and looks splendid in current Jamaica Bus colors. I understand that it is used on special occasions and, possibly, for a few charters. Last Saturday, a bus fan group of which I am a member used this bus and NYCT 7002 on its first 2003 trip. I have posted two pictures of 3001 at the TransiTalk Community MSN page. Go to:
http://communities.msn.com/thetransitalkcommunity
and click "Pictures" on the left. My two photos should be in the most recent photo album. Enjoy!
They started being placed into service on Wednesday. Already, they're starting to break down. Two died this morning, and I beleive one had to be towed. Others are having misc. problems... Stalling, short circuits, lights not working, destination signs not working, sun shades breaking, and various other problems. It's always funny to have a 20 year old RTS pull up along side a brand new LFS, and rescue its passengers.
Now, I really haven't had any experience with any other manufacturer... All our other RTS's are 8-24 years old (And rock solid reliable, I might add) But is this normal for a brand new bus to be doing this? I know our previous two shipments had similar problems. I remember driving a brande new LFS with 500 miles on the odometer, control panel and instrument guage lights didnt work, nor did the wheelchair ramp. And then it died at a stop sign. Then of course there was the bus that was delivered with the tailpipe that was 12" taller than it should have been.
Oh well.
-Tyler-
Disney Transport
Dave
BUT....they DO, unfortunately.
Our last bunch of New Flyer D60LF's were plagued with problems when we first put them in service. Before they ever went into service, New Flyer sent some people down and they had all the joint areas inside the bus opened up. Then, when they went into service, first the a/c systems had problems. Then the power steering had problems. Then, the real kicker, somehow (and I don't kow how this is possible, but it happened, might be because both systems were worked on) -- power steering oil somehow got into the air conditioning systems. That's when the 20 buses were pulled out of service and sat in the yard for aboiut a month. Then, one day, all 20 of them were driven off-property, to some unknown place -- and they returned a couple weeks after that.
They've been in service ever since, I've been driving one since, and no real problems other than a light bulb here and there going out. They must have been at least eight months old before they had 5,000 miles on them, and 2,400 of that was driving from the New Flyer plant to our property. They now seem to be very solid buses, they handle beautifully, and are actually enjoyable to drive.
What kind of money do you guys make down there? Are you union? Full time? Email me if the details are too personal for the board. I may be moving down there... and will need a job LOL!
#3 West End Jeff
My guess is that they're too cheap... After all, I look at the components of the bus, and they just reek of cheapness. It's no wonder they had to remove the word "QUALITY" from thier new logo.
These new ones we just got in have got to take the cake for WORST BUSSES EVER. It's like they just keep getting worse. Not in service a complete week yet, and they're already dumping fluids, busting hoses, overheating, shutting down, and other maladies. And not just one... but MOST! Ramps are failing, lights are dead, one today had no power... 0-45mph in like 5 minutes... *sigh*
-Tyler-
Disney Transport
Someone on this board compared the RTS to a passenger tank, with reference to a wreck involving a 1985 RTS T8J204. Here, the rear six sections (of eight) were untouched. Those buses are workhorses (along with the Classics).
Also, out of curiosity, has anyone here driven a NABI bus (for comparison purposes to the LFS), especially the composite bus? The Nova LFS, based on your experience and reading about other problem buses, should be with the NYCTA/MaBSTOA Grumman Flxible 870s and the Toronto Orion III Ikarus, with each jockeying for position for worst bus ever made. (The Orion III Ikarus was touted to last 18 years, but most crapped out before age 10.
FLXIBLE 870s, anyone?
I think part of the blame should go to Detroit Diesel. The Series 40 engine is basically an International medium duty engine, with the Detroit Diesel name on it. Sounds like a school bus. Im wondering if we had Cummins engines, if we'd have less breakdowns? Probably not... but *shrug*
Although, I do have to say, the LFS is mostly at fault. The engine compartment is cramped, and doesnt have any ventilation. So, when you combine Florida heat with the natural engine heat, plus cheap hoses and cooling system parts, it causes the crappy engine to overheat. We've had several buses go through several Turbochargers.
Meanwhile, the 6v92's and Series 50 engines that we have keep chugging away.
>Someone on this board compared the RTS to a passenger tank, with
>reference to a wreck involving a 1985 RTS T8J204. Here, the rear six >sections (of eight) were untouched. Those buses are workhorses
>(along with the Classics).
We have a bunch of original GMC RTS's with over TWO MILLION MILES on the odometer. Most of our RTS's have well over a million miles on them. Still running VERY strong, and most of the TMC's are in excellent cosmetic condition. The GMC's show thier age, but with a little work could look just as great. Disney doesn't want to do too much to them however, since they are nearing retirement. Supposedly, with the 24 new LFS's arriving, they were going to retire 24 GMC RTS's. A shame, but they said because the LFS's cost so much to maintain, they can't afford to maintain the old RTS's as well. Of course, as it turns out, the new LFS's shoddy reliability is making them keep the RTS's in service. I mean, after all, who better to rescue the passengers from a dead LFS than a 23 year old RTS.
>Also, out of curiosity, has anyone here driven a NABI bus (for
>comparison purposes to the LFS), especially the composite bus?
I've never even seen the interior drivers area of a NABI, never mind driven one, Im afraid. I went to thier website, if nothing else, the new composite framed buses do look quite nice. I sure hope they perform just as nicely. Awhile ago, we had a New Flyer Invero demo that they were letting a few drivers test out. Unfortunetly, something happened, and the bus ended up being parked for most of the 30 days it was down here. I sure would have loved to test drive it to compare.
-Tyler-
Disney Transport
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Pitiful fools! A boycott of Disney World should be called for this travesty! You can't cut down buses in their prime like that. Between the Orion VII's in New York and your crappy LFS buses, TA's should just go and buy used RTS. It'd make things alot easier.
>>>A shame, but they said because the LFS's cost so much to maintain, they can't afford to maintain the old RTS's as well.<<<
Get rid of the LFS!!!!!!!! It's so simple! How dare they let an inferior and ugly product besmirch the good RTS name!? Up yours Mickey.
Speaking of, as Trevor Logan has noted earlier this month, and again in another post yesterday, we're having our own issues with other buses here: the Orion VIIs. That is 5 buses (out of 10 registered buses so far) that have been OOS for mechanical issues! The Orion VIIs are OUR LFSs!
We did! 2745-2780 are all 1979-1981 used RTS's that were rebuilt in 1998 by Midwest Bus. Although they're not horrible, they're nothing great. *shrug*
-Tyler-
BTW, many of our brand new Phantoms are spewing grey/black smoke when they idle at stops. I'm pretty sure a brand new bus shouldn't do that, LOL. Another quirky thing some have been doing... You slow down for a stop, the retarder comes on... before you come to a stop the retarder shuts off... after you've been stopped for a few seconds, the retarder comes back on... as you let your foot of the break, the retarder releases... what's up with that????
I haven't heard of any of them called in as being dead in the water yet though, so, I'll take that as a good sign.
Disney Serial Origin Year Fleet
2650 812289 Long Beach Public Transportation Company (Long Beach CA) 1981 4409
2651 812292 Long Beach Public Transportation Company (Long Beach CA) 1981 4412
2652 812302 Long Beach Public Transportation Company (Long Beach CA) 1981 4422
2653 812287 Long Beach Public Transportation Company (Long Beach CA) 1981 4407
2654 812361 Rock Island County Mass Transit District (Rock Island IL) 1981 8109
2655 812359 Rock Island County Mass Transit District (Rock Island IL) 1981 8107
2656 812363 Rock Island County Mass Transit District (Rock Island IL) 1981 8111
2657 812368 Rock Island County Mass Transit District (Rock Island IL) 1981 8116
2658 812367 Rock Island County Mass Transit District (Rock Island IL) 1981 8115
2659 812362 Rock Island County Mass Transit District (Rock Island IL) 1981 8110
2660 812355 Rock Island County Mass Transit District (Rock Island IL) 1981 8103
2661 812354 Rock Island County Mass Transit District (Rock Island IL) 1981 8102
2662 812358 Rock Island County Mass Transit District (Rock Island IL) 1981 8106
2663 812365 Rock Island County Mass Transit District (Rock Island IL) 1981 8113
2664 821191 Washoe Regional Transportation Commission (Reno NV) 1983 115
2665 821192 Washoe Regional Transportation Commission (Reno NV) 1983 116
2680 821706 Delaware Authority for Regional Transit (Wilmington DE) 1983 122
2681 821732 Delaware Authority for Regional Transit (Wilmington DE) 1983 139
2682 820082 City of St Petersburg Municipal Transit System (St Petersburg FL) 1982 1205
2683 820094 City of St Petersburg Municipal Transit System (St Petersburg FL) 1982 1217
2684 820095 City of St Petersburg Municipal Transit System (St Petersburg FL) 1982 1218
2689 820097 City of St Petersburg Municipal Transit System (St Petersburg FL) 1982 1220
2745-2780 were bought used, and rebuilt by Midwest Bus in 1998. Unfortunetly, I do not have the complete serial number list.
2745 775 Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority (Detroit, MI) 1979 7918
2746 760 Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority (Detroit, MI) 1979 7923
2747 1512 Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority (Detroit, MI) 1980 8041
2748
2749 811 Detroit Dept of Transportation/SEMTA (Detroit MI) 1979 1518L
2750 1477 Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority (Detroit, MI) 1980 8007
2751 807 Detroit Dept of Transportation/SEMTA (Detroit MI) 1979 1514L
2752 772 Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority (Detroit, MI) 1979 7915
2753
2754
2755 790 Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority (Detroit, MI) 1979 7933
2756 1509 Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority (Detroit, MI) 1980 8039
2757 1480 Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority (Detroit, MI) 1980 8010
2758 1481 Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority (Detroit, MI) 1980 8011
2759 810143 Metro Dade County Transit Authority (Miami, FL) 1980 1009
2760 810146 Metro Dade County Transit Authority (Miami, FL) 1980 1012
2761 Metro Dade County Transit Authority (Miami, FL) 1980
2762 Metro Dade County Transit Authority (Miami, FL) 1980
2763 Metro Dade County Transit Authority (Miami, FL) 1980
2764 810202 Metro Dade County Transit Authority (Miami, FL) 1980 1068
2765 810365 Metro Dade County Transit Authority (Miami, FL) 1980 1231
2766 810296 Metro Dade County Transit Authority (Miami, FL) 1980 1162
2767 810277 Metro Dade County Transit Authority (Miami, FL) 1980 1143
2768 812491 Miami Valley Regional Transit Authority (Dayton, OH) 1981 368
2769 812489 Miami Valley Regional Transit Authority (Dayton, OH) 1981 366
2770 812488 Miami Valley Regional Transit Authority (Dayton, OH) 1981 365
2771
2772 812483 Miami Valley Regional Transit Authority (Dayton, OH) 1981 360
2773 810188 Metro Dade County Transit Authority (Miami, FL) 1980 1054
2774 810373 Metro Dade County Transit Authority (Miami, FL) 1980 1239
2775 810193 Metro Dade County Transit Authority (Miami, FL) 1980 1059
2776 810164 Metro Dade County Transit Authority (Miami, FL) 1980 1030
2777 810254 Metro Dade County Transit Authority (Miami, FL) 1980 1120
2778 810150 Metro Dade County Transit Authority (Miami, FL) 1980 1016
2779 812497 Miami Valley Regional Transit Authority (Dayton, OH) 1981 373
2780 810259 Metro Dade County Transit Authority (Miami, FL) 1980 1125
Upon test driving the bus, and thinking it over, I'm thinking my original assertations about the LFS being crap were a bit harsh. But dead on accurate. What a pile of crap that bus was.
I got 4878 today. Had about 2,200 miles on the odometer. (They were driven down from up north, rather than trailered down as in the previous shipment) First thing I notice is that one of the mirrors has already fallen off, and another mirror is broken. (Not due to driver negligence) Speaking of mirrors, the driver side mirrors were redone, and I can actually see now. However, the curbside mirror is still useless crap, making the entire right side a huge blind spot. The next thing I noticed was that the PA system (which was supposed to be improved versus the older LFS's) sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher.
On our other Nova's, the steering wheel has always been hard to turn. Well, not really HARD per se, but you can't turn it with one finger, like you can an RTS wheel. These ones you can. Based on a few observations, Im thinking they might have different axle's and whatnot than our previous LFS's. Not neccessarily a good thing.
Driving down the highway at 50mph, I couldn't keep the bus from wandering. It was all over the road. The front end would shimmy, and the rear end would sway back and forth.
I do have to say though, the one thing I did like about the bus was that the retarter worked just perfectly. In previous LFS's, anytime you took your foot off the gas, the retarter would kick in full force. This one had good stopping power, but it gradually applied it.
(BTW: they all have DD S40's with B500R's)
Im wondering one thing though... on our previous LFS's, there usually wasn't much glare on the front windshield, even with the lights on. However, with these... MAJOR GLARE... Even with ALL the lights OFF... driving down a pitch black road... my cockpit instrument lights were now reflecting off the windshield... Never had that happen on any other LFS. Wondering if they forgot to coat it with an anti-glare coating? *shrug*
-Tyler-
Disney Transport
#3 West End Jeff
-Tyler-
D.
Anyone from DC planning to attend?
I went up to Ames, IA yesterday for a short charter. I arranged to meet up with a friend who works up there when my group was at their event. The bus he pulled up in was this GM New Look:
Pretty cool that it's still in service. I rode around with my friend on his route and the bus seemed pretty solid to me. It didn't have a whole lot of get-up-and-go, but neither do modern buses that are electronically controlled out the ying yang. More info about CyRide and their interesting fleet can be found at their web site, www.CyRide.com.
Mike
Wayne
In that case, ever seen an Orion II?
Mike
#3 West End Jeff
I can't wait for Fresh Pond to kill these f&%#ing pieces of crap, I hope it happens as soon as possible. I will certainly not miss any of them when they're gone. I'm going to try my trip to Gateway again on Tuesday, and Fresh Pond better get its act together and start putting better buses on the B13, NOVAS ONLY!! They are the only buses that deserve a full 75 minute B13 trip with me. I will not except anything below that. And yes I'm pissed off, that's why I cussed a few times. I hope this never happens again.
On a side note to Big Al, both 4832 and 4833(I seen them both today) had their wrap-ads removed, with only a small portion of blue remaining at the top. I guess FP dislikes wrap-ads.
B13- RTS #5055
B43- Orion7 CNG #7564
B43- New Flyer CNG #967
R143 L-Train #8132
Q55- RTS #9150
David
3951 B20
Honestly, I really appeciate Big Al's work, and the support he's given to FP. Please forgive me for my rude comments. My temper really gets the best of me sometimes.
David
BIG AL
BIG AL
It isn't that way over here though. I have to watch other places get newer buses, while we were stuck all of these older buses that they don't need. Here's a good example: KB gives GH artics, GH gives KB 8800's, KB then gives us 4300's. Is this a fair trade? Hell no. I will continue to refuse these buses until they're gone. And I will only wait for Novas to go to Gateway, no exceptions.
BTW, does 4141 still have a 1981 destination sign? I know the letters are a lot smaller.
I use to live two blocks away from that HS. I remember when Homelawn St was being repaved and I had to walk to Hillside Av and 169th St to catch the Q30/Q31. The temporary route was as follows:
LITTLE NECK/BAYSIDE BOUND:
- right on 168th Pl off Hillside Av (which made no sense! Should have made a right on 168th St instead!)
- left on Highland Av
- right on 168th St and straight until the Grand Central Pkwy (it was a field day for Jamaica and Edison High School students)
- right on G.C.Pkwy Eastbound Service Rd
- left on Utopia Pkwy and regular
JAMAICA BOUND:
-left on G>C>Pkwy Eastbound Service Rd off Utopia Pkwy
- right on Edgerton Blvd (Edgerton Blvd is on the Northside of Hillside Av and 178th St on the southside of Hillside Av)
- right onto Hillside Av
- left onto 169th St and regular.
Homelawn St was repaved between Hillside Av and I think G.C.Pkwy (could have been up to 84th Av which is before G.C.Pkwy)
Oh BTW, this was back in 1992. I was in the 8th grade when this took place.
OH yeah and one more thing,you said you rode a '87 RTS from GBL and it was great,so if you did that,why won't you do the same with the '87 RTS FP has? Cut the jealousy crap already,it's getting you nowhere,litteraly.
Damn, was it that bad back then too? I wasn't around long enough to see how it use to be. Please post more of your stories, I'm intersested to here about things from the past.
1981 RTS: 1400's/1500's
1982 RTS: 1700's and crap from the 2000's series from MaBSTOA
1983 RTS: 3000's/3300's
1984 RTS: 3400's/3600's/3700's
1985 RTS: 3900's/4200's(4071-4151 came here new)
1986 RTS: 4300's(just recently)
1987 RTS: 4600's/4700s/4800's
Newer
1990 RTS: 8000's/8100's
1993 RTS: 8500's(just a week ago)
1996 RTS: 9100's(our originals)
1998 RTS: 9500's/9600's(our orgianals)
1999 RTS: 5000's(our origianls)
Basically, we experienced RTS buses of almost every single year they made, except for the 1994 RTS's. Some of you may think its a good thing, but I certainly don't. Only a few of these RTS's came here new, the rest came here to die.
However, the 8500s arent bad buses at all (at least since repowering).
7511-7534=ENY
4754-4791-AMS
4854-4872=CAS
Ulmer Park screwed as usual.
B1-#9311-NOVABUS
ENY gets 5205-5249
FP gets 3900's and 4600's/4700's
5542 M102
Robert
Thank You
If the Q44 by itself has about 40 buses, than how much would it be if you included the Q20A/Q20B?
Assuming the Q44 has about 40 buses [its around that figure], the Q20 should have less buses seeing that the 44 has a longer distance to travel.
The bus company involed is the Carolina Coach Company also known as Carolina Trailways a subsidiary of Greyhound Lines Inc.
I am employed by this company and this juniour operator just came out of school 2 weeks ago and just plugged the extra list.
If you are a OTR bus operator and you are tired just mark off dont come to work. Money is not everything.
I'm not sure how it is with the bus industry, but in the railroad industry they have "Hours of Service" laws, which, for the most part, are a joke. Technically, a trainman or engineer is supposed to have at least 8 hours "rest" between assignments that are less than 12 hours long. Meanwhile, at NJ Transit, for example, those on the extra list get a 3 hour call (for engineer) or a 4 hour call(for trainmen) in advance of their next assignment. Which means: if you are a trainman on the New York Extra List, and you went off duty in New York at 12 midnight, you can be called at 4 am for an 8 am sign up anywhere on the railroad. Unless you fell asleep in a chair immediately at Penn Station after getting off at midnight and were lucky enough to be called for another New York job, you obviously did not get enough "real" rest for a day of work. In cases like this, you cannot blame the employee for being greedy. It's the industry with their unrealistic policies.
Also, guys who just came out of class 2 weeks earlier are afraid to mark off because they are still on probation for 6 months, and they want their attendance record to be clean.
Anyway, the Bionic Bus fleet consisted of two $hitty '92 Champion bubble-looking high floor buses and two relatively new December 1998 Orion IIs.
Now if someone had to drive one of these on a fixed route, goodness help them. I really didn't like these machines. The sight lines out from the driver's seat were awful. The passengers couldn't see much out of the front either, since the high driver's platform blocked most of the view. The power was bad. I would lose races to fully loaded Gilligs going uphill while driving empty. They shifted hard too if you weren't careful.
The design I was told was perhaps a little ahead of its time, being an early low floor bus with ramps instead of lifts. The front engine made it a loud ride for the driver, and you would hope that the engine was well sealed off from the cabin or you'd get high off the fumes. The angled front I thought was a waste of space. AT 25 mph, who needs aerodynamics? It made it harder to judge where the front was vs. a flat faced transit-style bus.
However, for paratransit use I suppose they are ok. If you didn't have to drive them for any continuous period of time, some of the uncomfortable aspects wouldn't matter so much. The optional rear exit was great for wheelchair pax, they really loved it too. It was almost a flat walk out whith the rear end kneeled and the ramp out. In my time with these machines, the rear exit was preferred almost 100% of the time.
I didn't think of this at the time, but when I was at the Des Moines MTA a portion of one of my routes regularly went by a scheduled paratransit pickup. Since the entrance of the building was not on the traditional bus' curb-side on the side of a one-way street, the bus had to be positioned at a sharp angle to the building, blocking two lanes so that the passenger could be protected from traffic and that the lift could be extended for boarding. This is a situation where a rear exit would be key.
Are there any other low floor buses out there with a rear exit? I don't see where another bus has filled the Orion II's niche in this aspect. The best solution I can think of would be to fix exits on both sides of a low floor bus like on some school buses I saw out in New York last month. But still, you don't have the extreme flatness the rear exit on the Orion II provided.
If anyone else wants to chime in about the Orion II, feel free. I'd love to hear another driver's opinion especially.
Mike
http://www.omot.org/cgi-bin/ttarchive.cgi?read=2223
You said you hadn't ever seen an Orion with 'em in that CyRide thread.
Yes, more or less. The doors on our Van Hools open the same way as well.
It's a good thing there's no such thing as the R142/R143MAN Transit Authority. I wonder what he'd pick up his paratransit passengers in?
David
Dave
Regards,
Trevor Logan
www.transitalk.org
I think the problem is LIB maintenance. I have never ridden LIB but based on your posts, this is the most likely conclusion, or you are simply uninformed. My experience during the summer with NYCT is that their buses, no matter who the manufacturer, do not break down due to heat problems. In fact, I can't recall ever being on an NYCT bus that broke down or if it stalled, could not restart.
So we see more than you do and Oren, when I was living in MD, the Orions weren't all that great!!!!!!!!! They had thier set of problems ESPECIALLY the WMATA 9600s. And Ride On, as you can see 5801 and 5802 are down constantly, and 5567-5569 weren't the greatest either in the heat.
Regards,
Trevor Logan
www.transitalk.org
Also, when the Ride-On 800s were in Pheonix, didn't they have trouble there? I have heard these rumors but never found out if they were true.
You can not recall because you are not a NYC native or resident. Are you from DC? I can recall on a number of occasions when NYC buses broke down due to the weather (heat during the summer OR cold during the winter). Also, there was mechanical failure when I was going to JHS 216 in Fresh Meadows, Queens one time. Our buses back then consisted of GMC Blitz and 1981-1990 RTS buses (mainly from Queens Village). If you want to recall, please recall from your experience in Washington D.C. No offense to you of course. However, if you lived in NYC, then I can agree with you.
Trevor Logan
Take the METRO as an example. A simple modification to the design of the Grumman 870's resulted in a very good bus
We all know NYCT became the guini pig for Orion VII for political reasons. The bus in the end may not be half bad once all the kinks are worked out. My only concern is the kinks will be worked out after the NYCT order is finished.
It baffal's my mind why Orion choose to copy an old design instead of designing a next generation bus. The orion VII is new flyers old design for low floot
I am guessing that Orion learned a lesson when its "next generation bus," the Orion VI, did not sell very well.
I am not a big fan of the Orion VI. Compared to the Orion VI the RTS feels like a luxury bus
Jason
Tony M.
Tony
NJT Bus Operator
The news about Coach USA taking over Lafayette Greenville is interesting because I've gotten conflicting information as to whether their 5/6 route is still operating. Anybody know?
Tony M.
Total Number Of Buses To be Assigned - (190)
2003 New Flyer D60HF Articulated - (90 buses) Fleet Numbers 5596 - 5685. Great news! I'll take new equipment anyday. The D60HF has it's deficiencies but is perfectly suited to a heavy route like the M15. If these fleet numbers are set in stone then it means that the current batch of 16 artics ( #'s 5511-5513, 5515-5522, 5525, 5547-5548,5553-5554) are only at 126 temporarily and will be re-assigned to other depots.
1993 TMC RTS - (66 buses) Fleet Numbers 8440,8442,8445,8446,8451,8452,8454,8458-8517. The following 17 1993 TMC RTS's are currently in the 126 fleet;
(8440,8442,8445,8446,8451,8452,8454,8458,8466,8468,8469,8471,8472,8477,8478,8483,8487)
The balance of 49 buses are currently at Hudson Pier and will probably be transfered into 126 once Hudson Pier closes. This is okay by me. The 1993 TMC built RTS's are pretty good buses especially since they've been repowered.
1990 TMC RTS ( 24 buses) Fleet Numbers 8172-8195. These buses are currently part of the 39 bus 1990 TMC RTS fleet assigned to 126. Some are okay and some are dogs.
RTS REMANS (10 buses) Fleet Numbers to be determined. 37 of these dogs (#'s 7038-7049 & 7535-7559) are currently in the fleet. Personally I think they should drive all 37 of them out the rear door of the depot and straight into the Harlem River to form an artificial reef. The 70xx's ride and steer well but are painfully slow. The 75xx's have good acceleration but are loud, ride terribly and have a lot of play in the steering. If you could take the engine/transmission combination out of the 75xx's and put them into the 70xx's then you would have a pretty nice bus.
So that's what allegedly will be staying and arriving into 126 and these are the 128 buses that will allegedly be leaving 126 for parts unknown;
1996 Nova RTS - (56 buses) Fleet Numbers 9029,9034,9037-9039,9042-9047,9049-9050, 9186-9228.
Numbers 9187-9228 were delivered new to 126 in the Fall of 1996. I believe the vast majority of the 90xx's came to 126 after having been used at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. Numbers 9050 & 9186 transfered into 126 a couple of years ago from Kingsbridge Depot. As far as I'm concerned good riddance! I've never ever liked the 1996 Nova's. They have good acceleration but that's about it. They have stiff hard riding suspensions, noisy brakes,engines and climate control systems. The drivers compartment is the most cramped and uncomfortable of any of the RTS series.
1999 Nova RTS - (30 buses) Fleet Numbers 5025-5054
These buses were all delivered new to 126 in the Fall of 1998. In my opinion, these are the best of the Nova built RTS's. They ride much better than the 90xx's, are quieter and have meat locker like A/C systems. Nova finally got the drivers compartment right with this model. It is the most spacious and comfortable of the RTS series. I'll be sorry to see them leave.
1990 TMC RTS - (15 buses) Fleet Numbers 8196-8197,8199-8200, 8213-8218,8236-8240. These are the 15 out of the 39 currently assigned that will leave 126. # 8200 still retains it's original engine.
RTS REMANS - (27 buses) Fleet Numbers to be determined. Hopefully they'll pick the best one's to stay and send the rest out the door.
So there you have it. Is this definite? Who knows but it may just turn out this way. Whatever depots receive these buses will for the most part be receiving well maintained buses. Let's see what actually transpires.
Where in the HELL did u hear THIS rumor???
I have a question. How many artics are being used on the M15, because I'm planning to do a trip to Manhattan, and I want to ride them.
We need other Manhattan bustalkers on this board, especially to sort out this merry-go-round of buses within Manhattan Division.
Yeah, there aren't that many here. There are a few like DHF60. Most of us seem to be Brooklyn or Queens though.
5025 M2
Lets all be grateful that the war appears to be over
Thank You
4299 seems to be at Northern. It was signed for the 54 but the route block was covered up with a piece of paper.
Saw a Flixble Metro-B from Four Mile Run on the 13A or 13B with only 6 people on board in the 4 PM hour. Does ANYONE ever ride that thing?
Friday I had the day off and while I was heading south on I-270 I saw a few of the Smartmover 4400 series as well as one of Ride-On's Metro-D heading N/B. I also paced 5806 at approx 63 MPH, but it sounded like like the engine was barely working considering the speed. I'm sure that flat out it would run well past 70 MPH.
Wayne
3469 Q32
3474 M3
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Was it corporate ego?
Market demands?
NovaBUS' wanting its own design on the street?
Expense?
What do you think?
I think it was a combonation of a few things. The major reason Im guessing was the wheelchair lift. The standard RTS design has it in the back, whereas these days, front is preferred. My second guess, is that Nova ruined the RTS's rock solid reliability rating. Although I have no experience with a true Nova RTS, if thier build quality control is anything like the quality control on the LFS, then they are filled with cheap components that break easily.
-Tyler-
Add to that the fact that at the time of the RTS demise, standard floor buses weren't in all that much of demand in most places with the systems going after the low floor designs. The high floor seems to be more wanted again as seen with the amount of Gillig Phantom's that are popping up across the country over the past few years.
It was a good design once they got it to the RTS 04 model but I remember the RTS 03's in Pittsburgh, Cleveland , Johnstown and some other smaller cities near me. They were all junk and loaded with problems but once the 04's came out, they really had the recipe for the RTS design down and they were one fine coach after that.
This merry-go-round is making my head spin. (DHF60, that now makes 2 buses that have already departed for other depots, 9043 to Quill, and 5025 to Manhattanville. Do you know of any other transfers?)
8104 L
5348 A
5424 Bx12
5367 Bx5
6092 Bx6
8273 M101
4538 M101
5084 W
4970 B82
(Not ridden, but observed: 5025 M2 (MHTV depot), 5552 M102)
That's because #5424 wasn't transferred to Gun Hill Depot, it's 5403-5406 and 5408-5423, not 5424...
Oh, wait...you mean to tell me that #5424 was transferred over there, too? When was this???
Thank you
Carlton
Cleanairbus
Transit Is My Drug
AMI
5424 Bx12
5424 Bx12
The corrected url is: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BUS-O-RAMA .
Was it corporate ego?
Market demands?
NovaBUS' wanting its own design on the street?
Expense?
Politics?
Isn't it kind of fitting that the only decent equipment NovaBUS built, were acquired old GM Designs. When it came to efficiently designing their own model, they seem to have fallen flat on their faces, despite several redesigns and modifications. The current LFS offerings seem just as problem plagued as the original orders. Most designs gradually improve over time, but, from everything I've gathered, it seems this one has actually gotten worse!
I am honestly suprised they are still in business, but, I am sticking with my prediction that they will go under soon. Between pulling the plug on the RTS (a bus that is immensely popular in many areas--hated everywhere I've lived), pulling out of the US Market and building a cheap, awkward looking low-floor that nobody seems to test or inspect before delivery... *scoffs* they shouldn't be around much longer.
Someone needs to bring back the Classic and also create a 35 foot version of it. What a dream come true 35 foot Classics running around in PAT livery would be! But NOOOOO... We get GILLIGS... *disgusted scoff*
Like the RTS, Nova bought the LFS design (from Europe) - Nova never designed their own bus.
The 35-foot Classic was actually built, it just wasn't sold that way. It's the front section of the Classic artic (the rear section is 60% of the 40-foot version).
Weren't those artics really new looks (fishbowls) with a Classic front? I don't recollect that the sides were of the Classic design; they were fishbowls except for the very front. Or was a 100% Classic artic ever built? (I don't think so.)
After my earlier post, I remembered that Quebec City may have had two true Classic artics, but I don't remember any other system having those artics. Does anyone know of any transit system other than Quebec City that operated Classic artics?
The RTS also suffered by having the rear-door lift on the 06 and the unattractive front end with the WFD. Even though the RTS lift was considered the most stable in the business, both TAs and disabled advocacy groups faulted the rear-door entry as being either difficult to deal with (driver has to get up) or discriminatory (keeping the disabled in the back of the bus where employee help is the length of the bus away).
The government is also more in tune with light rail, feeling it is more duranble over the long haul despite the higher costs of infrastructure and procurement. In other words, spend a lot of money now for a light rail system but not have to pay for it again (Newark's old PCC cars went 50 years with only basic rehab). Buses require replacement or substantial rehab every 12-15 years (and even less for smaller buses).
The proposed RTS low floor would have been extremely expensive compared to the LF buses already out there. With the same stainless steel welded structure, it would have been very heavy compared to the others, and would have trouble matching the operating costs as well. The brand new design would also be shunned against the more established buses like New Flyer.
Corporate ego was probably the least of the issues... Nova had none. if Volvo (via prevost) hadn't bailed them out, the RTS would have died prior to the 1999-2000 NJ Transit order of 650 units.
The Volvo Super Olympian city bus provides the best comfort to passengers. The bus has a very good suspension and it's well tested on roads in Europe, Singapore, and Hong Kong (despite they are facing SARS now....) Anywhere on the bus, you would hardly hear the sound from the engine. Because the bus is designed from a chassis, there are many bodies to choose from, like Alexander, Wright, Volgren...etc. Anyway, the only drawback would be its engine, the Volvo D10A285, which has only 285hp to power a double decker. It would be nice if they use Cummins ISM@330 or DDEC Series 50@325hp...LOL
When (and why) did Volvo leave the United States market? And did they actually have a plant in Virginia? It would be pretty interesting to see NYCT with Volvo B10Ms artics on the street. It still seems strange that the second-largest bus manufacturer would not be in the U.S. market.
http://www9.volvo.com/frameset.asp?url=/bus/product_offers/default.asp
Nova didn't "decide" to build buses in Canada; they always did and never left. NovaBUS was originally formed as a division of Nova Quintech, a Canadian fire truck manufacturer, to get the Classic deal. Nova Quintech wnet out of business and sold NovaBUS to Volvo/Prevost.
I can't say this about all public transit systems, but some are more interested in the low floor bus for route work in the city than the standard floor RTS. A suburban version I believe would not be marketable and therefore they can't expect a return on their investment. It would seem to be more cost effective to them to market a bus that was designed from the ground up to meet the needs of transit operators and the riding public rather than upgrade a product of 1970s technology.
However, even though the RTS is no longer in production, it is far from dead and they will endure within the coming years, even though they face competition from the more modern Orions, New Flyers and MCI's. People like us will make sure that the RTS does not die a lonely death.
Regards,
Trevor Logan
www.transitalk.org
BIG AL
Peace,
Kevin
BIG AL
BIG AL
Here's an interesting fact, FP has never been without 1985 RTS's ever since that series was made! And we'll probably be the last place to retire it.
But at least 3902 and 3951 will get killed soon.
BIG AL
B1-#9319-NOVABUS
B70-#7567-Orion 7
I'm interested to know if the majority of 1998-1999 Novas have been repainted. This is my list so far:
East New York
#4961, #4971, #5230-5231 and #5245
Flatbush
#5114
Fresh Pond
#5056, #5061
Hudson
#5190, #5196 and #5204 (I think)
Jamaica
#5145, #5150 and #5155 (I think)
Michael J. Quill
#5177
Queens Village
#4902
126th St
#5025
Are there any others? I'm just trying to keep track, that's all. I know ALL the 1995-1998 Novas (#8750-9699) are repainted. Thanks in advance!
5056-5062, 5065-5067, 5073.
Also ENY has the 5235 repainted.
ENY: 5024,5015,5226,5242,5243,4954,4962,4946,4998,4993,4960
FB: 5114,5120
FP: 5059,5060
MV: 5125,5143
Actually, NOT every 1997/1998 Nova [9350-9699] is repainted. 9386,9412,9413 & 9425 of FB isn't repainted yet.
So, pretty much add your list to my previous list? Okay, thanks to you, ENY Nova 5205 and DaRidgewoodBusBuff for your help!
So, pretty much add your list to my previous list? Okay, thanks to you, ENY Nova 5205, DaRidgewoodBusBuff and Q46 NovaRTS#9288 for your help!
So this is now the updated repainted roster:
4902, 4905, 4919, 4926-4927, 4935, 4939, 4946-4947, 4950, 4954, 4960-4963, 4966, 4971, 4978, 4988-4989, 4991, 4993, 4995, 4998, 5005, 5015, 5023-5025, 5034, 5039, 5056-5062, 5065-5067, 5073, 5113-5114, 5120, 5125-5127, 5130, 5133-5134, 5139, 5143, 5145-5146, 5150, 5155, 5168-5169, 5177, 5184, 5190, 5196, 5203, 5226, 5231, 5235, 5242-5243, 5245
Are buses #4905, #4919, #5127, #5130, #5133, #5146, #5168-5169, #5177 and #5184 repainted? I was told they were but I'd check with you guys. I'm just keep track...that's the purpose of this post. Thanks to everyone who helped me and responded to this post.
Thank you for your comments! I'm amazed how many buses are not repainted and it's WELL over three years.....well one year actually.
B64-#9093-NOVABUS
B36-#4781-TMC
When I arrived, the first buses I saw were their 35-foot Orion Vs (6V92-powered with BR400s behind them). I got to ride no. 942 on Route 20 (my first OBI ride ever!) and was quite impressed with the smooth ride and interior layout...very spacious bus indeed. Their transfers actually print out as needed, complete with time, route, and bus fleet number. To my extreme delight, a 40-foot Flxible Metro whizzed by in the other lane.
The route terminates at Pembroke Mall, where several transfer points meet; as we rounded the corner, I saw a Flx in the middle of the lineup, shreiked with joy, and told my better half, "We HAVE to ride this one...Please, Please, Please!!!". Turns out Flxible no. 752 was keyed to the route we needed for the return (pure luck, eh?). It was a treat for me...and her first ride on a bus she heard so much about.
The seats were not the best on these; if they weren't underpadded, they were overstuffed. What's more, it was easy to slide off of them during a turn, and the driver was very rude, with about as much personality as a cowpie. Other than that, I was overjoyed to be riding a Flxible Metro in daily service (6V92 with a 730 or 731).
HRT also has a fleet of 40-foot Gilligs (recent acquisitions), but I did not ride those. However, I got plenty of photos of all the above.
Salt water taffy and sand are nice, but riding the bus was truly the sailor's delight! :)
-Fred Donaher
Flxible Lubber
Mark
Also, I saw no trolleys along Atlantic Ave.; I did, however, see them on the outskirts of town as we left the area.
-F.
-F.
-F.
-F.
Starting at White Flint Station
Terminal (White Flint)
R on 355
L into Mid-Pike Plaza Parking Lot
Immediate R to Terminal (Mid Pike Plaza)
Layover
Straight from terminal
L around parking spaces
L again
L again
R
L to Mid Pike Plaza parking lot exit
R on 355
L on Old Georgetown Road
R on Nebel Street
R on Marinelli Road to Terminal (White Flint)
Layover
I witnessed the Metro-bound trip this afternoon from Ride-On Orion V 5708. It takes so long, I first saw the S95 when I passed by the Mid Pike Plaza Terminal just as the S95 began going back to the Metro. I was able to track its movements around the parking lot and got the gist of where it would exit. When I got off at White Flint, I couldn't see it but when I came out of the underpass under 355, it was waiting to turn left on to Old Georgetown Road. As a result, I was able to determine the routing.
Saw 5410 and 5702 at Bethesda.
Matt
I wasn't sure what to think of this when I first heard about it a couple of weeks ago, but I was in Boston for the holiday weekend and saw #0009 on Saturday operating on route 77, and the new (old) scheme looks sharp.
For perspective, this would be like NYCTA adopting the old two-tone blue scheme for its new buses.
JD
The current (1985) scheme uses the traditional yellow as a base, but it is essentially a 'modern' version - the yellow band is very narrow and appears just below the windows. Also, the present scheme does not have any gray in it. I like the new scheme - it's good to see a transit operator do away with the convention that modern buses must have white as the primary color.
JD
-F.
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Was this a one-of-a-kind creation, a prototype for the C-49s, a retrofit with parts taken from retired C-50s, or one of a small part of the C-49 order which was hidden away in some remote corner of Brooklyn or Staten Island during its service life?
Any information would be appreciated.
The transfer I found showed bus no. 677; when I saw the number, I thought "No Way". The Flxible New Looks of Pentran (HRT's predecessor) were numbered 600-682 and were 1976 and 77 models. Could it be that some of these are still running in regular service, or did HRT put old numbers on some newer buses?
-F.
-F.
2. Was pentran absorb by HRT? The 7 cities of hampton Roads merge Tidewater Rapid Transit and Peninsula transit to become Hampton Roads Transit in '99. Should have it been merge, til this day still a bad idea. Pentran had better buses than TRT. Service still is controled by city councils not the company (like they really ride the buses) and to top things off you have remember election day 2002 when Virginans decided to say "no" to the referendum.
2. This is very true; the 700-series Flx Metro I rode (752) did not look at all well-maintained inside. I'm assuming it was a TRT due to the blue side stripe. Our Pentran New Look was in superb shape when received. And what was in the referendum?
Also, on a lighter note, we haven't had local bus service on Sundays in our part of VA since 1978. :(
-9018 was repowered and repainted. It seems to be the only 1990 RTS that has been.
-More 9000s and non-repowered 9200s are still around than I thought. The 1988 Neoplans are getting scarce, even at rush hour.
-Some 9200s have been repowered and got LED taillights, but are still in the old paint scheme.
-Everything in the Dunne Ford scrap/storage lot is gone except 1976 Fishbowl #767, which is starting to get graffiti'ed. Someone sprayed "Burnside" over the destination sign glass.
-It looks like all of the ex-NYCT buses are off the road. Several of them are in the Melorse St yard missing body panels.
-I have yet to see one of the 2001 C30LFs, anywhere, ever.
Are the repowered buses with DD 50 Series Engines?
I think so. They have roof-level exhaust and sound like DD50s, but I'm no expert on bus sounds.
JD
Does RIPTA have any new buses on order?
JD
There's money allocated in the 2003-2008 Transportation Improvement Program for eight new buses in 2003, five in 2004, twelve in 2005, eleven each in 2006-7, and seventeen in 2008, plus $1.5 million for rehabs in 2004 (probably the 1998 RTS fleet).
Are express bus routes reserved for B/O's who have a lot of seniority, or can any B/O operate on an express bus route?
I've heard of "non-passenger duty," what exactly does that entail? Is it similar to yard/switching in subways, where B/O's move buses around in depots and maintenance facilities and from depot to depot? Is that a high senority job?
Thanks for your time guys,
R32 - Sea Beach Express
How about a shifting pick?
Thanks
The only "reserved" pieces of work are those drill pieces that are reserved as "restricted duty" tricks for operators who, for a multitude of reasons, may not be able to drive a bus, either temporarily or permanently. Those pieces of work, however, are available to all who pick based, of course, in seniority order. However, should a B/O require one of those restricted pieces, regardless of seniority, the operator gets the trick while the B/O who picked the piece loses it and falls onto the extra list (in seniority order).
Other than that, every piece of work posted is available to any B/O regardless of seniority. However, because of the ease of the work (least amount of trips, vehicle time, maximum swing time, preferred days off, etc), these express pieces usually are the first to go, behind any work that doesn't involve operating a bus in passenger service (ie, drilling/shifting/card tricks, etc).
I've heard of "non-passenger duty," what exactly does that entail?
See above.
Is it similar to yard/switching in subways, where B/O's move buses around in depots and maintenance facilities and from depot to depot?
Yes.
Is that a high senority job?
Yes.
In order of seniority preference, runs and tricks are usually picked:
1. Highest Pay, Sun/Sat RDO, Non-Revenue Service.
2. Sun/Sat RDO, Non-Revenue Service.
3. Highest Pay, Non Revenue Service.
4. Highest Pay, Least Vehicle Time, Sun/Sat RDO.
5. Highest Pay, Sun/Sat RDO.
6. Sun/Sat RDO.
7. Highest Pay.
8. Least Vehicle Time.
9. Everything Else.
First express bus routes/companies (1968):
Fresh Meadowns/Manhattan (Steinway Transit, now Queens Surface)
Riverdale/Manattan (Riverdale Transit, now Liberty Coaches)
Staten Island/Manhattan (NYC Transit Authority).
Original fares ranged from 65 cents (Fresh Meadows) to $1.00 Riverdale), at a time when the double bus/subway fare was 40 cents (two 20 cent fares).
These original routes were very successful, spawning additional routes from most outlying neighborhoods and even from some areas with subway access (e.g., Forest Hills, Grand Concourse).
"Andy" pretty much covered the reasons for the establishment of express bus service. It's a premium fare service because it's a direct ride (in most cases, anyway) on a comfortable bus (moreso recently with the advent of the MCI coaches), and just about everyone gets a seat (supposed to, at any rate).
David
BIG AL
9029
9039
9043
9045
...all to MJQ
Hopefully, DHF60 can shed some more light on this
Peace
David
5532
5548
5521
5512
5526
5554:took down information at 8:31AM
5520
5513
But there were alot more artic's on the M15 today than those 8 buses I clocked.
Regards,
Trevor Logan
www.transitalk.org
Looks like a Orion, was it TA ? It was NOT a bus out of this depot.
The folks from the City either weren't invided or wouldn't come ... hmmm
Looks like status quo for a while ?
take a fast look ,,
Peace,
Kevin
DO NOT
go to certain spots of the website, as it made my computer restart automatically and almost froze it...
Carlton
Cleanairbus
Transit Is My Drug
This a sign the a conditional deal may have already be struck with the city.
It is my guess that part of the justification for the fare raise was to allow cushion money for the private's takeover.
www.regionaltransitservice.com
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www.regionaltransitservice.com
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www.regionaltransitservice.com
-F.
1981 RTS #PA2308 was a MABSTOA bus and originally it was assigned to the 146th Street (now Mother Clara Hale) depot.
Wayne
1981
1267-1272, 1517-1534 to FLU
1273-1275, 1535-1544 to JAM
1276-1282, 1545-1559 to QV
1982
1705-1733, 1734X-1749X to FLU
1750X-1758X to JAM
(X=Soft seat express buses)
1983
3068-3090, 3250-3251 to JAM
3171-3200 to QV
(ENY did not receive the 1983's brand new...3001-3022 @ 126, 3023-3067 @ FLA...after JAM, the rest went to MaBSTOA except for QV's batch)
1984
3578-3650 to JAM
1985
3900-3984 to FLU
3001-3022 126
3023-3067 FB
3186-3208 ENY?
3293-3319 FP
3400-3486 5 Av
Service Changes
1-Reduce Bx55 service between Fordham Road and Gun Hill Road to weekdays between 7AM and 7PM only. No change on Bx55 service between 149th Street and Fordham Road.
2-At the same time of the Bx55 service change service on the Bx41 will be increased to 24 hours a day with service to operate hourly during the overnight hours. Limited Stop service span to be increased slightly.
3-B-24 service to be discontinued between Kent Ave/Bway and Williamsburg Bridge Plaza
4-Q-59 service to be rerouted from Bedford/Diggs Ave to Kent Avenue between Broadway and Grand Street. This change will have the Q-59 replace the B-24 service to be discontinued
Above service changes to be implemented June summer pick
2-Schedule changes
Increase service on B-6,B-7.B-13,B-61,B-74(Saturday),B-77,M-100,Q-58,S-51/81,S53/93,S59,S76
Reduce service on B-49(Saturday),B-54,B-74(Sunday),M-1,M-2,M-3,M-4,M-5(Saturday),M-6,M-7,M-8,M-23(Saturday and Sunday),M-98,BX-4,BX-5(sunday),BX-16,BX-26(Saturday and Sunday),BX-34,BX-39,BX-55,Q-16,Q-24,Q-55,Q-56,S-62,S-78
Please note: Most reduced service is because of school closings
3-ORION VII Dual Mode buses deilivery to begin 4th Quater of 2003
4-New West Farms Depot to be complete end of 2nd Quater of 2003
Thank You
Normally I'm not the one who gets excited about talking buses but this one takes the cake!!!
Today after I spotted Gillig 30TB102 #9714 on the 10A in Southampton, I saw GIllig 40TB102 #9100 on the S92...WHAT!!!!!!!
This is VERY unusual! Usually this bus is up the island, like Patchogue, Islip, Commack, etc. Suffolk Transit is usually not like NYCT when they just transfer buses to any depot.....maybe I'm wrong. I'm even more surprised because bus #9100 is a 40 Ft bus when usually at this end of the island it's 30 and 35 Ft buses. So, maybe this is a sign of things to come.
Enjoy!
-F.
-F.
Actually the low 100s are coach buses. The S92 buses are the 9000 Gilligs! Bus #9100 came from I believe Pond Rd Depot in Bohemia, LI. I'm pretty sure of it. Not sure of the parent company though. Hope that helps.
Dave.
Would this be a sgin of things to come? Or this is just a once in a lifetime thing and the 9100 will go back to wherever it came from.
9909 CBS Lines
9102 Suffolk Bus (ours)
9107 Suffolk Bus (ours)
9652 Suffolk Bus (ours)
9660 Sunrise Coach
9712 Hampton Coach
913 EBT (40ft TB102)
Also found two LI Bus Orions there # 301, 6xx series It was my first time going there, you find all kinds of buses there. I guess all the work gets done inside. The grounds there are very greasy! I was gonna post this on a new thread but being I saw this I though I could add my two cents.:-) Good night everybody!
David
I was on the B-41 several times in the past couple of weeks and i have noticed that the bus stops are being made longer. According to the drivers they understand it is for articulated buses to be assigned to Flatbush.
Again i am only reporting what the drivers told me. I have no idea where they got there information.
But the southbound B-41 bus stop at Church Avenue is very long now.
Thank You
Apparently, they are jumping to conclusions. I know about the lengthening of the Church Avenue stop. That's being done at the request of the head of Road Operations for Brooklyn as a safety issue -- nothing whatsoever to do with artics. Although it is possible that other stops are being lengthened along Flatbush Avenue in case artics are assigned to Flatbush, it seems rather premature at this point, since none are going to be in Flatbush for several years if at all.
David
Yesterday and today, I was at a seminar at the Grand Hyatt at Metro Center in DC so I saw a whole lot down there. Most notably, yesterday, saw New Flyer C40LF 2463 with the John Deere engine on the G8 headed to Avondale.
Today, I had to go into work first, before going back downtown and had Flx Metro B 9396 on the 1C. On the way to my office in Fairfax, saw Orion VI 2069 broken down on Wilson Blvd. Most likely a 1E headed from Seven Corners to Ballston. Then, saw someone placing a bike on Orion V 2157 on the 1B on Rte. 50 at Annandale Road. Once we got onto Gallows Road, saw the Subtalk 2003 Party Bus Fairfax Connector Orion V 7797 on the 401 headed to Tysons Corner.
Tonight, saw New Flyer C40LF 2441 and Orion V 4356 sitting outside of the Ballston Commons Mall as well as a "GEORGE" bus deadheading to the Arlington Garage.
I haven't seen anything much, execpt for seeing today The Bus 63057 finally in service running on the 21 and a couple of days before seeing a 40 footer on the 23, kind of odd seeing one on this route, only on the 21, 21x and sometimes but rarely the 20.
Be funny if the group got that bus again some time...
Wayne
The seats were very comfortable. One thing I found odd was the horizontal bar in front of you that's present in all the rows of seats. It sort of looks like a bar that would hold you in on a roller coaster! I wondered why such a bar would be necessary, but I learned my lesson when we hit some bumps on Northern Blvd., and since I was sitting in the very last row, I went flying in the air and left my stomach somewhere else.
Wheeee! Go go roll signs!
708 Q60
715 Q37
I was looking on the Ohio Museum of Transportation website (www.omot.org) and I noticed that some Flxible New Look buses have the Model 53102-8-1. First, what does the "1" stand for? Second, DD 8v71 engines are like the MSBA (Nassau County) Flxible New Looks #850-902 series. IS that website saying that those ex-NYCTA/MaBSTOA Flxible sounded the same as those MSBA Flxibles? Or even the Grumman Flxibles from MSBA, GBL, JBL, TCC and Queens Surface? I know MOST of those buses have the DD 6v71 engines which I know what those sounded from back in the day. Thanks in advance.
Re: MSBA 850-902. Yes these MSBA Flxibles did indeed have the DD 8V-71N and they were sooooo fast. They were 96-inches wide making their model designation 53096-8-1. The NYCTA '77 Flxibles were mostly 53102-6-1. NYCTA had 9000-9159 in which nos. 9155-9159 were 53102-8-1. MABSTOA had 9160-9309 in which 9160-9164 were 53102-8-1 and the rests were 53102-6-1. I think 9160-9164 were originally intended to go to NYCTA depots because where they were delivered new to OA's Coliseum depot... they had NYCTA decals instead of MABSTOA. Those buses with the 6V-71N sounded comppletely different from a bus with the 8V-71N engine.
MSBA's Grumman 870/Flxible Metro also had the DD 8V-71N engine. The Grumman 870 that went to the nycDOT privates also had the DD 8V-71N. Queens Transit/Steinway Transit 870's were 96-inches wide. NYCTA Grumman 870 had the 6V-71N engine.
The '76 NJDOT Flxibles were most equipped with the DD 8V-71N. This order had the Flxibles in different flavors. Most of them were 53102-8-1 transit and 53096-8-1 suburban (real suburban buses - 96-in wide, overhead racks, no rear door, platform mounted high backed seating). There were also some 53102-8-1 one door transits. Then there were some 45096-6-1 and 30096-6-1 with the 6V-71N engine.
Those were some great buses.
Hope this info. helps.
Wayne
B15#4410
4393 B83
4393 B82
Wayne
Wayne
Wayne
Wayne
Hi there! I believe the list is as follows:
2003 Orion 07.501 CNG: #7560, #7562-7568 and #7584. Someone said that buses #7569 and #7577 were out but I'm not sure about those. Hope that helps!!!
I've seen 7569 and 7571, too.
- - - - -
[orion 7 buses are running on the b8 and b68 truly heavy lines as opposed to the b70.]
I've seen them on the B37, B63, B65, and B75 (near my office in Downtown Brooklyn). The Orion VIIs seem to be assigned at random (as buses should be) rather than dedicated to specific routes or drivers.
Yonkers:
#1,2 to Getty Square then #25 back to East 238rd st OR #4 at McLean Ave/Post Road to Jerome subway
New Rochelle
#42 to Pelhamdale Ave/Boston Post Rd. then come back on #60/61/62
#45 (weekdays only) to RR station then #60/61/62
On Boston Post Road buses, get off stop before two-fare zone change and walk over bridge to Bx16 Ropes Ave start.
X-County Shopping Mall:
#20/21 to Mall, then come back on #55 (same side of mall) to Dyre subway station or #25 (other side of mall) to East 238th st/WPR
White Plains:
#20/21 to Transcenter/RR station then #40/41 to E. 241st st OR 60/61/62 to Boston Road (see above)
PM Rush you can use #3 express from White Plains to 242nd st/VCP subway.
Have some fun in Westchester.
Didn't Westchester DOT get rid of the zone charge with the recent fare hike?
- - - - -
[White Plains: #20/21 to Transcenter/RR station then #40/41 to E. 241st st OR 60/61/62 to Boston Road]
1. There's also the 1W between 242nd Street Station and White Plains.
2. The 61 goes to Port Chester, not White Plains.
As for the #61 my mistake, it goes to Port Chester. The 1W does not run on Sundays, and is infrequent enough for me to mention. Most buses on that route are either 1T (Tarrytown) or 1 (Hastings only).
I rode on a bus adventure a few years ago, Peekskill to Bronx/Bedford Park via. #14 and 20 lines. That took me 3 hours but it was fun. At least the nuke plant in Buchannan didn't go off as we left FDR V/A Hospital on the #14.
On another Orion note didn't see any Ride On Orion 6s, but did see 5547 at both Lakeforest Mall and again at Rockville, and Orion V CNG at Shady Grove. Last saw two repowered Orion 9600s, 9621 and 9632(as taken by Trevor Logan). Saw 9632 at Rockville about to do a T2 run and then seeing 9621 doing a J2 run to Montgomery Mall.
Peace!
DaShawn aka Flxible METRO D#1975
The biggest shock for me has been the 5600s on the 124 and 125, scared the heck out of me a few days ago at 30th St station when I spotted a D40LF and a NABI. I expected the D40LF would be the 44, as is customary, and the NABI to be a 124 or 125, only to have them reverse on me quite unexpectedly, a Rt 125 5600 and a Rt 44 5000 NABI. Sadly the NABI 44 came first and I'm never sure if the bus behind the one I refuse will stop and pick me up.
Course, what about the real 5600s, the Diesel Electric DE40LFs? I've only ridden 5601H once, another quick hop on a 17 from 8th and Market to City Hall, but I enjoyed the ride immensly. What do people think about their performance? I really only have other SEPTA busses to compare it with, but they seemed pretty good to me. I liked the quiet takeoffs due to the electric motors, no roaring diesel, just a rumble that slowly grows as the batteries drain.
I see the 5700s are starting to (or have) arrive(d), 5709 was northbound on the 2 to Hunting Park about 1:00 today. I saw it at 16th and Locust and paced it (walking would you belive? Good ole 16th St traffic!) north to Market. Just seconds later, after I turned onto Market, 5708 passed me on the 32 headed for Carpenter. Now I kinda wish I'd grabbed 5709, just to ride from Locust or Walnut up to Market, if only to see a brand spankin new bus!
It would be impossible to assign artics to Southern, since they do not have the space available maintenance bays nor the proper lifts to maintain artics. The only two depots that can maintain them are Allegheny and Midvale. I'd hope that the facility that replaces Callowhill in a few years would have the same capabilities, but that's highly doubtful.
I also hadn't heard anything about low floor artics. It would be nice if SEPTA could find a place for them other than Allegheny and Midvale. If Comly or Frankford were able to maintain artics, you could easily put them out on the 14/20, 58, and R.
As far as the DKs and EBs are concerned, they will be retired once the 5700s arrive next year.
Metrobus
-Increasing the bus fare from $1.10 to $1.20, increase of .10
-Instating a 40 cents transfer charge, balanced between bus and rail
-Eliminating the rail to bus paper 85 cents charge
Metrorail
-off peak increase of 10 cents and 35 cents to a top fare of 3.60 from
3.25
-Open at 7am weekends
-Close 3am Friday and Saturday nights
Metroaccess
-increasing fare by 20 cents, from 2.20 to 2.40
Parking
-increasing daily parking by up to 75 cents daily, 45 dollars monthly and 65 dollars reserved monthly(I think they spelled it reversed)
Those are the increases that might go into effect and if approved would go into effect by July of 2003. It won't effect the bus pass of 2.50, the pass I use when taking my bus trips. It also will not effect the express charge of 2.00 and the transfer charge between bus to bus which is free and from regular bus to express bus which is 90 cents.
One a seperate rant is there anyone who knows how to program a sign, some of THE BUS's routes have been around for two years and the signs still haven't been programmed to read those route's route number and destination signs, they just read "SPECIAL". It is just a rant, oh btw Frederick County has purchased five, 30 foot SLFs for its transit service. Oh the The Bus's buses are equipped with Mercedes-Benz engines.
What about their Flixble 870, Scania and 1983 Gillig Phantoms...?
It is simply the SLF while the orion models are Orion VII
It would be nice if DC to import the Serta articulated low floor bus. They can build it upstate and NYCT could finally buy a articulated bus that makes sense
As for a fleet roster, the best I could do is for the Gilligs, SLFs, Thomas TLs, to a point, and maybe even the Chumpions, and the startrans van buses.
Thomas SLFs
63005-63008: 2001 30'
63020?-63031: 2002 30'
63032:2002 35'
63057-58: 2003 35', delivered probably over a month ago
Thomas TL960s
62993-62998?:2000 30', not sure if they are in service, haven't seen any in a while.
63034-63038: 2001 40'
Gillig Phantom(ordered with Ride On's first or second batch of 35 footers, not sure of what year, may have been 1996)
62895?-62899: 35', one was destroyed by an arsonist about a year ago along with two champions and one Thomas 30' TL
Champion Contender 1995
6292X-6293X: 30' -about two were destroyed by an arsonist over a year ago
I am not going to list the rest as I really only concentrated on the buses that looked like buses and not oversized delivery vans, but I know the first group of Startrans buses were in the 63010 range and the second group around the 63050 range, and I think they bought more this year, but can't confirm that as of yet.
As for maintenance, that is probably right in that the buses aren't maintained properly. The SLFs are over two years ago and they look like they have been through a war and lost. From my observations, the Gilligs and the Thomases seem to run ok, although I was on one bus that couldn't move because the wheelchair ramp was out of position. They seem to clean the inside, as they don't look trashy or anything along those lines. A couple of the buses, looked like they were repainted, but they forgot to apply the TheBus's label back on them.
Last but not least alot of the buses, especially the van buses' a/c doesn't work and that could be brutal in the summer. I have actually rode in a couple of buses with no a/c during the heat wave and it was no pleasant experience, and to add to the fact the windows really don't open and there is no help from the fan, makes it worse. I felt bad for a driver who had to drive one of those things in the heat with no a/c all day. As I mentioned the first group of TLs, the ones bought only three years ago haven't been seen which mean either they are scrapped or they are running on routes that I haven't been driving past or riding.
1)Say bye bye to the Champions and vanbuses.
2)Get more money either from the state or the county to buy REAL buses. I would purchase more SLFs with some heavy duty buses like Neoplans, New Flyers maybe some Orions and Gilligs.
3)Redo the numbering system to seperate buses, for example the paratransit buses would be renumbered seperate from the regular transit buses.
4)Make sure the maintenance department is top notch and no bus without would be on the street.
I know they seem not to get alot of money to buy better buses, but don't be making new routes without upgrading the ones you have before or upgrading the equipment and maintenance. I would like to see this transit agency do well but don't like the way it is going now.
The 21 is the route with the heaviest ridership and take mostly all of the larger and heavier duty buses, with the 20 being second. There is also the 21x which compliments the 21, mainly shuttling students from the New Carrolton Metro Station to the Largo Campus of Prince George's Community College(which by the way gets really packed). The 21x uses the Thomas TL960, 40 footers almost exclusively.
As for the bus, they DEFINITELY need better stuff. As much as others here hate Gillig, I would love to have them over a Chumpion, though would rather have a New Flyer, but still they need better buses and better maintenance on top of that.
I will probably vent somemore but I am too sleepy, the triptofan from the fried chicken is making me sleepy.
WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?!?!
letters afterward:
N - normally aspirated
T - turbocharged
TA - turbocharged abd aftercooled
TT - twin (dual) turbos
TTA - twin turbos with aftercooler
The 6V92 (552 cubic inches) replaced the 8V71 (568 ci) in many applications because they were basically the same displacement. Likewise the 12.7L Series 60 replaced the 8V92 (736 ci, 12.1 liters).
I first got The Bus's Gillig 62898 on the 21 enroute to New Carrolton, nothing special here except seeing 4390 deadheading back to Landover from an odd direction. It was coming westbound towards Ardwick Ardmore Road, from route 50 and what makes it odd in that practically all of Landover's buses that deadhead to Landover come from eastbound towards Ardwick Ardmore Road and not westbound. I got to New Carrolton and went to the other side and there I caught 9728(no bike rack), (ex-Southern) came on the F6 and I took it to College Park and at College Park caught 4341 on the C8 going towards White Flint. 9828 passed us on I think the C8 going the other way or the K6 going to Fort Totten. I knew Montgomery kept a 9800, but didn't know which one. They also had off and on 9826, but that one has been at Four Mile Run for a while.
I stepped off of 4341 and after a wait and a pretty damn good Arby's roast beef sandwich, I got Ride On 5581, on the 47 and took it to Rockville. I was planning to go to the government center and pick up some Ride On schedules for the optional part of July's busfan trip. I first waited to see if any Orion 6s would show up, but when none did, I went to the government center to get the schedules. Appraoching the government center and DAMN, there it is in the flesh, that Orion VII that is being shown to Ride On, and it was equipped with apparently Montgomery County officials (the many suits gave it away). I saw really no news people there I think I just saw one camera. Anyway it was decked out in its Orion factory paint gear along and original front face. If it wasn't for the government officials I would have taken a pic, but I dare not risk it, not knowing how these people react to a busfan just taking a pic for his hobby. Half of them are uptight as it is. Anyway I left and went back to the station and caught 55XX on the 63. This route would pass by the government center and I would get another look at the bus, but as our bus an Orion V, 35 footer btw, got to the light, I saw the Orion VII leaving the government center. If I had known that it was going to leave that soon, I would have waited just outside the government center and taken a pic or two.
I got to Shady Grove and caught 5587 on the 55 to Lakeforest Mall. Since I had a good meal, I didn't go into the mall and just waited to see if a Ride On Orion VI show up, it didn't and caught another 55, this time being 5586 on the 62 back to Shady Grove. I got to Shady Grove and caught 8714(unrehabbed and formerly stored) on the Q2 going back to Rockville. I really can't see one of these on this route or any Montgomery route, always use to seeing them either from Landover, Southern, Four Mile Run or Annex. Anyway got back to Rockville and saw 9632 waiting to go into service for the T2. I thought I would hear what it would sound like but as it pulled off, 5803 CNG Orion V on the 46 pulled up. I took this bus to Medical Center and as this bus got close to Grovesnor, he passed by a potential passenger, he got into the left lane too soon. Well he couldn't get back over and we then went to the station and came back out, and there he was again, and not to happy when he got on the bus. As I got to Medical Center, saw all that security surrounding it and the station and realized that I really haven't been here in a while.
After a brief wait got Flxible 9723 on the J3 going to Bethesda, I was planning to take some a pic or two of Ride On Flxibles, as I missed one, it was at Medical Center (5700). I had to use the facilities and as I got back didn't see another one till my bus came, which was 5703. I was waiting for the J4 and 9626 was waiting to go into service, when while over in the side two passengers got on and then the bus came over to the stop waited a couple of seconds and then pulled off without opening the door or even seeing if anyone was approaching the bus, which one guy was and he and I had to wait for the next bus, which happened to be 8829. That was the good news. The back news was that this bus moved like a snail and I know it wasn't the driver. The bus also when it stopped, made that sound and if anyone knows, riding a Flxible Metro and the back doors have to closed manually and it makes that noise, it was making that every time it slowed down. Riding in the bus another 9600 repower, that being 9621 passed by on the J2. Got to Silver Spring, didn't spot a single Neoplan artic in service.
I got to College Park and then got Orion VI 2092 on the F6 towards New Carrolton. This bus had a harmonious tone, and that was because of a busted stop announcement system. The system would hum a low pitch when the bus was in motion and would go higher when the bus went faster and when someone rang the bell, the humming would stop, the announcement for "STOP REQUESTED" would announce and then hum again. I got back to New Carrolton and then caught The Bus Thomas TL960 63036 somewhere close to home.
Other notes:
-9715 and 9728 have no bike racks
-4375 is at Montgomery
-4342's destination signs were not working
-Ride On 40 footers 5709, 5717, 5720, 5724 and 5725 have the tribute to Conrad Johnson on the right side
-also on 2092, one of the vinyl seat cushions was replaced by a cloth one
-2116, 2117 and 2049 have cameras
-2117 only shows the destination and not the route number on the side destination sign
-one last thing I noticed on the 2001-02 Ride On bus destination sign in that when the sign changes from small font to large font, in a two digit route # the second number moves a little farther, in the small font and closer in the large font.
4390 seen earlier in the day was now seen at New Carrolton doing an 88 run. Also 9459 had an oddity, in that it had two bikes on the bike racks. This bus was heading towards New Carrolton. I also saw 9253 at Bethesda, I think on the J2 or J3.
Also, is Queens going to be an all-Orion depot, or will it run a mix of Orions and RTS? (Beware, the remans may be the next to go once the three remaining 1986 buses are gone.)
534 Q31
And with yet ANOTHER bus being given away from CS, does this mean they'll be getting those Artics soon????????
This is the deal! QV is suppose to get Orion 07.501 Hybrids #6425-6489. QV will still have NovaBus RTS-06 #4900-4944 and #9350-9381. Also buses #9286-9290 and #9292-9294. Also TMC RTS-06 #8352, #8355-8396. QV will not be an all Orion depot.
With the Orion VII Hybrids coming in the last half of this year to both Queens Village and Mother Clara Hale Depots do't be surprised that the Orion diseals currently assigned to Hale be transferred to Queens Village and the RTS at Queens Village be shifted to other depots.
Thank You
Actually, the Orion 05.501 buses #173-226 will be heading back to CS. I wish that was a rumor but according to my friend...it's not! Maybe he's pulling my leg!
BIG AL
BIG AL
You have a point! That's why I rely on you guys to update us...thanks!
BIG AL
I live near Fargo, ND and ride their transit system whenever I get up there. Last May, they put new Gillig 30 ft. low floor busses into service. One unique thing about them is that they have step-up seating on the front wheel wells (similar to the seating over the center wheels on the New Flyer low floor artics). They are the best seats in the house. Fargo's New Flyer D35LF's don't have seating up front, nor does any other low floor bus I have ever seen. Anyone else know of this type of seating out there?
Thanks
Sam Woolever
-Tyler-
Seating over the front wheel wells is rare in order to allow wheelchairs to maneuver through the area. I assume they put them there on the 30 ft. buses because there was just so little total seating.
Tom
BIG AL
Unfortunilty the crains ny business story is no longer on line.
BIG AL
BIG AL
Also, I just got word from Cleanairbus that 8980 is now in Quill. Also, I presume that 9029, 9034, 9037-9, 9042-7, 9049-50 are now in Quill. I have seen 9043 (anc Cleanairbus has seen 9037). In addition, some of the 1986 buses have been dumped in KB. 5025-9 replaced them in MHV.
YES!!!!
"Fresh Pond is on the list to receive (drum roll please) the brand spanking new low floor hybrid electric buses!!!"
Orion 6 or 7?
--AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
Wait a minute! Are you telling me that Fresh Pond is slated for some Orion 07.501 Hybrids or Orion 06.501 Low Floor Hybrids? First, I thought that the Orion buses could not fit in the washer? I do remember seeing Orion 05.501 buses #93073-93074 (#173-174) at Fresh Pond for test buses. I guess Fresh Pond really wants some NEW buses. I find this very hard to believe. That means that somebody will be short of a bus order. Could that be QV or MCH for the Orion 07.501 or is the MTA ordering MORE Orion 06.501 buses? Keep us posted BIG AL!
BIG AL
Mark
BIG AL
81990 B25
Mark
Let me understand this:
Mother Clara Hale Depot: Will they receive their allotment of 65 buses?
Fresh Pond Depot: As you have said, 60 buses...
East New York, Queens Village Depots: How many will they receive?
Has the order been upped to 325 or something, or has the original order of 125 been consolidated with a second order, which will be assigned to East New York and Queens Vilage Deopts?
Thank you for your help
Carlton
Cleanairbus
Transit Is My Drug
BIG AL
Finally. Brooklyn's "RTS Exclusivity" can go to hell. Everything that other places dumped on us will be dead. I love the RTS's, but not when the oldest ones get dumped here. Unfornately, I won't be here to see all of these wonderful changes because I will be leaving for the Navy soon. *cries*.
David
Peace,
ANDEE
Could the Bx2 worked out of Port Morris -- down around the north end of the Triborough Bridge somewhere? Not sure...but they were definitely two different fleets on the Bx1 and Bx2 in the early 1960's.
Currently:
Bx1,2,41-Kingsbridge
Bx19-Mother Clara Hale
Bx55-Gun Hill
Thank You
Michael
Washington, DC
The original West Farms Depot is still standing next to the #2/#5 Elevated Line at 174 th Street i believe. This depot was closed in the spring of 1984 and was replaced by Walnut.
Hope this helps
Thank You
David
David
What happened to the property then?
I was under the impression that the Post built its new plant there.
I read the Post daily even in Florida and i see that
does have some functions located in the Bronx?
Please advise
Thank You
David
1-How do you get from Williamsburg Bridge Plaza to Kent Avenue along Broadway after the changes are made.
2-The Q-59 has a shorter service span than the B-24
While its a good idea to reroute the Q-59 from Bedford/Diggs Avenue to Grand Street and Kent Avenue why can't the TA just run the B-24 along Broadway except for the turn around between Kent Ave and Williamsburg Bridge Plaza
Any commnets
Thank You
BIG AL
BIG AL
Michael
Washington, DC
Of course, Pataki will now deduct another $27 million from Transit's state funding!
Robert
Any Honeymooners fans out there? I will cheerfully confess to being one of those people who can recite almost every episode from memory. Reminds me a little of the episode when Ralph found an old suitcase on his bus and claimed it after no one picked it up. It contained $100K in cash - so he quit his driving job and called his boss "a bum". Ralph hired Norton as his valet.
Unfortunately, a few days later he discovered that the cash was counterfeit.
9603 Q58
Heck, even if the $17 million is before taxes, it's still a great haul! Congrats to the winner!
BIG AL
-F.
BIG AL
-F.
The other side deals with a change in how a accident is processed.
Wayne
Next, I get back on the (L) train and get off at Graham Av.. I waited for the B13 again, but this time I got what I wanted! 9170 came, sweet! I took that for the entire 75 minute trip. Only a FP Nova deserves a 75 minute ride like that, I enjoyed every bit of it. I also saw 8521 on the B24. The B13 only goes up the corner of Erksine St. and Seaview Av. then goes back. Coming back, I got 8155, lucky I took that because the next bus was 4728(sad). 8155 was SLOW, but I got to hear that a FP B/O had won the lotto, interesting! I got off at Myrtle/Wyckoff and went to a pizzeria. Finally I took 9572 going home on the Q55.
Q55- RTS #9164
R143 (L) Train
M15- NF Artic #5513
M15- RTS #9188
R143 (L) Train
B13- RTS #9170
B13- RTS #8155
Q55- RTS #9572
Thanks
Mark DeLoatch
mdlbigcat@comcast.net
So I let 2 R trains & a M train go and I wait for the W to come so I get to Canal St as quickly as possible. So I hop on the R68A train and then we do good speed via the 4 Av express then we arrive at Pacific St and we wait for the cross platform connection with the R. So then we bypass Dekalb & the Q JUST beat us to the bridge so we wait about 3 minutes then we cross the Manny-B rather quickly and I get off at Canal to wait for any train that comes first and the platfrom was smelly and dingy [that's the future abandoned platform]. So I take the M to Essex and I decide to take the B39.
So I get off at Essex and I walk back to Allen St rather than wait at Essex b/c I ain't feel like standing plus I wanted to look out for Artics on the M15. So I see Artic 5512 running n/b and then 9591 comes, I grab the front seat, it loads the passengers and we head toward the Willy-B. We do about 45 mph on the bridge and it was a nice sight seeing the trains and the view. Then I get off at WBP and I decide to take the B44 LTD and so I get on 5118 and we do smoothly throughout until around Empire Blvd where there's a buildup of traffic right up until just after Church Av, hindering the chance for good speed. Then I arrive at Newkirk Av wait a few minutes and I get 4644 again [FUNNY HUH ;-)] and I take that to my stop.
Pretty nice joyride I did today and it was done in less than 3 hours.
RTS 4644 B8
NF 811 B9
NF 843 B70
R68A 5140 (W)
R42 4919 (M)
RTS 9591 B39
RTS 5118 B44 LTD
RTS 4644 B8
If they can't help you, or don't have any.. or whatever lame excuse they have for not comprehending what you're saying, send me your mailing address and I'll ship you a copy.
This year, the book is 80 pages, oddly enough includes no cover date, but offers more (and updated) photographs of people, buses and depots across the system. That, in addition to the fleet rosters, vintage fleet, types of buses, bus depot assignments, route assignments and more.
I got the calendar! It's great! The NEW 2003 NYCT Calendar is out and running!
Thanks a million, BK! ^_^
They should be more than willing to ship you a copy.
Thanks
Its a combined 2002/2003 edition and it is great
Thank You
Pt Richmond S 53
Totteville S78
Staten Island Mall S 79
Discharge Only 144
What is route 144?
Thank You
If your initials are SV, SL, RC and AV, you should be receiving the package later next week. If you don't receive it by next Saturday, let me know.
steve
I know that a money is alloted this year for a bus terminal of some kind. Is this a sign that the terminal is on it's way
By the way the illegal dollar vans drove through the bus only lane like they belonged with two of the vans parked perpedicular to the side walk blocking most the exit lane holding up buses
The easiest way to enfor the bus lane zone is with a camera to take the picture of the dollar van licence plates
I know triple A had a cow when DOT suggested installing cameras to enforce bus stops and bus lanes but the time has come. These vans not only steel rides from the MTA, polute the air but they show little regard for the traffic laws. I nearly got ran over the other day by two vans who treetd the stop sign on 53rd place like it was not even there. They shot through beeping there horn at 30 MPH.
http://www.metro-magazine.com/t_featpick.cfm?id=90505212
It's that simple. :-)
Data shows that back when more people lived that way, they did, in fact, save a higher share of their income, and give more away to charity. It's a more "Christian" way of life.
Of course, that attitude induced me to live in Brooklyn where that way of life is feasible. Tougher out in Smallville. Then again, perhaps the Bible Belters are willing to tough it out a little more than I am for Jesus.
Also, going to schools and teaching the children about the virtues of transit early in life is key, especially when kids (and adults) learn that a 40-foot bus can hold as many people as 70 to 80 cars. Which would YOU rather be stuck behind at a traffic light?
-F.
Another push I have seen lately is at the local libraries; route schedules are offered in their community service brochure areas, and mousepads with their website and logo are at the public computers. PR tools and displays are a great way to deliver the message, and well worth the investment if more people ride the bus systems.
-F.
I went to Columbia University last night and oh boy! This was the best observation ever! I got a couple of pics but had to stop because of the Columbia University's Public Safety.....ARGH! I saw something interesting though. From Suffolk Transit, I saw a Gillig 30TB96 on the S110 Clipper? This bus also had a rear wrap on it. Weird to see that on the S110 Clipper!
Anyway, we went through FOUR boroughs (Manhattan, Queens, The Bronx and Brooklyn) in one night. My friend took the wrong route into The Bronx so I got some Bronx observations. So, here's what I got:
MTA LI Bus:
Orion 05.501 #627 - Not In Service (Eastbound LIE)
MTA New York City Transit:
GUN HILL
TMC RTS-06 #8039 (repowered)- Not In Service (getting on the Bruckner Expwy heading towards GH)
126TH STREET (DHF60's territory)
It looks like there's an exit ramp into the depot off the Triborough Bridge...LOL! Could not get no pics.....security reasons!
** I SAW THESE BUSES ON THE TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE**
TMC RTS-06 #8174 (repowered)- M35 (to Manhattan with a rear wrap)
TMC RTS-06 #8175 (repowered) - M35 (to Wards/Randalls Island)
TMC RTS-06 #8440 (repowered) - X80 (to Manhattan)
NovaBus RTS-06 #5051 - X80 to Randall's Island (WHAT?!!! Is this a frequent route? Why isn't this posted on bus maps? Just say M35 to Randall Island?)
TMC RTS-06 #8446 (repowered) - M116 (Broadway and W 106th St? Was not on W116th St because that's Columbia University)
TMC RTS-06 #8190 (repowered) - M66 (Broadway and W 66th St going towards the East Side)
MANHATTANVILLE and AMSTERDAM
**THE FOLLOWING BUSES I SAW ON 125TH STREET. I never knew 125th St was so narrow. I thought it was two lanes going each way.**
NovaBus RTS-06 #8781 - M60
TMC RTS-06 #8353 - M101
TMC RTS-06 #4801 - M101
TMC RTS-06 #8354 - M101
NovaBus RTS-06 #8786 - M60
NovaBus RTS-06 #9003 - M60
NovaBus RTS-06 #8791 - M60
NovaBus RTS-06 #5189 - M101 (Now been confirmed....by me that this bus is at MV!)
Orion 05.501 #432 - M100
Orion 05.501 #6090 - M100
Orion 05.501 #6099 - Bx15
Orion 05.501 #439 - M100
Orion 05.501 #469? - Bx15 (Not sure about the number on that! I know it's at GH but I do not know.)
Orion 05.501 #6102 - Bx15
Orion 05.501 #6067 - M100
**THESE BUSES I SAW ON BROADWAY PASSING BY COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY**
TMC RTS-06 #8249 (repowered) - M4
NovaBus RTS-06 #8761 OR #8781 - M4
NovaBus RTS-06 #8981 - M4
NovaBus RTS-06 #8776 - M60
NovaBus RTS-06 #8754 - M4
NovaBus RTS-06 #9024 - M4
NovaBus RTS-06 #8779 - M60
NovaBus RTS-06 #9013 - M60
Orion 05.501 #6077 - M104 (repainted)
Orion 05.501 #6086 - M104 (Saw this bus twice at Columbia and then being rerouted around Broadway and W 72nd St...HUGE project over there)
Orion 05.501 #6070 - M104 (Got two pics of that)
Orion 05.501 #6068 - Not In Service (I saw nobody on the bus but did not read the destination sign)
AMSTERDAM (buses along Broadway as I was traveling downtown)
Orion 05.501 #427 - M104
Orion 05.501 #445 - M104
Orion 05.501 #6118 - M104
Orion 05.501 #6116 - M104
MICHAEL J. QUILL
TMC RTS-06 #8646 - M10 (W 125th St and Frederick Douglass Blvd)
New Flyer D60HF #5524 - M102 (W 125th St and Lenox Av)
New Flyer D60HF #1054 - M86 (making a diffcult turn off Broadway onto W 87th St)
New Flyer D60HF #5542 - M79 (Broadway and W 79th St)
TMC RTS-06 #8613 - M10 (on Broadway with a rear wrap of X-MEN)
TMC RTS-06 #8633 - M20 (on Broadway following the M10)
MOTHER CLARA HALE
Orion 05.501 #203 (repowered) - M1 (E 125th St and Madison Av)
Orion 05.501 #6023 - M7 (W 125th St and Lenox Av. New Flyer D60HF #5524 blocked it in the bus stop.)
Orion 06.501 #635x - M7 (W 125th St and Lenox Av going towards Union Square...did not get the number)
Orion 05.501 #215 (repowered) - M7 (Broadway and Columbus Av)
Orion 05.501 #250 (repowered) - M7 (Broadway/Times Square)
Orion 05.501 #252 (repowered) - M7 (Broadawy/Times Square)
HUDSON
NovaBus RTS-06 #5198 - Q32 resting at Penn Station
Bee-Line Buses of Westchester County
TMC MCI 102A3 #912 - BxM4C (E 125th St and 5th Av)
New York Bus Service
MCI Classic TC-40102A #1635 (behind me at 2nd Av and E 125th St coming off the Triborough Bridge)
Well, that's about it. Respond to this or e-mail me for more information. Enjoy!
>>"Orion 05.501 #469? - Bx15 (Not sure about the number on that! I know it's at GH but I do not know.)"<<
You probably mean 459
DHF60 is a frequent poster on BT and works at the 126th St Depot. That's why I said DHF60 territory because I past by the 126th St Depot.
1) Collingswood, NJ- 30xx Flxible on the 403. Usual crappy-windowed Flxible from Washington Twp. Short ride to Camden.
2) MCI 7542 - 409 Express, uneventful ride, noticed that this one trip has a lot of regulars, everyone knows each other. Will this trip survive when the LRT starts up?
3) Car 1414 - NEC line 8:57 out of Trenton, rode to Newark Airport Station. Checked out the station. For a station out in the middle of nowhere, it`s nice. Used my ticket thru the cool-looking faregates, now where will the PA put the Proposed PATH extension?
4) Car 077 - Train 7- The Monorail looks a little like a amusement ride as it goes over the mess of highways outside of Newark Airport, rode all the way to P1 station. Watched the track switch over, then took the next train.
5)Car 191 - Train 19, rode all the way to the train station and backtracked to Terminal C. Now my question, why do older white men insist on wearing BAD RUGS on their head? The one I saw on this dude was quite pathetic.
6) Bus 1854 Flx Metro D- It seems that NJT has a dedicated fleet of buses for the 62 line. All of them has luggage racks on the left-front wheel wells.
7)Car 111 - Newark City Subway - Although I like the new cars on this line, I miss the PCC's. Rode to Grove St, had lunch at Wendy's, walked back to the station, missed the next train, but saw the remaining PCC`s in the yard.
8)Car 104 - NCS- Midday ride was crowded.
9)Car 633 - PATH- What luck! I got the Railfan Window seat! During the trip we stopped near the bridge that carries the Path trains into Jersey City. Watched as the bridge lowered down into position, then resumed our run into Journal Sq. From Journal Sq to Manhattan I had a kid looking over my shoulder at the railfan window. He got his wish when I got off at 14th St.
10) F train - R46-5911. Got a seat next to an annoying scratched-up window. Jumped of at Jay St. Caught bus at Jay and Fulton.
11) Bus 986 - B75 - NFC40LF - rode this line hoping to find a Orion 7. When boarding, 2 hyper little kids nearly ran over a crotchety old woman. The bus got crowded, then on the way I noticed an Orion 7 behind it, so I jumped off, and got the ride on the new bus.
12) Bus 7563 - B75 - Orion7 - First Ride! The look of this bus could be improved, it really is ugly! The low portion is really low, and the high part, is really high. Left the bus at Pritchard Sq.
13) F train - 15th St Prospect Park, R46-5585. As the train went out of the tunnel out into the open at Smith-9th st, The spectacular view of Manhattan came into the open. But it still hurts to see this without the Twin Towers. Rode back to Jay St.
14) A train, R32-3820- This old girl looks good at 40. Hopped off at B'way Nassau, walked to the Fulton St Sta to catch the R142's on the 4 0r 5.
15) Decided to pass up the 4 which got crowded, so I took the 5. Rode on car 7055, how bright the inside of these cars are! Got off at Grand Central, strolled thru the station walked on 42nd St took a short break at Bryant Park. While at Bryant Park I saw Flyer Viking 997. At this time, evening rush is in full effect.
16) Passed up an 86xx RTS when it got crowded, waited a minute when I got on RTS 9652. Bus way half-empty, and the driver used the wheel-chair lift for a disabled man on crutches. I never see that in Philly.
17) Left the M42 at 3rd ave, saw an artic, went to catch the bus. It is 5530- NFD60HF. Noticed the light in the articulation joint. The real agony is that it took a full hour to go from 42nd st to 125th st.
18) After that agony, I hopped back on the Subway, took the 2 (R142-6622) for the short trip from 125 St, to 149 st-Grand Concourse.
19) Hopped on the 5 (R142-6384), rode all the way to Dyer Ave, noticed a KFC along the way at Baychester Ave, but when I decided to get off, the train was on the way to Dyre Ave. Got off at Dyre, hopped on the returning train.
20) Car 6730 (R142) - rode one stop to Baychester Ave. Noticed how high the station is, thankful I don`t have to climb up those steps. Got off and walked to the KFC, and noticed that THE DAMN PLACE WAS UNDER CONSTUCTION! My craving for KFC got me jobbed badly. So I decided to try something else.
21) On Boston Rd, I got on 8063 (RTS Repowered), rode thru Co-Op city to Asch Loop. Got off to have dinner at Popeyes.
22) Didn't ride, but I noticed a lot of NYBS fishbowls. I wonder how many are in service.
23) After dinner, got on 5423 on the Bx12. Bus was crowded at 7:30 at night. Noticed the trim and equipment differences between 5423 and 5530.
24) Got off at Fordham and Grand Concourse, hopped on the D train, rode on 2665 (R68). These R68's need an overhaul in their interiors. The metallic sides are badly scratched up and give the car a cold look. Maybe they should give the cars a look like the R46, or maybe the R142. Got off at 42 st, walked to Times Square, then took in the look and bustle of Times Square. Then walked to the PABT for the trip home.
25) Greyhound 2223, a doggy MC12 on the Dog. The bus was 45 minutes late, that explained why it left at 9:50 instead of the scheduled 10:00 pm departure. The Dog's driver made good time on the NJT turnpike despite the jam around exit 6, a jam I barely got a glance at since it was in the fog of my nap on the bus.
26) After arriving of Philly, I walked to 8th st and took my final leg home, a 1xx PATCO I car from Philly to Collingswood. During the overnight hours PATCO runs 2 car trains of 100 series single unit cars, one car is open and used for passengers, the other car is closed. They`re reversed ar the end of the line.
And that`s my BIG RIDE. I hope to do another one, this time in DC in May. My goal down there is to ride all of the systems down there.
These cars were overhauled, so to me, they're not really 40 years old.
Otherwise, interesting trip!
#9090 - B6
#9322 - B6
4497 B6
When I got there (I walked from New Carrollton), I rejoined Perry, Chris, Chris, Chris's brother, and Ray. Immediately, I caught sight of the Orion VII/HEV Ride-On tested out. Also saw 1912, a GMC Fishbowl, 9112, an Orion VI, and C40LF 2464 with the John Deere engine. Took a look around these buses including their auxilary roll signs (for things like LOCAL, EXPRESS, etc, they have some pretty strange ones in there). They then demonstrated how they would right a tipped over bus, using a 8800 Flixble which was scrap (sorry, I don't recall the number). Perry, Chris, Chris, and Chris's brother then left for the MTA Roadeo in Baltimore, Ray and I proceeded to the maintanence bays where we wandered around a bit. Saw some buses there, then went back outside and around to the bus wash where some buses were waiting to start their runs. One driver changed his destination sign (on an Orion VI) for the L2 and the Clever device immediately displayed the right display for the first stop depsite being NOWHERE near Chevy Chase Circle! We soon found ourselves along the backside of the parking lot where some of the competitions were going on. Walked along there and found a GMC Fishbowl with most of its seats taken out (bus was in really bad shape) and played with its roll signs. We then moved on to NABI 5230 from Bladensburg on. We turned on the destination sign and soon had the bus signed up as an X2 to McPherson Square. I tried in vain to change it to L2 but for some reason, when I would try to hit enter on the L, it would go back to X2. Continued walking around the backside of the lot, found one 2100 series Orion V from Montgomery, a few Flxible Metros, a LOT of Orion VIs with cameras and 4000 series Orion Vs. After that, Ray and I went for lunch and then decided to go around the back side of the lot again, this time noting each bus we saw and seeing if we could have any more luck with the desitnation sign. This went well. We decided to see if we could get one of the 30 foot Orion Vs to display something on its sign but that didn't work. We then went back to the NABI, right behind the Orion, and started putting in various things. We got a P/R sign for SAVE ENERGY-TAKE TRANSIT, LIMITED STOPS, LOCAL, and tried putting in various different codes. We soon pulled up the MEDICAL CENTER STATION reading and changed the routes so it would look like a Ride-On bus. We had it as 46 MEDICAL CENTER and 27 MEDICAL CENTER, our home routes. We then went back to New Carrollton and split at Stadium-Armory. He went on to VA, I went to Addison to get some notes for my next BVE routes. All in all, a successful day. I will post a list of buses I saw at Landover Division tonight.
And lots of chit chat on how ghetto Baltimore is...
Yep, this city is ghetto...
We saw NABI artic 9619 along with NABI 40 footer 9955 in an auxiliary parking lot. I tried to change the sign code on that one, but not knowing anything, nothing happened. The SEPTA New Flyer was very nice along with an ex NJ Transit Volvo artic signed "Great Adventure". The Baltimore MTA RTS was the roadeo bus and at the end, they were driving it with the back doors opened to pick up the cones and other stuff from the track.
We enjoyed their BBQ and entertainment and took the "subway" to Charles Street. We did a lot of bus watching and were hoping to see a Neoplan, but alas we didn't. We finally settled on Flx Metro B 9226 on the 5 to Mondawmin Mall. Chris (New Look Terrapin) was talking a lot about the buses,which got the female bus driver's attention. She kept looking back at us and finally asked how we knew so much about buses. Once at Mondawmin, we saw Flx Metro 30 footer 8734 running on the Shuttlebug and were about to get on it when we noticed the Thomas SLF 3007 sitting ready to do the loop as well. So, we boarded that one and rode both loops of the Mondawmin Shuttle Bug. Got off at Cold Spring, took the Metro up to Owings Mills and rode back to Reisterstown to get Chris' car and drive by all 4 MTA bus divisions.
Got back to New Carrollton about 6:15 where Chris D. headed back to Univ. of MD. and Ride On Chris, his brother Nick and I used the facilities at the Amtrak Station and I went on my way back home to VA on Breda 2005.
Chris and Nick showed us a whole pile of old WMATA bus schedules from the 70's. That consumed most of my ride to Baltimore as I was looking at odd routes such as the O1, O7 and O9, Y2, S7, S9, the T6 when it for some reason ran from Montgomery College to Ivy City, what a long trip that must have been. Also saw schedules for the J2 when it used to go all the way out to Beltway Plaza as well as a bus that ran from Montgomery Village to Federal Triangle.
See here's how the rule works:
Age of person pumping the brakes of a display bus at the WMATA Roadeo = X
X = young child
Kids will be kids, we'll let him do it
X = 19 years of age = me
Don't do that again, you heard?!
After the roadeo, Ray went to see Tristan, I wanted to get notes for my next BVE project, the Blue or Orange Line. As a result, I was taking notes on where curves, grades, bridges, and crossovers were. I did the Orange Line from New Carrollton to Stadium-Armory, but then was going to go out to Addison at the rear of the Blue Line and ride it back to Metro Center to get the Red Line to go home, this time at the front. As I had told you earlier, I had seen a CAF on the Blue Line on my way to New Carrollton in the morning. Lo and behold, a CAF train going to Addison Road pulls in, the trailing car is 5096. I ride it out to Addison, noticing that the interior LED just said BLUE. I have yet to see a working interior LED on a CAF yet. I get my pictures at Addison before the T/O shows up and when he does, I say "Excuse me, can you explain why the sign (pointing to the LED) doesn't work?" He asked me where I was trying to get to, I said I knew where I was going and I was just wondering, he told me it was none of my business to ask why it wasn't working and I should go sit down. So he doesn't feel like talking or explaining, big deal, not every T/O is interested in doing that. I get out my notepad and start making note of everything that I can just from where the train is sitting at Addison for the start of the BVE route. The operator notices and asks what I am doing. I explain except when he asked who the simulator was for, I said myself (yes, it will be released when I make it). We go along and I record my notes. Once when he asked from the cab "Where are you from? Afghanistan or Iraq?" and after we stopped at Benning Road, I hear him on the radio. Apparently, he called me in. Someone shows up, talks briefly to the T/O (as we go through D&G Junction which I decided would be more accurate if I noted from Blue than from Orange since it was a straight uphill to the junction without the curve, now I am going to have to make a second trip out there sometime). The other T/O talks to me and accepts my story, the T/O actually driving the train tells me he is going to watch me like a hawk. At Metro Center, he puts his hand up so he won't be seen in my pictures of the front of the train. He also said he would remember my face (I told him that I was in a Washington Post article about the Metro) and that he had never seen a railfan ever in his life before.
This week, Metro customer service is getting a call. I understand the need for vigilance but once I prove myself, I want to be left alone, and I want to be treated with respect.
The bus roadeo was definitely the best chance to take photos and notes without being watched like a hawk.
-F.
-F.
Wayne
-F.
Wayne
-F.
-F.
Maybe we need to start introducing ourselves to T/Os as bus and railfans, maybe they will know who we are.
As far as your "black eye" theory, I agree. I had never rode an artic before, and I saw 5207 at a layover in Chinatown. The driver gruffly asked us, "Where are you going?". I told him I simply wanted to ride wherever he was going, and he rushed me and got rude as hell. What's more, the passengers were no different; they did the same thing. I really thought that DC was pretty much a $#!+hole at that point. Then when I rode Flxible no. 9813 back to the Smithsonian, the driver was pleasant and offered supportive help as to where and when to catch the bus. That won me over in a big way.
-F.
This has been going on WAY before 9/11. In September 1999, I visited Richmond and got the same treatment from a paranoid driver who thought he was higher than God. After he threatened to hold me there on the grounds and call the police, I said more or less to just take the f***ing camera and let me go. That's when I learned the valuable lesson of asking permission FIRST. That helps in a great way.
-F.
Wayne
-F.
Oren,
Let me take this thread in a more useful direction. I happen to have a document that will aide you in the information you were taking notes of. By now you have likely seen the track schematic I made available to you. I have a document that shows not only there curves it also shows the grade profiles of the sections in subway and some of the elevated sections as well as chaining information.
John
--AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
B44 Local - #9397
--AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
Mark
Wayne
The one SEPTA New Flyer was nice. It was 5665. I overheard one of the Baltimore MTA drivers saying how nice it was to the SEPTA driver.
I am sure whoever drove the NABI back to Bladensburg was in for quite a surprise when they saw it signed up 27 MEDICAL CENTER STA!
Sounds like yuo all had a great time. I'm glad to hear that. I'm very sorry that I couldn't join you all this time. Also - why do these outing keeping happening when the weather is less than ideal??? Anyways - I had gone to NYC to visit my parents and see the NY International Auto Show. In addition to being a transit fan. I'm also a big car enthusiast. I had a great time in NYC and I was able to squeeze in a bit of bus/subways riding. It was brief - When I headed to Javits Convention Center for the Auto Show... I drove into Manhattan (my parents live in the Bronx) and parked my car on Central Park West near 89th Street. I then wealked to the 86th Street IND and to my suprise the D train was making local stops. I rode R-68 #2720 to 34th Street and waited for a M34, but after 20 min and several M4 & Q32 passing I decided to walk to 11th Ave. After the show I rode a couple of R-142 on the 2 and R-62A on the 1 & 3. Then I got off at 86th Street and caught a brand new New Flyer D60HF #5530 from Quill on the M86. At this point it was getting late so I drove around a bit stopped at White Castle on Fordham Road, drove some more and reminisced about the old days of bus riding in The Bronx and how much things have changed - then when home to get some sleep. Sunday AM I drove to Bay Plaza in Co-OP City. I stopped at NYBS and of course most of the fleet were there. Took a close look at the 3 GMDD Classics (1600-1602) as they're very close to the fence near the street. Anyone who has been on a NYBS or up to the depot... Their operation is simply awesome. All of the buses have assinged parking spaces and on numerical order by fleet number. Of course the express fleet is comprised of mainly MCI Classics, but it's neat to see all all of the Classics parked together, MCI D4500 parked together, GMDD T*h-5308A's etc. This of course is the same for their school bus operation.
Wayne
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9163 B38 (Catalpa branch)
9603 Q58
487 Q25
3735 E
5262 A
8107 B83
Just so this post isn't completely off-topic, I saw some buses as I was going through Manhattan. On the M15, I saw 5512, 5515, and 5554. On the M34, I saw the 9534. And on the M31 I saw the 8237.
Did anyone else go to the auto show?
BTW, I enjoyed the many areas of the car show, including turning on the headlamps of about 15-20 cars, esp. listening to the sound systems on a few Lexuses and other cars...
Whoooo!
Carlton
Cleanairbus
Transit Is My Drug
-F.
-F.
O yea. I did not take the busses in Manhattan, but I did get on some R142 subway cars. Also got on the R143 cars.
Going to the show, we took the 7 train from Flushing to Grand Central, then took RTS 8621 on the M42 to the Javits Center. The ride from Grand Central to Javits took longer than the ride from Flushing to Grand Central. So, when we left the show, we walked from Javits to Times Square to catch the 7. (Got Redbirds both ways!)
Before and after the show I did some subway riding mainly on the R-142 on the deuce. I also rode R-68 #2720 on the D, but it was making local stops. I parked my car on CPW at 89th Street so I took the subway to 86th Street and caught MJQ's brand spanking new NFI D60HF #5530. It was a great day and early this afternoon I had lots of fun rolling back to MD along I-95 at some very illegal speeds. I actually had some fellow racing me in a Toyota Corolla (which should be able to keep up with my '92), but he bailed out when I started taking curves at some high speeds:-). Saw a Greyhound MC-12 that broke down on the Delaware Memorial Bridge. A wrecker was there hooking it up. Always good to come home to NYC, but it's also good to be back to my new home in the DC area.
Wayne
Wayne
I wonder what would happen if NYCTA found a way to repower their buses with the Dodge V10? Then you could have a RTS RT/10. LOL!
-F.
Actually a bus with the Viper's V-10 wold be grossly underpowered because it would have less that half the torque needed.
Wayne
-F.
I didn't think about the smaller cutaway buses. They'd be really fast with the Viper's engine - especially now that it's displacement has been increased to 8.3 liters with 500HP/500 Ft. Lbs. torque. I imagine the Cummins 5.9 diesel would be the preferred choice in terms of fuel consumption. That engine has really come along way.
Wayne
-F.
Wayne
One work assignment has "spotted trips" with the instruction to look in the "spotted trip" manual. What is an spotted trip.
Michael
Washington, DC
David
Yes, the vast majority of NYCT's "spotted" trip are for school dismissals. However, there are some trips in Queens and Staten Island that are spotted to a school for morning arrivals.
- - - - -
[Spotted trips replaced school trips, which FTA (UMTA at the time the decision came down) won't allow because they're viewed as being discriminatory in that only students are allowed to ride them.]
Quite true. The key is that "spotted" trips must be treated as part of the fixed-route system, and thus must accept all intending passengers and all applicable fare media. NYCT addressed the issue by (1) eliminating all "school specials" and (2) strictly applying the UMTA/FTA definition of a "near" (within one-half mile of a fixed route). Several other agencies (such as Westchester County DOT, SEPTA, WMATA) have addressed the issue by keeping their former "specials" and incoorporating them into the fixed route system (complete with distinct route numbers like 400 or J41).
At SEPTA, the 400-series routes are technically part of the system with their own separate timetables; however, these timetables are next to impossible to track down as they are probably only issued via the School District of Philadelphia. Technically, operators are supposed to pick up any passenger along the line, but in most cases, they don't.
One example: The 115 between Darby Rd/Brookline Blvd in Havertown and MacDade Mall in Glenolden (technically, Ridley Twp - I think) has two tripper runs from Archbishop Pendergast/Msgr Bonner High Schools in Drexel Hill. Last Tuesday, I saw a passenger who was waiting for the 115 try to get on a tripper from Drexel Hill to Delmar Village (it was bus 5406, 4571 block), but the operator wouldn't let him on. He also had the "SEPTA/OFF DUTY" sign up. A lot of operators working school trippers will do that once they've departed from their school.
David
NYCT had that problem shortly after the UMTA ruling. As I heard the story, two people (who turned out to be UMTA inspectors) tried to board a spotted trip at a Queens high school - only to be "informed" by the dispatcher that those trips were reserved for students. The result: That year's Federal funding was significantly delayed.
Basically, the trips can still be marketed to students, but they can't be reserved (for anybody). It's up to the riding public to decide whether to get on a bus with dozens of screaming, making-out, knife-fighting teenagers.
8900 B82
8113 L
4005 A
5400 Bx12 (this bus accelerated like a race car, ok not that fast, but you get the drift. Especially fast across the Fordham Bridge, and even up the hill on W. Fordham Road.)
5394 Bx22 (rather ordinary acceleration)
9118 Bx36 (good acceleration, despit being capped at 40 mph, as I found out when the bus went across the Washington Bridge)
4612 Bx3 (Why couldn't Brooklyn have gotten this JG original? This driver drove like there was no tomorrow, and this bus had exceptional acceleration the entire route, even when compared to the Novas.)
1103 Bx9
5428 Bx9 (nothing out of the ordinary)
6391 #2
8420 B41 (uneventful)
4641 B82 (no A/C, and I got on this after rejecting 4543)
Also, 4307 has returned to KB (I am not sure if 4308-9, 4313, 4319-20, 4325, or 4349 have also returned for their farewell tours as well), and 4517 is also in Kingsbridge. Does anyone else know of any MaBSTOA (and NYCT 126) transfers, within, into, and out of MaBSTOA (and NYCT 126) depots?
4307 Bx3
4517 Bx32
I almost never do Bronx bus trips, I can care less what goes on up there. The only interesting route they have is the Bx12. I usually do my bus trips in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. For SI, I would need a large part of the day to a trip.
ENY has 4543? That's sad. That's going to change though, when Brooklyn gets newer buses from Manhattan.
Thank you
Carlton
Cleanairbus
Transit Is My Drug
4543 has been at ENY for about 2 or 3 weeks now. As for the JG arrivals, they are all back at their original garages. I saw them on the B6, B52, B83, and B41, respectively.
At least KB gets its originals back so that they can say goodbye. FP can't get 4145 back, and with some 1986s back at KB, I dont know if 4145 (or 3474 for that matter) is still around.
Wayne
* Saw Neoplan 3343 working a 17 trip to the Naval Yard (7304 block) at around 12:15pm. I was surprised to even see a Neo on the 17, much less on a Sunday. Later, I noticed a 5600 en route to the Naval Yard at around 2:15pm (between the 2nd and 3rd innings). As I up in the 700 level of the Vet, I didn't really get a good look at the bus number, but I did notice the bike rack.
* Bieber Tourways, a charter operator based in Kutztown (between Reading and Allentown), used a new MCI J4500 for a charter to the game today (#549).
* I saw 4 Academy buses - two Academy owned units (Prevost 1315 and MCI 102DL3 1819) and two NJT owned D4500s, 8948 and 8949. The two NJT owned units were restroom equipped.
Speaking of the Vet, the SEPTA Roadeo will be held in the Vet's parking lot near 10 St and Packer Av sometime in June. I'd guess that it'll take place either on the 14th or 28th, which are the only two Saturdays that month when the Phillies will be on the road.
(For those who've been to the SEPTA Roadeo, the parking lot in question is to the north and east of the stadium itself; you actually have to enter the lot via Pattison Av near 11 St. That lot was not one of the lots closed due to the construction of "Your Name Here" Ballpark (which opens next year) and Lincoln Financial Field, where the Eagles will play starting this season. Next year, though, it's possible the SEPTA Roadeo could be moved to the Navy Yard, which is where the APTA International Roadeo was held 2 years ago.)
These service adjustments make more sense and will save alot of money. It will create a budget surplus.
###
Joe Butler
Steve
These service adjustments make more sense and will save alot of money. It will create a budget surplus.
###
Joe Butler
WEST CHESTER PIKE CORRIDOR (ROUTES 104, 112, 120, 123): Restructure service to allow a consistent 15 minute headway during mid-day weekday hours and Saturdays; 20 minutes on Sundays between 69 St Terminal and Lawrence Rd. Weekday mid-day service - 104, 112, 120, and 123 operate hourly. Full 120 trips to Cheyney would be operated (replacing the transfer at Newtown Square via the 104) by reducing West Chester service to hourly (the ridership just isn't there during mid-day hours), essentially retaining 30 minute service to Newtown Square. Hourly service to Lawrence Park and King of Prussia. Idea is to retain some service on the 123 and spread ridership out along West Chester Pike, something SEPTA tried to do, but has failed miserably at. Saturdays: 45 minute headways on 104, 112, and 123. Sundays: 60 minutes on 104, 112, 123 (with extra trips operating one-direction only; these would be pull-in/out runs for the 124 and 125)
ROUTE 110: Eliminate short-turn Pilgrim Gardens service; replace by re-routing regular 110 trips via Pilgrim Gardens (ridership has fallen off in recent years on the short turns; the routing would remain, but would not originate/terminate at Twp Line/Dermond).
ROUTE 111: Eliminate peak short-turns to Twp Line/State Rd. I've rarely seen more than a few people using these trips.
ROUTES 116/117/119: What I plan to propose is consolidating all three lines into two lines, which would operate as the 116 and 117 (119 will be used later).
Route 116 would essentially be the current 117/119 between Chester Transportation Center and the I-95 Industrial Park in Chester Twp via 7 St. From I-95 I.P., service would operate via Concord and Pennell Rds en route to Penn State/DelCo and Granite Run Mall, with alternating trips operating to Cheyney via Baltimore Pk and Cheyney Rd. Trips originating/terminating at Granite Run would operate via Glen Riddle; trips originating/terminating at Cheyney would operate via Neumann College. Weekday service would be every 30 minutes to Granite Run and hourly to Cheyney; Saturday service would be 45 minutes to Granite Run, 90 to Cheyney. Sunday service would be hourly to Granite Run only, with no Neumann College or Glen Riddle service.
Route 117 would retain the existing routing between Chester TC and Granite Run via Brookhaven and Elwyn, but would be extended to West Chester via Goshen Corp Pk (PA 352/Boot Rd to Goshen Corp Pk, then via 314 rt). Same headways as 116 (30 minutes to Granite Run and 60 to West Chester weekdays, 45 and 90 on Saturdays, and Sundays hourly to Granite Run only), but service patterns as follows: Penn State service via Brookhaven, West Chester service via Parkside.
ROUTES 114/314: Split 114 at Chester TC; Darby to Chester remains 114. Chester to Boothwyn extended to Chadds Ford and becomes new Rt 119, via current 314 routing. Interlining service most likely option. NOTE: The proposed FY 2004 Capital Budget notes that two new routes may be created as part of the US 202/Section 300 (basically the Exton/Frazer/Great Valley corridor between US 30 and PA 29); one of these routes - 306 - would operate between Chadds Ford and Great Valley via West Chester. With the new route segments of the 117, 119, and 306, that essentially renders the 314 obsolete. The outside funding from Chester and Delaware counties would be applied to the 117 (Chester) and 119 (DelCo) reroutes.
ROUTE 118: Eliminate King of Prussia to Paoli segment. Operate peak service hourly to Paoli; off-peak weekdays operate 45 minutes to either Delaware County Community College or Newtown Square, and 90 to Paoli (would connect with a restructured 133, more in a future post).
I am anticipating recieving some documents from an insider at SEPTA within the next few days re: Regional Rail, but those comments won't be posted at this site (but will be at mine ... eventually). Frontier will be next on the list, followed by the city.
BTW, for those who REALLY want to know which bus it was, it was bus #2202, on possibly the x29 or x28...
Thank you
Carlton
Cleanairbus--TIMD
Maybe it wasn't in service.
Robert
One of our buses crashed in Piermont today trying to avoid another accident!
Regards,
Trevor Logan
Coach USA Westwood Garage Operator
www.transitalk.org
Meaning that if the person saw the bus coming, then the driver would have been charged?
BIG AL
BIG AL
P.S. I hope the operator wasn't the lotto winner!!!
Robert
I'm shocked, but I just found out that a woman was shot while aboard a Green Line train at the Congress Heights Station Saturday night. The http is as follows:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=metro/specials/metrorail&contentId=A43138-2003Apr26¬Found=true
Please comment.
(A reference to an earlier thread)
With the coming fare hike, will an off peak fare (even if increased) remain; or will all rides cost the full fare?
I'm not talking about student or senior citizen discount; just the ordinary off peak fare.
Sorry for asking, but I haven't found the answer on this, or any other (inclusing official MTA) website. Thanks.
IT was crazy that the city allowed these off peak fares to begin with. The reason you offer off peak fares is to encourage riders from riding during peak periods to reuce crowdes. The fare structure did not do that
if Bee Line gets metrocard, their 1.75 fare would be the off peak fare
also note that the privates didn't profit from metrocard as much as the TA did, so this was also an incentive to get people to use cash instead of tokens, or metrocards.
If you really want to screw with the privates use unlimited metrocards frequently on their systems
Fare box revenue collection is irrelevant to the profits of the privates because the city pays them cost plus
The NYCDOT off-peak fare was Rudy Giuliani's campaign gift to Queens, and it was partly responsible for his second term.
However, we now have a ray of hope here in our area. Mr. Bev Fitzpatrick, esteemed President of our local bus and trolley museum and extreme busfan, has been re-elected to our City Council. When he served on council in the 1980s, he pushed for many improvements on our bus system, including Alcoa wheels for new and older buses, ADA retrofits for the latter, and digital destination signs. I hope he can help out again this time; he has done a great job in the past.
-F.
When the private lines (which operate under the auspices of the DOT) file to have their fares increased to match the MTA they will most likely include request a discontinuence of the off-peak fare sturcture.
Aren't you? As a daily QBx1 rider I always thought so. j/k
A lot of my fellow Co-op City residents try to get away with it because many of your fellow drivers are nice guys (and gals) and let them get away with it. I have never seen a Mabstoa driver on the Co-Op City routes let many people get away with paying less than the proper fare.
What has to happen when the off-peak fare is discontinued is that there have to be big signs in advance of the change on the QSC buses telling people when it is going to happen.
As for me - I always use a MetroCard so I am looking forward to see a deduction of $1.50 in the morning when I head to work starting next week.
Ended up waiting at the bus stop with my fiance as she was taking the 24P and I was taking the 1C. Both were due at the same time and sure enough both buses came down the street with hers trying to pass the stop, so she ran after hers and mine stopped. She told me this happens almost everyday since that bus has to make a left. My thing is, don't have the 24 stop there if that's the case.
Anyway, I was on Orion V 2154 and I overheard the bus driver saying she was in the WMATA bus roadeo on Saturday. When that seat opened by her, I moved up and talked to her for a few minutes about it. Normally, I don't chat with the driver other than saying hello or goodbye, but we were at a light so I took the chance and told her I was there. She said the same driver that won the past 15 times won again. A driver from the Arlington Division across from my apt. won second place. She was happy to hear that I was a bus fan and interested in that kind of stuff. She said, "Hello neighbor!" when I told her I lived across from their lot, wished me congrats on being engaged and so on. She was very friendly.
She mentioned, too, that there is talk of adjusting the 1C because it takes so long to get from Ballston to Fair Oaks Mall. I think she said it may end at Fairfax Hospital and have another route that goes from there to the Mall, similar to the 2C/2T splitting to keep the buses on time. That would suck big time for me becuase my office is right past where the bus turns onto Gallows Road to go to the hospital, so I'd have to take the second bus just to complete the loop to go back on Rte. 50 where the office is. The closest stop without doing this is about a mile away on Gallows. Right now, the buses loop through the hosptial, come back on Gallows to then go to either Rte. 50 East or West depending on if its going to the Mall or Ballston. I hope this is just a rumor!!!
I have the following comments on the Strappies' latest effort...
1. Straphangers implicitly assumes that all ridership growth is uniform over the entire service day. This assumption is, at best, mistaken - and probably a flat-out lie. Specifically, there is no allowance for riding to grow at one time of day and drop at another time of day (or at all). Last time I checked, riders still had the right to decide when and where to ride, without needing permission from Gene Russianoff.
2. Straphangers implicitly assumes that all pre-growth trips (even overnight!) were already at or over capacity. This assumption is, at best, mistaken - and probably a flat-out lie. When was the last time any trip was at or over capacity on the M18, Bx14, Q79, B71, or S60? Even if Q79 ridership quadrupled tomorrow, every current trip could still handle the load with seats to spare.
3. Straphangers implicitly assumes that NYCT is able to adjust schedules instantaneously in response to growth. This assumption is, at best, mistaken - and probably a flat-out lie. Schedules are prepared and picked in advance, so NYCT would have to know in advance the exact time, location, and magnitude of any and all growth. Even if there were any ESP-ers out there, only an investment bank would be able to afford their salary demands!!
". Straphangers implicitly assumes that NYCT is able to adjust schedules instantaneously in response to growth. This assumption is, at best, mistaken - and probably a flat-out lie. Schedules are prepared and picked in advance, so NYCT would have to know in advance the exact time, location, and magnitude of any and all growth. Even if there were any ESP-ers out there, only an investment bank would be able to afford their salary demands!!
The biggest issue that causes crowding is bus bunching. Many NYCT bus schedules such as the B3 assume uniform times to travel along differnt points along the line
On the B3 the buses are always ahead of schedule Harway ave bound and drastically behind schedule kings plaza bound
If the MTA would get rid of the manual bus checkers and install GPS satelite tracking and dispatching supplimented by wireless base stations*could use 802.11b technology) they would be able to communicate with the buses and move empty buses that are ahead of schedule in front of packed buses that are behind schedule thus keeping the line more on time and reducing the bus bunching issue
The way it would work is that the trail bus would take over the lead buses time slot not making any pickups until it is now on time in the lead bus time slot. The former lead bus would assume the former trailer time slot. A small sceen inside the bus would notify each driver to the new arrangement.
The end result would be more even loading of buses along the line, The common practice on the B3 is for the trail bus to "hide" a stop before the traffic checker at Nostrand ave and ave U delaying all the riders on the bus for no appartent reason. This is a daily occurance and is quite fustrating to both riders and driver who have to face questions from angry riders
If I understand this paragraph correctly, the person in question at Nostrand & U is a Dispatcher (Traffic Checker is a completely different title), who is the Bus Operator's immediate supervisor in the field. NYCT rules prohibit being early, so it appears from this paragraph that the Bus Operator is "dragging," stalling until he or she can make the stop at Nostrand & U and leave that location (which is a timepoint on the B3) on time. He or she could also be trying to "unbunch" his/her bus from the bus in front.
Does it happen every day with the same Bus Operator, or with a variety of Bus Operators around the same time, or with a variety of Bus Operators at different times of the day?
David
This happens every day with a variety of bus operators.
I apoligize for the wrong title
The problem in the case of the B3 is that the areas from e 71th street until nostrand ave is far less crowed then the area from nostrand to the end of the line in bensonhurst. The bus schedule does not take this into account. Add to the fact that kings plaza being a major transfer location, sometimes there are crowds that hold the lead bus up thus the lead bus picks of riders ment for the trailer thus putting the trailer further heads of schedule with fewer passengers and the lead bus get crowded.
In the opposite direction kings plaza bound there is tremdous bus bunching. The bus seams to reach ave U 16th street station every 15-20 min instead of the 8 min headways. This even occurs after 9 pm when many of the stores along ave U are closed and double parking is no longer a problem
The problem leads many people like myself to not use the B3. I walk 2 1/2 blocks to catch the B2 to get to kings highway station even though the B3 drops me 20 ft from my front stoop.
In the morning waiting 3-5 min 2 blocks befor nostrand is totaly fustrationg.
In the evening the long waits then two and sometimes 3 buses in a row will drive you downright mad. This occurs as late as 9PM.
Shifting bus dispatchers from the feild to a central command center where they can monitor bus movement in real time would allow them to better manager the bus lines better. In addtion the MTA would have the information needed to better schedule buses to reduce bus bunching. I am aware like many other issues bus bunching occurs for different reasons on different lines
Can you define the role of the traffic checker
A Traffic Checker (most of whom are part-time employees) merely records times (and loads, where applicable), either standing at a particular location along a route or riding the bus. Traffic Checkers also do subway duty, where they record times (and loads, where applicable), usually standing at key stations. This information is given to Operations Planning's System Data & Research office, which puts all information collected for a given route and day (or days on a multi-day check) together and passes it on to the schedulers for analysis.
Dispatchers, on the other hand, while recording times and loads, are also empowered to take action (short-turning, authorizing pseudo-express operation on a particular trip, etc.), when something wrong is observed on a given route. He or she also monitors reliefs (if at a location where reliefs take place) and can ask a Bus Operator to continue a trip in the event that his/her relieving Bus Operator is not in place at the appropriate time. They are also in radio communication with buses, other Dispatchers, managers in the field, and the Bus Command Center. Traffic Checker is an entry-level position, whereas Dispatcher is a supervisory position whose occupants are promoted from the Bus Operator ranks after passing a civil service examination.
NYCT is looking into automatic vehicle location and control systems. The last go-round failed because the system being tested could not cope with Manhattan's skyscrapers (it kept losing the buses). Another system is to be tried shortly.
David
From your description of traffic checkers their job is virtually obsolete. Where as the diapatchers job would be transformed by the implimentation of automatic vehicle location + bus data transmition system which could both transmitt location and rider volume information(a simple weight sensor on the wheels could determin the load factor on a bus. No longer would he be sadled with tracking bus times plus he would have a real world view of how the line is running not just the tiny snapshot from his corner.
The good news is that technology has come a long way in the last 10 years. There still may be some issues with the GPS signals in manahttan but since a large part of the operating area is outside manahattan the system should be applied where applicable. Off the shelf 802.11b wireless technology could be used to transmit infromation from bus to ground station and back. This is the same technolgy use for wireless home networks and to provide internet access at bryant park, starbuchs and bowling green. It has a range of a few hundred feet.
The system I am describing sounds a bit more advanced then the system being tested in the early 90's. Considering how far technology has come in the past 10 years, the system I describe would have been prohibbitively expensive 10 years ago
It would allow a dispatcher sitting either in a central office or even in a vehicle wirelessly connected to make better decisions on short-turning, authorizing pseudo-express operation on a particular trip, etc in order to keep a line moving. As I describe in an earlier post, the system could give real time instructions to bus operators to readjust the schedule of a particular bus in real time to aid the lines fulidity. The system could give a command to the driver to speed up or slow down as well as new schedule he/she will follow. Since a back end server will be constantly analyzing the information, it quite concivable that buses from one line could be diverted to other lines in the case of a major problem. The possibilities are endless when the information is available in real time. The system could automatically recommand soluitions to dispatchers to aid in his/her ablity manage the lines better
In adddition it would give Operations Planning's System Data & Research office more information to better scheduling analysis. I currently deploy database system's that utilize buisness inteligence tools such as Cognos and business objects to analyse data to allow business to make better business decisions
This may sound far fetch but it is certaintly possible to deploy such a system. It will both save money and improve service. It could even be used to help with tracking and dispatching access a ride.
b1-#9331-NOVABUS
B16-#7562-Orion VII
You dispatchers will love this. Especially when you are fustrated when drivers play games with you.
There will be a detailed record of what commands were given to which bus driver at what time
How?
The system I am envisioning, a system that would be prohibitivly expensive 10 years ago would suppliment the GPS monitoring with wireless 802.11b wirless transponders and small inexpensive computer onboard each bus. There would be a detailed auditable trail of whether or not the driver recieved the instruction. It will request a resposponce from the driver. The system would communicate back to the central computer alerting the dispatcher if the driver respons. even if he doesnt respond it will report back that the message was recieved by the bus.
The radio would still be there for one on one voice communication but it's use would be de-emphisied.
Each bus would have a small display panel. The driver could respond to the computer instruction(really instrucions given by the dispatcher with the aid of the central monitoring system)
If drivers know that the dispatcher knows whether or not he recieved the message, what his bus speed is, load factor, etc. If there are penalties for insubordination, the driver is more likely to comply with the order
"If buses went to a GPS type system with more communication between road dispatchers and command center then road supervisors would be able to get to bottle necks, bunching and being able to monitor more service at terminals leaving post dispatchers just for relief posts to make sure reliefs and swings are covered."
The system I am describing is an aid to dispatcher, not a replacement for dispatcher. It will give an eye to the bus operation not currently possible. If cheap 802.11b equiptment is used pictures could even be transmitted back to the dispatcher to give a birds eye view of buses on route
It is amazing the cheap standardized technologies that are out there could greatly enhance the ability for dispatcher to do there job.
All this could be wirelessly transimiited to the dispatchers in the feild if neccissary. The 802.11b transpoders in feild at some point will need to be hooked up to a wired high speed access point.
There is some costs involved in deploying and maintaining such a system but those costs would be more then offset by the elimination of traffic checkers and some dispatchers, reduced fuel cost, improved service etc. Such a system would take a minimum of 2-3 years to fully deploy and perfect in operations.
An positive side effect of such a deployment is that the same infrastructure could be used to track Access-A-Ride. A colosal waste of money the way it is currently operated
Similar conditions exist on the B1 between Bay Parkway and Brighton Beach.
Happens on the B36 almost every time I ride it, almost the same situation but it usually bunches in two by Stillwell then you have CI hospital and the line at Sheepshead Bay is a pain [toward Av U] and the 2 buses usually stick together most of the way. Then towards W 37 St, via Nostrand is bad, the train station and CI Hosp takes time as well.
But the problem I am detailing predated the Nova's and even the 2 by 2 conversions
Bensonhurst bound buses from my experience are often arrive at the nostrand ave checkpoint early. To be fair, the majority of my bensonhurst bound trips ussually occur prior to kings plaza opening in the morning and thus may account for the extra slack in the schedule. With that said, the schedule run time for the B3 from E 71th street to Nostrand should be adjusted for this. Without accurate information of bus run time in each section of the trip and how it varies from one hour to another it is hard to make such schedule adjustments. This is not currently possible with the current manual system
Kings plaza Bound B3's are prone to severe bunching
The beuty of the GPS based tracking and dispatching system is that it would give the Dispatcher the information he needs to make adjustments to the schedule in real time to separate the two buses getting them both back as close as possible to the schedule.
To answer and earlier post who took a personal shot at my knowledge of the bus system. My knowledge of Bus transit operations is in the top 25% of posters on this board. ALthough I don not work for the MTA, members of my family have over the years. In addtion my long time neighbor was a dispatcher out of flatbus for many years and I would often spend time at Kings Plaza tracking buses. Let me say we spent just as much time in Eddie Arc carrols eating as we did tracking buses(this is some 20 years ago)
As for My proposed GPS based bus tracking and dispatching information system, it would revolutionize how transit schedules and how in route bus supervision operations takes place. It would probably lead to some very minor work rule changes such as a bus driver would still pick a route and time but that time slot on route may be subjuect to slight adjustment such as taking over the driver leader time slot. It will still be up to the dispatcher to make sure all lunch breaks etc are accounted for. It would probably result in a less stressfull drive for operators because some penalties for arriving early and such would be a thing of the past especially if the reason why the driver was late or early is known. The system would report bus load information, whether a wheelchair passenger was brought aboard and other factors that may contribute to delays.
The goal is to provide on time bus service to the riding public.
David
This will never happen, and it can't happen for a multitude of reasons. Here's a few combined into one scenerio:
Runs are picked based on the schedule itself. One run may have a 60-minute swing, while another may have a 30-minute swing. None of us are giving-up our meal time because the TA can't implement responsible schedules. But given your situation, hypothetically, these two buses may be operating in succession. You cannot flip a schedule because of bus bunching. The leader bus which is now the trail bus may be making a return trip, but the trailing bus, which you now made the leader bus may be deadheading at the end of the line. Are you holding a deadhead? If so, you've just lost an entire trip elsewhere. In any case, it's still an adjustment of a schedule that obviously isn't working- and will still fall under a lost or late trip.
The end result would be more even loading of buses along the line,
The end result would be lost service elsewhere, since interlining and misc runs are the new norm.
The common practice on the B3 is for the trail bus to "hide" a stop before the traffic checker at Nostrand ave and ave U delaying all the riders on the bus for no appartent reason.
The trail bus isn't "hiding" from anyone, but rather waiting-out the scheduled time to arrive/depart at a given timepoint. The BO is doing his job, although the reason may not be apparent to you. Contractually, we are prohibited from leaving a timepoint early. Since he's waiting the time, because he is early, because the leader bus is late, he's doing what he should be doing to maintain a headway and follow his rulebook.
This is a daily occurance and is quite fustrating to both riders and driver who have to face questions from angry riders.
I don't face questions from "angry riders". If you're an "angry rider", perhaps you should consider a professional anger management specialist to help you with your problem.
If you're going to be the "voice of reason", you should understand the "reasons" why we do what we do before you post ignorant suggestions to a message board.
Stick to Straphangers. You don't have the "voice of knowledge" to post here.
I am not saying the bus driver is not doing his job. I am aware that he is. Other riders on the bus are not. The reason that the bus driver waiting (hiding from the dispatcher at nostrand) is that the bus schedule is not good. Not the driver fault but the riders should not be penalized, especially during rush hour when people need to get to work. I am acutely aware that driver's are penalized if they are early. Riders are penalized if the driver is late whether it is the drivers fault or not. 99% of the time it is not.
I am making a commentary on how auotmated bus monitoring with GPS based system will enhance the riding experience of the riding public vs the current system which is not an effective way of managing traffic but was the best way to do it when technology did not exist to monitor it remotely
The issue's you bring up are very valid issue's but issues that can be all worked out. The schedule adjestment analogy I laid out can be implimented and should be implimented.
Bus schedules and other sinarios would be at the fingertip of the dispatcher who with the increased visability of the bus line can make better decisions. The dipatcher will be making the decision. The computer system will give him the information in the proper form to make the best decision factoring in all the palputations and issues you brought up
The system would allow you to adjust the timeport location not just at the current one checkpoint a line but constantly since the dispatche will know where each bus is, the load factor etc.
This will allow the line dispatcher to more accuratly space buses.
True. Then again, BOs who regularly run early (or late) should complain to their union representatives about excessive (or insufficient) running time. The union reps then inform the schedulers, who combine those complaints with the traffic check data (see David's posts in this thread).
If a driver was slightly early, it would be known and the dispatcher could make use the improved information to make the decision on where is the best place to wait to put the bus back on schedule. In the case of the B3, it would be at E16th street station so that commuteres on there way to work are not delayed
One interesting tibit which I did not include in my earlierr post so that I did not muddy of the issues is that not only are riders subject to 3-5 schedule adjustments prior to the dispatcher checkpoint but by the time the B3 reaches 16th street Q station it is often a min or two behind schedule.
Being a bus talker I often look at the guild-a-ride after exiting.
You're one to speak, BK. You post at the Strappies' Campaign as well. :-P
The response to this is a large set of digital images showing uncrowded buses. The big problem is still that on many routes/times of day the buses are too empty to run more, but already too infrequent to run less.
Lets look at the 10 bus lines involved
Route Ridership increase service increase
M 60 233 126
B 77 98 19
B 70 76 17
M 116 89 31
M 106 92 36
S 60 57 10
BX 15 58 14
BX 33 56 13
BX 18 75 34
Q 59 71 37
With the exception of the M 60 and S 60 routes the increase in ridership does not mean an increase in the total load factors of the lines. People could be riding two or three stops only. Prior to the Metrocard unlimited rides i walked the distance but since i use a unlimited card i ride. So if a route shows a large increase in ridership does it necessary mean an increase in the load factor of that route over the entire route.
Take the M 106 route. It duplicates the M 96 for 50% of its route. Does the report indicate where the 92% increase comes from. It is most misleading.
Take the S 60 route which has a low ridership base. Lets say that on a avergae trip 50% of the seats were filled. So based on a 57% increase in ridership now 75% of the seats are filled. Does this justify an increase in service.
Lets look at the M 60 route. 9 out of 10 passengers are going to and from the airport. Its load factor indicates that its has a standing load on majority of its trips. Now here's a route that needs an increase in service and the TA has done so. The only thing the TA is guilty of is maybe not increasing it enough thats all. But unless you have enough drivers and buses how can you increase service.
This time the TA may be right in its defense.
Thats my opinion
Thank You
I've seen all the ridership patterns on every route mentioned and with the exception of the Bx15, everything else is justified in terms on NOT increasing service.
The bast thing about this bus is that coach and driver a/c are separate. On my bus, both driver and coach fans must be on for a/c to work. Anyway, this is good reading. Should take me a month to get the gist of it.
Click Here For Article
Carlton
Cleanairbus
Transit Is My Drug
BIG AL
Robert
BIG AL
Robert
BIG AL
Well JG Ghetto was better! (sighs) Oh Well....
--AcelaExpress2005 - R143 #8265
David
Noted some suburbans on the Q83, including #620 and #626...a suburban on the Q1, one or two suburbans on the 88, one on the Q75, and like 3 suburbans on the Q17. 290-series buses popping up on the Q27 that day, too...notably #296 and #298. I think I also spotted one on the Q76...
4612 Bx3
According to www.cleanairbus.tk, I noticed that there were some bus numbers missing in the roster (which is pretty good BTW and nice of him to go through the work to post it). Anyway, here are the buses that are not on the roster:
1986-1987 Flxible Metro-B 40102-6T
8700-8701, 8703-8705, 8707-8708, 8711-8712, 8715-8727, 8730, 8732-8733, 8735-8738, 8742-8749, 8751-8761, 8763-8771, 8773-8774, 8776-8780, 8783, 8787, 8789-8790, 8792, 8795, 8797, 8810, 8818, 8821, 8841, 8845, 8849, 8872-8873, 8890-8899, 8908, 8952, 8954, 8957, 8959-8960
1988 Flxible Metro-B 40102-6T
9201-9210
1989 Flxible Metro-B 40096-6C
9276-9280
1989 Flxible Metro-B 30096-6T
5150
1990 Flxible Metro-B 40102-6C
9367
1992 Orion 05.501
9601, 9607, 9618-9621, 9625, 9629-9630, 9632-9633, 9636, 9639, 9644, 9648, 9650-9651, 9653, 9655, 9657-9660
1993 Flxible Metro-D 40102-6C
9719, 9735
1997 Orion 05.501
4335-4344
2000 Orion 06.501
2002, 2098
My question is where are these buses and are SOME of these buses scrapped (like the Flxibles)? Thanks in advance.
-F.
Thank you
Carlton
Cleanairbus
Transit Is My Drug
P.S., to MTA MCI D4501 #2887 (BTW, that's a QV MCI, isn't it?) it was nice of you to refer to my roster and my website, and I thank you very much for your kind comments.
Yes, that bus is from QV. It's where I grew up! I'm very loyal to that depot. Got a lot of freidns working there and living near the depot! Hopefully I'll see you sometime. I hope Chris, Oren and Ray get those updates from you soon....can't wait! LOL! Oh, you're welcome about the comments! You and Trevor do a nice job on your websites!
Thanks for your help. Please get bak to me soon on that.
-F.
-F.
Wayne
8810-haven't seen maybe in for repairs
8818-I have seen this bus about a month ago, it was probably in the reserve fleet
8849-has been a scrap bus for over a year
8890-8899 are at Annex/Southern
8952-was totalled in a wreck when a driver ran the bus of the road over 10 years ago, never returned service, too wrecked
8954-this one maybe at FMR, along with 8957,59 and 60
There is no 5150, the 51's started at 5151 and went to 5185
of the missing 96s, I have seen 9621 and 32 repowered, the rest of the missing ones are probably in the process of being repowered or have been returned to service repowered or waiting to be repowered
What does "FMR" stand for? Thanks for your other input.
Thanks for your comments. Oh, an annex means storage? Thanks again.
Southern was apparently going to be replaced by one in Brentwood, which is north of the current Bladensburg garage, which sort of doesn't make sense to me, unless they move Bladensburg's buses to the new garage and move Southern's to Bladnesburg.
Seeing I was on the City Hall branch and nothing was really coming I walk down Frankfort St to Pearl St so it might be less waiting time for a Artic but obviously I would have to wait at least 15 minutes for any bus to come. I let LTD 9192 and LCL's 7046 & 5553 go then the next bus, Artic 5517 a LTD came and the farebox was busted so it was a free ride [I had a unlimited so it didn't matter]. Its a smooth ride on the local portion of the LTD but once we arrived and left East 1 St, the excitement began. So we're bypassing stops and we're making the LTD stops in the process. We pick up a w/c at 23 St then it gets real crowded by time we reach 42 St/the UN and I spot 8980 now in MJQ on the M42. So at 57 St, we pick up a 2nd w/c and then we're off again. We start doing good speed via 1 Av from here until I get off at 125 St but 1 Av in the 100's could sure use a repave b/c it was so bumpy and the shaking was relentless. I had a great time and when you guys have a chance, ride it, it really worth it.
So I buy some snacks on 125 St and I take a walk around 126 St and I see 5512,5515 & 5532 in the bus yard facing 2 Av. So I walk down 3 Av and I wait for any bus running via 125 St and M101 8265 [non-repowered] comes and I get on it. Kinda slow via 125 with the trafic then I reach St Nicholas Av where I would take the D to 34 St. I JUST caught the D and we go via CPW express & its a very quick ride to 34 then I transfer to the Q which I have to run for since it was getting ready to leave 34 and I ride a R68 to Canal St where I go upstairs to wait for a J or M. So the train comes and at Essex St the C/R announced that all Jamaica bound trains skip Marcy Av all times [due to construction] so I get off at Hewes St and I take the B46 LTD; 4302 and the B/O does GOOD throughout and its a good starting bus. So we bypass & make LTD stops via Malcolm X Blvd and Utica Av until I reach my stop, Av D where I wait a few minutes for 810 on the B8 and then I take that home.
R68 2764 (Q)
R142 6762 <5>
RTS 8551 B51
Artic 5517 M15 LTD
RTS 8265 M101
R68 2617 (D)
R68 2830 (Q)
R42 4831 (M)
RTS 4302 B46 LTD
NF 810 B8
4307 Bx3
4517 Bx32
What do mean Brooklyn is too ghetto to get newer buses? Okay then, why is ENY getting Orion7's when some of their routes pass through the worst areas? Stop bashing Brooklyn, other boroughs don't deserve better treatment then us. Right now, Brooklyn has newest trains. Maybe Queens should stay stuck with their old subway cars.
Hey Flatbush, we have the newest trains(in Brooklyn), so maybe Queens should stay with their old ones(heh heh heh).
In the Bronx, WF's is somewhat interesting me, I might actually do a trip one of their routes(hopefully taking over some of KB's routes).
Although, Yukon gets dumped with crap too, they have the smallest local fleet in the city. They only need a small # of newer buses(probably Orions) to solve their problem.
Also, if anyone would like to join me for all or part of the day, email me. Nothing's on the agenda yet except the N/W Astoria express.
Maybe I'll see ya out here... somewhere..
I might take up your suggestion on June 12, when, with a bit of advance planning, a full day of unlimited riding including express buses will cost only $4. (Anybody see what I have in mind?)
I've already ridden the Q53, and I occasionally ride the M15 to actually go somewhere, so I'm not going to waste precious busfanning time on it.
Is the (Command) B103 worth riding?
As for the Q113, the LTD is really nothing all it does is skip some of the Nassau portion, just take anyone that comes first.
B103#4961
Chapter 11 Choo Choo (Lyrics)
www.railfanwindow.com
Question... is that pickup truck towing that Nova LFS? I only ask because it's rare to see one moving under its own power... hehe :)
Which brings up a question... Why did the NY MTA purchase two used CTA demo LFS buses for the Bridges & Tunnels employee shuttle? I mean, granted, thats about all the LFS is good for, but why not use a pre-existing bus? Here at Disney, all the employee shuttle buses are typically the oldest RTS's that we have, since the interiors are kind of falling apart...
-Tyler-
Disney Transport
Peace,
Kevin
---Choo Choo
Chapter 11 Choo Choo (Lyrics)
www.railfanwindow.com
Peter Pan press release
Don't know if other photos of the Arrow execs exist, I know Trevor has the Academy execs on TransiTalk, but he never turns down a quality photo.
---Choo Choo
Tonight, while waiting for the 1C by my office, saw 4214 on the 1C headed to Fair Oaks. I don't know if this is now an Arlington bus or not, but I recognized the driver as someone that usually drove the early AM 1C's from the Arlington division. Then, saw Metro D 9830 on a Ballston bound 24P once we arrived there. What a waste to put a suburban seated bus on such a low volume route. Pam told me she gets those every once in awhile on there.
Does Pam actually know Flxibles from Orions?;-). If she does - then I'm envious because it'll be a long time before I get Nicole to that point. I'm still teaching about cars:-). Today on my way home I saw 4396 on the B11.
Wayne
Wayne
First off I got sort of lucky by missing a vanbus on The Bus. I wasn't so lucky as about the time when the F14 was about to pull up, I didn't have my change with me so I had to go back home to get it. As I started walking, I saw 2039 rolling up on the F14. I went back home went back up to the bus stop and got, Mr. Familiar, The Bus 63038, in which I realized that this bus might have a C8.3 instead of a B5.9 as I may have stated in earlier posts. Anyway, back to my story. I got to New Carrolton and got 2030 on the R12 to Greenbelt. As I got to greenbelt I saw 9621 about to finish a C9 run, and finally got to hear it too. Sounds just like the 2001-02 Ride On Orion Vs. I got 4394 on the B30 and heading to Baltimore.
I got to Baltimore and was running a little late so instead of taking the 17 up to Pataspco, I took the light rail up to Pataspco, unsure which car I got. I did get NABI 9739 on the 51, which seemed to have just installed a stop announcement system, theirs maybe Orbital. I took the bus to Mondawmin. As I past the Bush garage I saw one new Neoplan, which was 280. I got to Mondawmin and got 9238 on the going towards downtown. This trip was going to be one to take pics of Baltimore MTA buses, which I took with no problems. I was hoping to see a Neoplan low floor and for about 4 hours I didn't, so I decided at about 4 pm to go home. I was waiting for the train to come and low and behold at the light rail station, up comes 0233 on the 160. It looks nice in person, but the DD50 is a bit whiny for my liking.
I got two pics both of the right side and then my train back to BWI, which was 5013. I was hoping to get there in time to catch the 4:50 B30 home and I would say I got there in time, but as I got out to the bus stop to catch the bus, it came seconds later only to be greeted by about 20 people, mostly all of them with bags, so it took a while to load, oh btw the bus was 4391. I got to Greenbelt where I waited for The Bus 63032, which I now call OFAB(One Fast Ass Bus). Wasn't going as fast as it can, because of traffic, did get me to New Carrolton in time to catch The Bus errrr, oh crap, another van bus, oops saw 8971 first on the F14 and decided to take it instead. Even though it would take me fifteen minutes later to get home, it was well worth riding the 8970s again, with those L-10 engines. As I got home and got off the bus, I took a pic of the back as it pulled off. As I walked home, saw 63057 deadheading back to the garage, not sure which route it just came off of, this is one of the two new 35' SLFs that arrived about a month ago.
Other sightings was seeing 4259 with no working route number sign, just said "ADDISON ROAD". Also saw 9652 not yet repowered, hopefully I will get a chance to ride it before it is.
Wayne
By the way I think someone was smoking a doobie when thinking of the character Mr. Hoobiedoobie, hahaha. :)
"NEXT BUS PLEASE"
"WELCOME ABOARD"
I remember seeing some LI buses reading "God Bless America" on the front signs during early to mid 2002.
I am planning to take that weekend off just to view the buses that come rolling up Sheriff Road.
Do you guys think the idea of a bus and railfan club or organization at UMD would fly? It seems like i am the only transit enthusiast attending UMD right now and I would like to meet other transit buffs in the university. So what do you think?
P.S. For Perry: When you were at UMD, did you know any transit buffs?
I can tell you that your best bet is to go to Shuttle UM as there would be people there who would be interested. When I was there for the roadeo, there were people working there from when I was there almost 10 years ago.