-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
BIG AL
BIG AL
The Bronx would get a brand new depot called Soundview Depot.It would host the following routes:Bx5,(New)Bx23,Bx27,Bx36,Bx39.
SI would get not one but TWO new depots.One would host former CAS Express routes.The other would host former YUK Express routes.
Travis Depot:Ex YUK EXP routes X1-9,X17,X31.
West Shore Depot:Ex CAS EXP routes X10-16,X18,X20,X22,X30-31,X42.
Peace
David
BOB
-F.
Alot of people uses AOL. I still using AOL as of now. When I get Verizon DSL, I would get a new handle and my current handle would go into retirement with Orion5 #135. AOL is good for people like me, it was just my dad wants Verizon DSL instead b/c the prices for Verizon DSL is pretty cheap for DSL service($29.95 a month for 2 months then $34.95 a month there after).
Optimum Online - $29.95
Verizon Online - $29.95
--------------------------------------------------------------
Q46 Nova RTS#9288, you should check to see if Road Runner or Optimum Online is in your area.
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
Acela
BIG AL
BIG AL
Whatever you people do, Stay away from AOL High Speed Cable Service, it's basically a rip off, my dad switched from AOL Cable to Road Runner and loves every minute of it, with AOL Cable they force you to use the AOL Software. :-( With Road Runner your connected 24/7, you can just launch IE(Internet Explorer) and go.....8-)
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
Anyone know about the AN340/3 or the AN116/3 AND are these available today instead of say an MCI?
click here to get to FULL SIZE image(link on top of image) to read print better
Arthur.
They have 1 1985 Neoplan AN340(it's probably still in service)
and your favorite buses(the Gillig phantoms).
ANYWAY, interesting. I wonder if anyone else is going to get Neoplan coaches. One would think MCI has a monopoly on them. Because if i don't see an MCI, i see a one door transit bus with highback seating(which wasn't bad at all).
Have you read this? I just post it.
I know something about the AN340/45 models, it is an over-the-road coach made for suburban cummute service which are use on express routes and Yes, the AN340/45 is still available today. I know PAT of Pittsburgh, PA and Victor Valley Transit Authority in Victorville, CA recently recieve some AN345's. That's all I know about them. and for the AN116/3, I don't know anything about that bus model.
And usually the metal they are made of crumbles after a few years, so that one on EBay might not be in good condition. I had one sitting here that was about twenty years old (about the time Pirate Models stopped making them....) and about two years ago was going to try and assemble it. The metal crumbled.
Into the trash can it went. Was NOT salvageable.
When I bought the ones I had, they were going for $24.95 each -- which was pretty steep back in those days. The last price Walthers had in their catalogs was....a whopping $74.95 each!!!
-F.
-F.
-Fred
-F.
The commercial appears to have been filmed in Toronto, ie there are trolley tracks.
Any idea what system this bus was from?
Allen Dicion
go.to/ttc1001
Allen Dicion
go.to/ttc1001
Below is a pic from my trip, if you click the bus photo, you will enter the gallery that shows about 39 of the 207 photos that I took over the 4 day trip.
Click The Photo!
Regards,
Trevor Logan
TransiTALK Transportation Media Group, LLC
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
You probably know a lot about AC Transit's VanHools.
Do you know that the VanHools along with 44 2003 NABI 40LFW's
replaced most of the remaining 1984 Gillig 4096TB phantoms and all
the 1988/89 New Flyer D35/40HF's, and D60HF's?
The pictures you took during your trip in N. California
is were I'm exactly from.
Arthur
Yes I did know that about the replacement. Though I live in the NYC area, I keep my ear to the ground about properties all over the USA and Canada.
Your hometown Owns!!!! If I had to get up and relocate, it would be to Toronto or the CA Bay Area. VERY IMPRESSED!!!!!
Regards,
Trevor
Let me tell you what I know about thoses two Sacramento Regional Transit's new look buses you took photos of at RT's bus yard.
Bus #5157 is a 1961 ex-AC Transit GM TDH-5301 model and
bus #4943 is a 1975 Flxible 53102-8-1. I use to ride on thoses
buses before they were replace by the 1990 Gillig 40102TB's,
1993/94 and 96 Orion 05.501's and 1996 05.505's.
RT also had 1983 Gillig 4096TA phantoms which were replaced
by the 1996 Orion V's too.
Arthur
I guess either not all of the Vanhool AG300s are in OR they didn't order enough to replace all of the artics.
Regards,
Trevor
You know AC Transit has two groups of New Flyer D60HF's(the 1989 and 1996 models). The 1989 ones are #1800-1829 and 1996 ones are #1901-1930. the 1989 ones were overhaul during the delivery of the 1997/98 NABI 416's and 96 D60's.
Arthur
That photo you took of the 2003 NABI 436 #138 with 54 other
units replaced the 1984 Volvo B10M artics(similar to SEPTA's ones)
1985 Neoplan AN460's(similar to DART's ones), and some 1990 New Flyer
D60's.
You know Stephen have pictures of thoses buses.
Arthur
Allen Dicion
go.to/ttc1001
Nice Buses Now(NBN). :)
Wonder how a AG300 would look like in either NYCT or TTC livery?
Didn't Disneyland try out the AG300?
Allen Dicion
go.to/ttc1001
I've been in Vanhool coaches as well, from a long time ago, that's part of the reason why i'd love to see a transit version.
Trevor
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-F.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-The Grumman Flxible 870 was originally the Rohr Flxible 870; the Grumman name was added when they bought Flxible from Rohr in 1977. A production-spec prototype was built in 1976, while the first order for the public was made in April 1978.
-The RTS was an adaptation of the RTX prototype that was built by GM around 1968, which predates the UMTA study by two years; it originally had a triple-axle design with six small, crude wheels. The "slopeback" design came from this design; cutouts were made for rectangular lights in the normal place, but two large round headlights were incorporated into the front bumper behind louvers. Between 1975 and 76, an odd RTS prototype with out-of-place round headlights was tested in NYC. Actual production models first rolled out in May 1977, and the "slopeback" design lasted three years until the rear area was revised in 1980.
-The production AM General came out looking more like a boxy New Look design. Shared with the Flyer coach design of the 1970s, its styling featured a Fishbowl-style windshield and squared-off windows.
Gillig was never included in the study, and wasn't really touted as a transit bus manufacturer until the Phantom caught on. Before that coach was released, they teamed with Neoplan on a transit design that was only produced from 1977 to 1979. Very few cities bought them.
-F.
Are there any pictures of that Gillig/Neo design?
I'm going to put you in touch with Leon, his email is lnorrin@earthlink.net. He has some pictures of Santa Clara Co. Transit
Gillig/Neoplan buses.
regards,
Arthur Thomas
To me, the buses look more like the Neoplan AN440's than Gillig Phantoms.
Arthur
-F.
-F.
Also, in picture 23, that car looks exactly like a Siemens-Duewag car in San Diego (1xxx series cars). But what really surprises me is an Orion in San Francisco!
And all together now: The NABI 436 is one horrible bus!
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
and point 3, that bus has one of the best styling around. If that was a car, they'd be sold out.
Pic is a TMC RTS-06 first generation from when the RTS changed manufacturers as per production list.
And personally I like the NABI 436.
Regards,
Trevor
-F.
-F.
Jim D.
-F.
Most of Muni's 376 Flyer E800s were in service until the Skodas started arriving in 2001. However, the total Skoda order was for 253 trolleys (40-footers 5401-5620, 60-footers 7101-7133.) That explains why some Flyers are still around. I don't know of any plans for more Skodas, and I actually heard that Muni was to reduce the size of its ETB fleet (not sure how or why.)
As for Boston, the impending order of 28 Neoplan low-floor trackless trolleys will make history out of the Flyers there. We'll see if Neoplan can ever get those to Boston...
- The 1976 Flyer trolleys were/are numbered 5003-5378. Odd numbering range, but there's a reason: 5000 was a test steam turbine bus (GM New Look) and 5001-5002 were Flyer E700 trolleybuses. They looked kind of like Flxible New Look trolleybuses, if you could imagine that.
- When I visited San Francisco in 1997, the entire Muni fleet was in pretty rough condition. I think a lot of the trolleys were extras to stand in for unroadworthy units (of which there were many.) When I went back in 2000, the fleet was in much better shape. Some of the then 24-year old Flyers actually looked downright good. I suspect that the need to keep so many extras around dropped as a result.
- Muni has expanded the trolleybus network. They electrified a few lines in the early 1980s to free up diesels during a major diesel bus shortage. Then in the early-mid 1990s, they electrified the 31 Balboa with plans to do more.
- The 7000-series New Flyer E60 articulated ETBs (1993-94) found work on the newly electrified 31 line.
- Lines currently being considered for electrification are 9 San Bruno, 19 Polk, and 47 Van Ness.
It sure would be nice to talk about Muni here.
What is the criteria for electrifying a line, anyway?
I'm not sure of Muni's exact criteria, but ETBs are excellent in San Francisco for a few reasons. A familiarity with Muni's 1 California trolleybus line helps to prove the following explanation, but even if you don't know it, here are some key points:
San Francisco is famously hilly. And its buses are famously crowded. Buses on the former 55 California diesel line struggled to climb steep hills with crush loads. That line was a prime candidate for electrification because ETBs can scale hills effortlessly. They can draw unlimited power from the overhead so even heavy loads don't compromise their performance. The hills on this route are some of the steepest in the city, and electrification has been a huge benefit to everyone involved.
Streetcars would seem like a natural choice, but in hectic Chinatown (through which several ETB lines travel), trucks blocking tracks would result in major delays. The ETBs can adeptly swing around obstacles, all the while taking advantage of electric power. ETBs are really the ideal vehicle for many of Muni's routes.
MORE MUNI! MORE MUNI!
The 31 line has to have the NFI artic electrics, as the electrification upgrade was done with Federal funding, and therefore, had to be ADA accessible. The 7000's were the only ETB's that were ADA compliant at the time (the new Skoda's are now).
If I'm not mistaken, the 47 Van Ness is already electrified.
It was. But they dieselized it as part of a route restructuring plan circa 2001. That's when the 42 Downtown Loop (diesel) went away, and the 47 Van Ness had to expand to cover some of the the 42's former territory. This shake-up also brought us the 10 Townsend diesel route.
The 49 Van Ness-Mission still uses trolleybuses, usually artics, at that. Since the 47 shares much of its routing with the 49, it's an easy candidate to re-electrify. It would require relatively little new overhead.
I'm a new poster to this bustalk.
Let me correct you on the batch-size fleet numbers of Muni's 1976 Flyer E800's, they are 5003-5045 (not 5003-5378).
You always send me photos of west coast stuff....glad to see you're on here...
Incognito
East Coast Buff 4 life
I'm not Carlton(webmaster of Cleanairbus Transit Page)!
My name is Arthur Thomas from Sacramento, CA, were Trevor recently took some pictures of Sacramento RT's buses and ligth rails, and
other pictures in Oakland and San Francisco.
Read that post again...
Incognito
CTP Webmaster since 2000
Anyways, did you get thoses VanHool pictures I emailed you?
Arthur
Are you talking about Flyer E800s currently in the fleet? I was refering to the entire batch, though I was a little off myself. There were 343 of them, so I guess that makes it 5003-5345. They covered the whole city's trolleybus network. 5003-5045 would only be 43 buses. Did you mean 5345?
Also -- I'd venture that the remaining Flyers are fairly random in number distribution. Rather than saving a consecutively numbered batch, they saved the best units regardless of their number.
Any more input or conversation about Muni is strongly encouraged!
Just to show you...yesterday Tuesday 2/3/2004, these were the coaches assigned to route 6-Parnassus:
5031, 5093, 5205, 5208, 5265, 5296, 5307 and 5345
Speaking of MUNI, whatever became of their Grumman 870s?
-F.
I believe AM General didn't like the D700 design and redesigned the bus, and Flyer went along with the new design.
Of course, that design has evolved to today's popular New Flyer low-floor model.
Jim D.
I never really thought about the design evolving into the New Flyer LF; I wonder if the two buses even share any components?
-F.
The AMG Metropolitan-Flyer D/E800 evolved into the Flyer D900/D901/D902/E902 design of the early 1980's. These buses were basically the 800-series bus with a new flat front. In 1987 the basic Flyer design then morphed into the D40 high-floor bus with its now-familiar flat windshield when the company became New Flyer. The New Flyer low-floor buses then evolved from the high-floor design, and feature a very similar-looking front.
I don't know about today's NFI buses sharing components with the AMG - a lot has changed in 25-plus years.
Jim D.
Jim D.
Yes, 1978 Model 9640B-8, #401-410. Also, Queens Transit had Model 9640-6 demonstrator #199 in 1973.
They had Flyer D801's, which were spread out among the various subcontractors operating the routes. Inter-County had some in the 550 series, Alert had some in the 100's, Fuoco had one numbered 209, EBT had a small handful, as did Coram Bus. I don't kow what I did with the list, but there were 31 of the Flyer buses total.
One of the best spots to see and photograph the trackless trolleys is the north portal of the Harvard Square bus tunnel in the afternoons. All trackless trolleys except route 77A turn left after exiting the tunnel and go around Cambridge Common, a large public park. If you stand on the Common side of Mass. Ave. just to the west of the portal, you can get excellent shots of TT's and buses making the turn.
As noted, the Flyer's days are numbered. The prototype Neoplan low-floor TT #4101 is testing in Boston, and barring any problems the production units should start arriving in a few months.
One factor that may prolong the life of a few of the Flyers is the need to have vehicles ready when the Silver Line Transitway tunnel opens later in 2004 or 2005. The tunnel portion of the Transitway will be trackless only. If the new Neoplan articulated dual-mode buses are not ready when the line opens, the MBTA has already said they will use some of the new TT's to open the route. I don't know if they'll keep 10 or 15 Flyers as spares in case this happens (of course, they may just elect to scrap the Flyers and run buses on the TT routes instead).
Jim D.
Apparently the Flyer trolley buses lasted much longer than their diecel-powered AM General siblings. Those were retired from WMATA's fleet around 1987....and they were only 13 years old at the time. Meanwhile, their successors (1986 Flxible Metros) are 18 years old and still running strong all over DC.
-F.
This surprises you? A diesel engine is full of volitile liquids, caustic gasses, vibration, and the occasional explosion. On the other hand, so long as an electric engine is kept clean of dirt and dust (ie not like MN and LIRR treat their ventilated DC motors on the M1s), it'll practically last forever. And you don't even have to be nuts about the maitenance, I was given a tour of the electrical engineering department in drexel's basement (or dungeon if you prefer), and the senior fired up a 50 year old electric motor which flung a coating of dust out of it when it was started.
Wow...1976, eh? We have two Flxible New Looks built that year in our museum fleet...and one of them entered a museum collection in 1989!
Well, Seattle Metro's MEVHA has a 1940 Brill 40SMT, a 1944 Pullman-Standard 44CX, and a 1940 Twin Coach GWFT. And then of course there are a ton of other electric vehicles in other TA's museum fleets, SEPTA has our PCCs, as does SF Muni, KC Metro and MEHVA also have a 1922 Brill safety car, and 5 Melbourne W2 cars which operate in regular service on the waterfront trolley. New Orleans has their 1920s-vintage Double Ended streetcars, and NYCTA has their museum fleet, and MBTA runs the entire Ashmont line with 1948-vintage PCC cars. If that doesn't provide overwhelming proof that electric vehicles last longer, then nothing will. Diesels will never achieve the same level of longevity that the electric has built into it, mostly because the electric engine isn't trying to destroy itself every time it creates power.
Also, it's only fair to note that the Mattapan-Ashmont PCC's and many of the other long-lived electric-powered vehicles have been through at least one major rebuilding program along the way.
Still, I would surmise that the heavy diesel powerplant puts a lot more pressure on the frame of a bus when compared to the electrical equipment found in a trackless trolley, and therefore laeds to more wear and tear.
Jim D.
Nascar engineers say the perfect car they design is capable of doing full speed 500 miles and at mile 501 they should literally explode.
RPM's kill engines. Heat is bad for engines. So it does take a LOT of care to keep your car going(trust me I know). Some people luck out I'm assuming, but ask anyone who doesn't change their oil how many engines they've gone through.
I'd hope/assume a bus agency takes good care of their stuff.
Electric turbines for power generation. Is this similiar to electric engines? I'm not sure the specifics but I'm fairly certain they don't need to go out and buy new ones every 6-10 years.
And of course there's the design factor too. There's a reason why some newer makes of cars you don't see on the road at all anymore, and there's some makes of vehicles that are expected to do 200,000 miles(with a good owner anyway).
It looks like you took some pictures of AC Transit, Muni, and Sacramento RT buses and trains were I'm exactly from.
I know some info on thoses buses and trains, and also got pictures on some of those buses too.
Arthur Thomas
I have a qusetion, did any transit officials of AC Transit, Muni, BART, and Sacramento RT gave you a bus/train fleet roster?
I have some fleet rosters of Sacramento RT and AC Transit.
Arthur
Next stop, Woodhaven Boulevard, Queens Center Mall. Connection to the 8th Avenue Subway, the Q11 bus to Howard Beach, the Triboro Coach Q29 or Q38, or the Q88 to Flushing.
—Recorded a few years ago aboard GBL #5501, running southbound on the Q60.
Next stop, Woodhaven Boulevard, Queens Center Mall. Change here for the 8th Avenue Subway, the Q11 bus to Howard Beach, the Triboro Coach Q29 or Q38, or the Q88 to Flushing.
—Recorded a few years ago aboard GBL #5501, running southbound on the Q60.
Yes, I have seen this done on LIB, they use dead-reckoning. If the announcements are off, all the driver has to do is stop at any bus stop along the route, and just change the display to the correct stop. From then on it announces correctly.
(They have a small 5 inch LCD screen that lets them know what the Red LED is displaying/saying. And there are buttons to adjust the stops acorrdingly or to repeat announcments such as "please step to the rear to allow others to board")
Least that's how some other agencies like to handle things.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
I have had ONE doctor in my lifetime who was always on time for appointments....unfortunately, he had a heart attack and died. Mayeb the stress of worrying about time did him in.
New Flyer D60HFs, regardless of divsion: 40 mph
MCI OTR buses, regardless of division: 58 mph
Bronx Division: 40 mph
Manhattan Division: 55-60 mph
Brooklyn Division:
80xxs below 8091 with repowered engines, 9295-9341, 9444-9487, 5205-5242, 5244-5247, 5249 40 mph
All others: between 50 and 55 mph
Queens Division:
JAM: 40 mph
CS: 40 mph EXCEPT: 257, 631-680 (55 mph), 555 (45 mph), 6130 (55 mph)
QV: 1990 repowers, 93xxs: 40-46 mph, 49xxs, 55 mph
I may be off in a few cases, but this is generally what I have seen.
It seems that way, as the bus I was on had no one infront if it, we were in the bus lane. But you know what? It sort of dawned on me at the time that maybe the driver goes slow because of the senior citizens on board.
Also I remember one time I decided to take a M11 down to 110th st from 125th instead of walking, and boy oh boy I was about to go insane. The driver was doing some serious coasting from the result of depressing the gas pad 1mm.
I have had this happen on occasion myself....dispatcher told me to put up a "Not In Service" sign and proceed to the end of the route making drop-offs only.
While back I was leaving a friend of mine's apt to make a 12:20 train at GCT. From 88th Street. At 11:40 she said, "You know you better get going. The trains don't run as often at night." I told her I was gonna take a bus and they run plenty often. She said, "A bus? Are you crazy? You know how long it takes a bus to get down Lexington Avenue to Grand Central?" I said, "Yeah, at this hour, about 10-12 minutes." ;=D
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
David
I was in Midtown and what should pass by but a fishbowl articulated bus.
It was done up in NY Bus Service livery.
It seemed so real. I was so excited in the dream and amazed that an express bus service would have an articulated bus, much less a fishbowl one which are very rare I would figure.
And wouldn't you know it, in the dream I couldn't wait to get my hands on a computer so that I could post my observation on Bustalk!!!
And I was hitting myself for not getting the bus number. I was afraid no one would believe it. :-)
Somewhere in the 1400's, I presume?
In fact I think it was. :-)
:P
I believe that this is a mistake. I believe that the X-26 should be continued amd operated similar to the X-25 which is operated as part of the X-29.
The service span may not be as long as it currently operates but i belive the ridership is there to have this service continued.
Any commnets
Thank You
In the afternoon interlining is possible - there are so many empty buses deadheading up the west side to midtown.
I see the ridership in the evening while waiting in front of WFC and the Orions are mostly full - seats are available though. The X25 usually has less passengers than the X26.
B1-#9181-NOVABUS
B64-#9313-NOVABUS
David
In comparison to weekday X27 & X28 service, the weekend services cost peanuts to operate. They are probably discontinuing it because it's not carrying enough people. Perhaps someone has numbers on this as well.
It would actually be very simple to explain: If you use your buses, you get to keep them; if you don't use your buses, you lose them.
Nothing in the city ends up being simple.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
What Bloomberg proposed wasn't to eliminate the weekend service - only the city's funding for the weekend service. IIRC, hearings are required only for the service itself, not the funding. (They certainly weren't required for the city to begin the sweetheart funding contracts.)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
X27 and X28 service to cut has been posted on the board at Ulmer Park. Main reason:revenue. Not enough riders on weekend X27 and X28 to justify service. The TA doesn't want to run a line where maybe 1-3 people are on board besides the driver.
Also, even if serivce was to be cut, the community would be outraged,and anything wouldn't happen for at least 6 months. What's weird is if service is good during the week, why wouldn't people ride it on the weekends. I would.
B1-#9328-NOVABUS
B64-#9321-NOVABUS
David
BIG AL
Well from what I read in the Daily News, it says that since all 4 tracks on the Manny-B is open again, they would think that it is duplicating 4 Av train service. Whether that is a valid reason remains to be seen. I'm not familiar with the x27/28 on weekends so I don't know where actual ridership levels are at.
J
David
go to www.1-87vehicles.org-look under new products. Busch made a GMC new Look(picture green shown at website)-along with the models listed here. I'm going to try to get a few. They looks real sharp.
-F.
On a side note, did they change the destination sign on the Q36? Now it reads:
Q36 - Floral Park
268th St
via Jamaica Av
On NovaBus RTS-06 #9257, when it displayed "via Jamaica Av", it looked like it was reprogrammed OR added into the destination sign. Is that true?
Ray
RESPECT THE BUSES OF NEW YORK CITY!!!!!!
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
BIG AL
In some buses that have the two line LCD, from my experiences the front sign says via Jamaica Av & Hillside Av at the same time.
http://www.subwaywebnews.com/Buses2/img_17691.jpg
-F.
Public hearings scheduled for February
Metro officials are interested in restructuring the Metrobus service along U.S. Route 1 in Virginia (regional Routes 9A, E), and today agreed to conduct a public hearing on the proposed changes. Approximately 5,000 bus trips are made along the 10.5-mile U.S. Route 1 Richmond Highway corridor on an average weekday.
The proposed changes will improve on-time performance by streamlining routes; offer express service in the corridor to keep buses on time; increase ridership by 500 passengers per weekday; improve pedestrian safety and amenities at 18 designated bus stops; and increase awareness of the corridor’s bus service via a specialized marketing effort.
The hearings are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24, at the South County Government Center, 8350 Richmond Highway in Alexandria, and at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe Street in Alexandria.
The restructuring would split the existing Metrobus Route 9A into two segments so buses will be more likely to meet schedules. The 9A would offer limited stop service between Fort Belvoir and the King Street Metrorail station and operate every 15 minutes during peak and 30 minutes during off peak hours. The service would be offered from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and would include service at 18 enhanced express stops.
Metrobus Route 9B would be implemented to offer local service between the Huntington Metrorail sation and the Pentagon Metrorail station from 5:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.
Weekday Metrobus Route 11P between Crystal City, Potomac Yard Shopping Center, and Hunting Towers would be redesignated at Route 9C and consolidated to the proposed 9B, E schedule. The restructuring would eliminate Metrobus service between Lorton and Fort Belvoir. However, the existing Fairfax Connector bus routes would be reconfigured to serve as feeders to those neighborhoods. The Connector Route 107 would provide service between Lorton and the Huntington Metrorail station and the Connector Route 105 would circulate between the southern part of Fort Belvoir and the Huntington Metrorail station. There would be no change to Metrobus Route 9E.
There have been several transportation improvement studies focused on the U.S. Route 1 Richmond Highway corridor including the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Location Study, Fairfax County’s Comprehensive Plan, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission’s Route 1 Corridor Bus Study and Metro’s Regional Bus Study. These proposed changes include recommendations from those studies.
For more information about Metrobus service, visit www.metroopensdoors.com.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
The K6 is a direct run from White Oak to Fort Totten with only that one diversion through the Northwest Park complex. Maybe a rush hour type run could bypass that, but that's where a lot of people board. I remember the days when that route went all the way to Metro Center.
I'm debating if I want to drive or Metro tomorrow. It would be my first Metro commute out to Potomac in about 2-3 weeks since I have been driving due to the extreme cold.
-F.
-F.
-F.
-F.
-F.
A lot of people do ride the bus from there, I'm a witness to that! The K6 has a great amount of riders in whole, though, and decent frequencies as well (half hourly, every 20 minutes, every 10 sometimes). It's a refreshing change whenever I go down to MD to live within a 5 minute walk of a route that runs decently (at home on my Dorado line, I can expect headways of 1 hour...when they show up, or I can walk 20 minutes at my fast pace to the mall to catch the 10-20 minute L or the God knows when that bus will show up 27)
The SEPTA 99 used to be a 2 hour ride to Pottstown, until it was cut back to Royersford, leaving the 93 as the only route to Pottstown.
All NYC Buses are governed, including the expresses.
I feel any EXPRESS bus, old or new, should be governed at 65, not what they are now. It's a shame to see a NYC TA (MCI) bus moving slower in the NJ Turnpike HOV Lanes than its NJT and Private Counterparts.
Now my views extend to the Orion and Nova Suburbans that see express service. Also included are 7038, 7040-7047,7049. I have been getting the 70XXs in the morning lately - which I don't mind cause you will get a seat since people pass them up and wait for the MCI which will be SRO - and they seem to be struggling to reach highway speed and won't go any faster than 40. Since they are used in express service sometimes as well as locals, increase the governs on these as well - governed to 50 or 55 so it won't sound like the engine is screaming trying to run.
Just my opinion. Anyone else agree???
Sadly, the private CNG and Diesel Orion V's easily run rings around the MTA MCI's.
Regards,
Mark Valera
BIG AL
Acela
B1-#9318-NOVABUS
#8271 - ??
#8692 - B6
BIG AL
Acela
Trevor
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
Trevor
Former Liberty Lines Fishbowls numbered in the low 300s went into service around 1970 and stayed until about 1992.
At least one of these was sold off to a church group after retirement from Westchester Bee Line service.
They were also very fast - 8v71 engine with three speed hydraulic transmission that would hit overdrive between 50 and 60MPH.
Unfortunately - they're likely all gone by now - even those that would have gone to private use after the county sold them off.
The funny thing is that in a Metro someday I read that a customer said "SEPTA has such nice and courteous and kind employees!" Well, I have met some, and their credit is due (yeah summer 95/96 bus drivers!)
I just wish some transit employees would just take the Kohl's ideal and be friendly to their customers, especially when some man-woman (I'm still trying to decide whether she was a man or if he was a woman) on some sparky R5 train (yellow sparks were spewing from the pantograph) that was LATE in the first place eagerly goes after me to pay 2.50 for a two stop ride, and when I say two stop, I mean the stops are like 30 seconds away from each other by train.
It's just that, don't they (the TAs) train the operators in some sort of customer service? Geez, I feel like they dont' even want me to ride that crappy NABI. Funnily, they start wondering why service is falling with their "tri-annual" strikes and somewhat "arrogant" drivers. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of good people driving the buses that I've had nice convos with, but there are more that can get on my nerves in the wrong mood.
Courtesy should be the standard...that's "THE ALTERNATIVE" (MCTA) standard.
(btw, I do say hello to just about every driver I see, especially when getting a transfer)
Sorry to rag on this, but this really bugs me, especially when I'm ready to explode with rage (I'm calm now).
I wouldn't rag on SEPTA so much if they didn't go around preaching their prestine service by going on and on about that stupid FTC station (it's great and all, but I have to go out of the way of my LIFE just to even see it!) and by trying to make transit=SEPTA, which it basically does in this area, unfortunately. I wouldn't complain so much if I didn't have to pay so much for transfers, zone fare, tokens, BASE FARE (there's a reason I don't transitfan with SEPTA, you know). sigh...Blue Leaf/The Alternative really needs to be set up immediately...
Your thoughts?
But that is not to say that some are totally rotten. But you should consider why they are the way they are first.
I don't work with the public, but have in the past, but there are days at my office that I don't say a word to anyone unless I have to. It happens, unfortunately.
Corgi item number 54313 - due in March.
The obvious irony here is, NYBS wants out of commuter service.
-Fred
-Fred
-F.
-F.
Some expert modeler on the Yahoo Al Model Bus Group took one of the 54401's changed the decal, put an A/C unit on the bus and then changed the side advertisement from a Lionel/Union Pacific train to the black with yellow lettering then current ad for WCBS-880 radio.
Sub-Talker Todd Glickman loved it for obvious reasons.
While it may not be exciting to some, model bus customizing takes a lot of work. Currently I am converting a Road Champs Flxible Metro to a Grumman 870, and it takes a lot of "meatball surgery" to flatten that roof once you cut the Sutrak unit. I am also working on one of the China friction Fishbowls; it now features 10-lug bus wheels with tandems and a scratchbuilt A/C unit. Once again, lots of cutting...so much that I accidentally sliced through my hand during the project. But I am not complaining; it is truly a labor of love.
-Fred
Pic proof coming later.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
Maybe Green is charging non-maintenance expenses to the maintenance budget.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
Maybe you have to consider the above factors.
Just a thought.
Still, Green Lines' buses are in much worse shape than Queens Surface, especially the Orions (transit and suburban). QSC actually puts a bounty out for anyone who reports vandalism on a bus that leads to someone's arrest and conviction. QSC's buses look in much better shape, and their Orions are a dream to ride! (Okay now, slow it down a little! :-))
Granted, the rear of the bus behind the W/C lift has always been hard to watch out on any RTS bus in NYC. But any bus used on a local route, unless enforced as QSC does, is bound to get vandalism, and it does not matter how up to snuff your TA is. It will happen, unless of course schoolkids are barred altogether from the bus, and that is not about to happen!
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
Also:
Isn't the GBL's fleet larger than QSC's?
Are there passenger patterns similar (ie: does QSC run school trippers jam packed with unruly kids such as GBL)?
P.S.
Oh my God! Am I taking up for GBL? Nah, can't be. :)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
Q60-#5519-Orion V
However, the GBL does have about 6 dedicated express buses. I forgot if the GBL has 2 or 4 MCI Classics Suburbans. These buses have the overhead luggage rack, high back seats, personal reading lamps. I used to wonder why I would see them on the other QM routes operated by the GBL except the QM16 and QM17.
Just recently I got part of the answer. I don't know about the QM16. However, on the QM17, especially the 5:25 pm there is a handicapped fellow that uses this bus everyday. The MCIs are not handicapped accessable, thus they have to use the Orions (5500s).
The GBL have a couple of express only Orions (700s) that never see service on the QM16 or QM17. I don't know the reason because these buses are handicapped accessable.
I guess the mayor had never seen a GBL bus before he proposed that takeover, eh? :-)
I don't get that neither. Usually whenever I see 719-722 its either on the QM15 or the QM23. Grenn Bus and Jamaica definitely got the shaft and if the DOT people were smart, they would have gotten some Nova RTS's at the very least but seeing that they are cheapskates and didn't really look into what was on the market, we knew it wouldn't happen :-\
How 'bout we sic the Fox 5 Problem Solvers on Green Lines?
The problem with GBL is an overall apathy toward maintenance. They have been terrible for decades. Their GMC "fishbowls" were horrible, their Grummans sucked, and their RTS's are a joke!
Correct spelling: V-A-N-D-A-L-S.
MH
We need more GBL insiders here and shal we compare them to PG County's the Bus?
Sure you can... there are plenty of streets without boarded-up houses! :)
Bushwick today rocks, even if it is still a little rough at night. It's a shame it will be gentrified out of existence in a few years.
Yup, it's amazing....well I did say "former" boarded up houses....
I can't recognize Broadway today from how I remember it in 1985. It still has a way to go, but it's getting better.
All together now: SPLEEN BUS SUCKS! SPLEEN BUS SUCKS!
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
Really? Which one?
[that shows they don't give a s**t about their buses.]
I agree! I only ride Green when I absolutly have to, and that isn't that often.
Anyone want to contact the Problem Solvers?
1165
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
Click on each thumbnail to see the bigger picture.
Imagine going down the LIE on a green lines express bus, on a cold day in January with the window open. It can't be closed because someone kicked it outward to the point that it's off track and cannot be moved. We had to stuff plastic bags in the window to keep the air out. The first time I saw it, I joked that we need to bring a hammer and a roll of duct tape on the bus... after seeing it the third time, it wasn't so funny any more.
I wanna go to the monster truck show this saturday at the nassau collesium. I'm tryin to figure out which way is the best from Port Washington
N23->N27->N24
->N54
->N93
->N70/N71/N72
1. How reliable is the N27(and John, I need an honest answer, not a breakdown report. lol)
2. Does the N24 run to East Meadow on Saturdays?
3. Does the N54 or N93 run saturdays?
4. Does the N27 go to HTC on saturdays?
5. Which of the three don't run sat's, the 70, 71, or 72?
Other options:
N23->N22A->see last colum of above
1. Does the N22A run saturdays?
N23->N40/N41-N70/N71/N72
And my last question, does the N65 go to HTC, and if so, does it run Saturdays?
"3. Does the N54 or N93 run saturdays?"
The N54 runs nowhere where you need to go. The N93 yes it does but have 4 Trips from RF.
http://mta.info/libus/routes/n93/saturday.pdf
http://mta.info/libus/routes/n93/n93map.htm
"4. Does the N27 go to HTC on saturdays?"
Only 6-7 Trips in each direction go's to HTC on saturdays.
http://mta.info/libus/routes/n27/saturday.pdf
"5. Which of the three don't run sat's, the 70, 71, or 72?"
N70
"Does the N22A run saturdays?"
No
"does the N65 go to HTC, and if so, does it run Saturdays"
No
"N23->N40/N41-N70/N71/N72"< This is your best option
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
80% of the weekday Bx19 Service is Articulated already. and about 50% of the daytime M14 Service is Articulated. The M14A and D overnights are ALWAYS articulated.
Trevor
David
http://www.nynewsday.com/media/acrobat/2004-02/11104636.pdf
02 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2004
By Joe Rappaport
amNewYork Columnist
Mayor Bloomberg seemed to have gotten religion last
week when he blasted the MTA for discriminating
against the city in funding. But Bloomberg¡¯s record ¡ª
with support for a fare hike and a 2004 MTA budget that
cut city transit ¡ª shows that until now he¡¯s been a consistent
booster of the MTA¡¯s suburban bias.
On Wednesday, the mayor first suggested that the MTA
wasn¡¯t looking out for city riders when he criticized that it
won¡¯t agree to take over seven private bus companies now
funded by the city. ¡°The MTA was created to
provide mass transit for the public in the region, but particularly
in the city,¡± Bloomberg told amNewYork
in an exclusive interview. ¡°The MTA should be taking
this over. It¡¯s strange.¡± Then, on Thursday,
Bloomberg instructed the city¡¯s four MTA board members
agency at a news conference in Washington Heights.
¡°I was scratching my head because now he objects to
buying Metro-North cars, saying they¡¯re getting more
than their fair share,¡± said Gene Russianoff, staff attorney
of NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign. ¡°But back in December, his
representatives voted for a budget that cut subway car
cleaners and elevator operators ¡ª while that same budget
increased staffing on Metro-North and the LIRR,¡± said Russianoff.
The December vote elicited huge opposition in
Washington Heights ¡ª where Bloomberg attacked
the MTA ¡ª since that¡¯s where the elevator operators
were cut. Bloomberg¡¯s board members also voted for the fare
hike last March, which hit transit riders with a larger
percentage increase than suburban commuters.
So why the mayor¡¯s change in tune?
For one, Election Day 2005 is not far away. ¡°The mayor
has a political deficit with subway and bus riders and he
has less than two years to fix it,¡± said Russianoff.
Beyond that, Bloomberg¡¯s top transit goals ¡ª to get the
MTA to take over the $150 million cost of the private
lines and to fund the 7 line extension ¡ª are stuck in neutral.
¡°So far he¡¯s gone along with a lot but maybe he¡¯s decided
to be more confrontational,¡± said Beverly Dolinsky of the
Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee.
Here it is
It's good but not perfect, I like this better than 8 photos of the same thing. :)
It's over for now though, i'm dowloading the video right now.
Allen Dicion
go.to/ttc1001
If it doesn't work, don't worry it's not a great short movie anyway, just something different :)
Anyway, whose Gillig LF is it?...
Got to Mineola, went into the deli. Greeted by Benny(another N23 driver, usually on time), and a farily new N23 driver. Driver from another bus walks in. They start jokin wit the pax and the deli people that they're all on strike.
5:30, N23 Manorhaven via Harbor Rd #311 pulls out, the new guy is the driver. Not too much traffic. Got to the LIRR PW stop on Bayles(the newer one for Harbor Rd buses, then one John took a pic of a while ago), turns out my mom was there trying to call me, oh well. Got off at Sandy Hollow Rd/Harbor Acres, walked home. VERY ICEY SIDEWALKS.
Good trip, took my mind off being shot down for a lil while I got some HW done. TG for LIB
That's not a significant difference. The N22 loses time because it goes all the way to Willis ave and then back to Mineola ave. The 24 is more direct, and does run abit more often.
I've taken both. The 22 may be abit quicker in rush hours because there's more traffic on Jericho tpke. But in the non-rush its about the same. I remember one day my N22 left 179st the same time as an N24. Later I saw that same N24 just ahead of us in Mineola.
BIG AL
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
very nice interior with the TV treatment:
Once again Lynx can take even a bus I hate and make it beautiful. Didn't get a chance to get the rear doors. Huge slide glide doors, never seen that for the "exit" door before. Engine was throatier than other NF's i've seen, and nothing rattled or vibrated either!
For those of you who can't see detail:
Ceiling has a wood grain throughout, same on back wall.
Wheel wells in the front, glossy blue paint, same with a/c vent in back.
Good capacity. Right low-floor portion is one long bench. Left is long bench, seat of 2, and another long bench opposite rear door.
Standard stuff on back portion.
Thick plastic grippy things on back of seats, and standee poles. Metal straps!
3 flat panel TV's
and my favorite farebox.
I should've played guess the bus, but I couldn't wait to post 'em all.
It's all here!!
Will fully document the loop someday when the I-4 gods smile down on me, which isn't happening.
WTF is THAT all about????!
For such a sprawling nonsense city that's got to be the most anti-transit place I've been to, who would've thought they got the most amazing bus rides.
On a trivia note, Garfield creator Jim Davis hails from Muncie. I wouldn't be surprised if he had a hand in their transit webpage.
-Fred
www.regionaltransitservice.com
2. Only the Orion 7's.
3. I don't think so.
4. Most of them have been replaced with the white steel rims. There's very few TMC's & Novas with Alcoas.
5. No, the 1981 & 1982's did not although there was one oddball, 1416, which is now scrapped.
They flash together, in blinking action, not pulse-like.
2. Did NYMTA ever use LED's in these lights?
Bulbs
3. 3011 now has a bike rack, did any of NYMTA RTS/TMC's have bike racks?
Never.
4. Do any of the NYMTA RTS/TMC's have Alcoas?
What's an Alcoas?
5. Did all of the NYMTA RTS/TMC's have rear route signs?
I don't remember the exact numbers, but I believe the rear route sign began with the 3900 series. Coreect me if I'm wrong guys. I'm not too sure about that.
Stainless steel wheels
I don't remember the exact numbers, but I believe the rear route sign began with the 3900 series. Coreect me if I'm wrong guys. I'm not too sure about that.
3133 has one, but it may have been a retrofit.
He's talking about the aluminum rims that the 1994 TMC's and earlier Novas has/had before they recieved the white rims.
On #5, I thought all buses up to the 1984's didn't have them at first either, but I too am not sure. Maybe they were installed in the 1992 upgrade? I remember when the original flipdots were very illegible and VERY hard to read.
BIG AL
Below is a few I came up with using the wonderful bus outlines by Peter McLaughin with some modifications to fit each property by me.
Enjoy!
Alexandria DASH Gillig Phantom
MTA New York City Bus Nova BUS RTS-06N
(Rather Than Using MTA New York City, I used "THE BUS" if the MTA Regional Ideal Should Go Through!)
Ride-On Montgomery County Transit New Flyer C40LF
(Rumored that Ride On May Be Recieving New Flyers After the Orion 7s)
SEPTA New Flyer C40LF
University of Maryland Shuttle UM Orion I
(No They Don't Have Orions)
If and When I get my Flxible METRO bus, this is exactly how I want it painted up!
Regards,
Trevor Logan
TransiTALK Transportation Media Group, LLC
Thank you very much!
As for the RO C40LF, I like "Clean Green Machine", but I still personally prefer the current scheme. Yours is certainly very good though. Thanks for sharing.
-F.
-F.
-Fred
-F.
I think the Orions you are referring to are the 1984 ones?
As far as I know, 14 30 foot Gilligs are still in service. As you can see below, 5340 is now pretty much scrap even if it still on the revenue roster. The ones at Silver Spring generally run on the blocks that are designated for non-lift buses but I have seen them on the 37 in the afternoon and both those blocks are lift blocks as far as I am aware, though lift buses can run on those blocks. Gaithersburg uses them on the strategics so they are liable to show up anywhere. If you want more details so you can try catching one, I and others on here can certainly point you in the right direction.
Orion quality is now going downward, since it became a part of crystler...
-F.
-Fred
-F.
The only difference is that the rear interior panels in our buses were white with gold A/C vents. Keeping it clean takes some work!
-Fred
-F.
It will be a shame to see the Flxes go in both places; hopefully I can get back up to the DC area and ride one before they say "Sayonara". Are they still running their 91 Flxes fairly often? The way our guys took off after one with cameras during the November trip, you'd think they were as rare as a 1952 Mickey Mantle card!
-Fred
-Fred
The Flixbles...they mainly run on campus routes, now, not the college park shuttle as far as I know...you need a UM ID to ride throughout the campus...
-F.
On that note, GRTC has their last 15 1990 Flxible 35-foot Metros up for bid, while two 1988 40-footers are on the block as well. Maybe we'll see one running around NYC with the Red Rose one day. :)
-Fred
Mark Watson
-Fred
I hope NABI will offer their buses with Voith Transmission in the future...
The drawings look great. However, I have not given any permission whatsoever for my drawings to be reproduced publicly. I generally do not allow my drawings to be reposted on websites or groups that have been modified from my original work. I hope you understand.
Cheers,
Peter McLaughlin
http://www.busdrawings.com - New Website Address!
Trevor
Buying one may be the easy, storing it may be difficult.
Bill "Newkirk"
I'm not no snot nosed kid who doesn't know what he's doing!
Trevor
-F.
And I really want to see our buses get a city seal slapped on them to show people that we are actually owned by the city...they think Alexandria Transit Company is a profiting company out to take their money.
Hmm...not exactly the majority opinion the riding public should have.
On it's way to the Detriot Diesel shops on John Young.
BIG AL
But when I right click the broken image now and hit view image, it comes up.
werid.
is it here?
I don't get the deal with all this is, it's borderline random.
BIG AL
Linked here
I'd much rather find a way to get image sharing back up through some means instead of linking all my pictures. Quick viewing in here is much better than clicking around and messing with web navigation.
BIG AL
BIG AL
BIG AL
P.S. You don't even want to know what it's like driving a bus up here.
Of course not everyone's from new york completely. But knowing a native person from Orlando is like knowing the last of the Mohicans.
On the other side of the state, it's interesting, I was just working with a native, and he says he knows more new yorkers than floridians. And actually typing this post, I think a good quarter of the people have some connection up there or are from there that I went to college with.
I was on the bus the other day and this lady was so loud with how great living in NY was and how she can't wait to move back(I shoulda yelled "GO, get outta here!")
Biggest problem with driving is too many cultures in one place though, everyones going by a different set of rules. Like take these mid-westerners in Pinellas with their panic stops, it really p.....
Anyhow, rush hours rush hour, and tourist are tourist, one of those Road Rangers were killed last year, and I dont' see anyone following the Live Stop Law, except for myself and the truckers.
Good luck, and I believe you probably do have the hardest place to drive a bus in.
BIG AL
I can't find any old receipts for tires, but online has only a dollar fee per used tire. I think i've been charged more than that. Tires are huge environmental hazards anyway. There's battery disposal fee's, oil, etc. Hazardous stuff. I wonder if NY actually keeps their tires or gives them to another state though. But, like you said, you weren't disposing any tires.
PG's THE BUS roster as of Feb 5, 2004:
62895-99:1996or 97, Gillig Phantoms 35'DD50/Voith tranny
-Note 1:These were most likely a tag on order with Ride On's 96 Gilligs
-Note 2:62896 was destroyed in an arson fire in THE BUS's yard in 2001
62861-77:Goshen gas coaches, aka CAGVs
62993-62994:2000 Thomas TL960 30 foot, B5.9
-62994 is still in service, 62993 was either destroyed in that same arson fire, crashed or was prematurely retired, not sure of which.
63005-08:2000 Thomas SLF 230, B5.9
63009-63017: 2000 Startrans coaches aka ODVs, B5.9
63018-63031:2002 Thomas SLF 230, B5.9
63032:2002 Thomas SLF 235, B5.9
63033-63056: 2002 Startrans B5.9
63057-63058: 2003 Thomas SLF 235, Mercedes Benz 906
63100: 2003 Startrans
-Note: Odd order in that this was the only one ordered, and it came in May of 2003 which either means 1)They might go to some real buses or 2)They are going to get more this year or 3)They cancelled the rest of the ordered.
Now here is my ideal THE BUS roster.
6000-6004: 2000 Thomas SLF 235-be now for new neighborhood routes
6005-6018: 2002 Thomas SLF 235-be now for new neighborhood routes
6050:2002 Thomas SLF 235-be for neighbor hood routes/circulators
6051-6052:2003 Thomas SLF 235-for neighborhood routes/circulators
6100:2000 Thomas TL 960
6101-6115: 2004 Gillig Advantage 30 footers, cummims 8.3/allison
-would replace CAGVs
6116-6149: 2004 Orion Vs 30 footers, DD50/Voith
-would replace ODVs
6200-6203: Gillig Phantom 35'
-would be rehabbed by WMATA(they need major work)
6204-6212: Orion Vs 35'x96, DD50/Voith
6300s-reserved for future CNG 35 footers
6400-6404:Thomas TL960, 40 footers
-rehabbed by WMATA
6500s-future CNG 40 footers
6600-6609: Orion V one door/transit seating-DD50/Voith
-Would be used for new Bowie State University express route from New Carrolton Station
6700-6704: Neoplan AN460s DD60/Allison B500
-used for 21 express only(patronage would dictate the need for a 60 footer).
Other notes:
-New paint scheme with broad red and grey stripes, black skirting and black around the windows
-All new purchased buses would have multi colored LEDs(especially for denoting which metrorail line it would go to.
-All new and rehabbed buses would have voice announcement systems not only saying what metrorail line it would connect to also which bus lines that connect, beit be WMATA, Ride On or another THE BUS route.
Now if I could only get the chance to run THE BUS.
Champion Contender: 62922-62936, B5.9
-My plan would have them replaced by 35'x 96' Orion V CNGs with DD50 and Voith trannies numbered 6300-6314
Other notes
-The CALL A RIDE buses would be renumbered 62000 and up and renamed THE BUS-CONNECTIONS.
-The ODVs would be retained for courthouse shuttles from the equestrian center parking lot and the Greenbelt Metro station.
I apologize for the apparent darkness of the surroundings, as they were drowned out in the bus's headlights.
As you might have guessed, the answer is no.
Turn up the contrast on your monitor. You should see lights from an elevated subway station, and from a relatively tall building.
Turn up the contrast on your monitor. You should see lights from an elevated subway station, and from a relatively distant tall building.
The Bus is Queens-Jamaica Bound However it's sporting a Manhattan Bound Sign.....
Trevor
The picture was taken atop one of those newspaper delivery boxes in front of a newsstand on 47th & Queens Blvd. I had taken another one from the exact same position a few seconds earlier, with the sign saying, "Q60 via QUEENS BL," but I really wanted what I posted on the board. It's kinda cool when you flip between the two on my camera. The bus didn't move, neither did the parking meter, the buildings, nor the El (it'd be frightening if those last 3 did). The only things that did move, are the people, and the cars. I had it this dark (with an exposure value of -2/3, and a shutter speed of 1/6 sec.) so I could get the text of the sign.
BIG AL
Not really, the average bus-fan would spot that out quick, fast & in a hurry, such as Trevor did.
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
BIG AL
I too was looking for something other than the destination sign.
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
Trevor
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
BIG AL
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
BIG AL
BIG AL
Man rushes out of his X37 in Bay Ridge, only to leave an envelope with $1,700 in cash behind. The B/O aboard does the most God-like thing he can do by dropping it off. A big applause to the anonymous B/O from UP.
With new diesel New Flyer high floor artics still being delivered, it is unlikely the MTA bus fleet could be all low-floor and/or CNG any time within the next 12-15 years.
I'm not a fan of the LFs, because they have fewer seats than the HFs, so I hope that the fleet never goes all LF.
They're going to go for ease of maitenance, compliance with ADA and EPA regs, and the cheapest solution to accomplish all three. If you busfans don't like that, then in this mindset, you can go shove it. I know for a fact that there was (and still is) more than one transit fan that bemoaned the replacing of the US trolley system by a vastly inferior technology. However, an infinitely smaller number of people will ever lament the passing of the Flxs, RTS, and other old dirty buses and their replacement with much more efficient and passenger-friendly vehicles. The PCC and it's progenitors will live on, the Flx, RTS and their contemporaries will just rust slowly in a scrap yard somewhere.
But with the current trend in bus sales, standard floor height IS Low Floor. It's too hard to get ADA compatibility with a high floor bus. It also leaves the TA open to lawsuits due to being too hard for handicapped or disabled people from riding.
1-Very good pickup-once traffic lightened up.
2-NO WHEELCHAIR ACCESIBILITY!!
I'm in shock that when Red Rose Transit ordered these buses, they were not accesible to the handicapped. Bus moves very nicely. Im upset i didnt have a camera with me. Next time im out there,i'll get a shot. By the way, the number of the bus was #770-was that the orignal number?
B1-#9337-NOVABUS
-F.
Is this bus line in Brooklyn considered a private service? The ADA law states that transportation providers must make every reasonable effort to find accessible buses when buying used coaches. And this is not just for transitit authorities and public bus lines - the law also applies to airport and rental car shuttles and the like.
Jim D.
I recently purchased an ex-TTA Flxible Metro from Huntington, WV (build date 2/90) of similar size the the Red Rose you rode; before I found out the exact date that ADA fell into place that year, I was shocked to find that my bus was retrofitted with a lift in 1997!
-Fred
Your bus was probably rebuilt in 1997 - once a non-accessible bus is rebuilt, it must be made accessible per the ADA.
Jim D.
-F.
The link is:
http://frankfordterminal.blogspot.com/
Best way is to copy and paste the link
AND I was gonna plan to go down there to ride it...dang it!
Incognito
I believe demo 9503, a transit (as contrasted with 9601, a suburban), has been on the property even prior to 9601. Rumor is that the first Neoplans to be delivered within the next few months will be 9500's, followed by 9600's.
For months now, February 15, 2004, has been the official opening date for the River Line. Strangely, there is still no timetable on the NJ Transit web site, so I wonder whether it will actually start on the 15th. On the plus side, I have heard that "shadow" service has been operating on the line since around January 1st.
Chuck Greene
Another delayed opening for this troubled project.
NJT had detected a problem on one of the 2 current neo artics and so the order was delayed until it is corrected(I would say 9503 or 9501 since 9601 is still running)
MetroB
Only one line justifies for 15 minute off-peak service [400], but the ride thru Camden is like a ride thru Baghdad, a grand tour through a war zone! most of the other lines have headways from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Rush hours ranges from 15 minutes to 1 hour. The only 24/7 lines are in Atlantic City [guess why], but only one out of Philly [551 to AC], and finally, when a bus is late, IT'S REALLY LATE!
The route structure really needs some revision because most of the buses do not go to the places people need to go. And a major cross-suburban road [Route 73] needs some bus service just to get many people to all of the job sites located on this route.
The fare policies are widely uneven, with some routes exact fare, and others non exact fare, the equipment varies widely on some routes, like the 406 in which [on one day] I saw a Baby RTS, Flx Metro B and a MCI D4000 on the SAME ROUTE! NJT needs to "Harmonize" bus equipment on each route. Keep MCI cruisers on the very long distance rotes, Suburbans and Transits on the shorter routes. At Newton Ave this is observed usually, though the 409 tends to get almost anything, especially during rush hours.
AND FINALLY, WHY CAN'T WASHINGTON TWP'S FLXIBLE METRO B HAVE DECENT CLEAR WINDOWS!!!!!!!! Those f$%king things are SOOOOOOOO scratched up [not from scratchitti, but from the bus washer!] you can't see out them! Now I see that every North Jersey garage has their Flx B's with decent windows, but this garage do not have the decency to replace those bady damaged windows. Now I see some of the Flx's have gotten some kind of lite overhaul, but the f&*kers FORGOT TO REPLACE THE GODDAMN WINDOWS. CAN'T I GET A CLEAR WINDOW ON THESE BUSES FOR ONCE! I CAN SEE BETTER OUT OF A SEPTA BUS WINDOW THAT HAS SCRATCHITTI ON IT! And that's not saying much!
Finally I wish the assholes up in Newark come down here sometime to actually see what's wrong with South Jersey's service and do something about it. It seems that the friggin state ends at Trenton, and forget about us southerners, [oh most of us are suburbanites who drive, pig farmers ans assorted hicks way down south, with a few casino workers in the mix! That's what the NORTH JERSEY management thinks of us!]
I would have more to rant about, but I 'm tired and I want to go to bed.
Especially the comment on the Flx Metro Bs out of Washington Township. Every time I ride the 406 home I pray to any sort of deity I can think of that I get a MCI, at least then it won't be like I'm sitting in a tranlucent coffin.
And we definitely need cross-suburban service on Route 73. I used to work at a grocery store where one of the maitenance people, who lived in Berlin, faced a 2 hour trek home on the weekends taking 3 routes via Camden. He lived a mere 15 minute drive from the store, at the most a 30-45 minute bus trip down 73 would have gotten him home without putting his life in danger.
We also need better service on the AC line, as well as extensions of either PATCO or SNJLRTS to serve some of the new Condos that are springing up toward Moorestown. A new SNJLRTS line could shoot straight out to Mt Holly via the branch that parallels Marne Highway in the vicinity of I-295. The line does merge with the AC Line around Cove Rd, but there is a ROW that continues down the center of Chestnut St and then follows Rosedale Rd around to intercept the SNJLRTS right around the main yard. The total length of the branch would be some 16 miles from the SNJLRTs to Mt Holly, and if SNJLRTS is any yardstick, then it'd cost 500 million and be done in 4-5 years from project start (that'd be 2/4383 mph or 2.41 feet per hour). But I suppose that's a better subject for Subtalk.
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
Really? What are all those 8500s I keep seeing on the Q58; is the route now based out of Gleason?
9459-9487 aren't brand new buses
BTW, the 8500's were transferred from JG to FP.
Uh, yeah, I know that.
Really? What are all those 8500s I keep seeing on the Q58; is the route now based out of Gleason?
Flatbush was just informing you that 8500s were transferred to FP which runs the Q58.
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
I know that. I'm speaking about 5055-5074, the last time FP had originals.
Uh, yeah, I know that.
But you asked if the Q58 was in Gleason and I said the 8500's are in FP now so the answer to if the Q58 runs in JG is obviously NO........
The time Fresh Pond received new buses was Jan. of 1999. until April of 2003 where the 8500's started coming in, later on during July the 9400's came to FP. What I meant was the last time Fresh Pond seen Novas coming in was Jan. 1999. I didn't say the 8500's because they aren't exactly "that" new like 9459-9487. I'm sorry for any confusion.
http://www.hartline.org/route/maps/xpress/index.html
it looks like 15 miles is the radius for express bus service into Tampa. From the schedules, though, it looks like many of the express lines are really just one or two inbound trips in the AM and outbound in the PM.
There are some local routes that look like they go more than 20 miles, though:
http://www.hartline.org/route/maps/local/index.html
What town is your mother looking in?
CG
I think Plant city was the other one, and that one too has an express bus line.
Thank you
I don't know where the Chase offices are, but I'm guessing there is more than one -- as they already have more than 5000 employees down there.
Make sure you click on the schedule for those express busses -- they look like they only run a couple of times a day.
Anyway, I wouldn't mind being in Brandon for one reason, and one reason only. It's under an hour to drive to Orlando. I end up adding so much time for traffic being in clearwater, I don't think I can commuter to O-town like I originally wanted to for a while. And that sucks.
Brandon has about 2 park and ride routes. And 2-3 locals too. Brandon also, isn't far out at all, heck, it's practically right down the street. See the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown expressway, that's there ONLY for Brandon commuters. They're building reversable elevated lanes that costs like a billion just so they can commuter better. Supposedly they saved an unused envelope for "future purposes". Rail in 40 years?
also, sidenote, the intersection outside the mall, where I-75 and SR60 interchange, is the busiest intersection in the county. It's by far, not even within 100 miles of the boonies!!
So anyway, there's probably a bigger chance you'll have to park and ride than the bus stopping at the entrance to your complex. Even though the latter isn't impossible, that just takes some planning on where you're moving. And sometimes the streets aren't that predestrian friendly either. Check the schedules.
Marion Transit Center sits on the northern tip of downtown(don't want to go north of that). Most buses(all xpress) uses the Transit Parkway though, which cuts through the middle of downtown. So you likely wouldn't need to go over there. Besides, they got that horrible fake trolley that's free if you do end up at the MTC anyway.
And for yourself, be sure to check the bus route maps and how far you're from the stop. Bus isn't any good if you can't get to it, especially when the rainy season comes. Route 8
From there you want to take Greyhound in Clearwater. Take a look at US19, 19 bus go straight down get off at hampton and SR60. Else, if you're close to the 66 bus(I think) which is west of US19, take that downtown clearwater to the 60 bus, drops you off at the same point right out front. The Greyhound station is just a storefront. I don't know how many stops they're going to stick you on. And i'm not sure what the price difference is for amtrak either, they got a few bus stops in the area.
I'm not sure how long it takes to get to the 3 park and ride lots I can think of, i lose track of time when i drive, probably why my drives are so long. Closest to palm harbor is Oldsmar(named after the founder of Oldsmobile) "park and ride". I haven't seen any cars ever parked here, I think it's more of a transfer point. 2 Hartline LIMITED expresses stop there. I'm current doing pictures of the thing, i just need one of all 3 bus lines(hopefully all together) the ni'll post.
Better one would be the Hartline 200x. It's right there at SR60, first causeway to Tampa(instead of 580 at palm harbor anyway). Maybe you can totally commute by 2 buses if you plan it just right. The 19 bus obviously hooks up which goes up to Palm Harbor. Along with the 62 also(though that's hourly).
Third option, but she'll probably be better completely park and riding is going to Ulmerton road, in Largo, and doing the 300x. MCI buses, very comfy, 27.50 for a 20-ride pass, and runs very frequenly. My only complaint is they need a run from tampa back around 3:15 - 4:30, for hospitality industry folks like myself. No point in having a bus take you to tampa at 7am, to have the returning at 5.pm, that's a 10 hour day! I saw park and ride that one, because I doubt you'd voluntarily take the bus from Palm harbor over there and wait for the connection. But it sure beats driving to tampa. Only one lousy intersection at rush hour too. Rest of Florida can't say that.
I don't know if you guys are transferring or starting fresh. But don't forget St. Pete is a real downtown half the size of tampa's. There's no express buses that go that way, just locals, which would take you between 50min where i'm at to two hours depending by bus. Probably even with driving too.
And like I said, Palm Harbor is the borderline of the current day sprawl methods, so make sure you can get to the bus stop and it's not 2 miles away. But it's good because you got about 4 lines around there, and that connects anywhere in Pinellas county, plus those 3 options of crosstown buses, which all have one or two mid-day trips, so you can do four hour sightseeing day in tampa if you like, which is what i do. I guess you're maybe 90min from downtown St. Pete which is beautiful and gentrified. They built a Publix downtown which is usually what they use for a livability indicator.
Now I'm back to watching this show on Trump, maybe he should rebuild WTC.
I got all the physical maps and schedules so it makes it easy but, check this: Here
You can navigate from there. And here's the oldsmar transfer center There's a new route that serves it too. Route 93 580 Park and ride is where the tri-county transfer is.
North and south routes are 19 and 62. I guess you can take one of those to transfer to the 93 or 67(east west) to that center. From there you take the Route 58LX I haven't tried this bus out yet, since obviously the last morning bus is at 7:01am,, and my location would need a FEW buses to get to(I'm too bummy to drive there).
Now the 19 and 62 is great, because that will go straight down and hook you up with the 200x Yea, that one does have an 8o'clock run missing. But Hartline is lucky it's not shut-down right now with their dealings and that counties commision. Plus there is a park and ride lot.
Of course the 19 and the 62 also hooks up with PSTA's 300x. And like I said before it's more frequent and cheaper. Plus, there's still that park and ride option from there.
The 93 might be a decent east west route in that area even if it does only run 3 times during rush hours.
Traffic's so bad and people are getting so sick of it, we really are growing in our transit system. 93 just started last month. 300x isn't even a year old yet. And I think all of Hartlines express routes are from '99. So I don't know what's happening in the future, but we aren't a Miami, New York, Or LA. I guess it depends when you need to go and come home is what limits your options.
In conclusion for my little thesis paper(hehe), you can situate yourself on Tampa Road, that way you're on route 93 and it's an easy transfer to the 58lx. Problem is you personally would not have any bus service for yourself except on rush hours. I think the 19 south, possibly 62 wouldn't have a bad transfer to that 93 at all to the 58lx. If not, the 19 and 62 share bus stops with Hartlines 200x, hop off stand there and hop on. And of course the same two buses go right down to the 300x, for that i'd suggest getting on the 62 somewhere and take that to East Bay. 300x runs more and later so might even be more viable of an option. Right south of Palm harbor is Westfield shoppingtowne and that's a transfer point for most routes anyway.
Does't sound as bad as i thought.
Maybe the later half of this week i'll try that 58lx I've been wanting to do, if I get all the stuff I need to do early in the week that is.
Oh, and the 200x and 300x is about a 50min ride on themselves, not counting really bad traffic, but those schedules have a LOT of buffer, so it could be faster, god willing. 58LX says about an hour. I guess add a transfer or driving add another 30 min. In the afternoon when there isn't much traffic, it takes liek 30 minutes really, so subtract 15 minutes on a good day I guess. :/ I guess when I think about my driving commute in Orlando, it doesn't sound that bad anymore(50-90minutes).
pic 1
pic 2
I kept these two from 2 days ago because I really liked the sky in the shots.
BIG AL
pic one
pic 2
I just like the sky in those really
*snickers* Son, in the sunbelt, that's right down the street. It's not even 30 miles out of the core and you still see traffic. People commute from Lakeland to tampa, ad that's not uncommon.
Or to put it in perspective for an easy city, Orlando. Bascially I-4 is what built the town. So from Disney up to around Deltona, a good 60-70 miles long Orlando is, in one direction, not even talking about right to left, just up and down.
Unlike Orlando, we have good express buses. Don't get me wrong, Orlando's got that 200x and those disney and I-drive buses, but that's to funnel the housekeepers and such in(check it out, the timeable reflects service industry hours!!)
okey, anyway, TAMPA's HartLine has express buses. Not as cheap as other buses, but hey, they are still cheaper than driving on these suck-ass roads. Furthest east is Plant City. 28X. 22 miles sounds like Brandon or Citrus Park, they got about 2 routes apeice. You'd probably ahve to park and ride though from the suburbs. Pasco County, which too many people live in, and is more than 22 miles has it's own express "bus" which links up to a Hartline express bus at oldsmar(pics coming soon).
Okey, let me back up again. look at the express routes at hartline. Not all of them charge express route prices, but there is a bus from every region. But CHECK the SCHEDULE. Some of the routes plain suck, one bus in morning and afternoon, at werid time.
PSTA, does have 2 express routes plus the one hartline route which goes across the bay. The PSTA's use MCI's and have the best schedules out of all of them. 300x
100x
compared to hartlines 200x which costs more
I take teh 300x, although the 200x is closer by me(done it once though). If you look at the schedule, there's only 4 stops before tampa, and that's maybe a 20+mile route. It doesn't mean it's all that speedy, traffic still sucks. But I'd rather be on that bus than killing my car.
Anyway, 22miles is NOTHING in these parts. Phoenix has the population of Manhatten but spreads them out over 40miles around from side to side. Something like 9 times the land mass. It's about 60-70miles until you're normally on the outskirts of things, and even then, it's the amount of time it takes to get somewhere, not normally distance.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
Canadian fleets that had them, off the top of my head I can think of BC Transit who ran "hillclimbers" with Telma Retarders.
I believe the ex-Anchorage fishbowls also had the 6V92TA engines.
There's bound to be a few more properties that had 6V92TA's in their fishbowl fleet.
Allen Dicion
go.to/ttc1001
The common denominator of all the 6V92 fishbowls is....they wre made in Canada by GMD.
I know that some late model GMDD fishbowls did indeed have the DD 6V-92TA, but I'm certain that the only DD 6V-92TA equipped buses at NYBS were the GMDD & MCI Classics. The only other GMDD buses at NYBS are '81/82 1481-1505 and those bad-boys most defintely are powered by the mighty DD 8V-71N. All of the other fishbowls NYBS (1200-1400 series) had in the past were from GMC and they had either the DD 6V-71N or DD 8V-71N. I'm pretty certain about this, but I could mistaken.
I remember back when Queens/Steinway Transit still had GMDD fishbowls... Queens Transit had one with what sounded like a DD 6V-92TA which I think was #799 (something like that).
The 1982 Santa Monica GMDs (5101-5123) also had 8V71.
GM did, of course, produce an articulated that had a Classic front, but otherwise looked like a fishbowl/new look bus. Not very many were sold, as I recollect. I believe the biggest buyers were all Canadian operators - OC Transpo, Hamilton and Mississaugua.
Interesting enough I remember when Queens/Steinway Transit had those GMDD fishbowls in which some had w/c lifts. It must've been a tight squeeze. These buses did not have the small curved window behind the front door.
www.regionaltransitservice.com
GMC did develop an articulated version of the RTS in the early 1980's, of course, but elected not to produce it. That decision was made over five years before they decided to sell the bus division. Had GMC decided to remain in the transit bus business, perhaps they would have dusted those plans off and built it after all.
Interestingly, Flxible had plans for an articulated New Look bus in the late 1960's and early 1970's. The drawings showed the bus with big AMG-style side windows.
JD
http://www.vanhool.com/products_bus_detail.asp?id=13&productCategoryID=1&Tabid=3
(1) Upper deck security - driver would need a CCTV or periscope to see upstairs.
(2) Risk of injury climbing stairs to/from upper level on a moving bus.
Articulateds do not have either problem.
I do remember the 5th Ave. Coach Queen Marys on the #5 Riverside Drive route. The last ones ran in April 1953. As I understand, the 1976-78 experiment with the 8 Leyland "deckers" was unsuccessful more due to mechancial problems with the buses in the harsh New York environment than with vertical interference (traffic lights can be moved and trees can be cut down).
www.nybus.com
for more.
David
Of course
It's running on the B13 :).
First I board the L1 at 19th and C like usual. But from there it went downhill. The driver took the wrong route. His excuse, he had been doing the N3 all week. To get back on the route he takes some side streets that I am not even sure they let buses down. In the process nearly hits 2 cars. Gets to Dupont Circle and then goes the wrong way around it. Passengers were instructing him which way to go. It got so bad passengers were insisting to get off at any corner, regardless if there was a stop there. Finally get to my stop, I am shocked he found it!
One positive though, amazing bus. Unlike many other WMATA Metro Es that I had been on, this one was not a rattle trap. In addition, boy could it fly
How has your commute been since you asked about how to get from point A to point B a few weeks ago?
-Fred
www.commonwealthcoach.com
-F.
Mark
This bus must have been on the Wheaton College route. I must have seen it circulate downtown about half a dozen times over the course of 90 minutes, unless it was multiple, identical buses.
I'd love to know what these were. I'm guessing RIPTA 7800s, but except for those rebuilt by TMC, I don't think they were ever modified.
David
With the Federal money flowing,[in fits and starts], and the fact that many transit systems are publicly operated or overseen by public agencies, many systems take advantage of tax money to buy new equipment every 10-15 years.
-Fred
Older buses stink -- literally. The RTS was the first bus I could ride without getting ill from the diesel fumes. So buses are replaced for environmental reasons. Then there is handicapped access, also mentioned previously. And, before that, there was air conditioning. Whereas subway cars have been rebuilt, buses are worth less, and are replaced.
Now you have the hybids moving in. If they work, that will be another reason to replace buses -- less fuel use, less pollution than the older diesels, build up the technology with federal money so that it can spread to other vehicles.
Fuel cells may come along after that.
MetroB
David
There is also less to break on the older buses. Mechanical components are heavy, but are very reliable and simple to maintain. Software saves a lot of weight, but if it isn't maintained properly, it will not last. Many people can't maintain physical software components well and they deteriorate fast. Sometimes, the components are cheaply made and they can't be maintained at all. In addition, buses are seen as utilitarian and are built that way. This means volume manufacturing takes precedence.
Why is NYCT the exception?
Yes I understand that with one-third of the nation's transit riders, the MTA isn't going to get enough federal funding to cover it's entire capital program, as most (bus only) transit agencies do.
Still, I would have thought that (for political reasons) the number one use of federal funds would be buses, since that's what everyone gets. That way, you limit federal red tape to the least controversial capital spending -- bus purchases. And only excess federal funding would go for other things.
Is there some federal regulation that requires money to be spread around the capital program?
Reginal Service: Local Or Limited that serves more then one City (RED, BLUE, GREEN, 0, 1, 3, 7, 7 Limted, 8, 10, 12, 15, 16, 19, 24, 27, 30, 32, 35, 41, 43, 45, 52, 56, 59, 61, 66, 67, 72, 76, 80, 81, 90, 104, 106, 108, 112, 131, 136, 138, 156, 170, 186, 371 Limited)
Express Service: Suburb to Downtown Phoenix #500 Series Routes
Rapid (Formally Phoenix Transit Express Routes) I-10 East, I-10 West (561), I-17 (590 Series), Az-51 (2 500 Series Express)
Local: 65, 70 Luke Link, 71 GUS, 73 GUS III, 84, 96, 114, 122, 128
Go back to Round, Angeled and Bizzar Designs
Box (Suqare, Cubed) Buses don't look good (NABI, FLYER, Neoplan ECT...)
-F.
1-what year were they made?
2-if they were wheelchair accesible(and some of them have been in canada,)would they still run here ?
http://www.natransit.com/video/NABus-01.rmvb
Enjoy~
Chuck Greene
SEPTA is the way to go( get caught). LOL!
The private lines are already controlled by the City. NYCDOT owns most of the buses (and two of the garages), guarantees all expenses, and pays each company a "management fee" regardless of performance.
The Mayor's goal is to transfer those routes to Transit (which is not a municipal agency).
Wouldn't maintaining them seem more logical?
But,DON'T paint them. Here is why. If ever the private lines gets merged with the city, theyere will be more money to spend to repaint them. What you do if makes the city RTS buses all white(as what the orion V buses first looked like when they arrived at Green) and put them into service.
White? I don't think so. I'm not sure on what kind of a paint scheme the MTA would go for, but it would probably contain the words 'MTA Bus' somewhere on the bus itself.
I dont know how many that green and Triboro could use,but at least it's a start until the city makes up it's mind what to do. Could this idea work? opinions?
As I said in my first reply, we can't even dream about this until the MTA takes over the Private Lines, and that isn't a given.
Millennium signs final sale papers
Heather Lilly
Record Staff Writer
lilly@roswell-record.com
After months of planning, negotiations and even a fizzled contract, Millennium Transit Services, LLC is open for business.
Final papers in the sale of the plant from Volvo Bus Corp. were signed Monday, said Les Kolls, CEO of the fledgling company.
Located at the Roswell Industrial Air Center, sale of the former NovaBUS site was expected to close weeks ago. But when a contract to manufacture busses for a company in Puerto Rico fell through, Millennium's financial investors the city of Roswell, the State of New Mexico and Pioneer Bank slated to fund the initial sale of the plant needed more security that the company would be a success.
Kolls, his business partner Millennium COO Jane Somes, and David West, a former NovaBUS employee involved with the Millennium start-up, started talking with former NovaBUS customers about giving Millennium their business.
Those customers were extremely interested, Kolls said, and Millennium's financial investors felt comfortable enough with the company to go through with the sale.
"We're very comfortable that the business is there and that we'll be able to secure those orders," he said. "You can tell the world, Millennium's in business."
Bill Armstrong, president of the Chaves County Development Foundation, explained that part of Millennium's problem in obtaining initial contracts was that they didn't actually own the bus plant. "Millennium could not say, 'We are open for business,' because they didn't own the bus plant," he said.
Now, in negotiations with customers, they are able to say that they have the plant and they are ready to build busses, he said. Obtaining contracts should be a little easier because that detail has been resolved.
Kolls said despite about a 60-day delay the company's business plan hasn't changed much.
Production of the first busses is still slated for late spring and early summer, he said, and they are hopeful they'll be able to meet that goal.
Currently Kolls, Somes and West are the sole business partners at Millennium, but the group is in the process of hiring the company's senior staff, Kolls said.
Many of those people will likely be former NovaBUS employees.
"We've certainly made it clear to them that we want them on the team and they've made it clear that they want to be on the team," he said. "The next step then is to secure the contracts and once we've secured the contracts we'll begin to plan for the opening of production."
Soon after management personnel is hired, production staff will start to be hired and trained, Kolls said. Also, though the company hopes to hire former NovaBUS employees (about 250 jobs total in the first year), the workers will undergo a great deal of training.
"There will be a significant training effort there because we're going to change the manner in which the assembly of the bus takes place," he said. "We want to cross train the employees to a much larger degree so an individual should have skill sets that are more varied and are broader than they've been in the past."
Overall, Kolls said he and his team are optimistic that Millennium will be successful and are driven to live up to the heavy responsibility they feel they have to the community around them.
"I think the feeling here is excitement, enthusiasm, and I wouldn't necessarily say relief, but a great sense of a desire to go and do the job," he said.
"We think that we've been given an excellent opportunity and with that opportunity we believe a very, very large responsibility to the city of Roswell and the surrounding area. A lot of people have waited a lot longer than Jane and I for this to happen and we're just determined to do the right thing here and reward those people who have put their trust and faith in us."
-Fred
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-Fred
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
White Plains Road/Lafayette Avenue
White Plains Road/Story Avenue
White Plains Road/Bruckner Boulevard*
White Plains Road/Westchester Avenue/E 177th Street
White Plains Road/ E Tremont Avenue
turns on E Tremont Avenue, and then turns onto E 180th Street
E Tremont Avenue/E 180th Street
E 180th Street/Morris Park Avenue
E 180th Street/Boston Road
now with Bx36
E 180th Street Southern Boulevard
E 180th Street Crotona Avenue
E 180th Street 3rd Avenue
E 180th Street/Webster Avenue
Webster Avenue/E Tremont Avenue
E Tremont Avenue/Grand Concourse
W Tremont Avenue/W 177th Street
W Tremont Avenue/University Avenue
stays on W Tremont Avenue and goes to River Park Towers with Bx18, Bx40 and Bx42
*LIMITED stop only if NYBS is still in service, if not, it gets skipped
JONN
My pics
That's the main tracks going through orlando, has lots of activity. I also assume those could go good with a commuter train or LRT. I don't see how hard it could be to add a 3rd track at that station maybe.
Either way, it's a 30 million dollar transit terminal, and who can't appreciate that.
I dont' know what they complain about when they say they want to move the tracks to circle the city, those crossing gates go down for about 20 seconds and there's only 4 cars that make it to the gates to wait. All the traffic lights in the area are at least 6 times that long, let alone some of those SR50 intersections, I wait 15min on average. I personally love those tracks, it gives a lot of character.
"This is one of the few major cities that has a main line the splits downtown at grade level."
The old one is in a prime location too, even though it's a very small land mass, maybe one small chunk of land, not sure how to explain or measure it. 2 acres, 1 big gas station size?
Anyway, i'm sure it's going to to get scooped up, After today's newspapers, I have officially lost track of all the towers they want to build in Tampa and Orlando. But they just tore down a historical building up there to build something 1-2 blocks away, so it won't sit empty long.
The Artics I saw: 1038,1067,5717,5732,5734,5743,5753
NF Artic 5734 M14
R44 5353 (A)
RTS 9443 B41 LTD
NF 802 B8
The Artic numbers I've been on the M14 is 1052, 1055(2), 1056, 1058, 1062, 1063, 1067(2), 5715, 5722, 5726, 5731(2), & 5732(2).
I glad to see that you said that Artics look nice on the M14. I hope you did well on the C/R Exam.
RTS 8985 and 9028 on eastbound 14Ds, both jam packed. There was a guy standing by the fare box on 8985 and a guy actually on the front steps of 9028. Now that's packed! There were two RTS Subway Shuttles (8264 and 5183) both half empty. (All four of these buses were spaced along the block between 3rd and 2nd at the same time. About 10 minutes later I saw Artic 5740 on an eastbound 14D. Also half empty. And 9222 going west with one rider (me!).
Saw several other Artics on 14As and Ds, all 5600s or 5700s.
I was on the Q31 today, bus 9289, heading home. At the 169th Street and Jamaica Avenue bus stop, four youth got off from the back, while another one of them walked up to the driver, asking for a transfer. He did not give him a transfer, as he had paid with a MetroCard. As this fifth youth got off the bus, one of those people off the bus already threw a Mountain Dew bottle at the driver, striking him squarely in the shoulder. The person who threw the bottle had to have a strong throw to hit the driver. The driver immediately pulled his bus OOS, as the punks ran around the block, past the 103rd Precinct, and back toward the bus, or so it seemed. (By this point, I was already on another bus, Q56 #5219, and this driver was also angry at what the punks did.)
I hope that this driver kept his doors closed before those punks came back again.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
Also, Adam: regarding the GBL Orion 5503 pics, was this bus actually in service with broken windows when you shot the pics? Does GBL not have enough spare buses that the driver could have refused to take that bus out on his/her run?
Mark
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
BTW was this bus a N/B Q10 or S/B Q10 and I think somebody will notice it in the garage. Most drivers don't care about what buses they get and how the way it is. I don't mind having a crap bus but I don't want to pull out a bus with shattered glass and part of a glass missing. I guess all it matters is about the engine over everything else.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
Its not unusual on the Green Buses. I've seen missing Stop Requested tape, jammed/cracked windows, blue MTA seats and so on.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
Hey isn't assaulting a bus operator (or train operator or conductor) a felony now?
You bet it is! Liberty Lines actually has a notice in all of its Bee-Line buses to that effect. The MTA posted ads inside its buses and trains to that effect. It was the assault on a B60 bus driver that sparked the call for this law to take effect. The punishment is a maximum 7 years in state prison.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
"Attacks On Transit Now A Federal Crime. On Oct.26,2001,President Bush signed into law the Patriot Act which creates a new federal crime for terrorist attacks or other acts of violence against mass transportation workers, vehicles and facilities. Anyone convicted under this law shall be subject to imprisonment for 20 years, or life if the attack results in the death of a person or if the mass transit vehicle is carrying a passenger at the time."
I don't recall seeing this on any other transit system's schedules or maps. I don't know if anyone has been charged and tried under the Patriot Act as of yet.
Mark
Wait, you mean aggravated assault or assault with an intent to harm was never a felony in NY? what a f-ed up place. Not to mention people trying to get free rides on a public bus.
Maybe it should be like the tow-truck drivers, have the operators carry a gun and look the other way, I sure would.
BIG AL
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
Incorrect. Assaulting a NY State transit employee, while in the course of performing his/her duties is a NY State Penal Code Class D Felony - Assault on a Transit Employee. Without this important protection, then these punks would only be charged for Misdemeanor Assault. This NY State Law protects Train Operators/Motor Personnel, Conductors, Track Workers, and Bus Operators anywhere in NY State.
The driver was not attacked, but was only assaulted. Hitting someone is never justified, and this thread makes it seem as if something major happened, like they punched him or something even more serious happened. THE GUY WAS HIT IN THE SHOULDER WITH A SODA BOTTLE!
I should have started threads with titles of:
I WAS ATTACKED BY PUNK SCHOOLKIDS`!!-for the time when i was hit in the face with a (partial) snowball when these kids (like 6th graders or something) were pelting a bus that pulled into a stop and I was getting off, and the snow hit the doors as they were beginning to open.
MY BUS AND ITS DRIVER WERE ATTACKED !!!!!! - for the time when these kids attacked a bx22 that was turning onto KB road, and pelted it with oranges (that exploded on impact). The b/o had thier window open and got sprayed with OJ.
on a more serious note- GH BUS DRIVER HORRIBLY BEATEN BY PUNK WOMAN!!!!!- the old (super asshole) guy that is on a particular run on a particular GH route got slapped (finally) in the face and spat on by a lady that he was totally disrespectful to (He sooooooo had that coming)
The definition is still assault and battery, I think. He want oos and filled out a report.
Just because it wasn't a gun doesn't make it not a crime. Typical NE attitude and why you have so much crap going on.
Reminds me of a few years ago at a surburbian philly mall. A gang of men came in with machine guns to a crowded store on a sunday during one of the biggest days of the year and robbed the place. When police had the store closed, shopped WAITED OUTSIDE impatiently and wondered why it took so long. And one says, "these things happen". NO they don't! People dont' put up with that in other regions.
Fight back.
What's the full story? What happened?
MetroB
If I posted that a B/O said that to a disabled passenger, all the transit workers on the board would have said that somthing like that is okay, as they usually do when B/O does something wrong...
Hey 6 Train, hold on! I'm not a TA employee. In fact, I used to be a cab driver, a bus operator's mortal enemy! Now I commute by transit bus and I'm a frequent off-peak rider as well. As such I've done battle with several drivers so I know what I'm talking about. There are ways to make a complaint stick. You can't go around slapping and spitting on people. In fact, when irate riders curse out a bus operator they're dead wrong. They don't have the right!
Gun hill puts its buses on the road in absolutely piss poor shape, and that is QUITE telling of the fact that they have very little respect for the riders.
Anyway, The artics (which I deal with pretty much exclusively) are in very poor shape, and this is quite obvious with the amount of breakdowns that the artics have been having (especially this week). 5403 has a failing brake ( I posted a soundfile a little while ago, but no one could identify them) , it's the one that sounds like a loud "CHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNGGGGGG", which i discovered after a BO on none other than the bx22 was abusing it. The back half of the artics usually smell like pee, or other times it smells like a combination of pee and vomit (it's VERY nauseating to smell it).
The artics coming out of GH are in absolutely horrible shape.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
Granted the RTS's are my favorite bus of all time, but GBL definately makes that a hard task. At least on the MTA buses, you can see out of the windows. With the GBL, because of the bus wash, the windows are so scratched up, you can hardly see out of them in broad daylight. God help you if you are riding at night.
While riding on the bus, it is an interesting sight to see the screws and different parts of the bus jiggling like bowls of jello while the bus is in motion.
And please, don't stand or drive behind an RTS that just accelerated. The smoke is so thick and black, that you'll either choke or temporarily lose you eyesight. During this past summer, there were alot of RTS with no a/c.
With all that I have just stated, this is AFTER GBL IMPROVED the condition of the RTS's. Before now, these buses were saturated with graffiti, garbage, spills and roaches.
Service was really poor for Rockaway because before 2000, the Rockaway Division (with the exception of the QM16 and QM17) was 100% Exclusively '85-'87 RTS's.
Now, I know the MTA is far from perfect, they are nowhere near as bad as I have just described and if you believe it is, then please start riding the Green Bus Lines.
However, nothing can compare to Staten Island Division, (not even GBL, at least not in New York City. While GBL buses are falling apart because of age (and the 1993 buses arent looking too good either), those buses (the 1999 buses, mind you) look as though they just went through Iraq, with so much vandalism on them! Who rund the maintenance department for Yuckon and Castleton Depots, the 3 Stooges? NYUK NYUK NYUK!
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
No, the ATU.
The standard procedure in Staten Island is that a maintainer's base pay (i.e. 8 hours straight-time) is paid only for his/her presence on the property; any actual maintenance activities occur on overtime. This has gone on long enough to become a "past practice," meaning that the union could successfully grieve any effort by NYCT to make S.I. maintainers work during the straight-time part of their shifts.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
B3-#8676-TMC
B49-#9393-NOVABUS
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
BIG AL
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
(Although, there are times when I "hack" an intersection's timing sequence. I have nothing better to do, or I'm waiting for a bus, I'll keep pushing the walk sign buttons, just to see how the longer red time interacts with the traffci. FI, on RT. 110 just north of RT 109 in Farmingdale, there's a pedestrian activated signal that is the longest lasting walk sign I've ever seen on Long Island. You hit THAT button a few times, at evening rush hours, and the traffic can back up all the way to Conklin Street. Lord, I do love puttin' the squeeze on those normally speeding knuckleads...and meanwhile, the S1 and N72 buses gleefully take the shoulder lane down past all the stewing drivers, stopping for the passengers when needed. :-] )
I know of three bus routes out here that really allow the buses to open up in the course of the normal trip.
1. N72 On RT. 109 south of RT 110 into Babylon it can really crank.
2. S54 Gets a nice pace going down Veterans Memorial Highway south of Hauppauge. Good long stretches of non-stop running.
3. S62 East of RT. 111, out along Nesconset Highway, this bus feels like a long distance Greyhound or something. Which probably ain't too surprising as it goes from Hauppauge to Riverhead. Gotta be at least a 20 mile route.
The D60LF artics will do 72 MPH tops. (Cummins ISM/Allison B500R
And our engines are governed at factory specs.
MetroB
MetroB
(6 Train you're starting to scare me!)
BTW, the way it works on Bee-Line in Westchester is, if a rider makes what appears to be a valid complaint, the drivers have to come in on their own time for an interview. Drivers have told me they hate having to do that. So most of the "uncouth" ones learn how not to attract complaints so they can go home at the end of their shift, and not have to hang around for an interview with a supervisor.
And yes, I am a NYCT B/O. It is idiots like you that make some of us have attitude problems. After all, if you had people who know precisely jack shit about your job continually telling you how to do it, wouldn't you get pissed off?
Thanks for clearing that up.
Goodbye 9288! I will miss this S/N!
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
BIG AL
Mark
I did several years ago...
* Metro-North to White Plains;
* Bought pass in White Plains;
* I-Bus to Stamford;
* Connecticut Transit line F (now #41) to Darien;
* Connecticut Transit line G (now #42) back to Stamford;
* I-Bus back to White Plains;
* Bee-Line #12 to Jefferson Valley Mall;
* Bee-Line #16 to Peekskill;
* Bee-Line #14 to White Plains;
* Bee-Line #20 to Bedford Park Blvd subway station.
One CT driver and two Bee-Line drivers mentioned that they knew about the pass but had never seen one before. Otherwise, it was compeltely uneventful.
Mark
BIG AL
B1-#4330-GMCRTSII-04
B64-#4854-TMC
BIG AL
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
B1-#9084-NOVABUS
B64-#4650-TMC(EX-JG BUS)
Here is my rough draft letter:
There are those of us who have a hobby/fascination that is not well known and to some an odd one. We are fascinated with the vehicles, operation and history of transit. Most of us have been transit fans since we were really young. The vehicles we love to ride and enjoy, but also are fascinated with transit history, and operations. We constantly get together to do transit trips and other get togethers and through those many new and long lasting friendships have been made. With every hobby we do have disagreements but most of the time are done in good spirit, sometimes with humor. There are things that do upset us including the recent attacks on bus drivers, for stupid reasons. We also do a little bit of Monday morning quarterback again all in good spirits. All and all we like our hobby and consider probably consider ourselves unique. Some people like the roar of a Mustang, some like the roar of a locomotive, some like myself like the roar of a Detroit Diesel Series 60 in a Neoplan artic and the roll of a Flxible Metro.
Tell me what you think.
BIG AL
BTW, if you want a transit fan oriented article pitch (for the umpteenth time), I can try seeing if Lindsey Layton is free the next time we do a get together that we can all make it to (though it might be in our interest to do both rail and bus if she is along, it will make a more interesting story IMO).
~I love those Orion Vs...
Anyway then I take a few more pictures but my batteries run low so then I get on 5464 and we do good speed throughout the run [I also saw Kingsbridge Depot] but then there was fire trucks and police at the Dyckman St station on the A and I noticed that someone had a block ticket so something had to happen down there. I get off and I wait for the Bx7 or the M100 so I let 8847 go then I get on 8821 and it sounds just like a 1997/98 Nova. Its an OK ride to the last stop at 168 St then I decide to wait for the M2 to see if the Limited still was running but it already ended and I let the M18 go, which I shouldn’t have :-\. So I get on 6071 and it’s a very quick ride via Powell Blvd and I get off at 125 St to get on the M101 LTD but that too ended and I waited 15 minutes for it to come, and as expected two came but one of them, 1002 only was going to 96 St so I hop onto 1028 and it was fairly quick so I take it to 59 St and I get on a R62 4 and I take it to 14 St to catch the M14A and I have to run ½ a block for it since it is every 3rd M14 [I think] and it was jam packed.
I get on 5728 and people DON’T know how to move towards the back but I get a seat by 1 Av then it’s a quick ride via Avenue A to Essex St and I notice that the L shuttle buses were running to Essex St for connections to the J & M instead of only going to 1 Av, which was a smart move! Then I walk back to Allen St and there’s a group of people waiting for the B39, which looked like it hadn’t come in a while and then some wiseass said that “this bus runs every hour”, I was like what is he talking about :-\. I wait 10 minutes then 9157 comes and this lady gets mad at the driver telling him that “he doesn’t care” and they would quarrel for about a minute and this guy said that “I was on lunch and I wasn’t supposed to be here” and we tell her to just quit arguing with him. So its standing room only after Essex then we go 40mph on the Willy-B then I take 9432 on the B46 LTD and we were really moving and we slowed up for a bit from Fulton St to St. John’s Place but then it was all good again then I get off at Ave D and luckily the B8 was turning off of Kings Hwy and then I get on 888 and I finish my trip.
Also I saw quite a few 2004 Artics on the Bx9 as well.
5688,5690,5692,5695,5696,5698,5703,5704,5706,5713
The buses I saw:
KB: 5425,5427,5433,5454,5464,5689,5699
WF: 467,6097,6108,7662,8038,8082,8084,8195,8777,8783,8793,9134
GH: 5274,5281,5303,5304,5323,5331,5334,5362,5414
MCH: 216,246,251,6029,6054
R68 2854 (Q)
R142 1206 (4)
R44 5438 (A)
NF Artic 5699 1 SHUTTLE
NF Artic 5464 1 SHUTTLE
RTS 8821 Bx7
O5 6071 M2
NF Artic 1028 M101
R62 1325 (4)
NF Artic 5728 M14A
RTS 9157 B39
RTS 9432 B46 LTD
NF 888 B8
Thanks
Does anyone have an updated roster of NYCT Buses prior to 1960
This would include Fleet numbers,Dates,Mfgr. Model Types
Thanks
Steve
Surely they could have gone out and found a Flxible New Look or a Fishbowl? If only the folks in Hollywood had called up Regional Transit Service before filming that movie!
-F.
-
-F.
-F.
believe me, bus enthusiasts are a VERY VERY small number compared to the rest of the world.
www.regionaltransitservice.com
That's what I like. Real artistic integrity! ;=D
-F.
-F.
(I did enjoy the movie though.)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
Hey does anyone know if DeNiro actually drove those buses in any of the scenes? Usually when 'the star' is in a driving scene a tow truck is just out of camera range towing them.
-F.
http://chicago-bus.zolknetwork.com/
JD
Maybe more buses will roll by, so stay tuned!
-F.
-F.
Back to the bus topic. Does that ex-Red Rose Flxible Metro ever go down the street seen from the window on TRL? For that matter, do any NJT coaches ever grace that street? How about NYBS?
-F.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
I went to a lunchen in her honor Friday & we had a cake in the afternoon. The Pres. of QSC gave her a very nice gift, there were some speaches & other momentos. Alternate side of the street parking has not been suspended, sorry about that.
I made her a "Certificate of Longevity" and put on it some old coins (wheaty penny, buffalo nickle, etc.) as well as some new stuff, e.g. Yankee & Emigrant "Irish" MetroCards ... it was all in fun.
The Proclamation was quite nice as it had a lot of detail in it.
After months of hard work of server relocation, we are just about done. Expect a return in the next 7 to 14 days. I will post the all new URL when the site is completed.
Thank You For You Patience with Us!
Regards,
Trevor Logan
TransiTALK Transportation Media Group, LLC
Did you know AC Transit has 2 groups of New Flyer D60HF's?
The 1989 D60's #1800-1829 and the 1996 D60's #1901-1930.
The 1989 D60's were overhaul during the delivery of the 1997/98
NABI 416's.
AC Transit order 57 VanHool articulated buses to replace thier 1989 D60's. About half of the 1989 D60's are retired.....the remaining ones will be phase out as more VanHool AG300's come in.
The 1996 D60's will remain in service til around 2010.
Arthur
MetroB
My walk to the Metro and MetroRail ride were not out of the oridinary at all. I had Rohr 1154 and we went manual the entire way, except the operator would slow down considerably before entering the station. Then, at Grosvenor, while walking to the bus stop, I saw Orion VII 5900 laying over. I decided that since I didn't know who was driving my bus this pick, I would wait for it to pull up before photographing it (though I had my county ID today). It ended up being the same driver as I had last pick, and we talked for a bit. He told me that until today, he had been driving 5616. He didn't mind driving the Orion VII and said it was good except he didn't like the stop requested tone yet and would have to adjust to it. He missed several stops because he didn't hear the bell. He did like the ramp and pickup very much. I did not sit for the ride so I did not get to see how little legroom this bus has. Here is the best picture I took today (also on my website):
This afternoon, I got Orion I 5507 on the 37 and Breda 3182 on the Red Line. The operator has quite a system for blocking the railfan window and got rather nervous when I stood up at one point to observe the speedometer, but she didn't talk to me and I did not talk to her.
I plan on taking the Metro again tomorrow with the hope that the Orion VII is there again.
BTW, I hope my legroom comment hasn't banished the Orion VIIs from that block.
Today's news:
One of the Orion VIs was on block Y4.
My driver said he liked driving the Orion VII yesterday and that it did fine on the 90.
Also, noticed one of the 30 foot Orion V's has its sign fixed so that the whole route number is on the screen.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6728&item=2459593196
The destination sign reads "NEW YORK CITY", but it is obviously not an ex-NYCTA as it is a 35-footer. I'm thinking maybe an upstate TA?
-Fred
-F.
JD
As mentioned by one or two other posters, many 35-foot Flxible new looks from Albany CDTA wound up in New York City, running for the various privates in Queens plus Command during a bus shortage. Hard to tell from the current paint scheme whether or not this bus is one that wound up in NYC; the destination sign doesn't help much, as I don't think the ones that wound up in NYC had this one. Almost all of the Albany buses running in NYC were repainted only on the front end, but some of them did get overall paint jobs.
Any explanations? TIA.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
First Vote (Mine): New Flyer Articulated
B1-#9318-NOVABUS-delayed due to manhole explosion this am-geex-what a trip!
-F.
-F.
-F.
-F.
But how is the PABT for photography? I've never been there to watch buses or take pictures. The great thing about Silver Spring is that it offers numerous excellent vantage points for us photographers.
Jim D.
My best suggestion is to stand on the drop-off platform on either the 3rd or 4th level during rush hour.... you want buses boy, you'll see them! In fact, "bus jams" are routine each morning and evening. I wouldn't suggest snapping photos unless you have written permission from the PA, though cause the WILL hassle you.
-F.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-F.
Any way my vote goes to the Orion Five(5)
In the museum fleet, it would be Grumman no. 236 and Flxible 7340.
-F.
Propz to Ann for her great driving willingness to do a stunt like this :)
Propz??? She couldn't even keep up with the bus! It shouldn't have to be a stunt. All you do is give the car gas and follow behind the bus. Do you need me to come down there and show you how it's done?
OFF TOPIC discussion board for RAILFANS
RailfanWindow.com Gallery of Photos
For what? And why do you say I drive 10mph under the speed limit?
This is one of the reasons idiots like you should stay in your jungle gym called SubTalk.
I fell off the monkey bars and needed time to recuperate.
And for your information, theres this thing we call RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, mind you.
You said the bus "outran" you, which seems to imply that speed was the issue. You mentioned nothing of traffic. But even so, how would a bus manage to weave through traffic and go fast enough to get 1 MILE ahead of you when you were purposely trying to tail it? Something doesn't add up here. It seems like you were the victim of totally passive driving. If the bus could get through, you could have too.
Come on, you posted to a public forum that you let a bus "outrun" you on an Interstate Highway! How could you not expect to get flack for that?! LOL.
OFF TOPIC discussion board for RAILFANS
RailfanWindow.com Gallery of Photos
~Ann :-)
Oh and Did u wanted me to tell you that it was a 2003 Brown Corolla with a 1.8 liter 250-some HP engine. Oh and did you also wanted to know that it was a nice beautiful day where it was exactly 52 degrees outside and all the nice wonderful pine trees that we passed? Oh and maybe I should start listing the details of every single car that was involved of this "Rush hour traffic" HMMMMMMM....let's begin.......
So, I see new Gilligs have awesome speed, New Flyer keeps up with traffic really well, he just mentioned the new Orions move very nicely, are there any buses made currently that still doesn't have a decent propulsion system?
Yeah, Baltimore's P.O.Ss Neoplans which stall out in firstr gear half the time
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
Trying to bring the issue out of the chat now eh? For your information, there is not a single Ride On bus that cannot accelerate decently. So if thats meant to be an offensive to Ride On, I consider you take it back, you dont hear me talking about PSTA.
So, I see new Gilligs have awesome speed, New Flyer keeps up with traffic really well, he just mentioned the new Orions move very nicely, are there any buses made currently that still doesn't have a decent propulsion system?
As for this statement, Buses are not built with a dedicated "propulsion system" Engines and Transmissions come from a 2nd party source. Some Gilligs may have the same "propulsion system" as New Flyers while some Orions may have the same "propulsion system" as Gilligs. Two Gilligs may have "propulsion systems" of 2 very different manufacters. So it all depends on the configuration of the "propulsion system" that each bus is ordered with.
And hey, I just live around PSTA right now, it's not my home-team or anything. They just got growing pains. And LED signs and really good propulsion systems. :)
Heh, SEPTA's New Flyer standard diesels take off slower than a bike, and they accelerate kinda decently (I love seeing a 5600 "launch"). The big neos, however...let's just saying that I wouldn't have too much trouble catching one...
I suggest retracting that statement. Take a ride on 5379, among others.
But, WAIT...what about that seat on the right side of the bus before the back door. There is UNLIMITED leg room - I can practically lay down in it!
Ride-On's pretty awesome in those terms, especially for a suburban transit company...
I don't remember this about the early Orions and TMCs (I was just a young lad) but as far as I know, Ride-On has a fast fleet, especially the 2001 Orion Vs (I want one!)
-Fred
-F.
A private bus company from Yonkers is willing to start express bus service to Manhattan if and when Westchester County drops this service as planned in September, and desperate riders are thrilled.
By CAREN HALBFINGER
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: January 7, 2004)
A private bus company from Yonkers is willing to start express bus service to Manhattan if Westchester County drops this service as planned in September, and desperate riders are thrilled.
The company, Service Bus Co., operates charter buses used by private schools in Manhattan and by travelers to Atlantic City.
"It's great if the county allows it and if New York City allows it,'' said Virginia Sheahan, an express bus rider from Yonkers who helped gather 500 signatures on petitions asking the county to keep the BxM4c buses running. "It's great that there's even an option.''
Westchester plans to save $1 million over 12 months by doing away with express bus service, known as the 4c, which serves about 700 daily commuters, primarily from White Plains, Greenburgh and Yonkers. It would also cut the 91 and 92 routes to Playland, and others not yet chosen, to save an extra $500,000. The county plans to delay making the cuts until September, banking on state legislators to secure extra state transportation aid. If that money doesn't come through, deeper cuts would have to be made.
"Just the fact that they're willing to start this, the county will probably keep the bus service,'' said Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner, who jumped in to help coordinate lobbying efforts late last fall. "If the county could save some money through competition, I don't see how they could say no. I think the county would be irresponsible not to consider this.''
In 1983, during a railroad strike, a Service Bus Co. subsidiary ran an express bus service to Manhattan called the Hartsdale/Scarsdale VIP Commuter Association. The service, which lasted 18 months, was opposed by the county and the city because it competed with county-subsidized service, and was quickly pushed off Fifth Avenue and onto Second Avenue. Feiner started the commuting club and it launched his political career.
Sal DiPaolo, vice president of the bus company, made the busing offer to Feiner. DiPaolo said in an interview that to subsidize the system, Service Bus would want its fair share of state transportation operating assistance (STOA), which he estimated would be about $16,000 a month. Larry Salley, the county's transportation commissioner, said the county would fight any attempt to reduce the county's portion of state transportation aid, which is needed to subsidize remaining bus service.
"Obviously with the inadequate amount of STOA assistance we are provided now, the county has no intention of further reducing that pot by turning it over to someone else,'' Salley said. "The elimination of the 4c and the 91 and 92 routes to Playland were the only ones identified. We obviously are looking at more than just those routes that will be affected by any service reductions. This is something we dread having to do.''
Whether even bigger bus-system cuts lie ahead won't be known for at least several months. Influencing the decision will be the amount of STOA funds in the state budget proposed later this month by Gov. George Pataki; whether the Westchester delegation can persuade colleagues to increase the county's share; and whether the state will grant the county the right to raise its sales tax by 1 percentage point, or establish other taxes that would generate an equivalent source of new funds, Salley said.
Either way, DiPaolo said he anticipates keeping the $7 one-way fare the same. He said the service would turn a profit because buses would be used for weekend jaunts to Atlantic City, and for school excursions during off-peak days and hours.
"If they are going to abandon service, that's when we would step in and say we would like to provide this service,'' DiPaolo said. "We don't want to interfere with their negotiations with the state.''
Asked whether he could still deliver service at existing fares without the state aid, DiPaolo said yes.
"Even without STOA funding, it could be doable, but some of the midday service would be trimmed,'' DiPaolo said. "We have minibuses, so maybe we could operate them during midday runs.''
Hopefully, if they're going to start running commuter service, they'll have their equipment in better shape.
Imagine a bus called the "Onion".
THE ONION:
With a banded cream white exterior, an interior that is sure to make your eyes water, and an absolutely putrid engine! :D
is called Sacramento Regional Transit(RT for short) which operates an all CNG
fleet of Orion V's and VII's. The Orion VII recently replace our
remaining diesel Gillig Phantoms. Trevor just took some pictures
of RT's bus and ligth rail when he visited my town.
So bus #652 is diesel.
OK!
By GREG CLARY
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: December 29, 2003)
Foretelling the future of transportation projects is a little like watching a jigsaw puzzle be assembled — you've got to have patience and take pleasure in seeing progress in various corners of a larger picture.
Still, drivers and riders will find some concrete changes coming their way in 2004, and "Getting There" likes to note them ahead of time, so there will be a checklist to follow.
The biggest one — in terms of dollars and time — is a project that drivers who don't frequent North Rockland will probably not notice that much.
The state's Department of Transportation is planning to redo the Palisades Interstate Parkway bridge over Route 202, at Exit 13 near the Clarkstown-Haverstraw border. The work should start in July.
It's an $8.8 million portion of the state's transportation puzzle, one that has deteriorated so much that it is worth tying up traffic to make sure the bridge continues to operate safely.
"We'll be disrupting everything," senior DOT planner Rich Peters says matter-of-factly. "We'll probably do half the bridge at a time and squeeze the PIP traffic into the median. We also may have to close Route 202 for hours or as much as a day at a time."
The early estimates are that the entire project will take two construction seasons, 2004 and part of 2005.
Included will be longer acceleration and deceleration lanes at Exit 13, which should lower the odds of an accident.
Eventually, the intersection will look like the PIP south of Exit 11 in New City, which just went through a full-scale renovation. No word on when the rest of the PIP will be brought up to the same standard.
Rockland is part of the DOT's Region 8, which is run out of Poughkeepsie and has a construction budget of about $150 million for seven counties.
Other spots siphoning state money in 2004 will be three resurfacing projects: Route 45 between E. Hickory Street in Spring Valley and Washington Avenue in New Square; Route 9W between Dunderberg Road and the Orange County line; and new sidewalks on Route 306 between Viola Road and Grandview Avenue.
The DOT also is going to continue funding the Haverstraw-to-Ossining ferry, which will use slower boats from Jan. 5 through the end of February to ensure there'll be no service lost to ice.
Ferry riders will notice a new elevator being installed at the Metro-North station in Ossining, designed primarily for the ferry commuters to get up to the train platforms more easily.
Drivers going through the area east of the Tappan Zee tolls should see the benefits of 30 months of work re-aligning Exit 8 of the Thruway as normal commuter routines return next Monday.
Thruway official Ramesh Mehta said drivers and homeowners should also see the completion of the noise barrier project near Exit 14B in Airmont. Unfortunately, that will be the last of those projects until the agency can come up with more money for noise relief.
The Thruway intends to spend about $3 million to add cameras along its Rockland and Westchester sections in hopes of cutting down response time to accidents and other problems.
Mehta said the agency is planning to install cameras from Exit 10 to Exit 15, basically the length of Rockland, by the end of 2004 and eventually link them to its Web site to feed drivers more real-time information about traffic conditions.
And, lest anyone should think it will be a completely smooth ride on the Tappan Zee now that Exit 8 is open, the Thruway will be painting throughout the year and overseeing a $9 million steel repair contract during non-peak hours, mostly on the superstructure and the towers of the main span.
County transit officials have a few items on the 2004 list, as well, not the least of which are 17 new buses that should be arriving to replenish the Transport of Rockland fleet by the end of October.
Another 19 buses for the Tappan ZEExpress system are expected by the fall, as well.
The county is also working on ways to use technology to make its bus system more efficient. Some stops will have automated announcements alerting riders to the next bus arrival. Locations have not yet been set.
County officials also expect more ferry service to start in 2004, specifically between Haverstraw and Yonkers, continuing to lower Manhattan.
The county also should have a new, climate-controlled, enclosed bus shelter built at Lot J of the Palisades Center by the beginning of March. The lot serves about 100 commuter buses a day.
Rockland train riders on the Pascack Valley line also should start to see the building of passing sidings in 2004, the first step toward rail service in and out of Pearl River, Nanuet and Spring Valley.
Anyway, I think most people are mixing up decency and regular public information on this board. It wasn't decent to just blurt out someones goings on's ahead of them, but it's not the most private and hard to find of info.
But then again, that's how all news agencies work, people who leak stuff.
1. What speed are they governed to?
2. Why is Quill getting extra?
3. Will CS actually get artics?
4. Why do they seem alot less powerful then 1000-1069?
5. Is 5835 really going to be low-floor?(I hope not)
2. For the M14 I think?
3. Yes For The Q44 Once again I think
4. Newer Improved Engine..
5. Don't Know
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
2. Besides the M14, are they planning on putting any on lets say the M42 from time to time? I doubt it.
3. That should happen [hopefully].
4. Why couldn't the MTA go for a DD60?! I like the new buses but I like the 10/1100's more.
5. Hmmmm....
Do the Orion VII CNGs have LED reverser taillights? TIA.
Next time, include image URL so I can figure it out more easily and so that others can answer.
Trevor
I am right behind you ,,as your buddy from the Fire Dept
Steve
Best of Luck to a super transit person
Regards
-F.
Sincerely,
Fred Donaher
Curator
Commonwealth Coach and Trolley Museum
www.commonwealthcoach.com
Hopefully, if they're going to start running commuter service, they'll have their equipment in better shape.
QM1A 260 MEADOWS
UNIN OAKS
Let's check ourselves, before other people check us.
You want to do whatever is possible to keep me out of legal trouble. Threads like this aren't helping. The hobby ceases to be fun when lawyers get involved. Understand?
Thanks
Dave
Remove 11A from both Subtalk/Bustalk PERIOD!
For posting a link to a newspaper article? What part of the terms of service does that violate? Even if you do consider it to be slanderous or libelous, so are 85% of the posts here, so by your reasoning, almost everyone should be removed.
The original poster should not have posted this information. But shame on all the other people who used that person's indiscretion to attack other posters, use profanity, etc. That was the worst thread ever at this site. I felt like I needed a shower after reading some of those postings.
Folks, we all come here because we like buses and like to talk about them. Let's keep the postings free of disagreements and personal attacks. If you have an issue with another poster, send them an e-mail instead of airing it out in front of the rest of us.
Jim D.
I have no problems with disagreements - I've disagreed with a posting many times myself. But folks need to do so in a civil and respectful way. I know there have been times when I've been flat-out wrong with something I've posted, and others have corrected me. I don't mind when someone does so in a friendly, helpful manner. I do mind very much, though, if somone tries to make me feel like an idiot in the process.
All I hope is that Trevor realizes how many good friends he had here at BusTalk; he deserves MUCH BETTER than the nonsense of the past few days.
Other folks deserve better too. Take Steve Hoskins - he is a bus driver with many years experience, and he has been very helpful to me and others in the past when we've been looking for information. Steve tried to answer the question about skid marks from his perspective as a driver, and he was attacked for his troubles by someone who apparently has no bus driving experience whatsoever. That was totally uncalled for. We need more bus drivers to post on this board, but why would a driver come here if they feel they are going to be attacked by someone who doesn't know what they are talking about.
The bottom line is, we're going to lose BusTalk if this sort of behavior keeps up. Dave is already removing the other bus pages on this site - if BusTalk becomes a headache for him, he'll probably take it down as well.
Jim D.
At the end of February I plan to remove the bus content (photos & maps) from nycsubway.org. I have no interest in maintaining bus stuff any more, and it pulls "bandwidth" away from the subway content which is the focus of the site. If you want to save any of it now is the time to download what you want.
http://www.nycsubway.org/bus/
Bus webmasters who want to use the photos on their site, contact me and I'll arrange to get you a zip file or whatever of everything.
Bustalk will remain up for as long as the "Talks" are around.
Dave
I'd love a zip file of whatever you can "stuff" into a file and send off. Thank you for providing the content to date.
Thanks,
Michael
Washington, DC
One of the color is green. I hope it's close to NYCTA green.
There it is. It's the same photo on the German site.
PHILIP HOM
Thank You
How do demo's work anyway, is it always just the one unit?
1. Drive to Mineola->Adirondack Trailways to New Rochelle->MN to Stamford
Total time: A lil over 2hrs
Cost: $278.00 per month
2. LIRR to NYP->subway to GCT->MN to Stamford
Total time: About 2hrs 15 min
Cost: $419.00 per month
The third was found to be far too expensive, even more than #2. The was LIRR to NYP->Amtrak to Stamford. One way on Amtrak was $33.00, and was about 45 min long. Include the wait time, probably about 2hrs 15 min.
The fourth was replacing the New Rochelle to Stamford segment of plan 1 with Amtrak, which too, was found to be too costly.
Any other suggestions, aside from driving the entire way?
And option #2 is really only that much longer than option #1, wow it sounds so direct to me. Is it because of there being a lot of wait times or something?
If the drive would be a hassle she might want to look into those organizations that arrange for car pooling. You can see their newsletters in most supermarkets, with the other freebie papers. They have lists of people going from each area. I'm sure there are many people who go from the north shore up to Connecticut to work. She might have to drive it only half the time.
Orion VII low floors? And does anyone know how many Orion VII's are
NOW in service and on MTA's property? I guess MTA's Orion VII's along
with the 2004 D60HF's are replacing quite a number of 1984/85 GM RTS-
04's and 1986/87 GM RTS-06's.
I live in Sacramento, CA. Out here, the bus and ligth rail system
is called "Sacramento Regional Transit(RT for short)"
RT has about 100 CNG Orion VII's and 148 CNG Orion V's
The VII's just replaced our 1985 and 1990 diesel Gillig Phantoms.
Trevor knows what I'm talking about, because he recently visit my
hometown. I don't have to explain nothing to him, cause he told me
he got it under control!
Arthur Thomas
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
So about CNG 101 units....with other 154 VII's being delivery.
What about the hybrid VII's?
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
Michael
Washington, DC
Kicking off his vision for the future of transportation in Maryland, Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. earlier this week unveiled a state-of-the-art computer system that will use the latest in technology to improve customer service, safety and reliability of the MTA transit fleet. The network, called the NEXT System, will result in digital variable message signs located at 200 of the regions busiest bus stops that will carry real-time schedule information and tell customers when their bus will reach the stop. The NEXT System also includes a diagnostic system that monitors the mechanical condition of a bus while operating, allowing mechanics to spot a potential problem before it causes a breakdown. The MTA’s current plans call for the technology to be in place by the end of 2006.
“When you ride a bus or train, you want to know things like: when is it going to get to your stop? Is it on schedule so you can get to work on time? Does the air conditioning work? These are basic questions, but they are critical to our customers,†said Governor Ehrlich. “Our focus is on being able to address these questions and provide our customers with the convenient, comfortable and safe transportation they deserve. I am committed to building a transit system that works for people. The NEXT System will play a key role in our drive to reach that goal.â€
The NEXT System is an integrated network of the latest technological advances in transit. It uses global positioning satellite systems and wireless technology to allow the MTA to know where each bus or train is at any given time and translate that information into real time messages that can be read by customers at a bus stop or train platform. The integrated software also allows for the latest schedule changes, voice and sign destination messages to be automatically uploaded to each bus. The same software system can provide real time passenger-count information, farebox data and updates on a vehicle’s mechanical condition, allowing the maintenance team to stay ahead of problems and avoid breakdowns on the road.
“Governor Ehrlich’s aggressive approach to improving our transit network will produce real and tangible benefits to our riders every day,†said Transportation Secretary Robert L. Flanagan. “In addition to improving the performance and efficiency of our fleet, the NEXT System also will result in more secure transit facilities for our customers. Closed circuit security cameras will be installed at each of our Light Rail, Metro, and MARC parking lots, and at our park and ride lots. All will be monitored by police at a central control center.â€
A critical component of the NEXT System is its ability to monitor the performance of an engine, heating and cooling system, or wheelchair lift while a bus is on the road.
“With the NEXT System, we will be able to spot the warning signs and see a problem in the making,†said MTA Administrator Robert L. Smith. “Before an engine problem causes a bus to break down on the street, the system will let us know in advance that symptoms exist that need attention. We can make the needed repairs before the engine is damaged, extend its life and save on expensive repair bills.â€
Over the next two years, the MTA will dedicate $76 million in state and federal funds to purchase 230 new buses equipped with the NEXT System. A majority of the existing bus fleet will be retrofitted with the NEXT System during this period as part of an additional $50-million system-wide upgrade to introduce the system across the board at MTA.
Here is a list of the individual components of the NEXT System and an explanation of their functions:
Direct Customer Service Enhancements
Next Vehicle Arrival - The Next Vehicle Arrival (NVA) signs are electronic message signs that will provide the public with accurate, real-time schedule information telling them when to expect their bus to arrive at the stop. They will be located at 200 key bus stops throughout the Baltimore Metro area. The NVA signs will provide the public with a tangible benefit every day while awaiting their bus ride.
Next Train Arrival – The Next Train Arrival signs are electronic message signs that will provide accurate real-time information about when customers can expect their train to arrive at the station. These signs not only provide information about when the train will arrive, they can be used to inform customers of delays, service changes, and public service or Homeland Security announcements. They will be located at Light Rail and MARC stations.
Real-Time Customer Information – The Next System incorporates a new scheduling software system that will provide customers with real-time transit and trip planning information using ADA compliant kiosks located at transit stations. Customers also can access the real-time transit information and trip-planning service through the MTA’s ADA compliant web page by using home computers and wireless devices such as internet-capable cell phones, palm pilots, and other Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). Armed with this real-time information, customers will be able to more accurately and effectively plan their travel agenda.
Closed Circuit TV Security System – Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras will be used to enhance customer and employee safety and Homeland Security. CCTV cameras will be deployed at Light Rail, Metro & MARC parking lots and passenger stations as well as other sensitive MTA facilities.
Public Announcement System – The Public Announcement System will provide audio announcements at Light Rail, Metro & MARC passenger stations. Customers will receive information concerning such things as service changes, delays, and Homeland Security issues.
Automatic Voice/Sign Annunciation – The Automatic Voice/Sign Annunciation (AVA) system automatically announces stops and makes public service announcements. This system also includes internal message signs showing each stop announcement. The AVA provides enhanced customer information and makes the bus system much more convenient and user friendly. It allows the MTA to fulfill its obligation to provide fully ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant bus service.
Components to Improve Overall Transit System Performance
Automatic Vehicle Location – The Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) system is the heartbeat of the NEXT System. It is a tool that provides fleet management, communications management, incident management, and historical information. The AVL system integrates many existing devices into a single system, including the destination signs, the new Transit Pass farebox equipment, and the automatic vehicle monitoring and automatic announcement systems. AVL increases operator and passenger safety and enables the MTA to better manage its bus fleet and improve on-time performance.
Automatic Passenger Counters – Automatic Passenger Counters (APC) are sensors located at the front and rear doors of the bus. The APCs in conjunction with the on-board
Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD)/AVL computer will count the number of people who get on and off the bus at each stop. This information is invaluable in determining actual ridership demand and utilization so that more realistic and cost effective scheduling of the bus service can be achieved. The data collected by the APCs will enable the MTA to better utilize resources and more efficiently deploy its existing bus service. This will allow the MTA to reduce its fleet size, yet deliver the desired level of service.
Automatic Vehicle Monitoring – The Automatic Vehicle Monitoring system (AVM) monitors vital diagnostic points within the bus while it is in service. This includes such things as engine temperature, oil pressure, and transmission fluid level. When a monitored status falls below a prescribed threshold, the AVM remotely notifies maintenance personnel so that corrective action can be taken, in many cases before an actual breakdown occurs. The AVM reduces maintenance costs and improves reliability and safety.
Wireless Local Area Network – The Wireless Local Area Network (LAN) automatically transfers data to and from the buses while they reside at their respective divisions after finishing service each day. The latest schedule, stop announcement messages, and destination sign messages as well as other data will be automatically uploaded to each bus. Similarly, data collected from the automatic passenger counters, the vehicle maintenance system, the farebox, and other systems will be downloaded. The wireless LAN improves data management and eliminates the need to manually visit each bus to accomplish the required uploads and downloads, allowing maintenance personnel to focus more time on preventive maintenance.
Integration of Existing Systems – The NEXT System provides the necessary integration of existing systems such as the destination signs, the new Transit Pass farebox equipment, and the vehicle monitoring and announcement systems to maximize their functionality. It enables the MTA to more effectively and efficiently provide service and information to our customers.
Communications Control Center – The Communications Control Center will house the CAD/AVL system. It provides an environment that enables bus supervision to efficiently and effectively monitor the location of every bus in the entire fleet as well as to receive emergency alarms and to communicate with operators and mobile supervision staff.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
The overall cleanliness rating for all companies combined stands at 68% for the first three months of the city's 2004 fiscal year, the report found. The cleanliness rating was 85% in fiscal 2003 for the same period of July, August and September.
"They're kind of dirty - the windows, the seats," student Cynthia Pardesi, 17, said yesterday as she waited on Union Turnpike for a Q10 bus run by the Green Bus Co. "Gum and food and everything is left in the seats."
The mayor's management report, released last month, pegged the cleanliness rating at 96.8% for all of fiscal year 2001. That number declined to 85% for fiscal year 2002. No total rating was given for fiscal 2003, which began with drivers and mechanics on strike.
The city's seven bus lines are Green Bus, Triboro Coach, Jamaica Buses, Command Bus, New York Bus, Queens Surface and Liberty Lines.
The franchises, funded with subsidies from the city Department of Transportation, serve about 350,000 riders daily.
"I haven't really noticed that big of a change," said William Green, 23, a Q10 rider who takes the bus to South Ozone Park. "I think they could do a better job. Some of the newer buses they do keep clean."
Keith Kalb, a DOT spokesman, said city inspectors found that Green Bus, Queens Surface and Triboro Coach had the dirtiest coaches, while Command Bus, Jamaica Buses, Liberty Lines and New York Bus achieved set standards.
"We are obviously concerned with the lack of litter removal on the franchise buses," Kalb said. "We are working with them to try to keep the buses cleaner." He said the DOT and operators will meet weekly to develop better maintenance programs.
Bus operators believe the city wants the lines to fall further into financial distress so that it would be easier for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to take over the lines and phase them into the city transit system.
The merger would end more than $100 million in annual subsidies, and fulfill the shared vision of MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow and Gov. Pataki for a more regional transit system.
Jamie Van Bramer, spokesman for Green Bus, Command Bus, Triboro Coach and Jamaica Buses, said the operators cannot keep buses clean because owners are strapped for cash.
Van Bramer said if the lines were better funded, they could replace aging fleets and put more buses on the road while others are cleaned and repaired.
Originally published on February 12, 2004
The inside is a different matter.
The numbers cited are for July, August, and September.
I made the comparison based on wintry weather myself and didn't recognize the months the data was collected.
Yep, a nycDOT cheepy construction job. So if it's below freezing by the time you park the bus you have to jump out the window because the doors won't open and other things get foze solid :-(
I imagine freezing temps may be a factor on washing buses that are stored outside, but somehow NYBS makes do because all of their buses are parked outside.
I hope you are enjoying the use of my old routes :-)
Correct me if I'm wrong.....if anyone knows!
I think the letter T means transit, later the TA and TB are revised
models of the phantom body style.
The T models were built in 1981-82, the TA models were made in 82-83
and the TB models were manufactured between 1983 and 1996. Around
1997, the Gillig Corp. sligthly revised the phantom body style and changed thier model codes.
Here are some 3 model codes I interpreted,
3596T6V92 4096TA6V92 35102TB6V92TA
35-35' long 40-40' long 35-35' long
96-96" wide 96-96" wide 102-102" wide
T-transit? TA-revised model? TB-further revised model?
6V92-DD engine model 6V92-same as the first 6V92TA-DD engine model
-F.
But....you are right, the "4D" in the Flxible model numbers did desginate the DD Series 50 engines.
There were also some "6TL" designations, these were the straight-block 92 series engine installed in some deliveries such as the 2800 series to SCRTD (LACMTA) and some of the early 900's at North County Transit District in Oceanside. Drivers at both places report that the "6TL" engines are slower than snail poop in January.
The Ohio Museum of Transport site has the complete builder production list for all the Flxible buses...http://www.omot.org
-F.
-F.
www.commonwealthcoach.com
www.regionaltransitservice.com
-F.
Flxible bus #8684 is a 40' footer?
the 30' ones were# 8601-8640, 35' ones were #8641-8649
and the 40' ones were 8650-8693.
I used to ride on those buses more than 15 years ago.
Arthur Thomas
-F.
Yes, they came with that CumminsLT10/voith combo.
None of them were rehab with new engines, but I know some
of them got repainted during the delivery of Santa Clara Transit's
1997/98 Gillig Phantoms.
Now those 1986 Flxibles Metros are retired and replaced with Gillig
low floors and New Flyer D60LF's.
Arthur Thomas
-F.
How were the Grummans there? You sound like you were disappointed when one pulled up back in your Stanford days.
-F.
I wonder why RTD would dump the 8V71s after only four years? I would think it was a more reliable engine. On that note, what's wrong with the 6V92? It seems a bit cranky during the winter, but other than that, it is a very strong and fuel-efficient engine. I recently took one from Huntington, WV to Roanoke, VA; it averaged 65 MPH and 6 MPG.
-F.
www.regionaltransitservice.com
-F.
What is the difference between the Grumman 870 and Metro?.......vary
similar body style.
Arthur Thomas
-The Grumman 870 was the first iteration of the design. The prototype was known as the Flxible 870, but Grumman took over shortly after it was built. So they assumed manufacure credit at production.
There were actually Grumman 870 "A" and "B" models as well:
870 A: 1978-79
870 B: 1980-up
I'm not sure of the difference in the above, but Grummans are distinguished by smooth front panels and flush, non-opening windows. Also, they have "GRUMMAN" nameplates front and rear.
In 1982, the Grumman Metro was introduced. This was soemwhat of a hybrid; it featured grille-like slats between the headlights and opening windows, not unlike the forthcoming Flxible Metro.
The Flxible name returned in 1983 due to sale of the company to General Automotive Corp. of Michigan; it became the Flxible Metro.
Here are how the designations go:
Metro A: 1983-86
Metro B: 1987-91
Metro C: 1991-92
Metro D: 1993-94
Metro E: 1994-up
I'm not sure what the difference is between A, B and C; perhaps others may elaborate. I do know the D and E models are distinguished by straight up-and-down rear ends as opposed to the 85-degree slope found on Grummans and earlier Metros.
As always, anyone may feel free to correct me if I am wrong!
-Fred
I know a local transit bus system out here in California near San Francisco where the Flxible 870 and metros were the backbone of the fleet.
This bus system still operates it's last order of Flxible Metros.
If you wanna know what the name of this transit bus system is, let me know.
Arthur Thomas
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)
Arthur Thomas
-F.
-Fred
Arthur Thomas
-F.
http://i23.ebayimg.com/01/i/00/e6/66/29_1.JPG
Enjoy the photo. The bus pictured now houses a workbench, spray booth, and a full house of model car and bus inventory.
-F.
A decade before, ADBs were becoming popular as the modern design of buses came into place.
Before that, the New Look generation, and etc, etc.
The thing is, though, everyone wants to have the company with the "cutting edge technology". In addition to that, everyone's getting their cars and driving everyone, and thing of buses as "those big slow ugly things that are just there". It's just harder to attract people to transit unless it's some fantastic rail line, and London and Ontario are more transit orientated than the US.
Plus with budget cuts, what can you do to have an "awesome" system? Take the easy way out, I guess.
OK, I'll make an exception. I am not fond of the RTS-08 front end design; that one looks like a tacked-on afterthought. Yuck!
-F.
The LRTA Flxibles will be 13 years old when they retire next year. In contrast, the Portland ME Metro still has their 17 1990 Flxible Metro B's still running strong and expect to for another year or 2. And just up river in the Lawrence/Haverhill area, the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority, they still have 5 1987 GMC RTS 35 footers still running, they are among the 19 they purchased new and among some of the last GMC built RTS models. They are replacing them soon however with new Gillig Phantoms, in fact at least one of them may have arrived on MVRTA property this week, will try to verify that.
Mark
-F.
Mark
-F.
As far as Cape Ann's Flxibles, they'll probably be around long after Lowell's are gone. Don't be surprised if they buy a few of Lowell's when they finally are retired. Cape Ann bought 5 TMC City Cruisers from the LRTA in 1992 and ran them as trippers/spares for a few years.
Mark
Mark
I LOVE it!!! This was truly a man I could agree with. Gilligs are OK, but I'm sure a lot of people here have my back on this one. That driver would hate to be in the following cities:
-Akron, OH
-Cincinnati, OH
-Huntington, WV
-Richmond, VA
-Grand Rapids, MI
-Honolulu, HI
...Because GUESS WHAT REPLACED THEIR FLXIBLES? :)
-F.
-F.
Do the LRTA Flxibles ever run on Saturdays? I visited Lowell on a Saturday two years ago and saw nothing but Gilligs. I had to return on a weekday to see the Flxibles, but it was worth it. I saw mostly Metros that day and only a few Gilligs.
Jim D.
The weekday schedule at peak AM & PM times 32 buses are needed to cover the schedule, including 2 Blue Bird CNG's for the Downtown Shuttle route.
Mark
VTA kept thier 1981 Grumman 870's, 1984, and 86 metros for an average of 15 years.
Because of the new emission regulation, VTA repowered thier 1992/93
Flxible Metros with new engines and retire thier 1990 Flxibles in 2003
after 13 years of service when they recieved enough funds to buy new
buses. The 92/93 Flxibles are being retire early due to low ridership
and a decline in the economy. So they'll served 11-12 years.
There were actually Grumman 870 "A" and "B" models as well:
870 A: 1978-79
870 B: 1980-up
I'm not sure of the difference in the above, but Grummans are distinguished by smooth front panels and flush, non-opening windows. Also, they have "GRUMMAN" nameplates front and rear.
In 1982, the Grumman Metro was introduced. This was soemwhat of a hybrid; it featured grille-like slats between the headlights and opening windows, not unlike the forthcoming Flxible Metro.
The Flxible name returned in 1983 due to sale of the company to General Automotive Corp. of Michigan; it became the Flxible Metro.
Here are how the designations go:
Metro A: 1983-86
Metro B: 1987-91
Metro C: 1991-92
Metro D: 1993-94
Metro E: 1994-up
I'm not sure what the difference is between A, B and C; perhaps others may elaborate. I do know the D and E models are distinguished by straight up-and-down rear ends as opposed to the 85-degree slope found on Grummans and earlier Metros.
As always, anyone may feel free to correct me if I am wrong!
-Fred
Arthur Thomas
I think the 2900's have the 6V92....that's what they sounded like at Brea Mall whenever one would show up on the 590 when I was there on my layovers.
I believe the few Cummins VTB-903 units were designated 8T and the Cummins L10 was 6C. There was no inline-6 92-series DD.
Also, lighting groups have changed over the years; the first Phantoms had "frenched-in" headlights, while all 1984-up Phantoms have more conventional chrome bezels, a la New Flyers and most fire engines. Taillights varied by city specs, and the newest models have revised clearance lights. I'm sure there are interior differences as well.
-F.
Yes, I have noticed some of those changes too.
also, do you know there are transit phantom buses with rear windows
and wheelchair lifts in the rear door?
I know the school bus version of the phantoms have rear windows.
I never knew about the rear lifts on Phantoms; I'm sure they were an option,but I cannot imagine them being very popular. The only other bus I know of that came with a rear lift was the non-WFD model RTS.
-F.
There are two local transit bus agancies in my Northern California
Region that I know that have unique phantom buses. The first local transit bus system is called "San Joaquin Regional Transit District(SJRTD for short)" SJRTD operates 1999 Gillig Phantoms along with 1994 TMC and 1995 Nova RTS's in Stockton, CA. These unique 1999 phantoms have rear-door lifts in them.
the other local transit system which have some 2000 35' phantoms with
rear windows is called "Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST for short)"
It doesn't get vary hot out here along the northern coast of CA
So the buses out here have no AC units.
When I have time I'll email you some pictures of these buses or
you can contact Stephen at gp@natransit.com
Arthur Thomas
-Fred
I think they're still running.
I've only seen MST's 2000 Gillig Phantoms on pictures.
But I've seen SJRTD's 1999 Gillig phantoms in person.
Arthur Thomas
I don't know why, it seems every time I go up to Seattle it's in the high 80's and low 90's and NO RAIN. I have been going up to Seattle almost every year since 1985 and have seen it rain exactly ONCE.
As for rear lifts, all the 4100 and 4200 series 4096TA6V92TA's at Orange County Transportation Authority in California came that way. The 4100's are all gone now (thank heaven...they were genuine POS.)
Lowell (MA) Regional Transit Authority's 13 1994 Gillig Phantom 30 footers (9401-9413) have front door lifts.
At present those are the only Gilligs in public transit service in MA as far as I know.
Mark
With the demise of the Nova RTS, the favorite bus of WRTA, SRTA, PVTA and others, I wouldn't be surprised to see Gilligs start showing up at other RTA's in Massachusetts.
Jim D.
One thing I noticed that struck me as odd (and really neat-looking) was that each 30-footer had rear windows, complete with a package tray-mounted route sign in lieu of the usual back panel LED pod. Meanthile, their 35 and 40-foot fleets do not have back windows. Do all 30LFs have back windows, or did Blacksburg special order them?
-F.
I started this Gillig thread. If you wanna start a descussion of NF and Flxible, post a separate thread!
Arthur Thomas
I never seen a bus liek this before, I wonder if anyone has any detailed opinions on that setup. I find it really odd.
Yes, the "T" was for transit (in 1986-1987 Gillig did produce some Phantom-based school buses which were bought mostly by california districts, and these had "S" in theri model designations.
And the "A' and "B' were newer, updated versions.
I haven't paid much attention to the Gilligs...but I believe (and might be wrong) that you could tell the designation by looking at the dashboards. Three-angle dash, it was a "T", two angle dash, an "A" model, and the flat dash was the "B" model.
Nowadays they use a completely different model designation. Some of the letters don't lend their meanings well, but here's some examples:
G21D102N4
C18A096N4
The first letter designates "G" Low floor, or "C" Phantom.
the two digit number designates engine type (I don't remember codes)
A=30 foot bus, C=35 foot bus, D=40 foot bus (dunno what B might be..)
096/102 designate the width
N = ???
4 = number or air bags on rear axle (that's what someone at Gillig
told me....)
On the 6V92-equipped Gilligs, some were also designated 6V92TAC...but putting two and two together, it seems that those were ONLY delivered to California operators. california did have much more stringent emission standards before the rest of the country did.
And the "A' and "B' were newer, updated versions.
I haven't paid much attention to the Gilligs...but I believe (and might be wrong) that you could tell the designation by looking at the dashboards. Three-angle dash, it was a "T", two angle dash, an "A" model, and the flat dash was the "B" model.
Nowadays they use a completely different model designation. Some of the letters don't lend their meanings well, but here's some examples:
G21D102N4
C18A096N4
The first letter designates "G" Low floor, or "C" Phantom.
the two digit number designates engine type (I don't remember codes)
A=30 foot bus, C=35 foot bus, D=40 foot bus (dunno what B might be..)
096/102 designate the width
N = ???
4 = number or air bags on rear axle (that's what someone at Gillig
told me....)
On the 6V92-equipped Gilligs, some were also designated 6V92TAC...but putting two and two together, it seems that those were ONLY delivered to California operators. california did have much more stringent emission standards before the rest of the country did.
I think the letter T means transit, later the TA and TB are revised
models of the phantom body style.
The T models were built in 1981-82, the TA models were made in 82-83
and the TB models were manufactured between 1983 and 1996. Around
1997, the Gillig Corp. sligthly revised the phantom body style and changed thier model codes.
Here are some 3 model codes I interpreted,
3596T6V92 4096TA6V92 35102TB6V92TA
35-35' long 40-40' long 35-35' long
96-96" wide 96-96" wide 102-102" wide
T-transit? TA-revised model? TB-further revised model?
6V92-DD engine model 6V92-same as the first 6V92TA-DD engine model
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com(
BIG AL
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-Fred
At least until that service decides to disappear and go out of business.
And sorry for not getting a shot with the whole bus in there, it was the first time I had my favorite one posing with nothing in the way and my bus pulls up right then. :(
Doesn't look that bad though.
-Fred
Maybe if y'all are good I'll find a HARTline Flx in a few hours.
Monitors are airing informative and entertaining programming on the two prototype buses, giving riders a great way to pass the time. The 15-inch color screens broadcast news, weather, sports, trivia, old movies, classic television shows, and more. Better yet, it all comes at no cost to Pace and its passengers.
“It’s an enjoyable experience that really improves your daily commute,” said Pace Executive Director T.J. Ross. “Our initial feedback from customers has them raving about transit television. We’re thrilled about that.”
Pace will complete a survey of Route 757 riders and make any necessary adjustments to the new system before the equipment is installed on more fixed-route buses beginning in late March. By the end of summer, Pace will have monitors on 389 buses throughout the suburbs. Pace has 678 buses in its fleet, but the remaining vehicles will wait to be retired in the next few years and then be replaced by new buses that have monitors.
The five-year agreement with Transit Television Network of Orlando is a revenue-generating contract for Pace. The project is fully funded by TTN, and provides Pace with a minimum total of $500,000 over five years because advertisers buy commercial time on the network. Buses will be equipped with three 15-inch monitors or two 17-inch monitors, depending on the length of the bus. The high-resolution flat screens provide wide viewing angles and high contrast, giving riders an optimal viewing experience. The volume is kept at a reasonable level.
A future phase of the project will link the monitors to Pace’s Intelligent Bus System so riders can view a scrolling column of upcoming stops on the left edge of the screen. The real-time information will keep riders aware of their approaching destinations.
Pace is the premier suburban transit provider, quickly moving people to work and school safely and efficiently. The backbone of Chicago’s suburbs, Pace serves 125,000 daily riders with 240 fixed bus routes, 450 vanpools and many Dial-a-Ride programs. Pace covers 3,500 square miles, and has the 13th largest fleet in the United States and Canada. Pace’s fresh approach to transit gives the agency a national reputation as an industry leader. You depend on people who depend on Pace, making Pace a vital asset in hundreds of communities.
Find out how Pace can best serve you by calling the RTA Travel Information Center at 836-7000 from any suburban area code. The RTA’s TTY line for hearing-impaired customers is (312) 836-4949. Visit Pace online at www.pacebus.com, and easily plan a commute from the home page in no time at all.
BIG AL
I forgot how I even found that site/story yesterday, I was looking for something. Oh well. It was interesting anyway.
I guess the major systems in Florida are the same as the five major cities. Except Miami has about 3 systems, one per county, and the same with tampa bay, 6(I'm including that itty bitty one in Polk county). Lynx is actually regional as I believe jacksonville is.
Now that's not saying that some of the bus companies aren't like this
I've been meaning to try that one except the stupid site doesn't say the busfare(unless it's free). I have no clue what the road looks up like there on US19. Between it being 8-10 lanes, 60mph, traffic lights, snowbirds in Buicks doing 30mph then making panic stops and other crazies, I'd like to see what the road I drive on actually looks like someday!
Then there's other small agencies like at the Space Coast. I've seen their bus stops, but I don't think I've ever seen a bus.
Highlights include:
9701 A12-P.G. Hospital-still has the ancient smartcard technology, wonder if it still works.
2090 F1, Takoma-I wish it was 4261, was hoping it was 4261. I saw 8809 being towed back to Landover and this is a new oddity I saw at Mount Ranier. 2306 maybe the only C40LF without all LED lights. Its front turn signals are incadesent.
2191 52 L'Enfant Plaza
4203rehab V7 Minnesota Avenue
2426 U2 Anacostia-I was thinking about taking the X2 downtown, but the next bus is the reason why I decided to take this bus.
4368 90, Wisconsin Ave/National Catheral-Interesting seats, not as spacious as the other 1998 Orions, but interesting seats.
4356 32, Tenlytown Popeyes-I was hungry
4072 34, Friendship Heights
9634 T2, Rockville
5589 55, Lakeforest
5901 57, Shady Grove-I waited for this bus to come back off of layover, overall impression is good. I like the seating and the interior overall is nice. Acceleration is bat out of helllike and overall speed is superb. This would most likely whoop WMATA's C40LF's, but still would lag behind a Neo artic DD60 style. As always I have found a seat on any bus and this bus is no different. It might not have the space behind the back door as the other buses, but hell I will deal with it. I still don't like the window set up, either the squareness or the very short rear windows. The "STOP REQUEST" sign is also unique. I could grow to like this bus. I sort of felt the same way about the Orion 6s when they were delivered but now I like them, same will go for the O7, though those windows, sheesh.
4088 Q2, Mont. Coll-I would have taken this bus to Wheaton, but when I saw 5802 layover, thinking it was about to do a 46 run, I got off waiting for it to come. It did, NOT IN SERVICE. Man that PISSED me off. I was thinking this was my lucky day and then whoosh that went out the window. That bus might not be heard from for another month :)
To top that off, 5613 also went NIS after doing a 46 run.
5583 46, Twinbrook
2117 C4 PG Plaza
2051 F6 New Carrolton
2057 F14 Home
That the fun I had today, next week to Bmore and to take pics of those sweet looking Neos, hopefully they are still nice looking :-/
NCAA College Basketball >>>>> NBA
Have a nice day:-)
So I see Q60 605 with hard brown seats, so I figure that it is a ex-JBL bus. 8134 pull into the stop and I sit and it gets crowded fairly quickly and we get a wheelchair, B/O lets him on BUT then the guy realized that he wanted the 58, not the 59 so we lost a few minutes there. B/O drove OK but then 8561 bypassed us by the B57 terminal and left us in the dust while we cruise at 25mph and then I get off at Graham Av, where I just missed the B43 >:-( so I have to wait 10 minutes and then 974 arrives and we move quickly via Graham and Tompkins/Brooklyn Aves but 7563 was pretty close to us for most of the trip then I get off at Nostrand Av to catch the B44 LTD, which I catch 9456 just before it left and I take it to Newkirk Av then a B8 comes about 5 miutes later then I finish my trip.
Another interesting sight is that I saw 1184 in Triboro colors running on the Q53!
O5 590 B8
RTS 9389 B41 LTD
GBL RTS 657 Q35
TC RTS 2825 Q53
RTS 8134 Q59
NF 974 B43
RTS 9456 B44 LTD
NF 826 B8
http://www.nbc10.com/news/2846831/detail.html
Chuck Greene
Chuck Greene
This one will probably give it away if you were stumped:
Yeah, I know that horribly wrong, but somebody said nobody'd put it, so I had to!
Those benches should be on teh left. Wheelchair seats that lift up. I thought theyw ere old though, since it's not continous seating. There's huge gaps between each bench.
That's Hartline's Model. First Time i was on theirs, been on PSTA's a bit. I like their version better. I like PSTA's advantage so far, and hartlines phatom, werid.
It was so comfy with those seats too. I loved that bus.
People complain about railfan windows, I call this on the high-floor buses a busfan window, you just don't get a good view out the front on a low-floor, or as the driver. Though the advantage is nicer imo, the 90+ minutes both ways with horrendous traffic was a breeze on there.
here's the rest
Sorry, no exterior yet. I really need a huge memory card...
I am from the Bay Area were all the phantoms and low floors are
made.
Arthur Thomas
Gimme the bus models and the TA that runs them.
I like that first picture how the super-comfy seats go all the way back instead of switching past the back door.
2. DASH O1 #66
3. The Bus ODV
Gimme bus models and TA's too.
Second one is 5819 Orion V CNG from Ride On
Third one I would guess Helldorado also of RIDE ON fame. Hey didn't this bus used to run on the 27, hmmmmm I wonder what happened to that route BTW? ;)
The second one is DASH Orion V, their first group.
The last one is THE BUS's Startrans whatever the hell is its real model name, but better known to yall as an ODV, with a roll sign that probably isn't working BTW.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-Fred
-F.
-F.
-F.
a) look cool
b) go fast
c) are driven by Mr. TransiTalk
d) driven by my father
-F.
Thier body design is basicly the same as that of the Flyer D800's
and AMG's, but with a different front end windshield which is similar
to that of the Gillig Phantoms, Flxible 870/Metros, and Orion V's.
Arthur Thomas
My recollection is that AM General received a license from Flyer Industries to produce the buses it did, which is why the AM Generals were identical to the D800's.
You know AMG redesign the D700 body which is basicly identical
to GM and Flxible New looks.
However this thread is about Flyer D900's!
I don't believe there were any Flyer D900 buses in the NYC area. The closest place to have found them may have been Boston MBTA.
Q41-#5527-Orion V
Q35-#5531-Orion V
I agree with you on the above, but in the 27+ years of experience I have with the Green Bus Lines, the only buses that they kept in better shape are the Orion Vs they received from WMATA.
I used to hate to see when they receive buses from Jamaica. Oh sure it was nice riding them during the first couple of weeks, because their buses were in immaculate shape. But after the couple of weeks, you would not recognize them. They looked like pure hell. It's really a shame.
As for getting new buses, I went to a town hall meeting in July (granted anything can happen between now and 7 months ago) regarding transit issues in the Rockaways. I spoke with a couple of representatives that were there and they said that there was nothing on order at that time. So they have to keep patching up the RTS's.
Acela
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
Daryl J
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
I still think it's kinda ugly, though, but it looks much stronger!
That but really does look like...a bus! The big windows are great, and did you guys notice there is no driver door? plus, the driver's window is similiar in style to one of an RTS or MCI. Pretty interesting, although they'll be really tall.
I hope the 95 will run these too. I've suffered enough with the Fords!
This is my first time riding the Bx31 so I get off and b/c the driver just missed the light, I missed 418 so I had to wait for 12 minutes but then lo and behold I get O7 7673 and this bus sounded a little different than the ones in Brooklyn. I head north via Eastchster Av and my maiden ride on the 31 was a good one then I get off at Gun Hill Road to catch the Bx28, which was coming. I get on 9240 and the female B/O was kind cute :-), but anyway we're going fine then we get a B/O switch and we went quick through the western section of Co-op City and I get off by the Dreiser Loop to wait for the Bx30 and I see a MCI from NYBS parked near the bus stop and a few Classics, looking very nice in the paint scheme. So then to my surprise I see 5291 pull up so I get in and its a very good alternatve to riding the Bx28 since we moved quick via Boston & GH Roads and we would pass two 28's in the process until I reached Norwood to get the D at the 205 St station; this needs to be renovated alright it is just horrible. I get on a R68 D and its a quick ride via CPW express then I get off at 59 St/CC to get on some of the Manhattan buses.
So I'm waiting at Columbus Circle and I let the M7 go then I get on M10 5138 and its good at first but then we get heavily gridlocked for some time around Times Square and it was LOADED with tourists and people! It takes 10-15 minutes to travel from W 47 St-42 St and I was hoping ot ride the M34 but the traffic was too much so I got off at 42 St and I miss 9209 b/c of the crowds but then 9010 was not too far away but took 3 light signals before it arrived at the bus stop. So I go eastbound on 42 St until 2 Av then I get on the 15 LTD, 5604 an we went very well but this person at E 9 St who wasn't looking at the signs asked me if the bus was a Limited, I told her yes and she ran off the bus :-\. I get off at Allen St/Houston St to catch the F [as a interesting note, northbound trains ran express from 4 Av-Jay] and I take that to 15 St/Prospect Park then I take the B68 and finish my trip.
NF 900 B8
RTS 9440 B41 LTD
R142A 7407 (4)
R32 3492 (C)
NF Artic 1086 Bx19
RTS 8780 Bx21
O7 7673 Bx31
NF Artic 5291 Bx30
R68 2638 (D)
RTS 5138 M10
RTS 9010 M42
NF Artic 5604 M15 LTD
R46 5877 (F)
NF 984 B68
..and other GH artic routes to go between trains in the bronx, so that you would have likely boarded a bus with that vomit/pee smell in the back and seen firsthand why GH should be should be shutdown and all its maintainance workers and mechanics banned from the MTA.
I have seen some terrible buses in GH [and elsewhere] but it can't be THAT bad, or is it.....
As for riding through the Bronx Division, I have taken more than my fair share of rides through there. Rolling-stock wise, the artics are not terribly slow, and some (5253, 5400, and 5496) would rocket off if not for the governor. In addition, Kingsbridge is no longer the dumping ground it used to be in the mid-and-late 1990s, when Queens Village and Ulmer Park sent their buses to Kingsbridge for last rites. (I could have seen this in my mind, bus 3712, in its final days, with a broken sign, parked at Riverdale Avenue and W. 263 Street, with a Bay Ridge destination (and a Bx10 paper sign.) Too bad I was not yet into buses, or in my high school years, I would have gone up to the north Bronx, to see where JG and UP dumped a lot of buses.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
Are they as bad as some people on this board are claiming? Is their appearance any worst than buses in other boroughs?
Thanks.
When I rode them yesterday, they weren't that bad although the padding on the inside of 5291 was HEAVILY stained.
Are they as bad as some people on this board are claiming? Is their appearance any worst than buses in other boroughs?
I have seen some buses in VERY BAD condition, especially cleanilness, some buses were very filthy filled with sunflower seeds on the floor and missing seats. I say Yukon buses rival some of the GH & KB buses [the Artics mainly]. Before the 9100's went to WF from KB, the suspensions were bad, the buses was in dire need of a paint job and it just ran & looked older than they were. I don't live in the Bronx so I can't say if most of the fleet is terrible fbut from some of the things I've seen some buses need TLC.
09508 - 95 PENN SQUARE
09501 - 95 PLYMOUTH MEETING MALL
I'd say just try stuff out at the Roadeo (for MARK)
C = 703xx; G = 707xx; H/XH = 708xx; J = 710xx; K = 711xx; L = 712xx; R = 718xx
For those unaware "STAR" is the automated SEPTA schedule information line (215/580-7800). It can be a complicated system to use if you're not used to it...
(Telephone numbers are deemed confidential or as needed)
David
BIG AL
The first one is bathroom etiquette. It seems that people riding those commuter buses, have stuffed such things as wadded paper towels and even cans down the toilet, destroying a storage tank. With that destruction, buses have had to be taken out of service to get the problems fixed. The T/A has warned that if this continues that they will close the bathrooms off permanently forcing people to either hold it or wear depends. Man you would think that well to do adults would act better on a bus, and it goes to show that it isn't just the inner cities that screws up buses, just overall dumb people.
The second is now that they have a bus that goes to Dullus to meet the 5A. I guess they did it in December, so now there is a reason to go out there(actually not really unless you want to ride a mini-me cutaway, and eat at Roy Rogers). Maybe they might have use for that Gillig afterall.
I also discovered a new Liberty Lines stop at 78th and 3rd. When was that added?
Pictures of the D60HFs and of buses from the other places I visited this week will hopefully appear on Oren's Transit Page in the very near future.
I have a small number of pictures from Amherst to come to OTP soon...
I don't know this for a fact, but would probably bet my money on the Rutgers University bus system in New Brunswick, NJ.
I don't believe this is true, as friends and I have visited Rutgers on several occasions the past few years and have ridden many routes without ever once being asked to produce any ID.
BOB
http://listings.ebaymotors.com/aw/plistings/list/category6728/index.html
These are the routes that really need to go artic right now or the ones I would make artic routes if I was in charge of the D.O.B
Q44
Q27
Q12
Q46
Q43
B41
B44
B46
Yes, GH does have routes that are running packed to the doors like the BX12, the bx22 (in castle hill, not as constant on other portions of the route), and the bx40/42
BTW, the bx22 can get jam packed at all times if a bus is late.
LOL, Those are fighting words around my way....hehehe :-D
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
Ohhh Lord - give us strength!
Ohhhhhh......so THAT'S how one determines if a borough sucks.....thanks for clarifying that!
Yes they do, the routes they operate need those artics, although it would be nice for Brooklyn to get some artics(Ex: Flatbush & East New York & Maybe about 25 for Jackie Gleason for the B35, B61, B68 Lines).
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
As for artics in Bk. and Qu., I think the Q44, Q46, Q76, B6, B12 B41, B44, and B46 should get them.
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
The Q76????? There are usually seats available and it runs every 1/2 hour outside of the rush.
And you haven't been on every single route in Queens. Though some of us has seen all of them.
FYE WMATA has some decal-stripped Flxible Metros parked at the Landover garage gate. Not sure why, but could these possibly be heading to B-more, only time will tell.
I will be heading to B-more on the March 1st, if B-more gets some outside shuttle buses to run the light rail bus bridge, to take some pics and ride one or two of them.
Last but not least I saw 8702 and another bus ending in 31 not sure if it was 8831 or 8731, but I think 8831 was a rehab.
1)Past and present name the only garages to have all three generations of Orion Vs.
2)The Landover garage never had the following models to never run from it what were they.
3)Past or present name the only bus models to have never run from any of the surburban bus garages.
4)Name the only bus model to be retired to never have served from any DC bus garage in more than ten years.
2)Neoplan 40 footer, Neoplan artic, 2100 series Orion V's, RTS.
3) Neoplan 40 footers, Neo Artics, Gillig Phantom
4) RTS
2. Neoplan Artics, RTS's, Orion II, and Gilligs
3. Orion II,s and the Gillig Phantoms
4.RTS
1)Montgomery(21s, 43s, 44s, and 96s)
Annex(22s, 42s, 44s, 96s)
Arlington(21s, 42s, 43s, 96s)-the 96s left for Annex after repower
Western(22s, 43s, 96s)-the 96s, left 4 Montgomery/Landover after repower
Four Mile Run(briefly had 2198 and 2200 along with, 42s, 96s)-96s left for Annex after repower and 2198 and 2200 went back to Northern
2)Landover never ran Neoplans of any sort, Gilligs, Manns, C40LFs, Orion IIs, along with the 21, 22 Orion V series. 4402 did make a brief appearance from Landover before going to Montgomery. Also GM new looks 10s and 11s as well as Flxible new looks 82s and 83s never ran from Landover either. 9038 did run a for a couple of months from Landover mainly on the F14(witnessed that first hand) and the F2.
3)None of the Neoplans, Gilligs, Orion IIs and the 5000 series MANN artics ran from a surburban garage.
4)The RTS were retired without running from any garage inside of DC for at least 10 years. The last time I saw one in DC was in 1986, but I think since before 1991 ran only from either Montgomery and Royal and Four Mile Run.
That was an interesting quiz wasn't it(NOT)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
Mark
BIG AL
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
The F Shuttle route between Avenue X and Coney Island is PICKED WORK. It operates SOLELY out of Ulmer Park Depot. As to which buses get assigned (hard-seaters vs. soft-seaters), that's pretty much random.
David
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
The holiday that falls on Sunday will most-likely be celebrated on the following Monday, 7/5. This means a Sunday schedule for Sunday 7/4 and a Saturday schedule for Monday 7/5- which has been done in the past and was an absolute horror for the passengers. There most-likely will be no modifications to the Saturday schedule observed on Monday (because most would prefer to have the day off), and because runs will only be available from the existing Saturday schedule (which includes only two "extra runs").
As far as running extra service on Sunday, 7/4, that is also highly doubtful. There aren't too many who would opt for that overtime in lieu of spending time with their families. Especially since the holiday falls on an already low-level service day.
So, for all intents and purposes, plan for a Sunday schedule on 7/4 and a Saturday schedule on 7/5.
I think the red, white and blue livery looks ugly. Probably put on as an excuse to look patriotic.
What the heck is that supposed to mean? Do you know something that you're not sharing with the rest of us?
I think it looks very "un-Academy-like," but I don't think it is ugly. I think the stripes need to continue all the way around the bus, Amtrak style. Then the look will be complete.
They may have ran express routes to NYC where I always saw them. Guess they used a "hip-hop" spelling for "Connections" before it became popular.
Perhaps some other posters (Sid from NJ ?) could elaborate on this long out of business bus operator.
Have you bothered to look INSIDE the bus?
-WMATA (Washington, DC)
-COTA (Columbus, OH)
-TTA (Huntington, WV)
-CTA (Chicago, IL)
-MATS (Omaha, NE)
-RTA (Cleveland, OH)
-RTA (Riverside, CA)
-NYBS (New York, of course)
-METRO (Houston, TX)
-????? (Gary, IN-GOTCHA, GITCHA...whatever their system is called. Sorry, but their logo is just so hard to read!)
-Abbott Trailways (Roanoke, VA)
-Great American Vacations (also in Roanoke)
Can anyone else think of transit systems with these colors?
-F.
Oh yes, I almost forgot...
SEPTA (Philadelphia, PA)
VTA (Santa Clara, CA; do their colors count as red and blue?)
Any others out there?
-F.
What he meant was the paintjob on the bus is the original paintjob from the carrier which Academy bought the bus from. He didn't say Academy bought a carrier.
Company #1 Buys the bus and paints it in red, white, and blue
Company #1 doesnt want the bus anymore
Company #1 sells this bus to Academy
Academy says "Yipee!" and slaps a few logos on the bus, without removing company #1's paint scheme.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
BIG AL
Also, I don't understand why they have officers looking for this stuff. (I think I may have saw one on Monday at Woodhaven Blvd station). The amount of cases of conflict that they'll get probably aren't worth the time or money.
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
B1-#7519-REMAN RTS
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
Last year, Ginny (my girlfriend) and I went to an Italian restaurant via local TA buses and took a cab ride home (I like buses, she likes cabs). This year, I decided to try Japanese cuisine for the first time, and she agreed to it. We made reservations at the Sake House in Salem, just outside of Roanoke. That afternoon, we get a call from her grandmother saying that she had a bed set she was no longer using; meanwhile, two of our friends expressed interest in it. We agreed to pick it up, but there was a problem; we do not own a pickup truck or van, and we couldn't find anyone available that had one!
Then I got a crazy idea; as some of you know, I recently purchased a 1990 Flxible Metro for use as a mobile shop. I suggested it on a whim, and Ginny laughingly agreed to it. We quickly got ready, fired up the bus, fueled it, and journeyed to her grandmother's with friend in tow. When we arrived, her grandma was very impressed with the bus; once the bed set was loaded, she climbed in, and I let her out via the front lift. And you should have seen the look on our friends' faces when we pulled up at their place in a city bus!
We unloaded the mattress and box springs, quickly finding that while 1920s-era arched doorways are ornate, they really make moving furniture quite difficult. Even worse, with no concrete walkway, we tracked mud all over the house AND the bus from the recent snow! Fortunately, our friends were forgiving, mostly because they were thankful for the help. And they LOVED the bus....in fact, they insisted on having a party in it in the near future!
Pressed for time, we had less than 15 minutes to arrive at Sake House for our dinner reservations, and knew it was at least that distance away, leaving no time to go back and get the car. At that point, I went for broke...and we arrived in the Flx! I pulled right into two parking spaces, shut her down, and it was on to the restaurant. (Dinner was excellent, and the staff were very hospitable.) After that, we took it back to storage, and Ginny tuned the portable radio to the Saturday Night Disco Party on a local channel and started dancing as I drove along, exclaiming "I'm DISCO dancing...in a BUS! This is AWESOME!!!". I have truly found the right girl for sure. :)
As an added note, the last song to come on the radio as we pulled in bore a great significance with my better half; her favorite toy on my Flx is the passenger signal and Stop Requested sign. What chimes in? "Ring My Bell" by Anita Ward! By this time, I had parked pre-shutdown, and we both rang the bell and danced along with the music.
I must say I just had the most wonderful Valentine's Day ever. I hope everyone else on BusTalk had a good one as well.
Sincerely,
Fred Donaher
Disco Bus Driver and Back Strainer Extraordinaire
Chuck Greene
-Fred
-Fred
Speaking of 1990 Flxibles, I ended up back in Portland ME today, wasn't planning on it, but my friend had to meet with a couple that she's house sitting for while they're away for the rest of the week, it was halfway to Portland so I figured what the heck. Parked at the Maine Mall and rode Portland METRO 9021 (1990 Flxible 35 footer) to downtown Portland. After a brief snack stop, walked out to Congress St at Monument SQ to catch a ride on the South Portland Bus Service Route 4, which also goes to the Maine Mall, but is a 45 minute trip. South Portland used to be served by METRO until the early or mid 80's, when they pulled out of the METRO system and started their own transit system, 4 buses peak weekdays on 3 routes, 2 buses on Saturdays on 2 routes. We ended up on So.Portland 914, a 2003 Thomas SLF 200 30 footer single door. It doesn't do well on bumps. OUCH. Otherwise, it moves along fairly good. We passed the other South Portland Bus in service, 912, a 30 foot Gillig Phantom (unknown year).
Didn't see any of the Portland METRO 40 foot 1988 Flxibles today, but I did see one of the 30 foot New Flyer LF's in a wrap for a local bank pass by while waiting for the bus back to the mall.
Mark
It sounds like Portland has quite the transit scene; I would love to go up and ride their buses, especially the Flxibles! And your Thomas SLF experience sounds familiar; we have two 35-footers here that serve the Downtown Express, and elite route for city workers only. These are folks not used to riding a bus, so each bus is in an extra-sharp paint scheme to make it more attractive to them. However, they actually prefer our soon-to-be-retired 1991 Gillig Phantom fleet to those as they run quieter (6V92 vs. Cummins ISB), ride smoother, and feature cushioned seats! Maybe we should have saved the money spent on the SLFs and rehabbed the 91 Gilligs. Ah, government funding.
-Fred
JOnn
I didnt think of that. The N6 is SRO quite often.
Nice (but could be larger) picture of what might be their new livery
(still look like the same damned NJT-leased FLX's) on the front page.
Now includes ALL the ex-Lafayette/Greenville service, even that
tripper to Lincoln Harbor, plus a well-done map.
Thoughts and prayers to the 2 victims that were killed.
Mark
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
February 14, 2004, 5:53 PM EST
Albany -- The city's seven taxpayer-subsidized private bus lines, threatened with a possible takeover by the MTA, have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on a well-connected lobbyist and on dozens of political campaigns over the years, records show.
The expenditures come to light at a time of increasing complaints from the companies' 418,000 daily passengers about deteriorating service on the 84 routes — some of which the companies have held for as long as 80 years without competitive bidding.
The lines, serving Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx, receive about $150 million each year in state and city subsidies, and in 2002 three of the companies were advanced a total of $3.75 million in city subsidies to pay for health coverage, helping end a seven-week strike.
The companies' executives argue that a lobbyist and political contributions enable them the access to stay better informed on legislation potentially affecting the lines.
"There are a wide range of very complex governmental issues facing the private bus operators on both the city and state levels, so we have over the years engaged the assistance of government relations professionals to help us navigate the process," said a statement released by four of the companies — Green Bus Lines, Command Bus, Jamaica Buses and Triboro Coach.
Under a consortium called the Transit Alliance, they together hired the Manhattan lobbyist Brian Meara in 2002. A friend of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, Meara had previously represented Donald Trump and the tobacco company Philip Morris.
The companies say the money used for Meara, $75,000, and political contributions totalling $420,000 since 1987, does not come from the taxpayer subsidies and is permitted under an agreement between the city and the lines. Such expenditures are not uncommon for companies with government contracts, nor are the amounts large by Albany standards.
Nonetheless, the expenses — and the executives' salaries, some of which are more than $200,000 a year — irritate passengers who say the cash could be instead used to improve buses that are dirty, out-of-service or delayed.
In 2003 the percentage of acceptably clean buses operated by the seven private lines plummeted 17 points from 2002 — to 68 percent, according to the most recent Mayor's Management Report, released last month.
"People who are powerless or voiceless usually get the short end of the stick," said Anthony Trocchia, president of Disabled in Action of Metropolitan New York, who last June blocked with his wheelchair a bus from Green Bus Line after he tried to enter it but could not because the bus wheelchair ramp was out of service.
Trocchia, 34, from Williamsburg, said he and other disabled passengers are routinely unable to enter buses run by Green Bus Lines. The organization plans to file a lawsuit next month against the Jamaica-based firm alleging it violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The companies counter that problems on buses are a result of outdated subsidy levels that have not kept up with increasing ridership.
They also complain that the city, which supplies the buses, has not replaced aging models.
In an interview, Meara said he was hired to help keep the four bus lines apprised of the possible takeover, which the MTA, citing its financial problems, has so far resisted despite pressure from Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow has consistently opposed the takeover unless subsidies continue to help offset the added financial burden.
The companies have long complained that they are left out of the negotiations over a possible takeover. Indeed, it is unclear whether the lines would continue to function under an MTA takeover, or would be absorbed by the agency — or whether the transfer will even take place.
"We would want any bill to include enough information and enough detail so that we would know the impact on the companies," Meara said.
Bus lines and their executives also donated $22,550 to the 2002 re-election campaign of Gov. George Pataki, who appoints the MTA chairman and most of its board members.
MTA spokesman John McCarthy said Friday there was no correlation between the contributions and the MTA's policy, which he said reflects "projected budget gaps."Officials who have benefitted from the lines' contribution say the money hasn't swayed policy — including the city's failure up to now to adhere to a 1989 charter revision that required the lines be put out to competitive bidding.
City Councilman John Liu, chairman of the Transportation Committee, who has not received any contributions from the lines, said the complex issues involved in the bidding have prevented legislation starting the process.
Liu said the most pressing issue is the long term plan. "The most basic question is 'Is the MTA going to take over these bus lines, or are we going to have private companies control these bus lines?'"
But critics and City Hall officials say campaign contributions might also have played a role in the delay. The lines and their executives have since 1987 donated more than $260,500 to candidates running for City offices, records show.
"The private companies have had a lot of juice in Albany, in City Hall," said Gene Russianoff, a mass transit advocate and staff attorney with the Straphangers Campaign. "It's clear that's one of the reasons why they've maintained their franchises and prevented competitive bidding."
No wonder the bus servise on those privates (especially Green) is so crappy!
JD
TMC RTS #4801
NovaBUS RTS #9149 (Cummins Powered)
Orion 05.501 #440
Orion 05.501 #6102
Orion 07.501 CNG #7670
Do you need any of those?
Regards,
Trevor Logan
TransiTALK, LLC
HTH
American and Canadian transit buses?
Thy MAN articulated buses don't those types of wheels....they have
European style wheels.
-F.
-F.
The aluminum (chromed, sometimes) are Alcoa's. Made by Aluminum Company fo America, Alcoa.
I don't know who made those older, "split-rim" wheels, but you don't see them on buses any more -- though I have seen them on some newer trucks. Dangerous as hell for a tire person to work on....
On a Flxible New Look that I am restoring, I found "FIRESTONE" imprinted into the steel on its original rims; these are the five-hole type found mostly on 1970s-era AM Generals and Flxes. They have keystone-shaped holes as opposed to the oval type seen on Budds. Did Firestone actually manufacture those, or was it a tire suggestion?
-F.
Most of the problem has to do with the fact that most people driving these SUV's drive like total assholes and NEVER check their tire pressure.
I had a '95 Ford with the very same Firestone tires that everyone was bitching about (Wilderness HT's) and those tires wore perfectly even for 78,000 miles!!! Why? For one thing, I don't drive like an animal, I keep all four wheels on the ground when cornering, and I check my tire pressure regularly and also rotated the tires every 10,000 miles myself (There's something very few people do...)
Makes all the difference in the world.
(Oh, and I now have a 2003 Ranger and it, too, has Firestone tires. It was one of two exact same Rangers on the lot the day I bought it, the other one had Continental tires. I chose this one just because it DID have Firestones; I had a rental with the Continental tires and it had a traction problem on gravel roads.)
However, it was uncovered that the inspections were not just to check the safety of these discounted bus operators (Fung Wah, Dragon Coach, etc.), they were to check out the companies themselves due to violence over getting passengers to ride each operators bus. Much like the $1 vans/buses operated in Queens, Brooklyn and New Jersey, these operators have to fill up thier buses to make a profit. As many may not have know there was a recent stabbing incident in chinatown of two rivals in the bus pool. Also the NYPD has linke 3 murders to the fierce competition between the companies.
I have personal feelings about these companies, they are far from safe, I've seen these guys do some really spectacular things on the highway and I don't mean good spectacular.
WOW........GO GREYHOUND & PETER PAN, it may cost you 65 to 70 bucks round trip but at least you know you'll make it there alive!!!
Regards,
Trevor Logan
TransiTALK, LLC
As for their "spectacular" driving, I know exactly what you are talking about. But I've rode with these guys sitting directly behind or across from driver and I've observed every single one of their moves and I can tell you that they know exactly what they are doing. At least they dont roll over buses or have drivers falling asleep behind the wheel every few months or so.
As for undercover fierce competition and murders, it's none of my business or yours, and I generally dont care unless it victimizes me or a fellow passenger.
Again, this is my own personal opinion which I am entitled as much as you do.
Overall, I'd say Greyhound has an exceptional safety record.
Sound like R&T's 8400 series right trevor?
Trevor
DOes Greyhound have nice Euro style coaches running from PA to Philly or DC?
Chinabus do not have weak-ass 20 year old engines that cannot push a bus up a upramp over 20 MPH.
1) Yes Greyhound DOES have Vanhool, C2045Ls.
2) You have the MCI G Series if you want Euro styling
3) That's purely your opinion, I roder a Greyhound MC-12 on Friday down to DC and we was moving with a struggle, as a matter of fact we arrived in DC 45 minutes ahead of schedule.
Trevor
A very common thing I've learned on the I-95 corridor. NYC-BOS I'm always early(other way though we're a lil late, but cuz we get stuck in rush traffic, only bout 15 min late though). I'm glad NY-BOS is not the only route moving fast.
We have the same sort of situation out here in California with these upstart van operators who don't cater to English-speaking passengers. The van conversion "buses" they use are seemingly always in substandard shape, never see soap and water, and there have been numerous disastrous accidents with them (One piece of crap had a tire blow and the steel radial belts came up through a plastic wheel well, killing someone's kid a couple yars ago...just to cite one example!)
P. S. Good to see you back, hope you're doing okay!!
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
I must agree with this statement. Though I have yet to take the bus between DC and NYC, if I ever do, I can assure you that you will NOT find me on a Chinabus for that reason (among others).
Hope the 6V92TA has enough juice to push that bus up the exit ramp.
It's those fat-ass bus fans that don't fit too well.
www.regionaltransitservice.com
Mexican Built Amaya seats are probably the best coach seats I've ever sat in. I've tried their Gaudi model in a Chinabus E4500 and it is just magnificant. Thin, but strong and soft padding, nice contours and curves, good lateral and lumbar support. Other Chinabus vanhools feature their Gaudi ISC and and Brasil models with those very attractive batwing style headrests, which I am very eager to try.
The Gaudi gets a 9 out of 10 rating from me.
The model found on WMATA's Orion V Suburbans and MTA's suburban buses are adequate for commuter comfort in a transit bus. They provide thick but stiff and cheap feeling cushioning. And they dont recline....
These get a 5 out of 10 rating from me.
And the seat models found on Greyhound buses, let's just say they are equivalent to a cheap russian airliner.
5 out of 10.
the Orion Vs don't have that much space for reclination...
However, the seats found on Greyhound buses, god knows who made them. (Tupolev??) LOL, actually, they're made by National Seating, model 4209. They're not too bad, not too great, but I gotta admit it's pretty ugly IMO.
I liked the WMATA seats, but I wish they could recline at least a little bit. On the way back I almost forgot I was on a transit bus (you know, up here, there's no such thing as a SEPTA suburban with actual suburban style seating)
Maybe my view is tainted by SEPTA's neo artics...
Hope the 6V92TA has enough juice to push that bus up the exit ramp.
So what is your "valid" reason if it is not for safety?
Personally, for long distance trips, I prefer trains. Buses just don't have leg room, but nothing is as fun as a bus trip!
UMMM, I'm confused. Why would the LACK of a language barrier be a problem? You would prefer that there be a language barrier?
Peace,
ANDEE
Then there was a similar trip by train.
This morning, I was talking to someone who said that anyone who can say "welcome" in 4 different languages is a rather remarkable person. While I can do that (see below), Chinese is not one of the languages I can do it in.
Welcome
Bienvenido
Wilkommen
Bruchim Ha'baaim
Now, if anyone cares to guess the languages, feel free.
Kinki Sharyo LRV got them all right if you want to peek at the answers. "Bienvenido" is a Romance Language though.
Pffffttt....
WOW........GO GREYHOUND & PETER PAN, it may cost you 65 to 70 bucks round trip but at least you know you'll make it there alive!!!
My only experience with the Chinese buses is driving on the same highway with them. Based on that experience, I would never set foot in one of those coaches. Those drivers are reckless, and it is only a matter of time before there is a major accident involving one of those buses.
If you don't like Greyhound, go with Peter Pan or another reputable company. They deserve your patronage more than those other questionable operators.
JD
If the safety record of their buses have been big media news within the last month or so, it'd take a huge bonehead to not expect some type of inspection coming.
And if that's the case, I guess they really do have to resort to murdering.
I also don't get another thing, those pics always look like new buses. Older bus models are the times you got problems with no brakes/steerling, wonder what's going on over here?
Prevost H3-41
Prevost LeMirage
MCI 102D3
MCI 102C3
Vanhool T9
Dina MarcoPolos
TMC Mc-9 (this is the real go-getter!)
Gotta love that fleet ;-) Watch them get a few fishbowls or even a couple of old looks in the future, lol.
As for their safety, I can trust this one company because I have witnessed one of their buses getting pulled over (while I was onboard), for picking someone up aside from the curb. The officer ran the driver's registration, license, insurance, medical forms, logs, etc, etc. and this guy came out clean. After everything was cleared up, the officer even did a complete inspection of the bus on the site. After we turned out clean, the office gave us a thumb's up and let us continue our trip.
All the other chinabus companies (new century, today travel, paragon, etc, etc.) mainly have Vanhool C2045s, a less exciting fleet. so thats why I travel Eastern most of the time.
Does Eastern stop in philly?
University of Maryland "Diamondback" (17 Feb 04) - 'Some kids like trucks, I like buses'
University students' fascination with public transit takes them on long bus rides just for leisure
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
I wish the U of Hartford had a decent shuttle system instead of ART Bread Trucks look alikes, and I think the University is served by some cutaway system, NOT CT TRANSIT! How will I live months without seeing a REAL bus?!
I was in Clemson to two weeks and I was going crazy cuz all I was seeing were school bus transformations and cutaways (although there were a couple lone RTSs about).
-F.
One thing that needed to be worked on was the wheelchair lift. I saw the bus try to get the lift to work for this REALLY feeble old woman. When the lift failed(?), the woman had to wait for the Flyer that came about a minute later, the Flyer driver simply had to lower the ramp so she could verrry slowly [and barely] walk on with her little cart. [I wonder if this woman had any right to be out in the streets. She was very feeble, and she looked like she could barely stand up, let alone walk any considerable distance.]
(what would be awesome is if they put ZF trannies on them...)
I hope they do a better job with the big neo overhauls than with the NABI Overhauls...I'm sick of seeing that blue wrap all over the place...
Tomorrow will probably be a driving day but I'll post whatever observations I can.
I'll find out maybe when I go back to MD...
Anyway, what's the southernmost agency that has Orion VII, i'd liek to try one.
Atlanta is further south (and west).
There's even a speaker over the driver so he/she knows what he/she is saying.
Then there are the bad parts, like the foggy windshields and horrid suspension (deceptively smooth, until you hit a hard bump.
They should be an amazing bus, but they are crap!
It's a shame...
Problem solved. Now you got a good bus.
Chuck Greene (SEPTA-Philly)
American Ikarus new name is NABI, so it's basicly the same "416"
bus design(I may be sligthly wrong).
Arthur
Arthur.
For a proper response to the original post, Baltimore has 291 of 292 Nabis, lost one due to a fire a while back, they are the workhorse of the present fleet, minus the bugs, overall our Nabis are really good, Nmy favorite are the 1995 Ikarus Artics with the cushy seats, in fact i like them so much that i already picked one that i will buy when it gets retired around 2013
(And other bus models) with rear windows, because these buses have no
AC units.....cause there is no need for the AC units, because it
doesn't get vary hot out here along the west coast in California due
to the moderate temperatures the coastal land gets from the ocean.
You know Trevor recently visit my hometown. He took
some pics of them.
Arthur
I picked out the Orion I I want to buy, but of course I don't really know the details of owning a bus. It's Ride-On's 5510A, although I didn't really ride it, it seemed pretty nice when it drove off on the 16 my last night in MD (the day of the Baltimore trip)
Some NABIs have become pretty slow, though.
No wonder the bus servise on those privates (especially Green) is so crappy!
JD
The question I'm asking is: Does anyone know who manufactures the fareboxes for the MTA? I was on the GFI Genfare website and they didn't seem to have any model similar or even roughly looking like the MTA's fareboxes. They don't mention the magnetic card mechanism coming with a certain model (They only have a TRIM attachment to the Centsabill which I highly doubt is the MTA's). I also don't think GFI Genfare makes them because GFI's "meep" isn't present in the MTA's fareboxes, but the less-high pitched "BE-ep" when the fare is paid.
Robert
So is this an Orion VII or don't those have 4 digit bus numbers?
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
It doesn't matter, as long as the question was answered 8-)
Acela
I've only started looking around Brooklyn when I've started railfanning the BMT Brooklyn lines, so I get an opportunity to ride some of the lines. In comparison to Queens, I like the variety in BK. ;)
Avoid the B54 and B82
The 30' Orion V comes in 96 inch ONLY.
The 35' Orion V comes in an option of 96 inch OR 102 inch
The 40' Orion V comes in 102 inch ONLY.
I live in Sacramento, CA. We have 133 Orion 05.501's and 15 05.505's.
05.501 is 40'X 102"
05.502 is 40'X 96"
05.503 is 35'X 96"
05.504 is 35'x 102"
05.505 is 30 x 96"
05.506 is 30 x 102"
Are you sure about this one??? If so - perhaps it's a recent change. I know that BIA has definitely built 40ft X 96 Orion Vs in the past.
Arthur Thomas
I'm from Sacramento, CA. Out here the transit bus system has 15
30' Orion V's. I got some pictures and you know Trevor recently visit my town and took some pictures of them.
Arthur
Today, I got a call from a manager at Mother Clara Hale. He just got my complaint that was sent through the MTA web page feedback section. Even though M11 operates out of Manhattanville, there was a recent pick and one of the operators moved to Mother Clara Hale. The manager wanted more details which I supplied. He told me I was "flagged" which means not picked up. The other operator remained at Manhattanville and he doesn't have any information.
He was outraged. He identified the operator and asked me if I was available for a hearing. He dialed my number so quickly he didn't realize he was dialing 202 (Washington, DC), not 212 (NYC). Since I'm not going to NY just for a hearing (at my expense), the driver will get a warning. The manager told me that sometimes a warning is enough to shake up a B/O and make that person think the next time they flag a passenger.
He agreed that something was wrong that two M11's should pass Port Auth at 3:59 and two more at 4:09 with a ten minute headway.
For those who think complaining is a waste of time, you might be right at Gleason, Yukon, and Flatbush Depots, but definitely WRONG at Mother Clara Hale.
Michael
Washington, DC
Michael
Washington, DC
Fly away tinkerbell.
Michael
Washington, DC
If you *really* believe a bus driver was reprimanded by an email complaint, ratyher than your complaint being dispatched as a "CS" extension, next time you're in NYC, email me- I have a bridge for you. You'll fit quite nicely under it, to boot!
Now fly away fairy.
I guess you've never reported a B/O on the M16?
Hahaha, I like that response. He's a real loser RIPTA, he's not worth wasting bandwith.
At the end of the day, it is a very sad individual indeed who chases buses across town simply to report their drivers. Furthermore, it is an extremely sad indidual who then sees fit to boast about it on the Internet! You got nothing better to do or what? Or does it just make you feel more important than you really are?
At the end of the day you are a nothing, my friend. You were one of nearly eight million people in NYC at the time. Do you think that anyone, anywhere gives a flying f**k about you being flagged?
BIG AL
As far as someone in NYCT taking a complaint personally enough to "be upset", this is just another part of the fantasy world "M4" lives in. When it seems his world stops catering to him, he makes enough waves to feel the splash. Definitely someone with low self-esteem. Not to mention an ego complex.
Pfft.
Jonn
Michael
Washington, DC
So if I went to DC and complained about the Metro or WMATA about a train or bus that left me twice then something is wrong I would ask what is wrong but not rant and rave of how you have a accomplished a complaint that is miniscule to a real issue. Communication, was the key. So if customer service was called on Monday morning following that Saturdays problem maybe ponder why 2 or more buses are passing you wheather it was due to a lateness or incorrect bus stop then I would be relieved that NYCT was aware of a problem to amend.
IF you want to tackle an issue, tackle Greyhound or Amtrak they are national lines which also need a mention time and time again. Amtrak is always late on the NEC find out why and since ur in DC you have a better way of finding the root of the problem since the NEC starts there. As for Grey hound complain of the many stops it makes complain of how cold it is or just complain about the service.
Leave the complaints to a person who rides NYCT all day and knows the ins and outs of NYCT. Stick to comment cards.
J
Now reading Downtown's post, ok fine that's rules and if this is the case, the operator WAS doing his job correctly. HOWEVER, M4 did not state whether, then yes that rule is correct. While being a ex-bus operator myself and laying over on the 4th floor of the Port Authority Bus Terminal AND spending many of lay overs looking down on 8th Avenue, the buses DO stop at the PA Bus Term within those hours, why? Because its a relief point along the route!
Now, if M4 was on 9th Avenue, then his complaint was not justifiable and shame on him and the Manager that will discpline the operator. If M4 was on 8th Avenue, then his complaint is VERY justifiable, and shame on the operator and shame on the Road Dispatcher that sits his ass inside the Swing Bus on 40th Street most of the time.
From being a bus operator and being a "follower" behind another operator not doing his job. Its not cool to flag people, because you are doubling the load of your co-worker working behind you. I've been in that situation and its not fun. Because not only are you dealing with double your load, you begin running late BECAUSE of this load, then the continual passengers complaining throughout the ride.
Come on guys, lets look at the total situation before jumping down these guys throat!
Regards,
Trevor Logan
TransiTALK, LLC
BIG AL
Also I'm QUITE away of NYCT Procedure and like MANY of the Transit Properties out there, Most just sweep it under the rug and keep going, I've been around supervisors and transit since I was born. I know what goes on, just as well as you or Brooklyn. My comments was based purely on my observations on the street AND personal feelings.
So my comment was niether right nor wrong, it was just an opinion based off of being out there to see alot of the bullshit games these operators pull out here.
Regards,
Trevor Logan
TransiTALK, LLC
It never ceases to amaze how I can put out all the facts and they are still missed. Some readers to this board are like the B/Os. They read so fast they don't pay attention to what they are reading. The B/Os drive so fast they don't pay attention to passengers standing at the bus stop.
The complaint is being processed.
Michael
Washington, DC
In the shredder at Livingston Plaza.
It's because the people of this board who are either bus enthusiasts or bus employees in some capacity, spent months explaining the various ins-and-outs of the aspects of bus operation to this whimpering little snot (see Run Numbers, Destination Signs and more via Search/Change), who then turns around and uses the information obtained here, offered by myself, the other bus operators and knowledgeble bus fans to intentionally go out of her way and attempt to harm my fellow union brothers and sisters. His ulterior motive was to obtain as much "inside information" as possible to use when it became necessary to report bad drivers. In other words, he loaded his gun before there was even a reason to draw it.
As if this job isn't stressful enough without some out-of-town pansy looking for trouble upon every "tango visit", using the information he'd obtained here, given as friendly dialogue while this individual disguised itself as a transit enthusiast, and used that information as a leg-up to purposely make trouble for someone else, then have the gaul to come here and brag about it.
It's pathetic in it's truest sense.
Hell, I've even sent the troll various "bus paraphanalia" offerings from this very board. This is how we are thanked.
So no, I'm not getting in any "trouble" over anything, nor is anyone he "reports" (ignoring his boy-cries-wolf stories), but that isn't the point. The point is, he's an unappreciative two-faced arrogant and self-rightous troll who feeds off paining others to fill a void in his pathetic life that would go otherwise unattended.
Lastly, if by chance there is any validity to what he claims, there's simply no reason to come here and "brag" about it as if it were some life-long accomplishment. To join a forum full of bus drivers and bus enthusiasts who are "in the know" and post messages about "reporting" bad bus drivers isn't only idiotic, it's self-defeating and serves no purpose other than to troll the membership.
Well, AFAIK, I am grateful for what you contribute here at BusTalk and at Rider Diaries. I'd like to meet you sometime!
:o
Afterwards, he can discuss bus topics and bad bus drivers with the rest of us :-)
However, "games" are another issue entirely. So are scheduling flaws that perpetually force the same bus to be excessively late on a regular basis. These types of complaints are investigated, and a schedule adjustment, if warranted as observed by supervision, may be implemented (as in an extra bus inserted, or the following bus leaving earlier, etc).
Not all complaints are garbage. Some are justified. When a scheduling flaw "takes down a line", or a driver places a personal agenda above his job and innocent would-be passengers, it should be investigated to the fullest.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
Only political pressure and media attention will correct this issue.
1: He's doing his follower.
2. He's meeting a woman.
3. He can't pick a tripper.
Take your pick.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
I worked that E/F/G Court Square/Queensbridge/Queens Plaza shuttle a few years back, so I speak from experience. A few problems that arise here are:
1- Polica road blocks that routinely sweep the area.
2- "Lookouts" paid to "slow down" traffic through the area.
3- The congestion of traffic caused by gawkers and the girls themselves.
4- Girls that use the bus as a "changing room" and to duck from the police.
5- Fights, drugs and everything else associated with the issue.
I'd been detained so many times that I decided to change the route for my own safety and benefit. Although there were times that I would use the actual route when bored :-)
I don't know how intense the situation is where prostitution is concerned, but I can definitely tell you that,
a) a 60-something year-old man is less-likely to participate in these activities (physical reasons as well as legal/job related reasons) than a younger man, and
b) on a Saturday evening, when they're out in full force, it can take "forever" to get through the area.
It's entirely possible that the above scenerio happens regularly, because it's happened to me regularly. However, he should have aletred supervision to rectify the issue.
I used to do a route that went through such an area, and one evening a couple of the "ladies" apparently saw a cop come around a corner a couple blocks away, jumped into the bus, paid their fare and thought they were off free.
I guess the cop had some REALLY good vision, next thing I know he's got the lights on to get me to stop the bus. I stopped, two cops walk up to the front door, apologize to me for stopping the bus, and point to the two streetwalkers, and told them to come off the bus.
They only got about two blocks for the fare they paid.....but I'm sure they got a free ride in the patrol car!
What was I supposed to do? Throw them off??
;-)
No, wait, that could be dangerous to your health.
I didn't manage to talk any of them into quitting right there, but I did draw tears on many occasions, which means I struck a nerve, and hopefully they thought about that later on and quit. Most of them come from broken homes where the father has long since left and the mother is an addict of some sort.
It was actually very sad. I provided a "safe haven" from dealers, pimps, johns, and whatever else they were hiding/running from. Except the police. I wouldn't go out of my way to give them up, but I wouldn't prevent it either. I just did my job, they did theirs, and we co-existed together.
*Sad sax solo plays in the background*
In fact the White Castle on Pennsylvania Ave is only a drive thru during the midnite hours since Fox Ch.5 did a story on the prostitution in the area about a year and a half ago.
The men usually seek troubled girls from the south, who are naieve and trusting, and looking for someone to "love them". This is what they get in return.
The reason the White Castle on Pennsylvania Avenue is a drive thru during the midnite is because the girls would literally used the bathrooms as changing rooms and the tables as thier offices. You could literally order a "ten sack" with a side order of a "BJ". Things have gotten better since the CCC has opened up on Flatlands Ave and with the new Gateway Ctr mall nearby.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
No.. but make sure your mirrors are properly adjusted :^)
Using Big Al's logic, police would never arrest anybody for a crime unless a police officer saw it being committed. Police use witnesses to investigate crimes. The MTA took my report as a witness. A NYCTA employee doesn't have to be present to see that I was flagged. I gave the bus and run numbers. Clearly, somebody checked the run list and found out that those buses were scheduled to be in the vicinity of Port Authority at 4:10 pm on the Saturday I mentioned.
Credible information leads to an investigation. Big AL and Brooklyn67 (I hope there aren't 66 others like him) just want to protect their fraternity brothers and sisters and not deal with the facts. That's why I can't take them seriously.
Michael
Washington, DC
And the police don't use witnesses to investigate crimes. They use detectives.
I can hear him now telling me he always told the truth. But he should prove his alligations and get his facts straight or all his complaints or reports will be thrown out.
BIG AL
When I see posters [YOU in this case] talk about fraudulent events, I can't take them seriously. You recieved flak and you clearly deserved it and I agree with everyone who got on you, you're somebody who's looking for attention. You're a:
LOSER!
"He identified the operator".
Can you elaborate on that? NYCT's policy is not to identify the operator to the public, other than the badge number. Since you have neither badge or bus number to supply at the time this alledged incident happened, I don't see how that's possible.
"He didn't realize he was dialing 202 (Washington DC), not 212 (NYC)"
Duhhhh. Zero is at the bottom of the telephone. One is at the top of the phone next to the two. How can someone NOT realize they were dialing 202 instead of 212? Hellooooo......
"He told me I was flagged".
I could have told you that. Any retard could have told you that.
"Since I'm not going to NY just for a hearing (at my expense), the driver will get a warning."
What do you think the driver would get if you went to the hearing?
"The other operator remained at Manhattanville and he doesn't have any other information".
If he doesn't have any other information, how does he know the other operator remained at Manhattanville?
Any request to attend a formal hearing would be done via a written letter, not a telephone call like it was an invite to a tupperware party.
BIG AL
With the proliferation of area codes, the manager thought 202 was another area code for the New York metropolitan area, like 646. Perfectly logical to me. But clearly not to somebody who dislikes management and looks for every opportunity to defend one of the brethren
If I said I would attend the hearing, I probably would get a formal invitation.
And if there so many operators that flag passengers, the problem is worse than I thought.
Michael
Washington, DC
Think of it this way- if you actually did receive some reply from your complaint, it sure wasn't a depot AGM/GM who contacted you. It was most likely someone in support services who took the fax, told you what you wanted to hear to get rid of you, then tossed the complaint into the trash. This BO never heard about it.
If you believe otherwise, your presecriptions need updating.
Fly away tinkerbell.
Let me know the route you work so I can ride your pathetic bus and put you on report. I'll be glad to come to your investigation. You talk big now. I'd love to see you how brave you are at an investigation.
Michael
Washington, DC
His name and title are a matter of public record. Therefore, since you cannot produce the name, I contend this whole story some distorted concoction of your imagination.
You are not to be taken seriously from this point on. Nothing you post ever contains any factual information. You are to be considered a simpleton, a troll and be treated as such. Deservingly so.
Let me know the route you work so I can ride your pathetic bus and put you on report.
My "pathetic" bus? It's an inanimate object. You're showing your frustration and mental capacity :-) As far as my disclosing my route to you, you'd have better luck in a leg show at a spandex convention. I spend my day avoiding pissant freaks who get off on "putting drivers on report", because they have so little control over their own pathetic little non-lives, they find the need to control someone elses. It's called a case of "little man syndrome". I'm sure you know it well :-)
Believe me, if I had any inclination you were waiting for my bus, I'd pass you by with a smile and a NY salute.
I'll be glad to come to your investigation
The "investigation"? You're a joke. These complaints go nowhere! Much like this thread. Much like you when you were waiting for 2 M11's that left you standing there with your finger up your ass.
Fly away tinkerbell.
Good bye Homer.
*This has been an American Pig Service Announcement. Thank you!*
But signs posts with "Michael"...
BIG AL
It takes weeks, even months at times, just to process a complaint and bring it to the depot level from the main complaint processing center. For someone to be invited to a "hearing" before a driver was even spoken to is absurd. You're talking about arbitration, but read closely and you'll see the driver hasn't even been slipped yet.
A depot manager will contact the customer first to hear their side of the story (and mind you, I don't believe any of this, but I'm giving the benefit of the doubt). When the NYCT representative (in this case, we'll call him the depot manager or simply manager) contacts the complaintant, it's to further investigate a complaint and analyze validity and sincerity, and severity of the issue. There is NO contact with the employee until this happens!
For M4 to be "invited" to a "hearing", three major discipline steps must have already been resolved. I will no longer explain these steps on this board, because I will no longer arm this fool with the tools to harm bus drivers. But suffice to say, it takes at least one month to 2 months (and in many cases, beyond) to go from "complaint interview" to the final step- which incidentally, isn't even held at the depot location- hence another aspect of this story where the manager had "no information" about the "other driver". Since the final step, where a physical complaintant may appear, isn't handled at the depot level, this manager has no business handling that aspect. This manager handles ONLY the preliminary steps.
However, since these preliminary steps have NOT been resolved, nor has the driver been interviewed, the information M4 supplies is nonsense at best. I'm not actually indicating someone hadn't contacted him, I'm indicating that whoever did, if they did, gave him a C/S B-S story.
In other words, M4 was invited to "stage 4" when "stage 1" hasn't even happened yet.
If you want to see the difference between M4's complaints and dialogue with NYCT, click here:
http://talk.nycsubway.org/perl/read?bustalk=71886
Scroll to the response he'd posted.
This is how NYCT handles complaints, and NOT with pre-discipline in-person hearing invitations based on "flagging" bus stops.
M4 has been "reporting bad bus drivers" for years. He's a chronic complainer who enjoys the misery and misfortune of others mistakes/errors. He posted this garbage to feed his ego. Please disregard it, and all subsequent nonsense from this fool.
BIG AL
P.S. I've had a few people threaten to make a complaint against me when I was a B/O because they missed their connection. I never once heard anything about it.
This pissant is simply looking for trouble any way he can find it, regardless of our policy or regulations followed (which may seem like poor customer service, but), actually people taking their jobs seriously by following those policies and regulations.
He didn't like the answer he received in one situation, so that driver "went on report". LOL! What a loser.
I'm sure NYCT knows him by name now, or soon will. Then he'll be labeled a chronic complainer and ALL complaints by him will be internally disposed of :-) They may even bring him up on charges. Then he'll have to come to NY at his expense for a hearing.
Keep up the good work, pissant!
BIG AL
BIG AL
P.S. I don't know why but I have a sudden urge to watch the movie "Liar Liar".
As the size of yours is indicitave of your shoe size and IQ (and we all know what they say about a size 4 Medium foot). Must make it easeir to fly, cross your legs, run swiftly after offending buses and so much more, eh tinkerbell?
Posted by bklyn67:As the size of yours is indicitave of your shoe size and IQ
It sounds like you are referring to his level of ignorance
I am not taking sides. I'm just provding a unbiased view of the situation. I can understand why some NYCT employees may feel upset by this. They're your fellow co-workers, but regardless of that fact, if they broke the rules, they have to be disciplined. Case closed. I don't so why he so be treated so badly on this board. It seems to me he's at no fault. Honestly, what did M4 do so wrong?
MetroB
Like MetroB, I will not take a stand on M4's story or the response to any other posts in this thread. But I will say that the BusTalkers who do not work for transit authorities need not be flamed every time they post about the level of service they receive. In addition, just because M4 or someone else is an out of towner, it does not mean they should not be allowed to comment on service. Just one ride takes enough to form the basis for a complaint if it is warranted.
Then that also means that there is no need to advertise a complement on this messageboard
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
Words are words. Questions are a part of life. Redundancy is a part of usenet. Hurting someone in the real world is something very different.
He's the bottom of the barrel.
I sent a second installment to Dave but he never posted it.
None of us here who actually know these things have any interest in being "famous BusTalk FAQ's writers".
Refresh your memory tinkerbell- I sent you that second set of FAQ's in an email 2 years ago. You wrote back indicating that you'd sent it off to Dave but he had yet to post it. If I still had my WebTV email account, I could post that exchange here, but alas, I do not. But you and ZI both know the truth. No matter, your word here is garbage anyway. Much like everything you post.
BIG AL
I've read a number of posts about run numbers but nobody has been able to answer my question. I've read that the run number includes the operators ID number. That means, for example, a M4 leaving Penn Station weekdays at 10:04 am could have a DIFFERENT run ID each day of the work week depending on the B/O. Is this correct. If the run ID is 003, is 3 the operator's ID.
Down here in Washington, a bus gets a block number that stays with the bus. It DOESN'T change because the operators change. Seems to make more sense than in New York, IF I understand correctly what goes on.
Perhaps Big Al can give me an education on run numbers because up to now, I've been left hanging.
Block Numbers Posted by M4 on Mon Aug 6 19:22:09 2001
I noticed that "TA control numbers" are in the windshield below the right windshield wiper. I understand the concept of block number. In Washington, DC the block number is four letters and/or numbers. The first character is a letter representing the bus's division. The next three characters are the primary route number (there is interlining) and the sequence of the bus in the block, e.g. first, second, third, etc. This is helpful to traffic checkers because some routes, e.g. Wisconsin Avenue, are served by two divisons, Western and Southeastern.
There's no division indicator in NY's block number. Does this mean there isn't interlining and that only one garage services a particular route so that block 02 on the M11 route means it could only be one garage. (M11 could be serviced by more than one depot.)
I look forward to the responses.
Michael
Longing to retire to New York
Work Schedules Posted by M4 on Tue Aug 21 14:34:11 2001
What are the work schedules for a B/O. Ignoring screwy hours, I'm talking about straight vs. split shifts.
Straight shift: continuously on duty except for relief break
Split shift: come to work for the AM rush, released from depot for 4 or 5 hours, then come back to work. To work 8 hours, shifts might be
5-9 AM and 4- 8 PM.
What are your preferences?
Interlining Posted by M4 on Wed Aug 22 12:46:37 2001
When growing up on the Island, I'd collect bus schedules and try to block the buses. (Back then I didn't know that's what I was doing.) For those not familiar with the terminology, I was trying to figure out how many buses were needed to run the scheduled trips on a route.
I came across certain situations where buses seemed to have very long layovers. I discovered that buses disappeared from and appeared onto the route. A good example is LI Bus schedules for routes N46 and 50.
N50 leaves Hicksville at :34 and arrives Bellmore at :00.
N50 leaves Bellmore at :50 and arrives Hicksville at :16
At first glance it seems strange that for a trip that lasts 26 minutes, there would be a layover of 50 minutes at Bellmore.
N46 leaves Hempstead at :03 and arrives Bellmore at :40
N46 leaves Bellmore at :10 and arrives Hempstead at:47
It seems there really is 10 minutes layover. N50 arrives at :00 and leaves as N46 at :10 to Hempstead. The N50 bus has INTERLINED with the
N46 and in the other direction the N46 bus has INTERLINED with the N50 bus.
Can the LI Bus operators on this list tell me how much interlining there is at A) Hempstead B)Hicksville?
Can the NYCTA operators on this list tell me how much interlining is done at Williamsburg Plaza (Marcy Street) and Kings Plaza?
What is that Buzz?
Posted by M4 on Mon Dec 17 09:29:29 2001
When a bus starts, there is a buzzing noise that remains on for a few seconds. Pushing the accelerator and racing the motor turns it off a quicker than it otherwise go away.
Relief Points
Posted by M4 on Mon Jan 21 20:09:50 2002
I came into the city this weekend to dance tango. When I wasn't dancing, I was joyriding the buses in Manhattan. I think my motivation was to scout the city for where I'd like to live when I retire from the Government in Washington.
One night I noticed a B/O change off on 110th Street and 5th Avenue on the #2. When the relief didn't show up on time, the B/O gave transfers to everybody was about to throw everybody off the bus. The relief did show up so we didn't have to get off.
In the day time, there was a change off on the #3 to Ft. George. I saw the relieved B/O go into what looked like a store on 110th with a sign that said "MTA." Does anybody know what this location is?
Bus Talk Glossary
Posted by M4 on Wed May 22 23:14:43 2002
While the "talks" were taking a break, I prepared a Glossary for
bustalk. Subtalk has one and I thought it would only be fair for bustalk to have one.
David added it but you can only access it via a circuitous route.
Go to the "What's New" section and look for February 28. Perhaps when David has a chance, he can add a direct link from the front page of Bustalk.
The first installment is listed. I sent David the second installment but I'm sure he's just too busy to add it now.
Michael
TA Control Numbers
Posted by M4 on Mon Sep 16 21:39:10 2002
In the lower right hand corner of the window, there is a "TA Control Number." Previous messages told me the number was the run number.
Does the run number change after each run? I've seen buses come into the last stop and not seen the B/O change the number for the next trip.
Michael
Washington, DC
Assigning run numbers
Posted by M4 on Wed Sep 18 10:03:51 2002
For some reason, I've always been fascinated with bus scheduling. I've studied timetables trying to figure out how many buses are needed a day for a particular route. It can be difficult to determine this for some routes because all departures and arrivals aren't listed. The timetable might say, "then every 12 minutes" or "then every 8-9 minutes" etc.
BIG AL
I spent two weeks going over FAQ's with him in email a few years ago. He offered credit, I declined.
Just do a simple search of M4's posts and you'll fast see his "FAQs" are a compilation of everything we have posted over the years, in addition to answering his questions on the boards and via private email.
And I should note, EVERYONE here at the time contributed. I merely edited the details in those emails to better reflect how NYCT issues applied.
The guy is a wannabe pissant, who now takes credit for everything we post here! Perhaps we should ask Dave to remane BusTalk to M4's BusTalk and Bad Drivers.
;-)
BIG AL
P.S. Now I know how the G.I.'s must have felt when they caught Saddam in his "Spiderhole". They should leave it unearthed so M4 can go hide in it.
With Big Al's retirement coming soon, I guess he's going to be very bored at home. He can take over Bustalk management from David.
BIG AL
The really nifty part about all this is, he's the classic troll. He can't refute the facts as we've posted them, so he resigns himself in a vain and almost painful attempt at comedy with obscure, and at times, disillusional "tit-for-tat's". Unfortunately for him, the only one laughing is him. The rest of us laugh... at him :-)
I think tinkerbell broke a heel.
BIG AL
Right, right, right.
I wrote the FAQ in the Bus Talk Glossary. NOT Big Al, NOT Mr. Mabstoa, NOT Brooklyn67.
No. You "sent" the FAQ's in the Bus Talk Glossary. Big Al, Mr Mabstoa, Brooklyn67, David Greenberger, Joe Satia, and the rest of us "wrote" them. You merely complied our knowledge obtained here and from news:nyc.transit.
Imagine that, a non TA employee wrote a glossary for Bus Talk. So much for the stupid idea that TA employees know everything and Non TA employees know nothing.
Greenberger and Tevi aren't employees, yet they have an extended knowledge. You don't have to be an employee to know details, but you do have to be an employee to "know everything".
You still, to this day, know nothing!
I sent a second installment to Dave but he never posted it.
I wrote that second installment for you.
:-)
BIG AL
http://talk.nycsubway.org/perl/read?bustalk=34115
Doh!
BIG AL
:::shaking head & laughing:::
Go away!
Personally I don't know what you know. But, none of us knows everything, so we are all still learning!!!!
Arthur Thomas
I'm referring to M4 as Tinknerbell [as shown by the image] and we want him to go away. I'm guessing you didn't read the thread.
BIG AL
BIG AL
If I'm lucky, I see him on the Q train after school (assuming I ride in the last car).
http://www.beelinebus.com/
http://www.westchestergov.com/transportation/bus_routes_saved.htm
A decade later, officials are looking to ease east-west congestion with mass transit. They say even a major overhaul of I-595, with braided ramps, collector roads and express lanes, won't be enough to keep up with growing traffic demands.
The interstate is the spine of a proposed bus rapid transit or light rail line that would connect Sawgrass Mills, downtown Fort Lauderdale and the airport."
....
Thursday's workshop comes on the heels of a highly critical study released this week by a conservative Tallahassee think-tank that labeled light rail a financial disaster, with costs that far outweigh benefits.
The study by the James Madison Institute says rail transit may be one of the reasons why congestion in South Florida has grown so much in the past decade.
"Freeways are 10 times more cost-effective at moving people than Miami and Fort Lauderdale rail lines," said Randal O'Toole, the study's author.
"Rail transit gives limousine-priced rides to people, most of whom were previously riding buses."
The study suggests that high-occupancy toll lanes and bus-rapid transit are the solutions to the region's traffic problems and can be done much cheaper than light rail.
....
****
So, how does this wacko put out 5 "studies" at once in one week, meanwhile never visiting Miami. Any sane and competant person who's ever been a city rated in the top 5 for costs, danger to human life, and congestion and comes to that conclusion should be deemed mentally incompetant and placed in a home. Does he have any clue how much it costs to build another toll road in Miami??? BILLIONS
I'd like to see the populous laughing at the line freeways moving people. I have never seen a freeway move anyone down there.
central broward transit
Well the story still mentions a bus lane in there. :)
The rear sign says M14D, but is this bus really an M14D? If if isn't, what route IS it on, and WHERE was this picture taken?
1. Old Navy
18TH & 6TH - NY
610 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK, NY 10011-2018
Phone: 212-645-0663
2. Old Navy
503-511 BROADWAY/SPR
503 BROADWAY
NEW YORK, NY 10012-4401
Phone: 212-226-0838
I am also pretty sure it is not the 6th Ave store either, which leaves B'way and Spring as the possible location.
Peace,
ANDEE
Mmm, I wonder if they sell rice balls around there? I'm craving for one right now.
Peace,
ANDEE
Michael
Washington, DC
Didn't you also report bus drivers with wrong signs? I guess the AGM at Quill either isn't as customer-friendly as at Hale, or possibly was so heated he dialed 212 by mistake...
I told a driver on the M27 (towards UN) that her sign read "Port Authority." She said "at least you know where the bus is going." She's going on report.
He then argued:
With every successive post, you prove just how completely clueless and ignorant you truly are.
There isn't a soul on this board who doesn't already know where the M27 originates, or who hasn't the resources to look it up. Except you.
The epitome of a pissant troll.
You need anger management.
What does this have to with anything. The person who took the photo said the bus was photographed in Flushing. Your bus is missing a gear, Peter Pan. You're so angry, you can't even see straight. You need anger management.
Because you're such a fool, and a dumbshit at that, I'll explain context and following a thread to you, since you have absolutely no clue how to follow parallel threads on a message board. Leave it to you to flame yourself. You're not only predictable, you're fast becoming quite the bore.
In response to the original post, asking the location of the bus, RIPTA posted:
Re: Where is this bus?
Posted by RIPTA42HopeTunnel on Thu Feb 19 11:31:39 2004, in response to Where is this bus?, posted by R36 #9346 on Thu Feb 19 11:08:15 2004
Main St & Roosevelt Ave, probably the Q17. That driver should go on report for having the wrong sign :).
(He answered the question correctly, then went off the current topic and referred to complaints you have made in the past. Although RIPTA's comment was tongue-in-cheek, you took it seriously (because you're a fool) and responded with:)
Posted by M4 on Thu Feb 19 11:35:05 2004, in response to Re: Where is this bus?, posted by RIPTA42HopeTunnel on Thu Feb 19 11:31:39 2004.
You wrote the wrong thing. I wrote in "Bus Drivers on Report" that I reported drivers who flagged me and I got garbage from Big AL and Brooklyn67. You can expect the same treatment. Michael
(In response to you, RIPTA wrote:)
Re: Where is this bus?
Posted by RIPTA42HopeTunnel on Thu Feb 19 11:54:28 2004, in response to Re: Where is this bus?, posted by M4 on Thu Feb 19 11:35:05 2004.
Didn't you also report bus drivers with wrong signs? I guess the AGM at Quill either isn't as customer-friendly as at Hale, or possibly was so heated he dialed 212 by mistake...
(You then replied with:)
Re: Where is this bus?
Posted by M4 on Thu Feb 19 12:38:39 2004, in response to Re: Where is this bus?, posted by RIPTA42HopeTunnel on Thu Feb 19 11:54:28 2004.
It hasn't been established that the bus in question is from Quill.
(Lost in your own pathetic world of insignificance, you don't even realize the respose indicates the M27 you'd mentioned "reporting" in a previous post to this board, which RIPTA was referring to.)
When I posted:
In an earlier "I'm telling on you" post, M4 sputtered:
I told a driver on the M27 (towards UN) that her sign read "Port Authority." She said "at least you know where the bus is going." She's going on report.
With every successive post, you prove just how completely clueless and ignorant you truly are. There isn't a soul on this board who doesn't already know where the M27 originates, or who hasn't the resources to look it up. Except you.
(It was in reference to the fact that you were (and apparently still are) clueless as to the progression of the thread, and the ability to comprehend what you read. On top of this, since you can't even be expected to understand what's black and white in print, right in front of you, how can you expect us to believe anything you say? LOL)
(And when I said:)
Re: Where is this bus? Posted by Brooklyn67 on Thu Feb 19 11:42:47 2004, in response to Re: Where is this bus?, posted by M4 on Thu Feb 19 11:35:05 2004.
You're such a fool and you don't even know it!!! Anyone care to enlighten tinkerbell?
I was right, because you ARE a fool and STILL don't know it! Thank you for proving just that, with this post:
Re: Where is this bus?
Posted by M4 on Mon Feb 23 12:47:08 2004, in response to Re: Where is this bus?, posted by Brooklyn67 on Thu Feb 19 12:58:22 2004.
What does this have to with anything. The person who took the photo said the bus was photographed in Flushing. Your bus is missing a gear, Peter Pan. You're so angry, you can't even see straight. You need anger management.
(You're so dumb, you can't see humor used at your expense! Doh! You need glasses, a remedial English comprehension class and a new pair of heels.)
FLY AWAY TINKERBELL!
*plonk*
(again) {yawn}
You badly need anger management.
BIG AL
BIG AL
I told a driver on the M27 (towards UN) that her sign read "Port Authority." She said "at least you know where the bus is going." She's going on report.
He then argued:
With every successive post, you prove just how completely clueless and ignorant you truly are.
There isn't a soul on this board who doesn't already know where the M27 originates, or who hasn't the resources to look it up. Except you.
The epitome of a pissant troll.
I told a driver on the M27 (towards UN) that her sign read "Port Authority." She said "at least you know where the bus is going." She's going on report.
He then argued:
It hasn't been established that the bus in question is from Quill.
With every successive post, you prove just how completely clueless and ignorant you truly are.
There isn't a soul on this board who doesn't already know where the M27 originates, or who hasn't the resources to look it up. Except you.
The epitome of a pissant troll.
Peace,
ANDEE
I'm always in big trouble.
;-)
It's R36's picture, not mine. I'm sure the front sign said X51, though ;)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
Then so be it! It's time for some fresh blood anyway! :^)
Who's with me?
((( sounds of chairs moving and doors closing )))
Excellent! I think I'll start working on that dolla-cab license I've been meaning to get :)
Oh, and as a suggestion, make that a two-hundra-dolla cab. It'll have to be worth your while to make the 12-hour round trip into and back from Manhattan :-)
Oh, and as a suggestion, make that a two-hundra-dolla cab. It'll have to be worth your while to make the 12-hour round trip into and back from Manhattan :-)
BIG AL
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
:-)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
688?
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
BIG AL
It's obviously one of the NYCT Grummans that went to NJ Transit after rebuilding. It ran for SCoT and was presumably acquired by Jetaway at some point. I don't know what happened to it; Jetaway probably stripped it for parts. I just found it like that outside Jetaway's garage on Glenwood Rd, facing the wrong way. It sat there for a few weeks.
However I look at the background in the picture and I think this bus is running south on Main Street just past Roosevelt Avenue and before the LIRR tressle. If the bus is mismarked it could be the Q44, Q17,Q20A or B or one of the TA buses in the area.
Just a side note, I took this picture yesterday.
There are some clues that would lead anyone familiar with the area to this conclusion without anyone me telling you:
- The Old Navy—Foot Locker—Caldor row of stores on the left
- The Asian text on the lightpost banner in front of the Old Navy
- The LIRR bridge in the distance
and the most subtle, but most deadly giveaway:
- The Q17 bus stop sign partially hiding behing the Burger King awning (just to the right of the "NO LEFT TURNS/7 AM-7 PM/Except Buses" sign).
So as most everyone suggests, it was on Main St, facing south with the LIRR trestle in the distance.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
I knew in a heartbeat that it was Main St, but 293472374 people already answered before me.
When you shut the bus off, the sign doesn't blank; it stays where it is.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
LED signs certainly do, because there's no power going to the diodes to light them. I'm not 100% sure about the later flipdot signs; I would assume that the ODK still has to send a command to the signs to blank, which it wouldn't be able to do if it were shut off in the middle of a reading.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
J
http://www.busfanplace.com/pics/skyp1501.jpg
Demo
St Johns Transit
Viens 43096
Viens 43809
Assembly line
Does anyone know more about these? How many are out there? Are they still being produced?
Why are they not in NYC?
Any bus people know what it is?
I would like to post someone else pictures to demonstrate a particular bus model, but I cannot do it without geting the
photographer's permission first.
Arthur Thomas
Yes, you can email him about it....anyways you'll found out that
bus is a Neoplan metroliner on his website.
Arthur Thomas
I'm not giving any more details...
(I know YOU can appreciate that)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
On the Orion 7's, the yellow emergency lights are also LED's.
Quill was supposed to have 5716-5746 so why did I see 5755 in service at Quill?
Do the D60HF's have to be repainted???
Who is next to recieve artics??
What was the problem with the 10/1100's at WF and is that problem fixed?
On a diff topic Q5Merrick where can I see a real NYCTA bus roster cause I noticed alot of faults in the Urban Transit club roster
Thanx,
Robert
B1-#9302-NOVABUS
B51-#5218-NOVABUS
Grow up Peter Pan (and I don't mean the bus line)
Fly away tinkerbell.
Grow up Peter Pan (and I don't mean the bus line)
I don't know why you continue to post here. You don't have anything factual to discuss or offer, and any future questions you have will be ignored and/or flamed. So all I can figure is that you're exactly what you're accused of being- a troll. Here simply to stir up trouble.
Better find somewhere else to post your garbage. You're done here, tinkerbell :-)
I drove my entire first trip this morning, all 22 miles of it, with "NOT IN SERVICE" on the sign.
Nobody said a thing, they just boarded like they do every other day, paid their fare, sat down, kept quiet.
I just looked up at the display to change it when I got to my north terminal, saw that I forgot to set it up right, and shook myhead.
I guess you could put a sign on the front of the bus that says "HELL" and they'll all just get in and ride!!
I should have been suspended.
HAHA, obviously your route is the only on that street, else you might have heard one or 2 questions.
That happens a lot (wrong desination), when I was in L. A., sometimes
I would tell the driver, most of the times I wouldn't. And one time, I was riding with a bus operator friend of mine in L. A. (Steve you know who he is) and he never changed the sign on the trip back to L. A. from Altadena (line 485) and no one said a word :)
We don't have the traffic density that NYC does....
Get a life--all of you!!!
Mark
What route was the 9570 on?
MTA get or will the next order be either low floors of high floors?
I guess the remaining 1983-85 GM RTS-04's and 1986/87 GM RTS-06's
are being replace by the Orion 07.501's and NF D60HF's.
Arthur
Arthur
Mark
Arthur
Arthur Thomas
Incognito
da East Harlem Low-Rider
about the delivery of the 98 Orion VII's....but another local transit
bus company which is about 3000 miles west of NYC on the west coast
were I'm from. Trevor recently visit thier and took some pictures
of our Orion VII's, AC Transit's VanHools and other bus and train
models.
Arthur Thomas
Yes, I have some pics of our Orion VII's out here in Sacramento Trevor also got some pics of them too.
Arthur
David
Sacramento Regional Transit don't have any Orion VI's.....it has GNG
Orion V's and the recently delivered Orion VII's
Did you respond to the wrong thread?
Arthur
When I mentioned "98" I mean the number of our Orion VII's
not the year 1998.....I know the Orion VII didn't exist back then.
Regards,
Trevor Logan
Probably not....
- First, the M96 runs out of Manhattanville.
- Second, the M96 is interlined with the M106, which will never warrant artics.
- Third, the M96 is so far north that, if it were converted, it would be sent to 100th Street.
Mark
M6-#8999-NOVABUS
M14-#5751-NewFLyer D60HF
Yeah, Im sure it would get more use if it went to Hempstead, also it would help the N6 out somewhat.
The announcement may have been as of February 9th, but the N8 hasn't been making that loop in months, when the stop for Franklin General Hospital was deemed unsafe.
Why are there no bus stops on the N8 along Dutch Broadway between Franklin Avenue and Meachem Avenue. That is a long stretch without any bus stops.
That is a long stretch. At first I pictured that you said North Fletcher Ave in my head , now THATS a long sretch not to have a bus stop. Meacham isn't that far but I think There should be one at Corona and Wingate Dr or something. I think that stretch is just as long as as the Distance between the Beth David Cemetary stop and Joan Court on the N1.
Could the MTA take over one or two of the worst companies to start with and slowly work their way up or must they take them over in whole ?
Bill "Newkirk"
Regards,
Kevin
OK.........why is that asshole?
Think about it................ natural gas is flammable so..........
J
David
Trevor
63056 21 New Carrolton
63032 15x Greenbelt-I may not have mentioned it but the fleet number is handwritten inside of the coach.
4393 B30 BWI-no bike rack
0062 17 Pataspco-odd thing with the orbital system. When it gets to Vermont Avenue, the Orbital system announces it as Vermont Road.
0252 51 Bush Garage-Engine sounds bad, shouldn't sound that way on a year old bus.
9955 11 Downtown-Saw what looked to be a fight right outside of the Greyhound bus terminal downtown, between three men, two against one. Cops came in quickly to take care of that situation. Who says there isn't a cop around when you need them.
9851 1 Mondawmin-I was going to take the 7, but when that didn't show up took the 1 instead, should have waited because that same bus showed up after mine did and it was a Neoplan.
Subway car 175 to Lexington Market-This one is different from the other B-more rail cars it sounds like Popeye when he toots his pipe and not the usual "boop-boop" like the other ones did.
LRV 5048 BWI
4395 B30 Greenbelt-no bike rack
9364 R12 New Carrolton-bad sounding bus, saw 8865 on the T16, practically 8806's sister in terms of the white paint around the doors
9757 F14 last-driver drove slow, barely did get it though
I do plan to go up to B-more March 1st to see what borrowed buses B-more got for their shuttles, that is if they get outside buses.
For the June BIG TIME bus trip, light rail was going to be part of our trip, but since that will not run until after October, that will change.
I'd like to introduce my new Bus related website, which will be the home for my collection of bus pics. Other sections are under development.
Click the D60HF to enter:
Speaking of "Bus Spot", what happened to that site? It has not been updated in about three years. When I first discovered bus sites in 1996, that was the first one I ever visited. It used to have very informative pics and info, and still features a Shuttle UM Flxible Metro with rotating LED headsigns on the welcome page.
Here's the link:
http://members.aol.com/busspot
Can anyone tell me what happened there?
-F.
They had a lot of good pics...it really wasn't as good as it originally was after they "redid" the entire site.
www.commonwealthcoach.com
And I'm not certain, but I think I found BusTalk through them also.
-F.
Here are some photos:
Brand new Quill Artic already showing problems:
One number up...
www.regionaltransitservice.com
BIG AL
No 7561 as of yet.
JG Currently has 7562-7654 (7561 not delivered and 7560 at Orion)
WF Currently has 7655, 7657, 7659-7663, 7665-7668, 7670-7673, 7675
Regards,
Trevor Logan
TransiTALK, LLC.
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
BIG AL
BIG AL
I was out near Merillon Ave LIRR station and it was nearly 10 PM, so I walked back to Jericho Turnpike to catch the N24. Since LI Bus thinks Guide-A-Ride strip maps are from Mars, I tried to call their Travel Information hotline from my cell-phone. You would think that if you wanted to know what time the next bus leaves from a certain timepoint. In Westchester, Bee-Line provides this automated information 24/7, just select the route you know and the nearest stop you are at. But NOOOOOOO, LI Bus has a recording that you have to log on to the MTA website for bus schedule information (how many people at 10 PM use a PDA with Wi-Fi that can be online and access this information?). So what is the cost to provide an automated system, while maintaing the same weekday 7 AM to 5 PM hours to speak to a live operator?
Long story short, I walked back the Merillon Ave station and caught the 10:36 PM train home. But imagine if I was nowhere near a LIRR station. Another reason why LI Bus does not care for the customer.
Everytime I go out to LI I have a very sucessful and fast trip on MTA LI Bus. Yesterday I rode the N32 from Hempstead to Far Rockaway. The trip was smooth, fast and quite enjoyable. The bus I rode was #101.
Now this is not the only time I've had a great experience on LI, all the past times I've had no issues with the LI Bus Fleet and or Service?
So my question is, why is it that others have problems with the LI Bus Service? Can we say, BAD LUCK!?!!!
Regards,
Trevor Logan
TransiTALK, LLC.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55960-2004Feb19.html
Today's post article on WMATA seeking a fare increase.
My opinion, I think WMATA's fare [with the increase factored in] is still DIRT CHEAP compared to what SEPTA and NYCT riders are being gouged out of. Also since the primary industry in DC is government,[and its private sector leeches] I think the bureaucrats can put a little extra in the transit kitty.
I do agree that WMATA is cheap compared with the likes of Philly and NYC, but the problem is some people are too cheap to pay for that increase and might go back to their cars. You are not the only one who thinks the gubment should pay up more since most of their riders are federal government workers, not only WMATA thinks so, so do the local governments who help pay WMATA's tab. Right now the gubment ain't budging on that, they probably want some more stations named for Ronald Reagan.
CBT Recommends that the B-11 be extended from Flatbush Ave to Ralph Ave and Ave K via Flatbush Ave,Ave J,Ralph Ave and return via Ave K,Flatbush Ave and current route. To extend the B-11 in my opinion is not a good idea due to the unreliablity of the route due to the narrow streets along 49th and 50th Street part of the line.
I propose a new line to be created which i will desginate the B-10 which will operate from Nostrand/Flatbush Ave to Ave L/Bergen Ave via Flatbush Ave,Ave K, Ralph Ave,Ave L,Bergen Ave to stand at Ave M. Return via Ave M,E. 73rd St,Ave L,Ralph Ave,Ave K,Flatbush Ave,Ave I,Nostrand Ave,Flatbush Ave and stand.
CBT-Recommends that the B-4 be split into two routes. I agree with their proposal to terminate the B-4 at Sheepshead Bay Station but I disagree with their proposal about the proposed B-5. I would run the B-5 as follows. From Coney Island Hospital to Kings Plaza via Ocean Pkway Service Rd,Ave Z,Sheepshead Bay Rd,E. 15th St,Ave Z,Ocean Ave,Shore Parkway Service Rd,Knapp St,Gerriteseb Ave,Ave U,Flatbush Ave and stand. Return via Flatbush Ave,Ave V,Ryder St,Ave U,Gerritsen Ave,Knapp St,Emmons Ave,Ocean Ave,Ave Z,E 16th St,Sheepshead Bay Rd,Emmons Ave,Neptune Ave,Ocean Parkway and stand by Coney Island Hospital.
Any comments
Thank You
This is an outline Let Operations Planning work the logistics out
Thank You
As a former Marine Park resident, I can assue you that a bus along Ryder Street will bring friction and opposition.
1-Reroute the B-16 from13th/14th Aves to Fort Hamilton Parkway between 56/57 Streets and Dahill Road.
2-Discontinue B-8 service between VA Hospital and 95th Street Station to improve service reliabilty on the B-8 which is much too long already.
3-Create a new route to replace the B-8 and B-16 reroutes from 19th Street/Propect Park West to VA Hospital and extending it to 95th Street Station during the same hours as the B-8 operates as follows:
From 19th Street/PPW via 19th St,10th Ave,McDonald Ave,Caton Ave via the current B-16 route to 13th Ave/56th St then via 13th Ave,86th St,14th Ave,Cropsey Ave and via the current B-8 route to its terminal. Return via the current B-8 route till Cropsey/14th Aves then via 14th Ave,86th St,13thAve,60th St,14th Ave and the current B-16 route to Caton/McDonald Aves then via McDonald Ave,20th St,PPW,19th Street and stand
4-Extend the B-16 from Flatbush Ave to Utica Ave via Empire Blvd,Utica Ave,East New York Ave,Troy Ave,Empire Blvd,Ocean Ave and current route
5-Discontinue B-43 service along Empire Blvs and reroute to Kings County Hospital via Brooklyn Ave,Winthrop St,New York Ave,Clarkson Ave and stand RETURN via Clarkson Ave,Albany Ave,Winthrop St,Kingston Ave and current route
Any comments
Thank You
PS-David Would like your opinion via E Mail
Thanks
I agree with this idea, this should of been done already IMO.
2-Discontinue B-8 service between VA Hospital and 95th Street Station to improve service reliabilty on the B-8 which is much too long already.
Well you do have a steady crowd that comes from using the SI buses so I'm kind of iffy on that, every other bus is good enough; as it is currently. Well the B8 is my home bus route so I know it very well. I wouldn't necessarily say that its the length of the route, its the consistent bunching, dwell times at cetrain bus stops & double parking that causes the problems.
3-Create a new route to replace the B-8 and B-16 reroutes from 19th Street/Propect Park West to VA Hospital and extending it to 95th Street Station during the same hours as the B-8 operates as follows:
From 19th Street/PPW via 19th St,10th Ave,McDonald Ave,Caton Ave via the current B-16 route to 13th Ave/56th St then via 13th Ave,86th St,14th Ave,Cropsey Ave and via the current B-8 route to its terminal. Return via the current B-8 route till Cropsey/14th Aves then via 14th Ave,86th St,13thAve,60th St,14th Ave and the current B-16 route to Caton/McDonald Aves then via McDonald Ave,20th St,PPW,19th Street and stand
Seeing this idea, I was thinking about extending the B69 from 19 St but then I realized that it would become too long.
4-Extend the B-16 from Flatbush Ave to Utica Ave via Empire Blvd,Utica Ave,East New York Ave,Troy Ave,Empire Blvd,Ocean Ave and current route
I don't think it's really needed but it would make the route a bit more attractive.
5-Discontinue B-43 service along Empire Blvs and reroute to Kings County Hospital via Brooklyn Ave,Winthrop St,New York Ave,Clarkson Ave and stand RETURN via Clarkson Ave,Albany Ave,Winthrop St,Kingston Ave and current route
I see that all you're doing is extending the 43 until both streets dead end at Winthrop however people would have to make two extra transfers: to the B16 then to the Q train & Franklin shuttle and there's good volume between the train and the 43 currently.
While were on this subject, I think they should extend the B23 to New York Av using Beverley Rd. Keeping the current route up to Ocean Av then:
Heading east:
L on Ocean, R on Beverley continue straight to Nostrand Av, L on Clarendon stand.
Heading west:
On Clarendon, L on NY Av, L on Beverley, L on Flatbush, R on Cortelyou then regular.
Let me know what y'all think.
Eastbound-Corteylou Rd to Flatbush Ave, Left on Flatbush Ave to Beverly Rd, Right on Beverly Rd to New York Ave. Left on New York Ave to Tilden Ave(or maybe Snyder Ave) and left(Its the next street north of Beverly Rd)to Nostrand Ave. Left on Nostrand Ave to Beverly Rd and stand.
Return via Beverly Rd to Flatbush Ave . Left on Flatbush and current route at Corteylou.
Less congestion than Claredon Rd and i believe that you are near the enterance to Holy Cross Cemetary.
If so then you will restore bus service from the Nostrand Ave subway that was discontinued in 1959
Thats my opinion
Thank You
I have noticed that the Route now turns around at Metropolitan and Fresh Pond Rd,,from Metropolitan ,,,,can anyone supply the EXACT routing
Thanks
steve
JONN
Thanks
steve
JONN
So we are talking 69 st to Elliot ,,etc
Steve
thanks again
Thanks to those who assisted me in this issue
I spoke to someone from Queens Surface --Stated Metro to Fresh pond Road,make right on Fresh Pond Road,Left on Elliot Av ,Left on 60 Lane ,Left on Metropolitan ,Left on 69 st
Friends of mine ,,from the neighborhood advised,, 69 st,Metropolitan Av,,Right on 60 Lane,Left on Elliot ,Left on Metropolitan ,to Fresh pond..Returning via Metro and Left on 69 st
Can someone ,confirm,,this is getting damn frustrating!!!!!
Thanks,,again ,and again
Steve
914 329 7489
NYC Fire Department
Sorry to burst your bubble but they have considered the opposite and instead make this a 24 hour route to 95th, as per a posting from someone who attended a committee meeting recently.
Same thing goes with the B6 getting LTD on Saturdays which means something is getting cut out or moved out.
I usually am the source for Jackie Gleason Depot, Anyway Yes Jackie Gleason has Low Floor Orion VII CNG Units #7560, 7562-7654, and have New Flyer C40LF CNG Units #800-989 and have 1995 Orion V CNG Units #581-610, and I believe all RTS have been removed from JG and transferred to other depots in the Brooklyn Division.
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
1987 RTS: 4648, 4658, 4660, 4668. (4)
Well I represent the area of "that" depot. It's true, FP always gets hand downs, however last year they broke their four year drought when the got 8518-8566 and 9459-9487, and finally killed their 1985 RTS series.
Bow down to the great Ex-JG 8500s 8-)
Acela
Interestingly, the 2/20 version of the UTC roster lists the following six RTS's at Gleason: 4646, 4648, 4658, 4660, 4664, 4668. Either could be correct, as trakcing buses on a daily basis is difficult at best.
According to the latest statistics that I have, RTS #4616 is listed as being at Flatbush Depot, while RTS #4668 is listed as being at Fresh Pond.
Hope this helps?
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
Don't forget about Orion V CNG 317.
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
Acela
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
All of those lines uses 40 foot buses.
again, is ridership heavy on those short routes?
Ely
1994 TMC:8690 Fresh Paint ;)
AM 3-4 min Headway
PM 2-4 min Headway
1996 NOVA-RTS: 9106 Has A Sticker on Both Left Top Side And Right Top Side =)
regards,
Arthur
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
Not sure what the buttons do as I have no experience in Orion equipment at all.
Also for sale on eBay, ex-Long Beach (CA) Transit 4721, a 1977 GMC RTS, one of the early RTS built. Unfortunetly, not much left to the bus. It's for sale for body parts only, power train is missing.
Mark
Truth be told, the 30-ft models from Gillig and Orion are decent high-floor buses. I can't really say anything about the 30-ft low floor buses from New Flyer and Gillig, as I've never riden them.
The Opus is a pretty good bus; I got to ride one last year out in Lancaster. I'm not quite sold on the Thomas SLF, though. I've never riden NABI's Optare 30-ft low floor, but they look like decent buses (Miami-Dade purchased quite a few of them last year).
I've been in 30 foot New Flyers and I think, but i'm not sure, 2 different set-ups of the 30-foot gillig advantage(low floor). Do the gilligs have 2 doors on their 30foot models? I may have possibly done 35-foots only for those.
I must say though, they have a really silly feel to them. The NF's have only one set of front doors, and since it's low floor, the tires up front take all the space. There's a good 60-70% of the seats being the high-floor part. It's like they cut off the high-floor portion of the NF, stuck it on a cut up portion of a low floor bus, so voila, you have about 2 rows of seating down there.
It's like a big bulky SUV.
-F.
I've never ridden a 30ft Orion V, though.
I like the Champion buses PG THE BUS runs, but they are awfully slow for their size as well, and not that amazingly strong.
-F.
I have some photos of 30' Flxible Metros owed by Folsom Stage Line
east of Sacramento, CA.
-Fred
Mark
CATA also runs the Beverly Shoppers Shuttle, and on that day it was being run with a 30-foot RTS.
JD
-Fred
On another note, the bus is now marketed as the Orion SLF due to the DaimlerChrysler bus division reorganization. I have yet to see one with the Orion logos on it; does anyone know more about this?
-F.
-F.
-F.
On that note, did they ever really have a Flxible no. 1234 there, or was that just made up by the boys in China?
-F.
-F.
They got the dust wiped off their bodies and thrown into Light Rail bus bridge service:-)
-F.
-F.
Jim D.
-F.
-F.
-F.
-F.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
After we reached Rockville, we headed over to catch Orion VII 5901 on the 54 to Lakeforest Mall. This bus was already about 10 min late, and then it pulls into the station, only to have the driver loop around and park his bus, and run inside the station for a bathroom break. Then he takes his time in walking back to the bus and starting it up again. By this time we're about 20 min late and we finally catch the 54 to Lakeforest. The bus picked up alot of people and eventually the Orion I on the next 54 behind us caught up to us and we leapfrogged each other from I believe a little past the Muddy Branch Shopping Center.
While waiting for the 54, we saw Orion V 5561 deadheading north on Route 355 with its engine hatch propped all the way open.
After we reached Lakeforest Mall, we stopped for lunch at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, "The Official Restaurant of the DC Bustalkers". Their burgers were really good and Wayne tried to steal my chocolate milkshake:-)
After this we rode an Orion V CNG 5804 on the 62 to Shady Grove. We then walked over to Gaithersburg depot and saw a Flxible Metro-D idiling. Could it be???:-) Unfortunately we found out it wasn't gonna be in service. We walked back to Shady Grove where we saw an Orion I 5524 on the 55, so we ran after that bus. While we were loading the bus and the when the bus pulled off, some punk ass suburban thugs threw big pebbles at the windows of our Orion I. Motherf**kers. How dare they deface the Orion I.
We rode the 55 back to Lakeforest and then we hopped on an Orion V 5554 on the 62 to Germantown. We tried to meet up with Ray but he kept going in the opposite direction via Ride-On that we were going:-) We got off at Milestone Shopping Center and much to Wayne's disappointment (he was on his cell phone, he had no choice but to follow us:-) we rode a Helldorado on the 90 back to Shady Grove via Damascus. Wayne found the act of seeing cattle on a farm on a Saturday on a Helldorado quite interesting.
The we decided that because Ray was on the 57, we would meet him where the 90 and 57 join up at Snouffer School Road. Sure enough here comes Ray, in the 1996 Orion V: 35 foot, 96 inch wide CNG, 5568. The bus had a faint smell of CNG inside, thankfully no one lit a match inside:-)
We got off at Lakeforest once again, and then boarded an Orion V CNG 5818 on the 59 to Rockville. It was interesting to see people along Route 355 trying to decide whether they wanted to catch our 55 or the 59 right behind us. Some people at the bus stop were walking towards the 55, then the 59, and back and forth. Luckily the 55 behind us took some of the passenger load off our 59 as it eventually leapfrogged ahead of us.
At Rockville, we boarded an Orion I (can't remember the number) on the 46 to Medical Center and got off at Twinbrook. From there, we catched a 1999 Gillig 5414 on the 5 to Silver Spring b/c we wanted to see some windy and narrow as hell roads. Ray was questioned by the driver for playing with the unhinged A/C grille in the back of the bus.
After that we took a bathroom break at McDick's at Silver Spring and headed off to catch the 1 to Friendship Heights. While waiting for the 1 we saw 5610, a 2001-02 Orion V with the Clever Devices system, the only bus in the fleet to have one. The we rode an Orion V 5611 on the 1 to Friendship Heights. From here, Perry left us on WMATA 1998 Orion V on the E3. Me and Ray hit up the CVS pharmacy for drinks and got separated from Nick, Chris, and Wayne. We saw this interesting homeless lady in the walkway under Western Avenue mumbling about heads. Go fig.
Then we boarded our last bus of the night, an Orion V 5717 on the T2 and rode that back to Rockville. Here, Chris came up with the idea of depot stickers for Ride-On, NYCT style, for all four of our depots, Silver Spring (represented by the Discovery Channel Building in downtown Silver Spring and a Gillig in the foreground), Gaithersburg (The old train station with the old steam locomotive in the background and an Orion V/VI/VII CNG in the foreground with suburban thugs from Germantown/Montgomery Village in front of the bus), First Transit-Kensington (First Transit drivers looking in awe at WMATA's Montgomery Division), and First Transit-Beltsville (Beltsville thugs posing in front of a Helldorado).
While riding the T2, it was too dark for us, unfortunately, to see all the rich people's houses along that route:-) Also, this bus had a vertical grab pole dislodged from the seat joint and was swaying in the air. Good ol' Silver Spring depot maintenance:-)
The rest of you guys can fill in the gaps, add info, the usual stuff.
Since I decided to leave my car at home my trip started with '99 Gillig 5412 on the 12 to Silver Spring. I then got '92 Orion V 9628 on the Q2 to Rockville where I met Chris G, Nick and Chris D. Then we waited for Perry's T2 to arrive. After we parted ways at Rockville I got lucky as the Q2 to Silver Spring was actually on time and.... it was a FLXIBLE METRO! Yes, I got Metro-E 4014 and it was nearly empty which made for a nice fast ride along Veirs Mill Road. At Silver Spring I just missed a 15. I waited 20 min for the next 12 which showed up the same time as '02 Orion V 5605 on the 15. The 12 was '95 Gillig 5369. Normally I would've passed up the Gillig, but not this time since it was cold and the 12 would drop me in front of my building while the rerouted 15 would drop me about 4 blocks away.
This AM, I had Orion VI 2004 on the 38B, then got off at Georgetown and got Flx Metro E 4078 on the 34 then onto the crazy Gillig ride on 5408 on the T2. It was nice that my bus was able to make such a grand entrance coming into Rockville. Too bad the driver had to spoil it by deciding to change the destination sign as we were driving in and came to a sudden stop to do this. : (
After I got on my E3 at Friendship, Orion V 4358, got off at McKinley and Connecticut and walked up to the Chevy Chase Circle stop and got Metro E 4034 on the L2. We got stuck in heavy traffic most of the way, but it was a nice way to end a very fun day.
I still get a good laugh after Chris D's adventure at Glenmont. : )
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-Fred
-Fred
I think riding so many buses yesterday stuck with me for awhile. Overnight, I had the weirdest dreams about riding them. One involved all of us on the Ride On 5 but for some reason we were on East West Highway, which would normally be run by the 1 instead. I rang the bell for us to get off, but the driver kept going. I finally yelled that he better stop because someone from Ride On's head office (Chris G.) was on the bus. LOL
It's probably OK since there was a bus involved:-). That was a fun day. Since I did all transit I managed to ride 16 buses that day.
17 buses smashed my previous record. Still more riding that needs to be done, though. I'll have to look at my next few weeks into trying to outdo that one. : )
http://www.glue.umd.edu/~ckder/MVI_4437.avi
#3 West End Jeff
#3 West End Jeff
What is the shortest NJT route?
And finally what is the shortest WMATA route?
For NJT, how about the 451? I don't really know where it goes, but I think it used to run in front of Cherry Hill East and seemingly always ran the loud-ass tiny RTSs.
My guess for the shortest route in South Jersey (Egg Harbor, Newton Av, and Washington Twp) would be the peak-hour only 454 between Haddonfield PATCO and Lindenwold PATCO. The shortest route out of Mercer/Hamilton garage is the 611/Perry St Park & Ride loop through downtown Trenton; that I know for certain.
MetroB
The shortest SEPTA route is the new 71 Navy Yard Shuttle
The shortest NJT route is the 93H.
The shortest WMATA route is the S95.
But it's definately one of the 460 somethings. 464 is very short.
That said, I think the shortest route out of Frontier would have to be the 92 between West Chester and Exton, though I think the 304 between Morrell Park/Torresdale (or Frankford Av/City Line for those who take the 66) and Bristol Rail Station via State Rd.
On the Red Arrow side, I want to say that the 305 between Darby and Philadelphia International Airport is the shortest route mileage-wise, but the 103 (69 St-Ardmore via Brookline) and 106 (69 St-Ardmore via Penn Wynne/Haverford Rd) are probably close. I do have mileage charts for all of the suburban routes, but I don't know where I put them. Hopefully, I'll find them tonight...
I'd have to agree about the 31s/Market St shuttle in West Philadelphia being the shortest CTD route, but the new 71/Navy Yard Shuttle might supplant that. The 35/Manayunk-Roxborough Loop used to make that claim, but since it was extended to Andorra last year, I don't think that would be the case anymore.
I thought they expanded 31S service, but I dont' really consider that it's own bus route anyway, just a 31 shuttle, which it is...
The 59 or the 66 seem like short routes to me, does anyone know their milage?
As far as the city side goes, you could make an arguement that the 46 between 58-Baltimore and 63-Malvern could be the shortest line in the city. It's an 18-20 minute trip between ends.
http://www.wmata.com/public_hearing.cfm
They have set dates for public hearings but not where they are going to be held yet.
Who knows, this is WhyMATA and you have too much politics involved. For a "regional authority", the regions involved are not cooperating at all. You have DC bickering about commuters from VA and MD, VA complaining they don't want to pay for service in MD and MD doing the same to VA. Bunch of spoiled brats with too much power!
"BOOP" Means No.
Listen for the chime before even thinking of moving from the farebox.
B/O's like the one aforementioned are few and far between, unfortunately, but the few that are out there do tend to give me a greater sense of respect for B/O's as a whole.
Apparently, you've never ridden my bus. Anyone who honestly makes a mistake (and I can easily spot someone trying to get over) rides, with a smile, and many times idel chit-chat.
B49-#8412-TMC
BIG AL
MetroB
Do you know if the 40-foot Gillig Advantages have some type of jake brak? They also give off a werid sound during stops, including some werid slide sound that reminds me of pulleys or something.
Brake dust can also cause this.
B4-#9311-NOVABUS
David
1) I understand I must first take the MTA test. When is it given? How long is the training? Is it paid?
2) Do new drivers work part time at first till full time openings occur?
3) Do you have any say in your hours or where you're assigned?
4) I'm in my late 40s... would that count against me?
5) Should I also try with the independant lines or do they get their drivers through the MTA test?
Thanks for the info!
Gregg
nh153@mail.com
Every 3 months there is a pick where you get to pick your run/hours and what line you want, but if all the runs for a line you want are take by others, then you have to look else where, and they also have the "Extra-List", meaning you can be called in at any time, or sometimes if they have no runs open, you still have to report but you stay in the depot the entire day until the Crew calls you to the window and gives you an assignment.
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
The civil service examination is usually given once every four years. There is a fee to take the exam, which I believe is around $40 (it changes frequently). Everything you do when dealing with civil service is seniority based, therefore, the earlier you file, the better chance you have of being called to take the exam. The better passing grade you have, the higher seniority you will have. Seniority is how you will pick your runs, days off, routes, vacations and more. It's imperitive to get everything done as soon as possible and score as high as possible on all exams. The training period lasts approximately 6 weeks, at minimum wage (however, with the new contract, there is a stipulation that new hiree's will earn contractual base salary. You'll know your details at the time). You have a minimum of 7 days to a maximum of 10 days to prove to the TA that you can handle and operate your bus safely and according to their instruction. You will have 3 driving tests during your first two weeks of training. You must pass the all to qualify. Since you already have a CDL, you will skip that portion of the NYS DMV CDL exam, unless you are not CDL BP +Air Brakes with No Restrictions.
2) Do new drivers work part time at first till full time openings occur?
ALl NYCTA appointees are full-time positions, reaching full scale after 3 full years.
3) Do you have any say in your hours or where you're assigned?
You will have the opportunity to select the boroght of choice, depot of choice, run and route of choice, and days off in seniority order. Prepare, as a rookie, to work all holidays, weekends and late shifts. Prepare to have Tuesday and Wednesday as your weekend, working 5PM to 1AM or thereabouts. Don't worry, the time passes quickly. You'll soon have the opportunity to pick whatever open runs are off Saturday and Sunday, pick off holidays and enjoy time with the rest of the world. Usually, this takes between 5 and 7 years.
4) I'm in my late 40s... would that count against me?
5) Should I also try with the independant lines or do they get their drivers through the MTA test?
Only NYCT is a civil service position. The private lines, including MaBSTOA are non-civil service. However, unlike the private lines, MaBSTOA (Manhattan and The Bronx Surface Operating Authority (OA) sometimes calls list members from the NYCTA eligibles. Should you decide to take the OA position before being called by the TA, you will still remain on the TA eligible list and make a decision at that time whether or not to "transfer". More on that later.
You can call the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (who supply all information regarding upcoming civil service examinations) or visit their website.
http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/dcas/home.html
If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask :-)
BTW- Don't take this job. Try sanitation first.
4) I'm in my late 40s... would that count against me?
The current pesnion system forces you to serve a 25 year term with a minimum age requirement of 55 years. It's a 25/55 pension. At 40 years old, should you work the entire term, you'll be eligible to retire with full benefits at 65 years of age, with Social Security kicking in as well. It's actually a great age to begin- you know the basics, you have the maturity and safety awareness, and you don't need to concern yourself with the age requirement.
MetroB
MetroB
Can you stop bugging the damn guy? He's not some computer who scans BusTalk 24/7, just chillout...Why don't you e-mail him instead of treating this thread like a chat room or e-mail server...And he has some Bus/Rail Sounds here.
Acela
Enjoy!
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
MetroB
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
2. What the heck is Double-A? Where do they run?
Mark
I'll have to keep a lookout for the episode where he holds up the RTS. Does it also have the "****** Family" sketch? (Surname deleted so as not to offend).
-F.
-F.
SEPTA Trackless Thread in SubTalk (opens new browser)
Robert
JONN
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
BIG AL
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
BIG AL
;)
*gets under flame proof couch*
February 22, 2004, 9:00 PM EST
When MTA officials hiked bus and subway fares last year, they enjoyed the tacit support of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who braved a backlash out of sympathy for the agency's budget woes.
But the mayor has grown so disenchanted with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's brass, he's now considering opposing new MetroCard rate increases that might be needed to bail out the agency.
"We're not happy with them," said a Bloomberg administration official, on condition of anonymity. "We could have made their life hard last year, but we didn't. This time may be different."
Bloomberg's once-warm relationship with the transit agency has hit the deep freeze, largely over the MTA's failure to take over seven city-subsidized bus lines in Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx.
"This is the first time I've heard them say anything like this," said Gene Russianoff, staff attorney for the Straphangers Campaign, which sued unsuccessfully to stop last year's hike. "It's encouraging."
The MTA may face a $840-million deficit for the fiscal year starting July 1, with the gap rising to as much as $1.5 billion by 2007, according to State Comptroller Alan Hevesi.
The authority is counting on more funding from Albany to make up the difference, but MTA officials haven't ruled out limiting discounts on unlimited-ride MetroCards, which help keep the average trip to $1.26.
For his first two years in office, Bloomberg steered clear of criticizing the MTA. In December, he told Newsday, "I'm sympathetic with the MTA, which has the responsibility of going out and providing a good service in difficult economic times."
But he's changed his tone in recent weeks, angered by the MTA board's decision to fund the $230 million purchase of 120 Metro-North rail cars -- at the same time negotiations over the bus takeover have stalled. The takeover would save the city more than a $100 million a year, according to budget estimates.
"Unfortunately, the MTA is showing more interest in improving life for suburban commuters than in helping these riders and every straphanger in the city is getting squeezed in the process," Bloomberg said in his weekly radio address, which aired Sunday.
MTA spokesman Tom Kelly said the Metro-North money was simply a speeded-up payment for trains that would have been purchased anyway. "The car purchase for Metro North is the same acceleration that was done five years ago in order to purchase new city subway cars," Kelly said.
The rail deal still needs approval from Pataki, State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver before the end of the month. Any of the three can veto it. Bloomberg has been lobbying Silver to block it. A Silver spokesman said the speaker was "reviewing" the request.
By STEPHANIE GASKELL
February 23, 2004 -- Mayor Bloomberg made another plea yesterday to get the MTA to take over the city's seven private bus lines.
Just days before a panel is expected to approve a plan that would give the MTA an extra $230 million to buy new rail cars for Metro-North riders, Bloomberg blasted the MTA for stiffing city commuters.
"Unfortunately, the MTA is showing more interest in improving life for suburban commuters than in helping these riders," Bloomberg said during his weekly radio address. "And every straphanger in the city is getting squeezed in the process."
"I've got no problem with improving Metro-North service - but not if it comes at the expense of the city," he said.
The mayor has been trying to get the MTA to take over the private lines, which serve nearly 400,000 commuters in Brooklyn, Queens and The Bronx, but the cash-strapped MTA says it can't afford to do it.
Bloomberg insisted that the cost of running the lines "would be a drop in the bucket" for the MTA's $8 billion annual budget. But the head of the Straphangers Campaign warned that giving the private lines over to the MTA would just give them an excuse to raise fares again.
"The mayor's proposal is a recipe for fare hikes and service cuts," said Gene Russianoff, attorney for the Straphangers Campaign.
"It's not the MTA that will pay, it's the riders."
Other stops had CT Transit on them.
Others were poles with a white band painted on them.
The ones with CT Transit written on them...most of them were faded, and had the route letter on them. Okay, so the K stops there...then a K3 stops there. Huh? So I guess it was just that all K buses stop there.
I went to the Union Station, and found some schedules, and looked over them at all. WOW, people say WMATA is confusing, just look at CT Transit schedules!
You have route designations like A1, A2, etc, but that's going in one direction. In another direction it is just called the A, or maybe the A3.
Not to mention route hybrids like the K which then turns into the A at some point...???
I managed to figure out the E routes and F routes. the E was basically the route downtown (kinda like how the SEPTA 101 and 102 only say 69th St when going back to the terminal), and then is was E-whatever going to the suburbs.
All in all, I'm still trying to figure out the A routes, but CT Transit is just confusing. Also, I hope they have something besides New Flyers and Classics...
The routes in Hartford (and New Haven) are structured like this: each route has a letter (A, B, C, D, E, etc..) and each route has at least 2 ends to the line, some have more than 2 ends. At each end of the line there may be one or more different destinations or routings on the schedules. The numbers at the end of the letters reflect the differences in the destinations and oftentmes the routings. For example, the W line goes to one terminal in the south side via one main street, and that routing is designated the W2 (even number at south end); the W line goes to two different terminals at its north end, the designations given are W1 and W3 (the W3, IIRC, is the one that goes to CT Transit's Hartford Division Bus Garage, 100 Leibert Rd).
Basically, when you see the W1/2/3 buses, it's all one route, not three, only one, just different terminals and different directions.
Some routes, like New Haven Division's J route, have 4 destinations on one end and 4 at the other. J1/2/3/4 terminate in New haven, J5/6/7/8 terminate in Meriden or Cheshire.
As for routes turning into other routes...like a bus going out as a W3 and coming back in to downtown hartford to go back out as a K3: that's CT Transit's interlining for ya. They go out as one route, come back in on that route, terminate, then continue on the interlined route. CT Transit has been doing that for years now...in Stamford, in particular, you used to have a situation, as I have ridden once, where a bus can come in to Stamford as an F (now the 41) bus, go out as an West Street S (now the 21), come back in and go back out as a G (now the 31) bus, go back in, and come back out as a K (now the 11) , in other words, one bus running trips on 4 different routes.
I hope that helps. If anyone can give a better explanation, feel free to post.
BTW, Hartford Division also has 7 MCI D4500 Cruisers, #303-309.
Incognito
East Harlem Low-Rider
www.cleanairbus.tk
-Fred
Mark
-Fred
IIRC, there was a Grumman at the Connecticut Trolley Museum in East Windsor, but it may be gone now.
Mark
-F.
Grumman 870
Tony M.
-F.
Thanks; that's from the same "Gathering of Buses" at Double A that Mark referred to earlier this thread. It was August 3, 2002. IIRC, the bus was privately owned, and the piece of paper in the window was a for sale sign.
-F.
NJT original
-F.
-F.
www.regionaltransitservice.com
Not quite. I didn't generate the comment; I am merely bringing to the table what I have heard from another source, and I don't buy into it myself. I was just making everyone aware of the laughable rumor.
On another note, I am part of an organization that, much like yours, runs a Grumman 870 every day with its original badging. We have not been imprisoned yet for keeping the emblems, and you won't either.
-F.
Not quite. I didn't generate the comment; I am merely bringing to the table what I have heard from another source, and I don't buy into it myself. I was just making everyone aware of the laughable rumor.
You Fred posted it on here starting the whole thread. Why?
-F.
-F.
Some of you took this a little too seriously, and the resulting flamage was of great concern. If something like this has so greatly offended you, I apologize. For those who offered more constructive criticism, thank you. Perhaps I did not word my original statement in the thread in the correct manner, and if that is the case, any input is welcome. The last thing I want to do is turn my fellow BusTalkers into a group of "haters", and that seems to be the current trend here if a poster even breathes the wrong way. I certainly hope that we as a group can improve on that.
Sincerely,
Fred Donaher
www.regionaltransitservice.com
I don't think any stoppage of use of the Grumman name would have occurred when GAC took over Flxible. Rather, it would have occurred in earlier years when Grumman sold its then troublesome bus business to Flxible. I forget what the original relationship between Grumman and Flxible was, but when Grumman encountered big problems with the 870, it sold all of its interest in the transit bus business to Flxible.
-Fred
-F.
-F.
The color scheme pictured at Double A is actually the third scheme used for the Grumman 870's. They originally came in with black around the windows, two thin blue (or a blue and grey) stripe(s) below the window, and grey at the very bottom. A number of years later, almost all Hartford Division buses (but few, if any, of the Stamford and New Haven Division buses) were repainted with blue instead of black around the windows, similar two stripes below the windows and the same royal blue as around the windows at the very bottom.
-F.
Bus 3085 (next to 8312) is a CT Transit bus from back around 1974-76, as is 3039, referred to earlier on this thread. The 3000's were the first order of state buses by Conn., during the last years of private ownership of Conn. Company. 3039 was either the only bus, or one of the few, that was rebuilt sometime in the 1980's.
Hartford has one of the more varied fleets of the three CT Transit Divisions. Besides the New Flyer low-floor buses and Classics you saw, Hartford has 1993 and 1994 model New-Flyer high-floor buses. There are also three separate batches of Classics: 1990, 1991 or 92, and 1996, plus four 1992 Classics that originally had some sort of less polutent system, as an experiment. There are also the two 2003 New Flyer low-floor hybrid/electric buses with the great wrap scheme and, as Incognito pointed out, 7 MCI commuter coaches.
I love the wrap scheme of the low floor hybrids, I saw a picture on their website.
I'm guess a lot of them basically run during the week...the weekend service isn't that amazing in my opinion (at lesat from the schedules I saw...
Sometimes on the weekends, CTTransit uses more 1993 and 1994 New Flyer high floors (9301-9340 and 9401-9428) than Classics, but maybe they are using the Classics more now, as they know they will be disposed of shortly, as more New Flyer low-floor buses come in. What you won't see on the weekends are the commuter New Flyer high floor buses from 1994 (941-965).
If you stand at the downtown pulse point, where you can also see the buses from East Hartford, during the day on a Saturday, you will be amazed at how many buses you see during any 15-minute stretch!
So you may see at least 1 New Flyer D40 Suburban on the 5 on saturdays
Today, they give each terminus a separate number.
At one time, Old State House was a big terminus with a drop off and pick up zone. That area was paved over more than 20 years ago.
The routes generally go from outside the city limit through the city and then out of the city on a diagonal or straight line. E goes in a straight arrow up Farmington Avenue. A goes in a straight line right up Asylum Avenue. U goes up Albany Avenue one way and Wethersfied Avenue the other way.
This brings back memories.
Michael
Washington, DC
Ahhh...how recently were they just letters? I was surprised to see the letter/number combination, because I previously thought that all the routes were just letters.
Now that I'm learning more about the company, it's starting to make more sense and is easier to understand. I'll never get over the "white band painted on pole" bus stops, though, lol.
The company's owner was E. Clayton Gengras, who was a big benefactor of the university. The student union is named after him.
I don't know when the destinations were changed to letter and number.
The company also had the screwiest timetables I ever saw. It would list the departure times from the origin only. At the bottom, the running times between time points were listed e.g. Bishops Corner to Scarbarough Street; Scarbarough Street to Blue Hills Avenue; Blue Hills Avenue to Vine Street, etc.
When will you know if you've been accepted?
Michael
Washington, DC
I had the pleasure of climbing on board a New York Bus Service Fishbowl bound for Throgs Neck this past Thursday.
A skillful driver at the wheel took us on our way quickly - and safely. Our 22 year old Fishbowl (#1499) could have passed for a nearly new bus - perhaps one or two years old as the interior and exterior were immaculate.
We sat in the back and enjoyed the humm of the 8V71 engine under the floor.
Once we got up on the Bruckner, we were able to hit overdrive several times. Reaching and holding highway speed in any situation was no problem. Seems to me that with the addition of a toilet, this bus would have been a pleasure to ride in for any day trip.
So kudos to New York Bus Service, their excellent drivers and mechanics.
One other thought - thank goodness that GM had the foresight to build the best transit and commuter bus ever designed - the tireless GMC New Look - AKA the Fishbowl!
http://www.nybus.com/express.htm
I remember the first time I saw their operation and was amazed at seeing all of these perfect buses parked in assinged spots, in numerical order by fleet number.
Effective End June
1-Implement Limited Stop service on the B-6 on Saturdays
2-Extend service span on the B-8 to 95th Street Station to 24 hours a day
Thank You
B1-#9316-NOVABUS
David
Bx31 9117
Bx41 5696
Bx41 5693
Bx31 441
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
And remember those are were "new" at one point.
I used to live in Oakland, CA. AC Transit operated 60 1983 Neoplan AN440's. Now they are retired.....our 1998 NABI 416 HF's replaced them along with our 1982/83 Gillig 3596TA and 4096TA phantoms.
I know a few webmasters who have some pics of AC Transit's neoplans....they're not high quality though.
The only repeat purchase from Atlanta was for 46 AN-460A artics (1611-1656) delivered in 1984. The only time Milwaukee returned to Neoplan was for 72 AN-440A coaches in 1985 (3500-3571) and 57 AN-440A coaches delivered in 1986 (3600-3656).
Ironically enough, recent purchases from both systems were predominantly from New Flyer. Virtually every bus order for Milwaukee since 1996 has come from New Flyer; the same can be said of MARTA from 1990 until 2000 (high-floors in 1990 and 1992; low floors in 1994, 1996, and 2000), though their most recent order was for the Orion VII in 2002.
MARTA roster
Milwaukee County Transit System roster
In the spring of 1983, WMATA got their 76 Neoplan AN440's/9501-76 [what two letter model designation was used for these buses?], and I rode these buses [despite the fact that I was risking life and limb going into SE DC] to quell my homesickness for Philly. These buses were the first new buses to wear the "second scheme" that was applied to all of the BLITZed fishbowls, and some of the Flxibles at that time.
In the summer of 1984, they got a 77th Neoplan, a demo built to SEPTA specs [9500]. That bus had sealed windows, and was 96 inches wide [compared to the 102 inch width of the WMATA buses.], and had the red and blue seats seen in SEPTA's Neoplans. I wonder what happened to that bus? When I got back to DC 5 years later, I noticed that WMATA's Neoplans weren't in the best of shape. In fact, the ones at SEPTA were WAYYYY too much better looking and running, despite their being made at the same time.
Now that I know that the NABI's, Eldorados, New Flyers, and even the Neoplan Artics replaced most of the Neoplans in Philly, now I ask, what replaced the AN440's in DC? Was it the Metro D's or E's? Or did the Orion V's [4200 series] kill them off?
Chuck Greene
Chuck Greene
I am glad I got to ride them at least once, but wish I got the chance to ride them before they were taken off of the streets.
Back in the 80s and early 90s WMATA had a lot of maintenance issues, especially with Southern, where most of the buses that were in bad shape came from. Up to this day Southern's buses are still some of the worse WMATA has and though they have been talking about replacing that garage for over 15 years, nothing has been heard from since, even when WMATA was in their good years.
Mark
My interview went very well. Can't wait to hear from them! We spoke for over an hour during the verbal part, then there was a two question written section. I think I did pretty good on that, but I know I did very well on the verbal part. The next few days will be exciting while I'm waiting to hear.
They let me go on one of the MCI's to check it out and one of the Orion V's. They love the fact that I still have my CDL and could pinch drive if ever need be. They just got their insurance taken care of that lets a non First Transit person drive a bus if there are absolutely no other drivers to drive a bus, which they said will probably never happen, but its good to have backups. : )
Mark
Glad to hear your interview went well. I know how you feel as I've twice interviewed for a job in which I really, really wanted the job (one of them being my current job). We're pullin' for ya!
Odd to hear that some of those ex WMATA Gilligs are out their. Might need to go out there and take some pics and ride some of them. Man those Mutated Mommy Mobiles must have really be in bad shape if they are somewhat being replaced by WMATA's "We don't care if we still need them, trash them thing" Gilligs.
Those Mommy Mobiles will be outta there as soon as the Advantages arrive.
You're soooo right because we know one of the first things WES would do is push those CAGVs and ODVs off the nearest cliff (and I'd help) and probably give the chimp a vacation.
BTW - I'm still getting much humor from Chris D's short movie.
BTW- Wayne it's even better with the sound!!! LOL
BTW, the crappy buses will either be pushed off a cliff and/or catapulted towards the ART bus garage. Hey why not kill two birds with one stone, hehehehe.
-Fred
When I ride a bus, I ride a BUS. No "Bobo" stuff for me!!!
-F.
-F.
-F.
-F.
-F.
It's garbage like this that brings down the quality of the board, and makes it impossible to SIFT THROUGH THE TRASH, TO FIND ACIUAL INFORMATION.
Thank you.
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
There is an old saying....should apply very well to certain people here, NO names mentioned (because every time they post, they dig their hole deeper.)
BETTER TO REMAIN SILENT AND BE THOUGHT A FOOL THAN TO SPEAK AND REMOVE ALL DOUBT!!
Acela
Acela
I'm not jumping to conclusions at all, I said I'll just take everyone's word for it -- M4 vs. the Board, do I actually care? Hell no. Period.
Acela
Acela
Made some flame threads on SubTalk look like child's play...
Wow! Whatta thread! But please, no more...at least for a while. ;=D
BIG AL
BIG AL
Dave isn't a babysitter. The board should be self-policing to some extent.
http://talk.nycsubway.org/perl/read?bustalk=104594
This is a excellent post by BK67 on exposing this phony M4. As you'll see here, he contributes nothing except crybaby & trivial posts and I put up a Tinkerbell image but appearantly most people can't see it [damn!]
IAWTP. Some posters need to ignore all of the idiotic posts that spurn all of this incessant garbage.
It's garbage like this that brings down the quality of the board, and makes it impossible to SIFT THROUGH THE TRASH, TO FIND ACIUAL INFORMATION.
Very much so. There's only so much Dave can do to help maintain this message boards, but he is hardly around to babysit this online forum. It's unfortunate that you can have a moderation-type system on this style-forum but we must instead police ourselves.
Regards,
Jimmy
this is the same post you started on SubTalk.
Funny how at SubTalk it fizzled out after only 2 responses......maybe SubTalk is more civil afterall?
Don't bet on it ;-D. Remember there are more threads that accumulate garbage posts at Subtalk. The original poster must be new here or something since I never really saw him/her here. I think these type of threads are useless and don't really solve anything, it's self monitoring and knowing your limits that solves the problem.
The problem with weekend emergencies is manpower, not buses. To provide bus service from NYCT depots, operators would have to be called-in as available. It would also be considered overtime.
I don't know that NYCT would provide buses withour drivers, if that's what you are also referring to.
As you may recall during the blackout, we did supply LIB/LIRR supplemental MCI Nassau/Suffolk service, but only when their available resources (buses and drivers) were exhausted. Again, this would have to be a similar emergency situation.
ROCKVILLE
STATION
ROCKVILLE STA
(blank briefly, then back to start)
When I got off, I noticed the front sign was doing a slight variation:
ROCKVILLE
STATION
ROCKVILLE S
(blank briefly, then back to start)
Anyone else notice similar things? I saw a 97 Orion V from Western doing something similar some time ago.
Also, I got 5612 this morning. It was the first time I had been on that bus since it first entered service (it ran on block V2 one of its first days in service back in early 2002).
However, additional issues probably included the gradual increase in vehicular traffic in Brooklyn and the increase in car size in the late 50s which instigated the conversion of many narrower 2-way streets to 1-way traffic. Trolley car and trolley bus routes on such streets were immediate targets for dieselization because of the major infrastructure costs involved in adjusting right of way to new traffic patterns.
In an age which had yet to recognize the potential danger of air and noise polution, the inflexibility of rails and/or overhead wire and aesthetic concerns about unsightly snarls of wires at major intersections militated strongly against the clean and virtually silent trolleys.
Would that the Brooklyn planners had had the long-term wisdom of the authorities in Boston, Seattle, San Francisco and a small handful of other North American cities which have maintained their trolley car and/or bus systems over the years. (Philadelphia's SEPTA continues to teeter precariously on this issue.) But Brooklyn's PCCs were retired in 1956 when the Mack C-49s came, and they finally opted fully for the short term convenience of diesel in 1960 when the first GM Fishbowls made their appearance.
It will be interesting to see what impact the hybrid diesel/electic Orions will have on quality of life -- if they ever get here.
Quick question....I've often seen CS buses deadheading back toward Flushing on the westbound L.I.E., but what might a QV bus be doing there?
Just guessing... put-in on the Q88?
That's strange considering I SAW 4461 ON THE Q46 TO KG AT 7 AM @ MAIN ST and UNION TURNPIKE!! I AM SO SHOCKED!
Plus side...CLEMSON HAS THEM! I hope they were bought to replace those stupid conventional school bus thomases they were running.
Do you think those numbers are fleet numbers? If so, maybe I can help you....
I don't have a roster, but here's the type of buses Muni currently has.
Muni is in the process of recieving second-handed Gillig Phantoms
and NABI 416's from AC Transit to replace thier few remaing 1984/85
Flyer D902's, and 1988/89 New Flyer D40's.
Diesel buses:
Fleet# Year MFR/Model Length
4500-4679 1984-85 Flyer D902 40ft
8801-8850 1988 New Flyer D40HF 40ft
8901-8956 1989 New Flyer D40HF 40ft
9001-9045 1990 Orion 01.502 30ft
9101-9124 1991 New Flyer D60HF articulated
8001-8045 1999 NABI 416 40ft
8101-8235 2000-01 Neoplan AN440 40ft
8301-8371 2002 Neoplan AN440 40ft
6200-6299 2001 Neoplan AN460 articulated
6401-6424 2002-03 Neoplan AN460 articulated
Trolley buses:
5003-5345 1976 Flyer E800 40ft
7000-7059 1994 New Flyer E60HF articulated
5401-5640 2001-04 Skoda ETB 40ft
7101-7133 2003 Skoda ETB articulated
P.S.: This RTS has no LED taillamps, rear blinkers, or frontal blinkers. Only an LED brake lamp.
1) What does THAT have to do with THIS?
2) WHY would I scribble "I LOVE NIMCO" across the rear bumper? I don't know what the heck NIMCO is and I am not a graffiti/scratchitti/anything suffix-itti vandal. I abhor vandalism.
BIG AL
Save one for me!
What I don't get is since the N7 was discontinued, I see what I believe is a Western bus, often a Metro-E (bus observations on River Road while driving at 50-60 MPH are not exactly easy) running NOT IN SERVICE at almost the same time as the N7 used to. Any idea what this deadhead movement is? If I do drive tomorrow, I will go on River instead of Bradley in the hope of catching a unit number.
D5s seem to deadhead on one of these routes (guessing on the first parts of these):
R out of Western Garage
L on Jenifer
X Western, Jenifer becomes Friendship Boulevard
L on Willard
R on River
L on Ridgefield
L on Westbard
R on Mass to terminal stand
OR
R out of Western Garage
L on Jenifer
X Western, Jenifer becomes Friendship Boulevard
L on Willard
R on River
L on Little Falls (I recall seeing this done at least once or twice but it is ILLEGAL!!!)
R on Mass to terminal stand
OR (I imagine they could do this, I've never seen it done but it is the simplest route in my opinion)
R out of Western Garage
L on Jenifer
L on Western
R on Mass to terminal stand
Does this mean that this is a G.M.C. R.T.S.?
BIG AL
B1-#4867-TMC
S79-#8294-TMC
S61-#6279-Orion V
S53-#6224-Orion V
B64-#9319-NOVABUS
B36-#4860-TMC
B1-#9297-NOVABUS
As far as defects go, Green Lines is the bottom of the barrel. They operate buses with defective interlocks, missing/swinging body panels loose mirrors and so much more.
Regards,
Jimmy
A spilled soda will dry on the floor and collect associated filth until it's scheduled cleaning slot, unless the bus is specifically removed from service to clean it. NYCT, as most transit agencies, do not have the money or capacity to scrub filth daily.
1996 NOVA RTS:9077 - B6 Run 023
Their buses turn into fish??
:-D
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
The kids used to go to the back of the bus (outside), open up the back panel and shut off the engine. The bus driver had to get off the bus go to the back and turn the bus back on.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
www.regionaltransitservice.com
BIG AL
www.regionaltransitservice.com
BIG AL
www.regionaltransitservice.com
B1-#9177-NOVABUS
B8-#7633-Orion VII
Most have blue hard transit seats however a few have suburban seating.
2. Have these buses been rebuilt, if so... to what extent?
Some buses have been converted from hard seats to soft seats, like 3503, 4165?, 4877 & 4883 but I don't think any of the buses listed has had a real upgrade but I could be wrong.
3. What types of destination signs?
All buses have flipdot signs.
4. Top speed? Rear end ratio is listed as 5 3/8ths
I don't know what they are governed to [or if at all]
5. Any crazy options or experimental buses in this group?
Not that I know of.
6. These are all 6V92TA-DDECll-Allison 730-D's?
Yes but I'm not sure if they are 92TA's, they could be 6v92's.
7. Where are these buses parked now and are the being vandalized?
At a storage yard. Nah I doubt it.
8. Are they being canabolized by MTA for parts?
I think the buses will be sold as is minus a couple of parts like the farebox.
Hope this helps. I'f I'm wrong anywhere guys please correct me. Thanks.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=50056&item=2462593054
The front end reminds me of the latter-day GM 3502, but take a look at the side windows and rear A/C pod. Flxible New Look, anyone?
-F.
-F.
Gillig made many of these with two axles, and also quite a few with three axles. The Border Patrol used to have a fleet of the three-axle jobs to haul illegals back to the border.
Yikes - talk about adding insult to injury. Not only do those illegals get tossed out of the country, their last moments in the U.S. are spent riding a Gillig!
JD
-F.
-F.
JD
-F.
-F.
I grew up out here in Bay Area.....I'd seen both Gillig phantoms
and Flxible 870/metros at the same time....for some reason I like
the Flxibles more than the Gilligs.
Arthur
-Fred
-F.
-Fred
Speaking of war, if Metro E no. 4077 has to go in for repairs, would you call it in as an "incoming wounded"? :)
-Fred
Watching Too Much TV Again
-F.
-F.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6755&item=2462777069
I can honestly say that I have never seen a lower price on a Gillig in my entire life. Now THAT'S what I call a low-bid bus!
-F.
1990 Gillig Phantom: Engine (BAD) transmission is good. WILL NEED TO BE TOWED Brakes are good. 45 passangers 100 gallon tank. Alison Transmission (GOOD) w Detroit Diesel 6V92 Motor (AGAIN BAD). The rear end is geared to 60mph. Air brakes, air ride, air seat, power steering, tilt wheel. It also has a Webasto diesel fired auxillary heater. There is decal paint on the sides that will need to be cleaned up and the interior will need a good cleaning. Ready to be driven anywhere!!!
BIG AL
-F.
"1990 Gillig Bus For Sale ($200 starting bid; after almost a week, no bids so far.) Bad Engine, Good Transmission. Bus will need to be towed; CAN BE DRIVEN ANYWHERE."
Hope Jay likes this one!
-F.
First, it's a Gillig.
Second, it has a bad engine, needs to be towed.
1990 Gillig Phantom: Engine (BAD) transmission is good. WILL NEED TO BE TOWED Brakes are good. 45 passangers 100 gallon tank. Alison Transmission (GOOD) w Detroit Diesel 6V92 Motor (AGAIN BAD). The rear end is geared to 60mph. Air brakes, air ride, air seat, power steering, tilt wheel. It also has a Webasto diesel fired auxillary heater. There is decal paint on the sides that will need to be cleaned up and the interior will need a good cleaning. Ready to be driven anywhere!!!
HMM this is very interesting, its ready to be driven anywhere yet the engine is in bad shape and has to be towed. Guess a repower will do good. BTW only $200, if I had the money I would certainly buy it ;-D. There must be very few Gillig fans if that's the case
-F.
On the plus side, a beautiful Gillig came and picked us up afterwards.
Also, those back doors are supposed to close by themselves, if i hold the strip for more than five seconds, do they stay open??
The timer for the door resets every time u hit the strip.
But that would be nice if they were like NYCT and the original SEPTA neoplans, then when everyone else pushes the door open at a layover, I could keep em open! :)
The Artics are heavily computer controlled, and are pretty much run by a bunch of Multiplexors and PRogrammable Logic Control boxes.
As an aside, do any of you operate these types of buses? How does it compare to having manual door control? Pros/Cons?
One pro of the driver/passenger combined operation, long long LONG red lights. When the back doors open, of course the brakes lock, so it's an easy way of sitting and waiting without holding the brake. Plus I guess it shaves two seconds off most stops.
I'd love to get dash pictures of these buses. I assume when a new facility opens there might be open houses, and of course it'll be the one day I'm not around I bet.
In other words, won't the doors remain in the open position until the driver "closes" the doors via handle? Or will the doors close automatically, but the interlock not disengaged until the driver closes (locks) the doors via handle?
BTW- the image you posted indicates a 403 and 404.
Exactly, the only difference between this bus and the ones you described. So, if the bus was at a layover at the mall for five minutes and someone got off the back doors, they'd shut automatically, but remain unlocked so I could get off. When the driver get's back in the seat he closes/locks the doors and off we go.
What's a 403 and 404?
And of course, I still don't know if i found a way to keep the rear doors open, or if they just broke when I touched them.
I do know, that on the Nova (and possibly other models, but I only drive the Nova), that the touch tape, when "tinkered with", has features built-in that aren't otherwise available via manual operator control. Of course, I'm being intentionally vague, but not to place you at any disatvantage. Just not to overly publicize my advantage. Most of you probably know anyway.
A 403 is a server response indicating a given web page is forbidden to access.
A404 is a server response indicating the page in question cannot be found.
If an SUV tailed me and I let go of that gas pedal, i'd get hit(which state law faults the other driver here). A Trucker or a buser has to learn brakeing distances and feet and all that, why don't these light-truck drivers get away with it.
At least they can pull you over for aggressive driving, which this falls under, they all get nailed at some point.
-F.
-F.
Driver education isn't taken seriously. Everyone gets a license. Most disregard posted signage and the law, and nobody has any courtesy or respect for one another, the road or the vehicles they drive.
And it's only going to get worse.
Hope you have a good time and get great pictures(including on the beach, hehe)
"mmmmmmMMmmmmm Bitch!"
www.transitalk.info
We're back!
The East Coach Section is still being worked on due to its immense size, we're currently checking links to make sure all of the east coast links work properly. The East Coach section should return within 5 days. Also, the MTA NYC Bus Roster is being worked on as you read this, so yes I know the one that is up is WAAAAYYYYY outdated.
But Click Around and Enjoy!
Regards,
Trevor Logan
I missed it!
Potential Service Disruption
For the past several months, PRTC's service contractor First Transit has been engaged in labor contract negotiations. To date no agreement has been reached and, while we are hopeful that there will be a favorable outcome shortly, the fact that no agreement has been reached after this length of time could prompt a work stoppage by at least some of the operators, perhaps in the immediate future.
If PRTC experiences this, our aim would be to operate as much of the General Emergency Service Plan (ESP) as possible, providing OmniRide service to/from the Franconia-Springfield and West Falls Church Metro Stations and possibly a reduced level of OmniLink service. Unfortunately, not knowing how "thin" the workforce will be makes it impossible to state in advance exactly how services will be affected. Nor are PRTC and First Transit certain that we will have advance notification of any such stoppage, though we're naturally intent on letting customers know as soon as possible.
A copy of the ESP can be found on PRTC's website - www.PRTCtransit.org - and any required service modifications will be posted to the website, recorded on the telephone message at (703) 730-6664, distributed to the media, and communicated via Rider Express e-mail as soon as possible.
We apologize in advance for any negative impact this may have on our customers and thank you for your patience.
Jim D.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
A 30-footer would be the least bus to maneuver, which is a plus in tight areas. However, if you have a fair amount of stuff you want to put into it, you may want to consider a 35-foot or larger version. Sometimes I use mine to move large items (i.e. furniture, etc) and wish I had a 40-footer, and then some days I wish I had a 30-foot bus, especially when rounding tight corners. By experience, I would say that I chose a good middle ground with a 35. I have the space I need, and it is still fairly easy to deal with on city streets.
-Fred
If I am not able to get the Orion I, I'm waiting for Ride-On's 2001 Orion V models! They are 35ft.
What type of stuff can you put in a bus though, when converting it? I want a stereo radio/cd system.
You will wait quite a long time for Ride-On's 2001 Orion Vs; their 1989 Gilligs are still in service after 15 years and will just now be replaced. Personally, I would go for their 9300-series Flxibles, but the size would truly be an issue in that case. If you are going strictly 30-footer, I seem to recall that WMATA may retire some 5100-series Flxes, and perhaps some 92-9400 35-footers later on down the line. But if you want strictly Orion, the Ride-On Is are going soon.
-F.
Any reason that NYCT didn't take the Bee line approach to this problem? It couldn't be that expensive to have a (probably a different color tape strip may work best) dedicated tape switch to sound a different (mechanical, like on the bee line Neoplans) bell , or set of chimes for this purpose.
The thinking behind the decision was, "Why spend money on a feature that's needless when the operator is operating according to regulation". The problem is, some do not. Not unlike ADA announcements.
Other times, the person(s) that is leaving the bus cannot get to the rear door during the window of time that the doors are unlocked usually because the trailer portion of the bus has a tendancy of getting even more crammed than the front half. The bus is still in the stop boarding people via the front doors, but the rear doors are locked (this happens extremely frequently).
Other times, the rear doors were never opened when the bus entered the stop.
You also have the idiots ( I seriously resent when people do this) that manually open the doors at busy stops or when there are other people that are getting off the bus via the rear doors. The person pushes the doors open, lets them slam in someone else's face, and the operator then locks the doors. THe result- a chorus of "BACK DOOR"!, with the people in the middle then front of the bus repeating this for the B/O to hear them.
You're not witnessing a "flash" of the "rear doors". What you're witnessing is the driver snapping the engine run lever off, then immediately on again, defaulting the doors (and all other electrical components) to reset position.
On the Nova, this issue has been resolved. No longer can the bus be "dumped" to save time. If a Nova is dumped, it will default to neutral and the interlock employed. It takes twice the time (12 seconds) to reset the transmission and deactivate the interlock as it would to allow the doors to close normally (6 seconds).
Other times, the person(s) that is leaving the bus cannot get to the rear door during the window of time that the doors are unlocked usually because the trailer portion of the bus has a tendancy of getting even more crammed than the front half. The bus is still in the stop boarding people via the front doors, but the rear doors are locked (this happens extremely frequently).
You should prepare to exit the bus while the bus is in the stop before yours, so you'll have ample time to make your way through the crowd and out the door. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people only begin collecting personal belongings, packing bags and more, while the bus was in the stop, and everyone else has exited. It's not private car service. You must be ready to exit when stopped, just as you must be in the stop as I approach. When people begin gathering their belongings after the bus has entered their stop, not only do they delay me, but they unnecessarily delay you as well. It's not a back door issue. It's a people issue.
Other times, the rear doors were never opened when the bus entered the stop.
Sure, it happens rather frequently. Ususlly when the driver has isolated who'd signaled, and identified them as being right up front (we see just about everything behind us via mirrors), he/she will open only the front doors, not realizing others would exit via the rear as well. Or, simply, the driver just didn't engage the interlock. Or mechanically, the brake application valve is faulty and intermittent (happens frequently), and will require a hearty shove of the foot to engage.
You also have the idiots ( I seriously resent when people do this) that manually open the doors at busy stops or when there are other people that are getting off the bus via the rear doors. The person pushes the doors open, lets them slam in someone else's face, and the operator then locks the doors. THe result- a chorus of "BACK DOOR"!, with the people in the middle then front of the bus repeating this for the B/O to hear them.
Again, this is a people issue, not a bus or driver issue. I can't comment on someone who didn't feel like touching the activated touch-tape or holding the doors for someone behind. The driver opened the doors, someone exited, and that's that, quite honestly. It's up to you, the passengers, to work together.
If at all possible.
This DEFINITELY is the case. Heck, if the bus is really full, get up two stops/blocks before. Hey, when I take the 23 sometimes, that neo can get PACKED, and therefore, with my violin/viola, I get up early , push around the people while trying to keep my balance on the bus that's starting off (and with the jerky ZF tranny, it's hard to do).
Some people just don't want to sit with other people, though, or move to the back. The last time I was on a full 23 bus (right after school...figures) and the driver was flagging passengers, I made my way through the crowd to the back, and SAT DOWN in a seat until it was time for me to get up again. A similar instant happened with the 113...the low floor section was PACKED to the front, but there were SEATS in the back...this one guy was sitting in the center of the back row. I just couldn't make it back there because of ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE AISLE!
Anyway, the touch tape to activate the back door, I haven't seen this! I remember the 8000s had you touch the bars to open the back door, but I haven't seen this on Metrobus (the Flxible back doors open automatically - I'm not sure about the Orions or Ride-On buses). On SEPTA's neo artics, there's this yellow strip along the bottom of the HUGE back door (one of my favorite features about the Neos...the back door). I'm not sure what that is for, though.
Other times, the rear doors were never opened when the bus entered the stop.
Not everyone goes out the back door at everystop, especially in the suburbs. In fact, it's kinda rare unless you are in the city.
Or mechanically, the brake application valve is faulty and intermittent (happens frequently), and will require a hearty shove of the foot to engage.
I thought this was automatic with the opening of the door?
Sometimes, and on some buses, it takes a harder application of the brake to engage the valve. An operator may have thought, by depressing the brake, that the MRDI had unlocked, but hadn't due to it being 'sticky" or worn.
As far as having room in the rear, that's usually the case. I solve that by allowing everyone to board via the rear doors. This, after nobody responds to my plea to move rearward. I don't like to flag stops, especially in the winter months. It's not their fault the TA (in my case) won't provide enough bus service. As long as nobody is forward the front line, or in the rear stepwell, I'll continue to board people until they pop the hatches for air.
In reference to the people that manually open the doors:
This ins't a operator problem, but is one of the scenarios that results in "BACK DOOR!!!" having to be yelled (and another reason that the special bell referenced in my first post should be implemented).
In fact, for SEPTA at least, the driver is supposed to look up in the mirror when reaching a "stop requested" bus stop to see if people need to go out the back door. On the 40ft Neoplans, you can just ring the bell (once or twice does it...even I did it!) to open the back door. Of course, later models, Ikarus Americans on up, don't have that feature...
As others have mentioned, most of the problems are caused by the passengers themselves...waiting until the doors are open, then starting to get out of the rear corner seat and fight their way through a crowded bus, etc. NO COMMON SENSE!!
I couldn't agree more. I operate the same way, opening both doors, then closing them after everyone's exited, but not releasing the interlock until I'm ready to pull-out. In most cases, in any near-side stop, I'll be stopped at the light anyway. Saves me from holding the bus solely via brakes.
I have a question. Are all rapid transit buses equpiied with a 5-position door handle, as is NYCT? Are there variants? If so, please elaborate.
As others have mentioned, most of the problems are caused by the passengers themselves...waiting until the doors are open, then starting to get out of the rear corner seat and fight their way through a crowded bus, etc. NO COMMON SENSE!!
Steve, you've been doing this forever. You've probably been picking-up the same people for years, yet every day, they'll push on that door, and look in your direction as if you "forgot" to let them out -- while the bus is still moving, before you've had a chance to activate the interlock after it's come to a complete stop.
Most people, I have observed, don't read posted signage, or simply refuse it applies to them.
"WAIT FOR GREEN LIGHT -- THEN OPEN DOORS"
It's plain as day. The thing makes the same "Okay, I'm ready to be opened" sound every time we stop the bus and open the doors, yet they'll force that door every time.. and look at you as if you're clueless.
:-)
I think everything is different now.
Thank you.
Chuck Greene
As far as the five-position door handles....I haven't seen anything else but -- except in the TDH4801's that Southern California Rapid Transit District had. (Not sure if they retrofitted second-hand old looks they got, or even if their new looks were this way....) They had a TWO position door controlhandle. Either closed, or open front doors. the driver had to push a button to activate the rear door treadle steps, and if someone stepped down, then the rear door opened and the interlock went on. The rear door closed when the front door was closed. Crude system, eh? You HAD to keep foot on brake, the interlock wouldn't activate unless the rear door actually opened.
And, of course, one-door suburbans had the two-positon, close-open handle. I don't ever recall driving a suburban that had an interlock ont he front door, though Ihave heard of some equipped that way. (San Francisco Muni was a system that had brake interlocks on both front and rear doors; nowadays this seems to be the standard for most properties.
As far as front door interlocks, I think all Miami-Dade Transit buses have them, but I'm not 100% sure about that.
Yes, there WAS a driver-operated manual rear-door opening switch,....on the old looks it was on the top of the dash over in the far left corner as I remember on the TDH4801 that I drove. But it was in an awkwatd position to get to, reaching over that big, flat steering wheel, so it wasn't used in regular practice.
I might enjoy looking at the Saturday night chaos at around 7 PM or so.
The return trip was the customary Columbia/D/10th/C/14th.
Avenue D hasn't been converted to one-way northbound. There's no sign of any construction. The southbound bus stops along D are still in place, with no signs placed advising of a reroute. The southbound stops along C between 10th and Houston only show M21 on the signs. Avenue D seems sufficiently wide to handle Artics passing each other (much wider than Avenue A, on which Artics run in both directions). The MTA website Service Advisories makes no mention of any rerouting. So what's the deal?
From a single round trip, it appears that the same syndrome affecting earlier Artic converts M79 and 86 is affecting the 14, especially on its branches. Namely the substitution of several RTS with one Artics. Due to the 14D's unannounced one-way operation, it's hard to tell if the headways have increased because you don't see how often buses pass by the other way. But every stop along Columbia and D was MOBBED- much more so than when RTS ran the route. The bus was packed before we got back to Houston. Could it be that everyone was out to get holiday bargains along 14th Street?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5744-2004Feb25.html
This details the Fairfax Connector's fare increase proposal from 75 cents to 1.00.
My opinion: those people in the split-level/townhouse suburban hell can afford the increase. It seems that driving the SUV to the Metro station is too much trouble, so they take the bus. it's not like it here in NYC or Philly where it costs 2 bucks just to get on the damn bus.
Enjoy!
Regards,
Trevor Logan
www.transitalk.info
Sorry :(
AcelaExpress2005 - R160
BIG AL
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
Thanks DHF60 :)
When it's warmer outside, the second sound is heard right when the engine gets turned off. Does the bus automatically engage the service brake when it kills the engine?
-St. Petersburg, FL
-Washington, DC
-Cleveland, OH
-Huntington, WV
-Roanoke, VA
-Blacksburg, VA
-Newport News, VA
-Charlotte, NC
-Grand Rapids, MI
-Chicago, IL
-Cleveland, OH
-Tustin, CA
-Pittsburgh, PA
-Portland, ME
-Houston, TX
-Richmond, VA
-College Park, MD
-Baltimore, MD
-Alexandria, VA
-Charlottesville, VA
-Lynchburg, VA
...and anywhere else I haven't thought of off the top of my head. Believe me, not all busfans are in DC. If you want to represent your area, shout it out here.
-F.
JD
-F.
PTV (Philly Transit Vehicles)
El Dorado National 29 Passenger 41xx
GMC RTS 4 35xx 45xx
TMC RTS 6 44xx
MANN Artic 70xx
New Flyer D40LF 37xx 40xx
NABI 40LFW 60xx 61xx 62xx 63xx
NABI 45C-LFW - CompoBus
and comming soon
New Flyer D60LF Artic
These three cities and thier suburbs in
the Bay Area have some transit bus fans were I'm from....
San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, CA.
Arthur Thomas
Chuck Greene
On the other side, there are those who love what they do, and those that are just there for a paycheck. The latter are least likely to get along with busfans, and are usually the first to cop an attitude and throw the customer courtesy skills out the window. Finding people who are truly satisfied with what they do is a blessing.
-F.
Trollies on the other hand...if I lived 80 years ago, I just might just be a railfan.
The bus companies aren't that great though, anymore...
Acela
Well you can always post to the existing thread instead of creating a new one.
Acela
-F.
Metro officials are looking to restructure bus routes along the U.S. Route 29 Corridor in Silver Spring, MD, by altering routes C7, Z2 and Z8, establishing a new route Z6, discontinuing all service on the Z1, Z3, Z4, Z5, Z7, and Z17, and making schedule changes on routes Z9 and Z29.
The proposed changes would increase productivity and cost-effectiveness, reduce redundancies and eliminate segments of routes generating low ridership. In some instances where routes are proposed to be discontinued, service would be retained by rerouting other, existing routes over the same roadways at no increase in operating cost or replaced by the new route Z6. The plan also allows for a modest expansion of service into new areas.
Today, the Metro Operations and Safety Committee recommended that the Metro Board of Directors hold public hearings on the route changes. The Board is expected to make its decision at its March18 Board meeting.
The proposed routing and service changes follow.
Glenmont-Silver Spring Line, Routes Z1, Z4
This service operates during rush periods only–Z1 to Glenmont Metrorail station and Z4 to Silver Spring Metrorail station in the morning rush with operation in the reverse direction in the afternoon rush. Z1 operates via U.S. 29 direct, then via Westfarm, Verizon, Tanglewood, Fairland Road, Tamarack, and Randolph Road. The Z4 operates via Randolph Road, East Randolph Road, Westfarm, and Lockwood Drive. All service is proposed to be discontinued. Alternatives for Z1 would be new Z6 between Silver Spring Metrorail station and both Westfarm and Tanglewood; Z8 between Silver Spring Metrorail station and Verizon; and rerouted C7 on Fairland Road west of Old Columbia Pike and in Tamarack. Alternatives for Z4 are Ride On Route 10 between Randolph Road/East Randolph Road and Westfarm, and Z8 and new Z6 between Lockwood Drive and Silver Spring Metrorail station. Cherry Hill Road between Calverton Boulevard/Broadbirch Drive and Old Columbia Pike, now served by Z4, would continue to be served by Route C9, for which the Metrorail connection is at Greenbelt Metrorail station, not at Silver Spring Metrorail station, unless a transfer is made. There would be no replacement service on Musgrove Road between Verizon and Fairland Road.
Colesville Road Line, Route Z2
The existing 30-minute frequency would be retained, including the afternoon diversions to Blake High School. However, service would be rerouted via Briggs Chaney Road, Good Hope Road, and Cape May Road to replace the most productive segment of discontinued Z3, with no Z2 service on New Hampshire Avenue between Briggs Chaney Road and Cape May Road. Midday Z2 service would be discontinued between Olney and New Hampshire Avenue and Good Hope Road so weekday midday service would only operate between Colesville and Silver Spring Metrorail station, as it does on Saturday. Saturday Z2 service, operated by Ride On, would not change. Colesville-Fairland Express Line, Routes Z3, Z5
Rush-only Routes Z3 and Z5 would be discontinued. There would be no replacement for Z3 service on Spencerville Road between Old Columbia Pike and Good Hope Road or on Good Hope Road between Spencerville Road and Briggs Chaney Road. Z2 would be rerouted to replace the Z3 on Good Hope Road and Cape May Road between Briggs Chaney Road and New Hampshire Avenue. Alternatives for the Z5 would be the new Z6 to Westfarm, Z8 to Verizon, the new Z6 and Z8 to Briggs Chaney Road in the vicinity of Columbia Pike, and the Z9 to Burtonsville. Cherry Hill Road between Calverton Boulevard/Broadbirch Drive and Old Columbia Pike now served by the Z5 would continue to be served by the C9, for which the Metrorail connection is at the Greenbelt Metrorail station.
Calverton Express Line, Routes Z7, Z17
Service would be discontinued and replaced between Silver Spring Metrorail station, Westfarm, and stops on Calverton Boulevard as far as Galway Drive by new Z6. The Z7 passengers now riding between that part of Calverton east of Galway Drive and Silver Spring Metrorail station would be able to transfer between the C7 and Z8 local or Z9 express service on Old Columbia Pike. There would be no replacement service between Silver Spring Metrorail station and Centerpark Office Park. Cherry Hill Road between Calverton Boulevard/Broadbirch Drive and Old Columbia Pike would continue to be served by Route C9, for which the Metrorail connection is at Greenbelt Metrorail station, not at Silver Spring Metrorail station, unless a transfer is made.
Fairland Line, Route Z8 and new Z6
During rush hours, Z8 would operate only between Castle Boulevard and Silver Spring Metrorail station, and all of the counterflow service (outbound in the morning, inbound in the evening) would operate via Verizon. The area served by the Z8 beyond Castle Boulevard in the off-peak is served by Routes Z9, Z11, and Z13 during peak periods. Midday and evening Z8 trips now operating to and from Burtonsville would be replaced by new Z6 trips at the same frequency, and at those times Z8 would terminate at the Greencastle Park & Ride lot. The new Z6, operating two-way from early morning to mid-evening, would relieve crowding on the Z8 and would be a partial replacement for rush-hour Z4. The Z6 would operate from the Silver Spring Metrorail station via the Z8 routing on Lockwood Drive. East of White Oak, it would serve Industrial Parkway, Tech Road, Broadbirch Drive (Westfarm), Calverton Boulevard, Galway Drive (new service) and the Briggs Chaney Park & Ride. The Z6 would terminate at Castle Boulevard during the rush, continuing midday and evenings to Burtonsville via Old Columbia Pike and Spencerville Road. There would be new two-way service on Old Columbia Pike beyond Briggs Chaney Road at those times. Saturday and Sunday service woud continue to be provided by the Z8 alone on the current schedule as far as Castle Boulevard and the Briggs Chaney Park & Ride.
Laurel-Burtonsville Express Line, Routes Z9, Z29
There would be no change in the routing or the frequency of service between Burtonsville and the Silver Spring Metrorail station with one exception, and the Burtonsville-Laurel extension would become permanent. Adjustments would be made to reflect passenger demand. The first outbound trip from Silver Spring Metrorail station to Laurel would be discontinued, and the Z9 trips leaving Laurel at 5:35 a.m. and 3:42 p.m. and arriving at Laurel at 7:31 p.m. would be changed to operate between Burtonsville and Silver Spring only.
Greencastle-Briggs Chaney Express Line, Routes Z11, Z13
These routes would see minor adjustments in frequency to reflect passenger demand.
Greenbelt-Glenmont Line, Routes C7, C9
The C7 would be rerouted between the intersections of Musgrove Road and Old Columbia Pike and East Randolph Road and Tamarack Road to operate via Old Columbia Pike, Fairland Road, and Tamarack Road as partial replacement for the Z1, which is proposed to be discontinued. The C7 service to Verizon would not be affected. The C7 operates to Glenmont Metrorail station in the morning rush and from Glenmont Metrorail station in the afternoon rush. Route C9 would not change.
If the Board agrees to hold the public hearings, the hearing date information will be posted on Metro’s web site at www.metroopensdoors.com.
Glad to see them accept your plan. Are they going to hold hearings and when might it be implemented?
The photo was taken by Billy Wong in Vancouver, BC
News:
Ballard Receives Fuel Cell Bus Engine Order for California Market
Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) Program
It costs $10,565,000 for three buses, $3,521,666 each, ten times a diesel or CNG bus.
That's an interesting question, I'd like to know too...:)
-F.
Not when you're going for zero-emissions.
-F.
I smell state or federal clean air grant money going on here.
-F.
-F.
-F.
JD
All in all, I'm just showing that a Gillig could be that expensive.
And almost 20 years later, could you imagine paying anywhere over a hundred bucks for a basic CD spinner? 20 years from now, we should see alternative-fuel buses go for about the same price as a diesel.
-F.
That is an interesting fuel cell; it almost makes the bus look like it's trying to be a Silver Eagle.
-F.
On my return trip this afternoon I spotted a TA NF D60HF from 126 Street depot on the express lanes of I-95 about 3 miles south of the GWB. I think the bus number was 5664 (I was moving along too fast to take a second look) and it was actually pulling over onto the shoulder. Another mystery.
Yesterday I actully had a family emergency and didn't bother with I-295. This was my first time actually driving the entire length of the turnpike in a few years. On my return trip today, of course I did my usual and got off the turnpike at exit 7, stopped for gas (skipped Wendy's) and went down I-295 to the DMB. I think the the only downside to using I-295 is that there seems to be more state troopers there than on the turnpike.
In December when driving to Upstate New York, on the northbound trip, I decided to take the turnpike all the way up. I was getting tired as we were going along and eventually, we decided to stop at a (crappy) rest area for dinner. Luckily, the food and break was able to provide me enough energy to do the rest of the driving to our destination, but there were other qualified drivers so I could have turned over the driving if I had wanted to. On the southbound trip, I changed over to 295 in Mount Holly, and used an Exxon along the way for a much needed bathroom break.
Re:I-295 construction zones. Yes, I'm quite aware of these as they've been working there for a while now. Today was business as usual in that those construction areas didn't slow anyone down. We blazed through there at about 65 MPH. I saw a 'hound MC-12 going N/B at that point and he too appeared to be moving quite fast.
9775 A15 PG Hospital-saw apparently ex-Western 9449 on Southern's W4
2058 F1 Takoma
2194 62 Georgia Avenue Petworth Station
9806 66 Downtown-At around 12:09pm spotted an 11Y heading for Farragut Square, and why is this odd, the 11Y is only a rush hour bus and this bus is either very late or training(I saw the latter). I also got a pic of a recently rehabbed 4353.
9819 13A Pentagon
2109 10A Old Town-Saw 9216 on the 10A going back to the Pentagon
7863 110 Springfield-I got there and saw an impressive lineup of PRTC MCIs waiting to go into service, because of driver issues at PRTC. There were also some contractor MCI buses used for PRTC service, including MARTZ buses. Before getting to Springfield, I saw 4288 at Huntington, a recent rehab with new signs. There is one thing missing from the bus though, the 4 from 4288 over the front door, what WMATA didn't have enough money to pay for the 4 :-P.
Took Metrorail to King Street from Springfield, and just missed a CAF car set(so I think). My car set was 3269 and as I passed the Alexandria rail yard saw car set 3279 rehabbed and later at King street saw a 20XX set in service on the Yellow line. I got to King Street and 8796 was rolling up on the 28B about to finish that run.
4065 N11 Branch Avenue-Looks like the ex-Mont have the smartcard machines. Also saw 8850 on the K12. Last saw 9307 deadheading back to the Annex so that means that probably 9305 and 9306 are still also at Annex. One would think that 9301-07 went to Western, but that ain't the case.
4331 C12 Naylor Road
2058 F14 last route
Going to B-more to chech out their so-called shuttles which seem to be only MTA buses that are mothballed.
Then I just catch the connecting N19 at 3:50pm, 234 and the engine was VERY LOUD! Its good at first but then the B/O goes pretty slow on most of the time via Merrick Rd then as we arrive at Freeport LIRR station, I miss a N4 but its frequent so it's all good. It's now 4:30pm and I get on 660 and boy we we're moving down Merrick Rd, hitting 50mph at one pint and I hear that engine scream 8-). So I was going to get off at Park Av for the N15 but I realized that I passed it so I decide to go back to Queens then backtrack via the Q113 & N33 so I get off at Springfield Blvd to get the Q77 but I see that it only went to 145 Rd so I get on Q5 9549, standing room only and then I ride it to Farmers Blvd then get the Q3 and I get on 9346 and take it to Brewer Blvd and I wait 10 minutes to see that I get a Q113 LTD! I get on 555 and we roll via 147 Av, Brookville and Sheridan Blvd and we finished the Nassau portion in just 5 minutes.
So I get off at Mott & wait on Beach 21 St for the N33 and luckily I only have to wait 8 minutes for 110 to pull up and its a very short and quick ride via Beech St to Long Beach station then I just missed the 6:45pm N15 so then I wait for the 7pm and I see a couple of Long Beach Gilligs [164,168 & 169]. Then the B/O on 285 announced that the bus is only going to HEmpstead and this lady didn't understand what he said all she said was that she wanted 15 so anyway it's a fast ride to Merrick Rd, rather than take the 15 all the way back to Hempstead then take the 6 and a N4 comes in about 5 minutes so I had no long waits for the LI buses today 8-).
I get on 299 and the sound of the DD50G is so much smoother and quieter than the Cummins and we go real fast along the way on Merrick and I take the bus down to Jamaica Center to transfer to the E. I get on a R32 E train and we roll through the Queens Blvd express then I get off at 7 Av where I wait for an R40 B then we zip through the 6 Av express, run over the bridge then Brighton express to my home stop the I finish my longass trip :-D. Man they really need to do somethign with something with some of their buses with the Cummins engines since each bus I rode, it had a different sound.
NF 840 B8
R40 4206 (B)
R32 3764 (E)
R46 5992 (F)
LI Bus O5 138 N6
LI Bus O5 620 N54
LI Bus O5 234 N19
LI Bus O5 660 N4
RTS 9549 Q5
RTS 9346 Q3
JBL RTS 555 Q113 LTD
LI Bus O5 110 N33
LI Bus O5 285 N15
LI Bus O5 299 N4
R32 3847 (E)
R40 4432 (B)
My new E-mail address is Bluebeam582@hotmail.com and my AIM S/N is DBCOOL11415 and MTAboy99 but I be using the DBCOOL11415 more often and I can't sign on with MTAboy99 since that says that the Sign on for MTAboy99 is blocked.
To Qtraindash7, What is your E-Mail address? E-Mail me
RTS #4569 can TALK!
It was about time they did this. A few people still don't know about the service, or don't know enough. There was a lady yesterday who asked the driver if the bus was a Limited; the time was 4:45 PM and the Limited doesn't start running 'til ~5:30 PM.
My question is how does someone record his or her voice to play over the exterior PA speaker on the RTS? At first I thought it was the bus operator talking from inside but then I noticed she was entirely silent while the message kept replaying over and over everytime the bus was at a complete stop with the doors opened.
I had no idea the RTS's could do that! EVERY B/O should use it then!
Do the Orions have the same ability?
The problem is, many of them are inoperable and rarely repaired.
Hopefully this can be used on the Q17 more often, assuming the bus's Speak Easy system works.
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
After receiving word that my car was ready, I went to get the L shuttle at Livonia. Ride that to Canarsie where I get 8113 on the B82. This bus is slow. The B/O was trying to speed but it was worthless. I think he was annoyed by this female passenger who kept asking if the bus goes to CI Ave and Ave U. Of course she stayed in the "rap" seat. Police at South Shore HS made sure the kids got off the bus. Saw a lot of Flatbush "school trippers" in the area. Got off at Nostrand where 8113 caught up to its leader.
B44#8146 Local
B3#9306
B46#8156 Limited
B82#8113
Click here.
Enjoy~ :)
-F.
Chuck Greene
Some of them, like 3049, seem pretty nice, while 3000 and 3003 are, well, not.
It's funny, because it seems as if they are operating with "defered maintainance", and didn't get anything "intense" for like a year.
However, Midvale's NABIs are looking better.
Is that how you referred to those New Looks/Fishbowls back in the day?
While the remaining Neoplans will be pulled from service over the next 3 years, the new batch of New Flyers (which should start arriving early this month) will have ZF transmissions.
I just hope that the city doesn't take 3487 and 3488, and leave back 3316...
I'm going to miss them dreadfully as well, I grew up with them too!
I can't imagine SEPTA without those NEos, as well as I can't imagine WMATA without Flxibles.
_________________________________________________________________________
PTV (Philly Transit Vehicles)>
Chuck Greene
First, Philly lost the Almond Joys (I know, subtalk material) and now you want to get rid of the remaining Neos?
What is this world coming to? :)
But all joking aside, I will really miss the NEOs. I already miss the 8000s. It's just not going to be the same without them.
Going through all the orders of SEPTA neoplan is like watching the natural progression cycle of any product(except NF's), little enhancements here and there, until you get the perfect seating arrangement, with pads, and color scheme going.
I don't even know if I ever rode the AKs though, of course, i didn't know the difference at the time...
Undercover cops nabbed a city bus driver yesterday as he tried to yank a no-parking sign off a Brooklyn street to dodge a $35 ticket, police said.
( B.O. ) Lewis, 34, had his hands on an alternate side of the street parking sign in Bedford-Stuyvesant when cops nabbed him on Gates Ave. around 3 a.m., police said. The sign, on Gates near Lewis Ave., outlaws street parking on Mondays and Thursdays between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Stealing a no-parking sign "is a futile move," Transportation Department spokesman Keith Kalb said. "If there's a missing sign, the next closest sign dictates the regulation for the entire block."
Lewis was charged with petit larceny and scheduled for arraignment this morning in Brooklyn Criminal Court, authorities said.
He was hired to drive a city bus last August and will face a disciplinary hearing before Transit officials decide whether he will face any reprimand, a spokeswoman said.
The Department of Transportation replaced 63,000 missing, stolen or defaced signs last year - roughly 5% of the city's 1.3 million traffic signs.
-F.
-F.
Michael
Washington, DC
I'd suggest Prozac for your, but then that would cause you to fail a drug test.
But I understand now. It's OK to flag passengers but not to steal street signs.
It's NOT at the agency where I drive....but IS in my area.
I can't wait for Brooklyn67 and BIG AL to tell you off big time?
I was referring to how posters are treated on this board
Not "posters". Only pissant trolls such as yourself, who, at every opportunity, go out of their way to respond to a legitimate post and create a situation that reflects solely upon themselves in an attempt to cause more disruption.
You should be banned.
MetroB
Seriously, you're beginning to look childish and just killfile M4 and call it a night. This constant flaming needs to stop.
This is exactly how flame wars start, because of comments like these, just chill out...aight?
Acela
Acela
And you rise to the occasion by responding with overkill.
And you rise to your feet, new tango pumps snugly adorned, prancing around your apartment singing this song into your hairbrush.
I needed a laugh, too.
http://mms.content.loudeye.com/600111/n/066/36/78/0663678_0102_00_0690.wma
It's just a witty subject line written for the article. Per se, the B/O I'm sure isn't stupid, but his action sure was.
BIG AL
He's still on probation! Well, he's out of a job. Serves the idiot right. Operators like this dunce are the reason we face so many rules and discipline cases in the first place. Thankfully, he was erased before he could add yet another rule to the never-ending list.
MetroB
BIG AL
Well, duh; you have to remove both of them. :P
Missing signs cut it. If you show photographic proof that no restriction is posted, a judge will throw out the ticket. But you have to steal all the signs on the block :).
Why didn't you just take LIRR to Fdale? only 50 cents more
Incognito
East Harlem Low-Rider
www.cleanairbus.tk
Acela
-Adam
(allisonb500r@aol.com)
Acela