September 2014 Photos

[NewFlyer9736BCT]

Let me start with some photos taken in August since we didn't make a thread for that month.

[NewFlyer9736BCT]

Now for September. Looks like 6472 is a Montgomery loaner

Also, last 2 pics are from August. 6559 is still in the local scheme here, eventually it will be painted for REX along with 6550-6561

[Chargerdodge9]

I don't think that's paint on the DE42LFAs. I believe they went back to wrap just like what they did with the Orion VIs. Still, I don't get why Parkway is doing the REX now. What they should of done is leave the REX to FMR and give the 8W,X,S,Z and 9A, and E to Parkway. Also, Make West Ox a weekend depot too. I don't get why they won't open on weekends?

[Chargerdodge9]

Also, is Parkway currently using any other 8000 series buses besides #8002-8011? I think up to #8050 should be here while #8001 is likely back at the NABI plant in Alabama for spec changes and what not. Also, I wished they changed the doors on these buses, they look awful.

[rideonrulez]

George, great pics as always!


Chargerdodge9-Everybody has an opinion on what they should've done but you don't know what kind of restrictions or reasons why the routes were moved the way they did. Leave it to the experts.

[WES]

On the why doesn't all the garages not open on weekends, why waste money on operational costs to have all the garages open on the weekend when FMR has enough to run all weekend service in VA and believe me FMR has more than enough to run weekend service and then some.  VA doesn't have so much service that it warrants more than one garage to stay open.  If more service comes to VA on the weekends that another garage needs to be open then they'll have another garage open on the weekends.  If you get into the understanding of why things happen then you'll understand how things happen.

[Chargerdodge9]

@WES, so in other words, the demand is not there?

[WES]

To a point no, if there was much patronage on weekends then the service might be there, if the funding was there to make it happen. Mostly all of VA service runs on an hourly basis only REX and a handfull of other routes run more frequent than an hour on weekends and a lot of VA service only runs during rush hour.  I think if I'm correct Annex is back to running weekday service only because there's no real need to keep Annex open on the weekends.  It happened when Montgomery first opened, they were closed on weekends, service was run by Northern/Western/Bladensburg.  WMATA has to keep costs low, as much as they can, since there is no real tax revenue to fund it.

[Chargerdodge9]

But if WMATA is so under funded, why do they keep buying expensive buses? I mean first they bought the original 2008 NABI BRT-60 CNGs, then it was the DE42LFA family, then the Xcelsiors and BRT Orion VII 3Gs, and now back to the NABI BRTs?

[NewFlyer9736BCT]

But if WMATA is so under funded, why do they keep buying expensive buses? I mean first they bought the original 2008 NABI BRT-60 CNGs, then it was the DE42LFA family, then the Xcelsiors and BRT Orion VII 3Gs, and now back to the NABI BRTs?

Because in the long run it would be more expensive to maintain older buses than to buy new ones? That's my guess

[Chargerdodge9]

But if WMATA is so under funded, why do they keep buying expensive buses? I mean first they bought the original 2008 NABI BRT-60 CNGs, then it was the DE42LFA family, then the Xcelsiors and BRT Orion VII 3Gs, and now back to the NABI BRTs?

Because in the long run it would be more expensive to maintain older buses than to buy new ones? That's my guess

But back then, WMATA could of just brought more DE40LFRs and/or Orion VII OG hybrids and Orion VII NG hybrids like the MTA. In fact, I remember you guys having a major discussion about this years ago when the DE42LFA buses first started to invade Washington.

[NewFlyer9736BCT]

But back then, WMATA could of just brought more DE40LFRs and/or Orion VII OG hybrids and Orion VII NG hybrids like the MTA. In fact, I remember you guys having a major discussion about this years ago when the DE42LFA buses first started to invade Washington.

Not exactly sure what you're asking here, but iirc this is a picture thread, and that said...

P.S. Chris the first 2 are for you I thought I posted them already but I guess I didn't

[Chargerdodge9]

Nice shots and I saw #8007 just yesterday  .

[WES]

Some pics from last week.

[WES]

A few more