I believe NYC just recived these recently and I'm impressed they actually sound like something that's "Green" for the environment (Hmmm I wonder what a CNG model would look like) Nice One NYC I like those.
Yup extremely quiet buses but at least they got that RTS-like look to them.
What makes them more "Green" than any other Hybrid?
I would imagine a CNG model would look exactly the same...with a CNG tank on top...
Quote from: aznboy4305 on October 01, 2009, 11:16:55 AM
What makes them more "Green" than any other Hybrid?
I would imagine a CNG model would look exactly the same...with a CNG tank on top...
I was saying how they sounded to me it sounds very weird when I first heard them, I wasn't knockin all the other hybrids.
NYCTA has ordered 90 of them. The one pilot unit (#1302) is on property and just moved to another depot in Manhattan (Manhattanville depot) for testing. Apparently it did well at the first depot (Quill) A MV depot dispatcher reported on another site that the bus didn't do too well on it's airport route (M60). The M60 route starts in Manhattan, but once it crosses into Queens, there's none of the heavy stop and go traffic like in Manhattan.
Quote from: aznboy4305 on October 01, 2009, 11:16:55 AM
What makes them more "Green" than any other Hybrid?
I would imagine a CNG model would look exactly the same...with a CNG tank on top...
You can run these babies on jet fuel. I remember seeing an article on DesignLine's site saying that Charlotte Int'l Airport had a fuel problem and experimented with using jet fuel on these buses and it worked.
How would these do on DC and surrounding county streets?
Quote from: OrionFlyer on October 01, 2009, 04:05:10 PM
How would these do on DC and surrounding county streets?
Baltimore has some, but not in service as of yet. Our streets come close to being as bad as DC streets.
I recall seeing a picture of a Design Line bus at a WMATA bus stop couple months back.The pic looked like it was tooken some time back though. If i can find the picture i will show you guys and i showed it to some people on the forum.
I told you guys the Designline (Wachovia ad) one was on the T18 as a demo bus (I think).
i hope Wmata does NOT get these .
Quote from: orionvii271 on October 02, 2009, 09:23:51 AM
i hope Wmata does NOT get these .
Why not? I've heard nothing but good things about them, and this is coming from folks in New York. Granted it looks like a healthcare/bank-mobile, but looks can be deceiving. I'm quite optimistic about it...
Quote from: aznboy4305 on October 02, 2009, 10:14:15 AM
Quote from: orionvii271 on October 02, 2009, 09:23:51 AM
i hope Wmata does NOT get these .
Why not? I've heard nothing but good things about them, and this is coming from folks in New York. Granted it looks like a healthcare/bank-mobile, but looks can be deceiving. I'm quite optimistic about it...
I hate to burst everyones bubble but a West Ox driver told us that WMATA is only going to get New Flyers I have 2 witnesses.
Quote from: Annex4421 on October 02, 2009, 09:36:04 PM
I hate to burst everyones bubble but a West Ox driver told us that WMATA is only going to get New Flyers
What bubble? I just said I was optimistic for Designline's product to prove worthy of US Transit services, I never anticipated WMATA getting any.
Quote from: Annex4421 on October 02, 2009, 09:36:04 PM
I have 2 witnesses.
Witnesses of what?
Quote from: Annex4421 on October 02, 2009, 09:36:04 PM
Quote from: aznboy4305 on October 02, 2009, 10:14:15 AM
Quote from: orionvii271 on October 02, 2009, 09:23:51 AM
i hope Wmata does NOT get these .
Why not? I've heard nothing but good things about them, and this is coming from folks in New York. Granted it looks like a healthcare/bank-mobile, but looks can be deceiving. I'm quite optimistic about it...
I hate to burst everyones bubble but a West Ox driver told us that WMATA is only going to get New Flyers I have 2 witnesses.
I'm not in the position to dispute this info. However, I think many wouldn't take it as gospel as one can expect plenty of rumors and/or misinformation spreading at the bus operator level.
Especially since every agency has to go through a bidding process. You can't just say, "we're getting this type of bus from now on". Usually transit systems will try to piggyback on other orders too as a way to shorten the wait time to get vehicles, and it makes the procurement easier. PRTC piggybacked off NJT for some of the MCI's, Houston for others and for the Gilligs piggybacked on Charlotte. If you ever ride the Phantoms, they have footrests on the seats which no other coaches have and that's because Charlotte's had them.
Charlotte has suburban Phantoms? If so, very nice - PRTC's Phantoms are well liked!
IMO, based on experience, shop personnel may be more knowledgeable since they must undergo training prior to the arrival of vehicles from a vendor providing vehicles to a TA the first time. Also procurement personnel obviously have knowledge as well.