Last weekend I was up in Boston and I had the opportunity to ride the MBTA's assortment of Neoplan AN460LF's for the first time in a while. Riding them, I started to wonder how they would have handled DC's streets because they would have been a nice addition to WMATA's fleet. I know that the specs that MBTA put on those buses (CNG when CNG artics were unproven and dual modes) helped kill Neoplan USA, but if WMATA had gotten a few with the 5300's it would have been a good beta test for CNG artics and they'd have been a help at Bladensburg and/or FMR. Imagine one of those on the X2 (no fears of running through street work) or 5A...
On a related tangent, could 3-door artics work in DC?
Hmmm I would love to have seen those in WMATA and you know the Bladensburg would've had these on the X2 and Probably went to Four Mile Run. 3 door artics hmmm I wouldn't mind those but I dont think they would've worked in WMATA because of the X2 and 70 they get so packed so the extra door would take up seats. But who knows maybe we'll see some in the future.
3 doors work very well. It especially helps with loading and unloading crowds. We use those types of buses on very busy routes such as alolng Maryland Parkway and Tropicana and if a few people have to stand, oh well.
Perry, that must be a magnitude change from the place with 40' buses with no rear doors :-D
Quote from: Annex4421 on October 23, 2009, 09:29:15 PM
3 door artics hmmm I wouldn't mind those but I dont think they would've worked in WMATA because of the X2 and 70 they get so packed so the extra door would take up seats.
I disagree, removing seats will actually increase capacity if anything. You can fit more people on a 40 foot bus with 0 seats than a 40 foot bus with 40 seats. We have DE60LFRs with 3 doors, and yet we still have several rows of seats opposite each door removed to create a "standee well".
Also, having 3 doors also reduces run time, given you equip the bus with the proper type of door.
Quote from: aznboy4305 on October 24, 2009, 09:58:01 PM
Quote from: Annex4421 on October 23, 2009, 09:29:15 PM
3 door artics hmmm I wouldn't mind those but I dont think they would've worked in WMATA because of the X2 and 70 they get so packed so the extra door would take up seats.
I disagree, removing seats will actually increase capacity if anything. You can fit more people on a 40 foot bus with 0 seats than a 40 foot bus with 40 seats. We have DE60LFRs with 3 doors, and yet we still have several rows of seats opposite each door removed to create a "standee well".
Also, having 3 doors also reduces run time, given you equip the bus with the proper type of door.
You do make a good point but know WMATA people would be all over them if they ordered 3 door artics I would love to see 3 door artics in WMATA or triticulators.
Quote from: Tristan on October 24, 2009, 01:12:47 PM
Perry, that must be a magnitude change from the place with 40' buses with no rear doors :-D
Tristan, that's for sure! I go from an agency that runs single-door 30 and 40 footer buses along with commuter coaches to one that operates double-deck buses on regular routes. LOL