Follow this link to page MTA-65 in MDOT's Consolidated Transportation Plan (CTP). This is the status of MDOT/MTA funded projects in Montgomery & Prince George's. Can anyone verify/identify the bus purchases, both completed and underway?
http://www.mdot.state.md.us/Planning/CTP_10-15/MTA.pdf
The one interesting thing is the term "Large buses"!
In the other pages, heavy duty or small/medium are mentioned. Is that a hint that Ride-On may purchased 60 foot buses?
Quote from: Nabinut on January 21, 2010, 07:41:55 PM
The one interesting thing is the term "Large buses"!
In the other pages, heavy duty or small/medium are mentioned. Is that a hint that Ride-On may purchased 60 foot buses?
I think it generally means 40 footers. I don't think Ride On is viable for artics at the moment since both Silver Spring and Gburg are tight for space.
Word is that PGC The-Bus is ordering 20 gillig advantages this spring and retiring the thomases.
Will these Gilligs replace the HDX's or the SLF-200's or both? Thanks.
I heard they were replacing the HDX's, no word on the SLF's.
If it's about 20 then it's just going to be the HDXs which number in that range. I think the fleet numbers were appoximatley 63086-63099 and 63101-63108, though I maybe off a bit.
Gosh, retiring the HDXs already? Aren't they a bit young?
Quote from: Tritransit Area on February 02, 2010, 12:00:22 AM
Gosh, retiring the HDXs already? Aren't they a bit young?
Yeah but you gotta remember that its a school "bus" used for transit service. Its has no leg room at all bumpy and just sounds horrible!
Golly, I don't remember having such a horrendous experience when I rode them (well, at least one). Of course, it has been a few years.
I'd rather that they replace the SLFs. Those buses are nothing short of crap. They rattle and shake as if the bus is coming apart....and THAT engine sounds awful!
Quote from: Tritransit Area on February 02, 2010, 09:48:01 AM
Golly, I don't remember having such a horrendous experience when I rode them (well, at least one). Of course, it has been a few years.
I'd rather that they replace the SLFs. Those buses are nothing short of crap. They rattle and shake as if the bus is coming apart....and THAT engine sounds awful!
Exactly. Most of the time only one door opens and when everybody gets off at the back door it makes this annoying noise. The orange crushed ones have the most annoying sound engine in the world. Gotta love the seats on 63121?-63129 though.
I'm sorry I say retire both, bring in some more Gilligs and some BRTs.
A lot of those HDXs started to look older than a normal bus should have, IMO. Granted, they are probably light to medium duty buses, but really a school bus doesn't work well as a transit bus, say for Gilligs. Other than Gillig how many school bus manufacturers have successfully built a heavy duty or even medium duty bus. Thomas had some success with their TL series, and the SLF is actually a Dennis product. I think THE BUS wants to have a more traditional transit fleet with more durable buses.
I am surprised THE BUS hasn't tried to replace the SLFs sooner, at least the older ones. The problem with THE BUS was that those SLFs were put one some of their heavier routes and a light to medium duty bus won't last that long being on a heavy duty route. To me those SLFs were better suited for neighborhood routes, very light to medium duty routes, not on the 21 and the 18.
And what will be the size of these upcoming Gilligs? Thanks.
Quote from: WES on February 02, 2010, 08:25:05 PM
To me those SLFs were better suited for neighborhood routes, very light to medium duty routes, not on the 21 and the 18.
When did the 18 become such a heavy duty route? I remember riding those ODVs on that line, and the line didn't seem that busy. Imagine my surprise when nowadays I see it as an HDX stronghold!
Quote from: Tritransit Area on February 02, 2010, 11:57:43 PM
Quote from: WES on February 02, 2010, 08:25:05 PM
To me those SLFs were better suited for neighborhood routes, very light to medium duty routes, not on the 21 and the 18.
When did the 18 become such a heavy duty route? I remember riding those ODVs on that line, and the line didn't seem that busy. Imagine my surprise when nowadays I see it as an HDX stronghold!
I ride it a couple of times it does seen to get pretty moderate passengers. They actually use real buses on that line. Gilligs,Orions, and some thomases. The 21,21X seems to be a really buses route that even they might even have to purchase aritics! When im at the bus stop in the morning at new carrolton every few seconds befor one is about to leave somebody comes out of no where running for it. An HDX is not good for that line.
Just in THE BUS to replace the HDX's with 40ft Gillig Advantages, thats right, I had me a conversation with a THE BUS operator and she said 40ft Advantages are on the way, I hope they're BRT's.
Hmm...at least they'll likely Voiths, much unlike that other-used-to-be-cool-with-all-sort-of-interesting-powertrains-until-they-decided-to-get-rid-of-openable-windows-and-go-with-the-most-bland-powertrains-on-the-planet agency next door.
I hope THE BUS's new Phantoms are doing well. They are one of the few Phantoms I actually really like.
Actually, those Phantoms are doing well and on the maintenance side, I think THE BUS is doing a better job in keeping their fleet working. The signs in which for years have either never been programmed or never work, now it's a rarity to not see one working. Also the fact that on some of the rear route number signs they are actually programmed to switch from the route number to the destination is a plus. The fleet for the most part is kept pretty clean and the last time I rode a Phantom, the inside is pretty clean also (and that was at night), is saying they got that wake up call from those exposes FOX did a few days ago.
Now all THE BUS needs to do is totally change most of their routes, have late night service and weekend service, AND expand their service area.
Quote from: Tritransit Area on February 02, 2010, 11:57:43 PM
Quote from: WES on February 02, 2010, 08:25:05 PM
To me those SLFs were better suited for neighborhood routes, very light to medium duty routes, not on the 21 and the 18.
When did the 18 become such a heavy duty route? I remember riding those ODVs on that line, and the line didn't seem that busy. Imagine my surprise when nowadays I see it as an HDX stronghold!
Not many though, but a few times I have seen the 18 with standing loads and also the 18 uses 1 to 2 of the Orion Vs they have, along with a Gillig Phantom and a Gillig Advantage. A 35 foot SLF is sometimes seen with rarely a 30 foot SLF being seen. Just think if the 18 actually went into PG Hospital and PG Plaza Station, how many more passengers they might have.
Quote from: WES on February 04, 2010, 03:29:38 PM
Quote from: Tritransit Area on February 02, 2010, 11:57:43 PM
Quote from: WES on February 02, 2010, 08:25:05 PM
To me those SLFs were better suited for neighborhood routes, very light to medium duty routes, not on the 21 and the 18.
When did the 18 become such a heavy duty route? I remember riding those ODVs on that line, and the line didn't seem that busy. Imagine my surprise when nowadays I see it as an HDX stronghold!
Not many though, but a few times I have seen the 18 with standing loads and also the 18 uses 1 to 2 of the Orion Vs they have, along with a Gillig Phantom and a Gillig Advantage. A 35 foot SLF is sometimes seen with rarely a 30 foot SLF being seen. Just think if the 18 actually went into PG Hospital and PG Plaza Station, how many more passengers they might have.
The F8 takes care of PG hospital and West hyasstville. The 18 and F8 are basiclly the same route, but 18 goes to addison rd and serves less stop's.
That really should be the reverse, y'know...lol. I guess it's cheaper for the 18 to run the longer route...Monday through Fridays only, though!