The new NABI's are in!! Look at this pic on the Post website.
Now I do need to come back to DC. LOL
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/21/AR2008072101235.html?hpid=artslot
WTOP has a story, too: http://wtopnews.com/?nid=25&sid=1444147
Interesting how they mention they could run on the 5A. I guess they would finally put FMR's artic capabilities to use, though I suspect they wind up on the X2.
Now that's a sexy bus. My guess would be the X line and the 79. There is no way the 5A, 70, or the S line is going to get these. Northern has way more than enough tics for the 70 and the S line, and FMR isn't getting tic (although these would be nice on the 5A). Can't wait to ride these.
Quote from: 79MetroExtraMD on July 21, 2008, 04:49:28 PM
and FMR isn't getting tic (although these would be nice on the 5A).
Do you have a source for that conjecture other than pessimism? FMR had artics back in the day for the 8 line, it could happen again. Have faith!
If that bus was a woman...
The logical choice to put them on would be the X2, but would the X2 chew them up and spit them out and leave them looking raggedy a year in. Seeing them on the 79 in MetroExtra paint, however, would be...YOW!!
Why do I have an odd feeling that these might end up on the Bladensburg sections of the 30s? And if they do, would the outside boarding areas at Friendship Heights be able to handle an artic or would it be another evidence of WhyMATA shortsightedness like the too-low ceiling?
Check out the WMATA website, they have all sorts of pics!!
http://www.wmata.com/about/MET_NEWS/story.cfm?id=1993
I seriously doubt they'll run the #79. Note the word LOCAL prominently showing behind the artic hinge.
Heck, I'd be happy to see them on the Y and the low F's. How about the 80?
That artic specifically on the 79? No. Some 60-BRT's on the 79? Quite possibly since it wouldn't surprise me if a few end up in the MetroExtra scheme. However, those seats look like a downgrade vs. the ones in the C40LFR's (and DE40LFR's).
Artics on the 80 would be interesting. Outside of the X routes (I've seen artics on the X3 a couple times in the past), do any Bladensburg routes regularly run artics? The 83/86 might work too though there's no chance the Y's would see them given the long deadhead and the F's only would see them if Bladensburg got some blocks from Landover.
Quote from: btconet on July 21, 2008, 09:25:34 PM
I seriously doubt they'll run the #79. Note the word LOCAL prominently showing behind the artic hinge.
Heck, I'd be happy to see them on the Y and the low F's. How about the 80?
Montomgery is getting DE62LFAs next year, so they most likely see some time on that line. If you're talking about the F1 F2 or F4 F6, that won't happen. The 80 isn't really too busy to warrant artics. I've ridden it a few times at different times of the day and I haven't really seen full loads. Most likely the tics will be on the X line. As for the LOCAL part, that wouldn't stop them from assigning a bus to the 79. I've seen a Flx and even a regular C40LFR on that line.
Quote from: Scrabbleship on July 21, 2008, 09:41:53 PM
That artic specifically on the 79? No. Some 60-BRT's on the 79? Quite possibly since it wouldn't surprise me if a few end up in the MetroExtra scheme. However, those seats look like a downgrade vs. the ones in the C40LFR's (and DE40LFR's).
Artics on the 80 would be interesting. Outside of the X routes (I've seen artics on the X3 a couple times in the past), do any Bladensburg routes regularly run artics? The 83/86 might work too though there's no chance the Y's would see them given the long deadhead and the F's only would see them if Bladensburg got some blocks from Landover.
I doubt the 83/86 will get any artics. Most people pretty much ride up to Mt. Rainer and that load gets off there. Another load gets on to just go up Baltimore Avenue. Most of the time from Mt. Rainer to College Park, the bus is half empty. A little load gets on at College Park Station but it's not too much. Bladensburg might just assign the 60BRTs to the X line or some other lines. Metro will tell us the lines come next month.
OK - I'll be making my photo run tomorrow at lunch time if time permits.
Bladensburg is going to get inundated now! LOL The X2 alone could handle a lot of the artics, but maybe they'll re-assign some of the other division blocks to take them on too, such as some of the S's or maybe even the 42?
Very nice indeed, thanks for the preview!! I rode this type NABI in Los Angeles on the Orange Line and they really kick some serious ass!! The LA busses have front and rear video screens that display news and advertisements and they operate at relatively high speeds on the busway.
Quote from: Perry on July 21, 2008, 04:16:34 PM
The new NABI's are in!! Look at this pic on the Post website.
Now I do need to come back to DC. LOL
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/21/AR2008072101235.html?hpid=artslot
Metro might install screens in their buses one day. I just hope these are kept in very good condition.
Quote from: Perry on July 22, 2008, 12:11:23 AM
Bladensburg is going to get inundated now! LOL The X2 alone could handle a lot of the artics, but maybe they'll re-assign some of the other division blocks to take them on too, such as some of the S's or maybe even the 42?
Isn't this just a 1 for 1 replacement for the existing NABI fleet? While Catoe says every running bus is going to be kept in a reserve fleet until further notice, I doubt there is going to be additional articulated service as a result of this delivery (no matter how much a larger articulated fleet is needed).
Quote from: 79MetroExtraMD on July 22, 2008, 12:37:41 AM
Metro might install screens in their buses one day. I just hope these are kept in very good condition.
There's already one installed on 2674
Quote from: Tristan on July 22, 2008, 01:22:57 AM
Quote from: 79MetroExtraMD on July 22, 2008, 12:37:41 AM
Metro might install screens in their buses one day. I just hope these are kept in very good condition.
There's already one installed on 2674
Sweet. Maybe Metro can pull in some revenue from ads. As for those 60 plus inch screens that are supposed to be installed in the Metro stations, when are they going to come in? I remember watching a board meeting demoing one of them and I was impressed.
You'll have to keep watching board meetings to find that out. Let us know.
I spotted 5401 at Bladensburg today. 5311 is also still there, but both buses are not in a position for photos.
Quote from: WMATAGMOAGH on July 22, 2008, 01:15:34 AM
Quote from: Perry on July 22, 2008, 12:11:23 AM
Bladensburg is going to get inundated now! LOL The X2 alone could handle a lot of the artics, but maybe they'll re-assign some of the other division blocks to take them on too, such as some of the S's or maybe even the 42?
Isn't this just a 1 for 1 replacement for the existing NABI fleet? While Catoe says every running bus is going to be kept in a reserve fleet until further notice, I doubt there is going to be additional articulated service as a result of this delivery (no matter how much a larger articulated fleet is needed).
Even though these are supposed to be one for one replacements of the older NABIs there is a reason why we call WMATA WhyMATA. I wouldn't concrete that statement till all of the NABI artics and DE62LFRs are on the road and no more high floor NABIs are spotted.
Again nothing is guaranteed with WhyMATA. A few of these might wind up in FMR but again till these buses hit service we'll never know.
I know the NABI 436 don't have many fans (other than me), and although they're certainly showing their age... They don't seem quite ready for Nimco. I hope they stick around, especially since Catoe has ordered them to not to toss out anything.
I liked the 436s pre-repower. When they got Voithed...boy oh boy.
If they're going to replace them, they need to do so selectively. I've seen some that should have been gone decades ago (*cough*Northern*cough*), others are working pretty well...
Quote from: Tristan on July 23, 2008, 01:41:42 AM
I liked the 436s pre-repower. When they got Voithed...boy oh boy.
If they're going to replace them, they need to do so selectively. I've seen some that should have been gone decades ago (*cough*Northern*cough*), others are working pretty well...
I second that. Ours were the same way before some of them were Voithed. A new ZF tranny would have done well, but they're getting replaced in the next year or so.
As for beaten down tics, the 5300s seem more beaten up than the 5200s. They've only been on the fleet for 5 years and they look like they been through hell and high water twice.
If you're comparing a Northern Neo to a Montgomery Ikarus, you're comparing apples to oranges. If you're comparing a Northern Neo to a Northern Ikarus, you're comparing Granny Smith apples to Fuji apples -- I think the former sees a lot more use and on routes like the 70.
How many Ikaruses are at Northern anyway for me to see so few?
Quote from: Tristan on July 23, 2008, 03:16:55 AM
If you're comparing a Northern Neo to a Montgomery Ikarus, you're comparing apples to oranges. If you're comparing a Northern Neo to a Northern Ikarus, you're comparing Granny Smith apples to Fuji apples -- I think the former sees a lot more use and on routes like the 70.
How many Ikaruses are at Northern anyway for me to see so few?
Your guess would be correct. The caveat is that the NABIs don't see as much usage out of Northern as the Neos (or, for that matter, their sisters at Bladensburg and Montgomery) and that the ones at Montgomery, at least, are the ones that Northern ran into the ground. It wouldn't surprise me to think that some of those Neos very rarely, if ever, have even gotten off the 70 given how rare until recently it was to see an artic on the S's or 50's.
If the document breaking down the upcoming New Flyer order is any clue, Northern is due to get 11 artics from that order so I'd think that might be their total of NABIs however I'm more than sure I've seen more than 11 based out of Montgomery. Might some of the Neos be heading up to Montgomery post-rehab?
Quote from: Scrabbleship on July 23, 2008, 06:53:09 AM
Quote from: Tristan on July 23, 2008, 03:16:55 AM
If you're comparing a Northern Neo to a Montgomery Ikarus, you're comparing apples to oranges. If you're comparing a Northern Neo to a Northern Ikarus, you're comparing Granny Smith apples to Fuji apples -- I think the former sees a lot more use and on routes like the 70.
How many Ikaruses are at Northern anyway for me to see so few?
Your guess would be correct. The caveat is that the NABIs don't see as much usage out of Northern as the Neos (or, for that matter, their sisters at Bladensburg and Montgomery) and that the ones at Montgomery, at least, are the ones that Northern ran into the ground. It wouldn't surprise me to think that some of those Neos very rarely, if ever, have even gotten off the 70 given how rare until recently it was to see an artic on the S's or 50's.
If the document breaking down the upcoming New Flyer order is any clue, Northern is due to get 11 artics from that order so I'd think that might be their total of NABIs however I'm more than sure I've seen more than 11 based out of Montgomery. Might some of the Neos be heading up to Montgomery post-rehab?
I did hear something from a couple of operators I know from Montgomery that some of the Neos might head up to Montgomery. Fix up a couple of them and put them on the C4 and the J line, they'll be nice. It'd be nice to see some real power for a change.
The few NABIs at Northern does get plenty of action (like everthing there), but there's just a few of them. Since the Neoplan AN-460s arrived, Northern has always had less NABIs than both Montgomery and Bladensburg, which made sense to me. I guess the good part for some of the NABIs are that they have been rotated, between Northern and Montgomery. Also in fairness to Northern... While their buses are clearly neglected and/or abused, the Neos have yet to go for rehab, but they're the next group due.
Here is the WMATA NABI breakdown as of 4/18/08:
Bladensburg has 18: 5223-5226, 5230-5232, 5235-5245
Northern has 6: 5217-5222
Montgomery has 14: 5202-5214, 5216
Now from a meeting I attended awhile back, Montgomery County has asked WMATA that we get the new artics instead of getting left overs like we have been. Though this is WhyMATA were talking about, there is no gaurentee. In other words I don't think the Neos are coming this way though I personally would like them here.
The only time they've been in Montgomery are the times that the K6 operated out of Northern on weekends. That was a treat riding it on New Hampshire Ave. Probably the only time those buses went above 25 mph.
That's a sharp-looking paint scheme - it should look good on the upcoming order of New Flyers. Hopefully, we'll also see various older buses getting repainted as well.
If the ISL-G in these units are anything as sluggish as the ones out in LA, I can't wait to see one sling in and out of traffic on Georgia Avenue.
Quote from: CKD on July 24, 2008, 12:39:06 PM
If the ISL-G in these units are anything as sluggish as the ones out in LA, I can't wait to see one sling in and out of traffic on Georgia Avenue.
The ISL-G might have a bit more power than those L Gas Pluses LA has. Then again, Metro might govern the heck outta them depending on what routes they'll put them on.
Quote from: 79MetroExtraMD on July 24, 2008, 06:34:40 PM
Quote from: CKD on July 24, 2008, 12:39:06 PM
If the ISL-G in these units are anything as sluggish as the ones out in LA, I can't wait to see one sling in and out of traffic on Georgia Avenue.
The ISL-G might have a bit more power than those L Gas Pluses LA has. Then again, Metro might govern the heck outta them depending on what routes they'll put them on.
I don't think WMATA really tie their buses down much. I don't think they're wide open, but they certainly let them run at realistic highway speeds. Just this morning I was following 6212 down I-270 at about 67 MPH.
It's not the top speed I'm worried about. The 0-30 MPH acceleration is pitiful on those buses, at least from what I saw in LA.
It wouldn't really matter much here because some of the lines are slow as it is with traffic and the passenger loads. Even the C40LFRs have a slow 0-30 range and even worse in A/C season.
Everything outside of VA is like rockets compared to Orion VIIs...try riding one down HOV and having every vehicle pass you on both sides. It's embarrassing and possibly a little dangerous.
If I can possibly make this suggestion.....I'd say the 28 could use a few 'tics. Last time I rode that route, the bus was about to burst out its frame, and this was on Christmas Eve.
Quote from: MetroLinerXLZ on August 03, 2008, 09:55:00 PM
If I can possibly make this suggestion.....I'd say the 28 could use a few 'tics. Last time I rode that route, the bus was about to burst out its frame, and this was on Christmas Eve.
Have you ridden it at any other time of the year? It's not really that crowded at any other time.
Quote from: 79MetroExtraMD on August 03, 2008, 09:56:17 PM
Quote from: MetroLinerXLZ on August 03, 2008, 09:55:00 PM
If I can possibly make this suggestion.....I'd say the 28 could use a few 'tics. Last time I rode that route, the bus was about to burst out its frame, and this was on Christmas Eve.
Have you ridden it at any other time of the year? It's not really that crowded at any other time.
Have
you? I too have had some pretty horrid expenses on that route -- turning down passengers at 11 PM, for example.
Quote from: Tristan on August 03, 2008, 10:06:17 PM
Have you? I too have had some pretty horrid expenses on that route -- turning down passengers at 11 PM, for example.
I've ridden it many times even at late night. It wasn't really that bad when I took it. It mighta changed now, but the most recent trip I took was back in May.
I know everytime I have ridden the 28, it is crowded, which still boggles me that this route runs every 30 minutes, and if I am wrong even during rush hours, with a few short runs to Bailey's Crossroads. They do need to go ahead with the limited and/or an increase in service all the way around.
I thought there was a plan to create a limited stop route from King Street to Tysons. Not sure what ever happened to it. I believe it was to be called 28X.
Quote from: Perry on August 04, 2008, 06:26:14 PM
I thought there was a plan to create a limited stop route from King Street to Tysons. Not sure what ever happened to it. I believe it was to be called 28X.
That's still in the plans with the Bus Priority Corridor plan. IIRC, the study for it is supposed to start sometime in 2009 (hopefully). It might be in the next set of changes after the S line and the Q line (the J line is there somewhere).
I passed by Bladensburg this afternoon. There's at least 6 new NABIs there now. Along with 5401, I was able to spot 5404, 5406 and 5411. Still can't get pics.
Also, back with in march when I first soptted 5311 there repainted, I thought the front section was white. Well, the front section is now silver like the new buses.
Quote from: WayneNYC on August 07, 2008, 03:35:36 PM
I passed by Bladensburg this afternoon. There's at least 6 new NABIs there now. Along with 5401, I was able to spot 5404, 5406 and 5411. Still can't get pics.
Also, back with in march when I first soptted 5311 there repainted, I thought the front section was white. Well, the front section is now silver like the new buses.
Sweet. At least half of them should be there by the end of the month. ARe we going to see 5311 in service anytime soon?
I am surprised that 5311 hasn't come back in service yet. 9619 was all over the place when WMATA was experimenting with the 3rd paint scheme. Unless 5311 still has some work with it left to do.
9619 actually had an alternate front paint job before they settled on the stripes. It had a different style "M" on it. When I first saw it I thought they had gotten new buses until I could see the fleet #.
I wonder if 5311 has ever seen the road (even non-revenue) since it was repainted. Including today I've seen it parked in at least 3 different spots at Bladensburg and a couple of times I didn't see it at all. Today 5311 was parked on the side of the building next to 5411. They seem to have parked the new NABI's anywhere they could find a big enough space as they're parked all over.
I'm guessing since no one has seen the repainted 5311 in service that it will resume service when the NABIs hit the streets.
I want to see some of the new artics on the 83 line.
Quote from: NGOrion on August 15, 2008, 10:20:32 PM
I want to see some of the new artics on the 83 line.
I doubt it. Would seem like a waste after it goes past Mount Rainer. It's not a really busy busy line. Most likely they'll stick to the DC routes.
How about the T18. When I rode a couple of months ago it was packed all the way to New Carrollton.
Does Bladensburg do any T18 runs. Somebody told me that they saw an Orion VII on the T18.
What if they were on the A12? Although it does go into Kentland with narrow streets. It does however go onto large streets. A12 does get pretty packed at times.