OK how do you read those little signs on the front of Metro Buses that say things like F030. What are they for anyway?
If you mean the letter then 4 numbers on the dashboard, then the first letter is the block that bus has. For instance:
Montgomery = M
Landover = L
Bladensburg = B
Southern Ave Annex = P
Western = W
Arlington = A
Northern = N
...and so forth. I don't know if that's what you were talking about, but yeah...
Quote from: Antozilla on December 15, 2008, 01:50:34 PM
OK how do you read those little signs on the front of Metro Buses that say things like F030. What are they for anyway?
That is the block number. It is used internally so relieving drivers relieve the correct driver, supervisory, and for other purposes.
That is what I am talking about. How does one read these . I have the first number so I assume F is Four mile so that tells me what garage the lil fella comes from. What about the rest?
Why is Southern P and not S????
Let's use WE04 as an example. W indicates the division (Western in this case). The E indicates the line (E2/E3/E4 in this case). The 04 amounts to being a unique identifier among all the WE blocks.
Of course, there are all sorts of little nuances to the system with interlining and also because there are shared letters even within divisions (i.e. N2/N3/N4/N6 and N8 at Western).
P stands for Prince Georges (Annex). S stood for Southeastern. A is Arlington. Here is the full list off the top of my head:
A-Arlington
F-Four Mile Run
R-Royal
W-Western
N-Northern
B-Bladensburg
P-Annex
L-Landover
M-Montgomery
(S-Southeastern, not currently in use AFAIK)
The block that remains to be seen in the identifier for West Ox. I was thinking "X", but it will follow some nonsensical system of lettering. It will probably end up being something weird like T or Q.
So whats the case for Virgina's routes? Like in this (http://gpbusgallery.com/images/other/mb2523a.jpg) picture. Its the 3Y but what does the "9" in F938 stand for?
The system is no different in VA - the route numbers might be different but it's still one WMATA. As Oren mentioned, you're gonna see a lot of ??? because of interlining and other issues, especially with rush hour routes. My guess is that F938 is a straight run (as opposed to a split where the driver shows up early in the morning, does about 4 hours of peak period work, leaves for a few hours, then comes back to do 4 or so more hours) that starts on the 9A or 9S, maybe at about 11 AM, then holds down the 3Y for the PM rush.
That's just a hypothesis, wmata employee or someone with a headway book would have to confirm it, but it looks like just an interline issue.
Quote from: Perry on December 15, 2008, 04:03:27 PM
The block that remains to be seen in the identifier for West Ox. I was thinking "X", but it will follow some nonsensical system of lettering. It will probably end up being something weird like T or Q.
I think X would probably fit for West Ox. W and O are kinda out. I can understand T but why Q?
Also, with the blocks, I've gotten somewhat a sense of Montgomery's ones
M100s up to M140 I think (C7, C9)
M141-M156? J4
MCxx (C2, C4, C8)
MJxx (J1-J9 except J4)
MKxx (K6)
MLxx (L lines, both DC and MD ones. I think the upper ones are for the L7 and L8 and the lower ones for the L1,2, and 4)
MNxx (N line)
MQxx (Q2)
MSxx (S line. I have seen a couple MS blocks recently)
MTxx (T2)
MWxx (Z9, Z11, Z13, Z29)
MYxx (Y line)
MZxx (Z line)
Quote from: Antozilla on December 15, 2008, 02:12:52 PM
That is what I am talking about. How does one read these . I have the first number so I assume F is Four mile so that tells me what garage the lil fella comes from. What about the rest?
Why is Southern P and not S????
Southern is P not S because S is Southeast Division, which is closed. The other southern that has P is Annex Division, which used to be called "Prince George Division" or something like that, and that's where P is from.
As for Royal, I know that RJxx is the 10 line and RExx is the 28 line, not sure about the others. For the blocks that are for routes 1-9, usually it's DNxx where D=Division letter and N=number of the line. For example, for a FMR bus doing a Rush Hour 1A run, it would be something like F145, or on a normal Arlington run, it would be something like A121. Another example: Arlington run of the 4 line: A408.
In some cases, like the 70 line and 90 line, it would also be in the DNxx format. Like the 70 line for example: N704. 79: B780. 90 line: S904 (not sure if this has changed since SE closed, Northern does the 90 line for now).
Also, I'm pretty sure some MWxx blocks end up on the Q2, I have seen that before.
West Ox could just be A since it is replacing Arlington, especially if they are never open simultaneously. They could also use E for West Ox. I wonder if X is reserved for any internal purposes.
I was just saying Q because it will be something that makes no sense except to those blocking the runs.
Actually I was thinking that about A too, but I doubt they'd do that.
Quote from: NewFlyer97BCT on December 15, 2008, 06:53:50 PM
Quote from: Antozilla on December 15, 2008, 02:12:52 PM
That is what I am talking about. How does one read these . I have the first number so I assume F is Four mile so that tells me what garage the lil fella comes from. What about the rest?
Why is Southern P and not S????
Southern is P not S because S is Southeast Division, which is closed. The other southern that has P is Annex Division, which used to be called "Prince George Division" or something like that, and that's where P is from.
As for Royal, I know that RJxx is the 10 line and RExx is the 28 line, not sure about the others. For the blocks that are for routes 1-9, usually it's DNxx where D=Division letter and N=number of the line. For example, for a FMR bus doing a Rush Hour 1A run, it would be something like F145, or on a normal Arlington run, it would be something like A121. Another example: Arlington run of the 4 line: A408.
In some cases, like the 70 line and 90 line, it would also be in the DNxx format. Like the 70 line for example: N704. 79: B780. 90 line: S904 (not sure if this has changed since SE closed, Northern does the 90 line for now).
Also, I'm pretty sure some MWxx blocks end up on the Q2, I have seen that before.
There are a few MW blocks that wind up on the Q2. I think they do other lines (a J2 maybe).
I think with the 90, it might still be N9 or maybe it went to NJxx.
Quote from: 79MetroExtraMD on December 15, 2008, 10:07:55 PM
Quote from: NewFlyer97BCT on December 15, 2008, 06:53:50 PM
Quote from: Antozilla on December 15, 2008, 02:12:52 PM
That is what I am talking about. How does one read these . I have the first number so I assume F is Four mile so that tells me what garage the lil fella comes from. What about the rest?
Why is Southern P and not S????
Southern is P not S because S is Southeast Division, which is closed. The other southern that has P is Annex Division, which used to be called "Prince George Division" or something like that, and that's where P is from.
As for Royal, I know that RJxx is the 10 line and RExx is the 28 line, not sure about the others. For the blocks that are for routes 1-9, usually it's DNxx where D=Division letter and N=number of the line. For example, for a FMR bus doing a Rush Hour 1A run, it would be something like F145, or on a normal Arlington run, it would be something like A121. Another example: Arlington run of the 4 line: A408.
In some cases, like the 70 line and 90 line, it would also be in the DNxx format. Like the 70 line for example: N704. 79: B780. 90 line: S904 (not sure if this has changed since SE closed, Northern does the 90 line for now).
Also, I'm pretty sure some MWxx blocks end up on the Q2, I have seen that before.
There are a few MW blocks that wind up on the Q2. I think they do other lines (a J2 maybe).
I think with the 90, it might still be N9 or maybe it went to NJxx.
What about LE? What's that one? ???
OK, rode the 16Y this AM to work the first number was an F for FMR the second one was a C. Whats up with the C should it not be a 1 (for 16?)
No, because 1 could be 1 or 10-18. At FMR, letters represent routes higher than 9 but we're not sure how just yet. I don't think this is the case but remember interlining: runs are not always exclusive to a route -- a bus on the 9A might also have done 23s and 16s.
My initial thought was that the letter was its rank in the alphabet plus 9 (so for example FF12, F = 6, plus 9 = 15) but that theory isn't holding up.
I saw LC80 on the F8 today.
Quote from: Antozilla on December 18, 2008, 07:35:47 AM
OK, rode the 16Y this AM to work the first number was an F for FMR the second one was a C. Whats up with the C should it not be a 1 (for 16?)
Quote from: Tristan on December 18, 2008, 11:12:06 AM
No, because 1 could be 1 or 10-18. At FMR, letters represent routes higher than 9 but we're not sure how just yet. I don't think this is the case but remember interlining: runs are not always exclusive to a route -- a bus on the 9A might also have done 23s and 16s.
My initial thought was that the letter was its rank in the alphabet plus 9 (so for example FF12, F = 6, plus 9 = 15) but that theory isn't holding up.
Perhaps C stands for Columbia Pike?
Quote from: WMATAGMOAGH on December 18, 2008, 12:28:21 PM
Quote from: Antozilla on December 18, 2008, 07:35:47 AM
OK, rode the 16Y this AM to work the first number was an F for FMR the second one was a C. Whats up with the C should it not be a 1 (for 16?)
Quote from: Tristan on December 18, 2008, 11:12:06 AM
No, because 1 could be 1 or 10-18. At FMR, letters represent routes higher than 9 but we're not sure how just yet. I don't think this is the case but remember interlining: runs are not always exclusive to a route -- a bus on the 9A might also have done 23s and 16s.
My initial thought was that the letter was its rank in the alphabet plus 9 (so for example FF12, F = 6, plus 9 = 15) but that theory isn't holding up.
Perhaps C stands for Columbia Pike?
Yep. C for Columbia Pike.
The ones for Four Mile that I know from observations are
FB - might be something for Ballston. I think I've seen this before but forgot which line.
FC - 16 line
FD - 5A (Dulles)
FM - 38B (M Street)
F5 - 15 line
F7 - 7 line
F9 - 9 line, REX
FJ - 10 line
FE - 28 line
FG - 17 line (Geo Mason)
FN - N22 (Navy Yard)
FS - Springfield?
FT - 23 line (Tysons)
FW - some 17s, 29s maybe
I guess it's important to take the first and second characters as one unit, because Landover's C is obviously different from Four Mile's C.
I know for Landover I think LC is for the F8. The C might be for Cheverly. I guess since the F series might be fully taken by the F1, 2, 4, and 6.
Keep in mind also that Rail Divisions likely have Internal Division Letters prefixing the blocks as well. These might restrict just what letters are available for West Ox.
Hello All
Far as that LC80 block L = Landover, C = C lines, and that block came from the C28 line
So that LC80 was interlined with the C28 then changed over to tha F8
Also, LF2 is F1, F2. LA1 is A12 I believe. I also saw LF80 on the F8. This is confusing to me.
Quote from: btconet on December 19, 2008, 06:38:05 PM
Keep in mind also that Rail Divisions likely have Internal Division Letters prefixing the blocks as well. These might restrict just what letters are available for West Ox.
Metrorail has a different system for its "blocks". They have train numbers and shifts (or runs). Train numbers are assigned based primarily on the line of operation and destination, with some numbers being dependent upon when the train is put in or put out.
100s: Red Line full route (150 and higher were for trains from Grosvenor to Glenmont and Silver Spring to Shady Grove at the end of the peaks, they would change to these 150 numbers from their original 200 numbers, see below)
200s: Red Line short turn trains, off peak trains from Shady Grove to Silver Spring have 200 numbers
300s: Blue Line
400s: Yellow Line
500s: Green Line
600s & 700s: unused AFAIK
800s: Non revenue moves
900s: Orange Line
Ok this is how the set up is for the most part correct me if i am wrong
87, 88, 89 = L800's blocks
A11, A12 = LA01 & up blocks
F4, F6 = LF40 & up blocks
F8 = LF01 & up blocks
F13, F14 = LE01 & up blocks
B21, B22 = LB01-LB29 blocks
B24, B25 = LB40 & up blocks
B30 = LG01 & up blocks (very strange dont know why its like that)
C21, C22, C26, C29 = LC01-LC49 blocks
C28 = LC60 & up blocks
P12 = LP01 & up blocks
R12 = LR01 & up blocks
T16, T17 = LT01-LT29 blocks
T18 = LT30 & up blocks
V11, V12, V13 = LV01 & up blocks
*NOW IF YOU SEE ANY OTHER BLOCKS ON THESE LINES THAT MEANS ITS INTERLINED WITH ANOTHER LINE*
Quote from: BladensburgB2 on December 20, 2008, 02:28:10 PM
Ok this is how the set up is for the most part correct me if i am wrong
87, 88, 89 = L800's blocks
A11, A12 = LA01 & up blocks
F4, F6 = LF40 & up blocks
F8 = LF01 & up blocks
F13, F14 = LE01 & up blocks
B21, B22 = LB01-LB29 blocks
B24, B25 = LB40 & up blocks
B30 = LG01 & up blocks (very strange dont know why its like that)
C21, C22, C26, C29 = LC01-LC49 blocks
C28 = LC60 & up blocks
P12 = LP01 & up blocks
R12 = LR01 & up blocks
T16, T17 = LT01-LT29 blocks
T18 = LT30 & up blocks
V11, V12, V13 = LV01 & up blocks
*NOW IF YOU SEE ANY OTHER BLOCKS ON THESE LINES THAT MEANS ITS INTERLINED WITH ANOTHER LINE*
F8 isn't LF01 it's LC80 or LF80 and up. What about the H11, H12, J11, J12, J13?
Far as the H buses an J buses they are now Annex runs which I find hard to belive but thats ere they operate from
Quote from: BladensburgB2 on December 20, 2008, 03:04:00 PM
Far as the H buses an J buses they are now Annex runs which I find hard to belive but thats ere they operate from
so the H11, 12, 13 and the J11,12, 13 are done by Annex now? I was told they were done by Landover
Quote from: OrionFlyer on December 22, 2008, 11:59:24 AM
Quote from: BladensburgB2 on December 20, 2008, 03:04:00 PM
Far as the H buses an J buses they are now Annex runs which I find hard to belive but thats ere they operate from
so the H11, 12, 13 and the J11,12, 13 are done by Annex now? I was told they were done by Landover
They are done by Landover. What are you (BladensburgB2) talking about?
Go back in the Divison Route Roster and look thats what it has in there also
here look at that
Annex: Flxible Metro B and E, New Flyer D40lfr, Orion V.
39
A2, A6, A7, A8, A42, A26, A48
A4, A5
A9
C11, C13
C12, C14
D12, D13, D14
H11, H12, H13
J11, J12, J13
K11, K12, K13
M5
M6
NH1
P17, P18, P19 (almost always a D40lfr)
W13, W14 (almost always a D40lfr)
W15
I will check next time i am in DC i will also take a pic an post it here since SE closed the Annex took over that line
Quote from: BladensburgB2 on December 20, 2008, 02:28:10 PM
Ok this is how the set up is for the most part correct me if i am wrong
87, 88, 89 = L800's blocks
A11, A12 = LA01 & up blocks
F4, F6 = LF40 & up blocks
F8 = LF01 & up blocks
F13, F14 = LE01 & up blocks
B21, B22 = LB01-LB29 blocks
B24, B25 = LB40 & up blocks
B30 = LG01 & up blocks (very strange dont know why its like that)
C21, C22, C26, C29 = LC01-LC49 blocks
C28 = LC60 & up blocks
P12 = LP01 & up blocks
R12 = LR01 & up blocks
T16, T17 = LT01-LT29 blocks
T18 = LT30 & up blocks
V11, V12, V13 = LV01 & up blocks
*NOW IF YOU SEE ANY OTHER BLOCKS ON THESE LINES THAT MEANS ITS INTERLINED WITH ANOTHER LINE*
As for the B30 being LGxx, I usually associate the G with Greenbelt.
Quote from: BladensburgB2 on December 26, 2008, 06:20:31 PM
Go back in the Divison Route Roster and look thats what it has in there also
here look at that
Annex: Flxible Metro B and E, New Flyer D40lfr, Orion V.
39
A2, A6, A7, A8, A42, A26, A48
A4, A5
A9
C11, C13
C12, C14
D12, D13, D14
H11, H12, H13
J11, J12, J13
K11, K12, K13
M5
M6
NH1
P17, P18, P19 (almost always a D40lfr)
W13, W14 (almost always a D40lfr)
W15
I will check next time i am in DC i will also take a pic an post it here since SE closed the Annex took over that line
Well that Division Roster needs to be updated because the Js, Hs, and Ks are Landover Routes.
Bladensburg Block Numbers
32-36 (B350)
42 (B440)
79 (B770)
80 (B840)
81-82-86-86 (B800)
96-97 (BJ20/30)
B2 (BB01)
B8-B9 (BB70)
B51 (BZxx)
B99 (BB90)
D1-D3-D6 (BD01)
D4 (BD60)
D5 (B150)
D8 (B870)
E2-E4 (BE50)
G8 (BG40)
H1 (BH60)
H2-H3-H4 (BH01)
H6 (BH40)
H8 (BZO1)?
K1 (BK01)*
K2 (BK20)*
K6 (BK40)*
M31 (BZxx)
P1-P2-P6 (BP01)
R1-R2-R5 (BR01)
R3 (BR60)
R4 (BR40)
U2 (BU20)
U4 (BU01)
U5-U6 (BU40)
U6 Plummer Elem School (BZxx)
U8 (BU80)
V5 (BV90)
V7-V8-V9 (BV01)
W4 (BW40)
X1-X3 (BX80)
X2 (BX01)
X8 (B180)
* - Old Bladenburg routes. Only seen the K6 during PM rush from 2001-2003
Bladensburg no longer operates the A9 and the M6
Quote from: BigPimpinSlimDB on January 15, 2010, 12:49:28 PM
Bladensburg Block Numbers
32-36 (B350)
42 (B440)
79 (B770)
80 (B840)
81-82-86-86 (B800)
96-97 (BJ20/30)
A9 (BA90)?
B2 (BB01)
B8-B9 (BB70)
B99 (BB91)
D1-D3-D6 (BD01)
D4 (BD60)
D5 (B150)
D8 (B870)
E2-E4 (BE50)
G8 (BG40)
H1 (BH60)
H2-H3-H4 (BH01)
H8 (BZO1)?
K1 (BK01)*
K2 (BK20)*
K6 (BK40)*
M6 (BM50)?
P1-P2-P6 (BP01)
R1-R2-R5 (BR01)
R3 (BR60)
R4 (BR40)
U2 (BU20)
U4 (BU01)
U5-U6 (BU40)
U8 (BU80)
V5 (BV90)
V7-V8-V9 (BV01)
W4 (BW40)
X1-X3 (BX80)
X2 (BX01)
X8 (B180)
* - Old Bladenburg routes. Only seen the K6 during PM rush from 2001-2003
A couple to add to that list
79 B78x
B51, M31, U6 Plummer Elem School BZxx
I thought the 79 block was B777?
Quote from: DE40LFR on January 15, 2010, 10:13:33 PM
I thought the 79 block was B777?
The 79 has a few rush hour blocks in the B780s.
Updated
A few VA ones
ASxx 17 line (Springfield)
FSxx S80/S91 (Springfield)
FGxx 29 express (Geo Mason)
APxx, RPxx 18 line (Pentagon)
FWxx 25 line
FBxx 22 line (Ballston)
FTxx 23 line (Tysons)
A5xx, F5xx 15 line (You'd think it was the 5A)
FDxx 5A (Dulles)
FMxx 38B (M Street)
F900 REX
F930 9A
F960 9S
AGxx 29N (Geo Mason)
RGxx 29K (Geo Mason)
ABxx 24T
AExx 28A (Baileys Crossroads), 28T
Considering the fact the 5A is a "new" route, it isn't surprising they were using F5XX for something else already.
RLxx 21A (Landmark)
School Trippers
NZ60, NZ61 D32 Deal JHS
WZ81 D33 Deal JHS
NZ62 W45 Wilson HS
PP45 S41 Springarn HS (P17, H8 interline)
PP47 E32 Eastern HS (P17 interline)
P261 S35 Sousa MS (W15? interline)
BZ02 M31 McKinley HS
BZ04 U6 Plummer Elem
WZ84 D34 Deal JHS
NZ63 D31 Deal JHS
PV60 C40 Watkins/Peabody (V5 interline)
PW07 C40 Watkins/Peabody (W2/W3 interline. Uses a 3900 on this trip)
BZ06 B51 Brookland Elem
BD50 D51 Ellington Sch of Arts (D1 interline at Glover Park)
Quote from: 79MetroExtraMD on January 20, 2010, 12:08:18 PM
School Trippers
NZ60, NZ61 D32 Deal JHS
WZ81 D33 Deal JHS
NZ62 W45 Wilson HS
PP45 S41 Springarn HS (P17, H8 interline)
PP47 E32 Eastern HS (P17 interline)
P261 S35 Sousa MS (W15? interline)
BZ02 M31 McKinley HS
BZ04 U6 Plummer Elem
WZ84 D34 Deal JHS
NZ63 D31 Deal JHS
PV60 C40 Watkins/Peabody (V5 interline)
PW07 C40 Watkins/Peabody (W2/W3 interline. Uses a 3900 on this trip)
BZ06 B51 Brookland Elem
BD50 D51 Ellington Sch of Arts (D1 interline at Glover Park)
So if the S41 interlines with the H8, that means it's a Northern Division block or is that H8 an Annex block?
Quote from: OrionFlyer on January 20, 2010, 07:38:32 PM
So if the S41 interlines with the H8, that means it's a Northern Division block or is that H8 an Annex block?
The S41 is an Annex block that does one eastbound trip on the H8 after doing a P17 (I guess to be efficient and cost effective).
You know that's very similar to a situation in Baltimore. Bush Division block does a 15 school run to Northeast Middle (Normally a Kirk run) after coming of another Bush route, I forgot which one, then becomes a 6 afterwards.
Additional trippers
NS21, NS75, NS80 H9 Carroll HS (S1, S2 interline)
PM School Trippers
A2 PA31 (A8 interline)
U6 BV97, P131 (V5 interline, A9 interline)
X2 from Springarn BH66 (H1 interline)
38B from Wash-Lee F746
E32 BV96 (V5 interline)
M31 BH67, BX90, BB23 (H1 interline, X1 interline, B2 interline)
S35 PA34
C40 PW73
B51 BR20 (R5 interline)
S41 BR21 (R2 interline)
H9 NH91 (H8 interline)
D31 NS36
D32 NS86, W146
D33 NZ75
D34 NZ70, NZ71
W45 NS34
W47 NZ73
A31 PP57 (P17 interline)
A32 PD17 (D12 interline)
A33 PA28 (A8 interline)