With the new Southeastern being built, and built with CNG facilities there is a possibility that Southeastern might get a whole new CNG fleet. Now if this happens, the most likely choices would be Orion (that's if WMATA's relationship with Orion didn't go down the tubes like RIDE ON's relationship with Orion may have gone), and NABI/OPUS. Flyer is probably out since WMATA will order 30 footers to not only go into the new Southeastern, but would most likely replace the remaining Orion IIs at Bladensburg, and New Flyer as of this writing doesn't offer a rear door 30 footer (though with WMATA anything is possible).
Now the coup would be if WMATA chose none other than El Dorado National to be the builder of their next CNG fleet. I mean it might not happen but it would be a real coup of that does happen. Would bring back some fleet diversity back to WMATA. Just an outloud thought.
That's not a bad tought. hell Reagan International uses Eldorado Axxess CNG buses just fine
Quote from: Nabinut on July 31, 2008, 06:45:41 PM
That's not a bad tought. hell Reagan International uses Eldorado Axxess CNG buses just fine
Reagan got new buses? I thought they never get rid of those Van Hools.
Quote from: WES on July 28, 2008, 11:21:47 PM
With the new Southeastern being built, and built with CNG facilities there is a possibility that Southeastern might get a whole new CNG fleet. Now if this happens, the most likely choices would be Orion (that's if WMATA's relationship with Orion didn't go down the tubes like RIDE ON's relationship with Orion may have gone), and NABI/OPUS. Flyer is probably out since WMATA will order 30 footers to not only go into the new Southeastern, but would most likely replace the remaining Orion IIs at Bladensburg, and New Flyer as of this writing doesn't offer a rear door 30 footer (though with WMATA anything is possible).
Now the coup would be if WMATA chose none other than El Dorado National to be the builder of their next CNG fleet. I mean it might not happen but it would be a real coup of that does happen. Would bring back some fleet diversity back to WMATA. Just an outloud thought.
Knowing Metro, they could go with Flyer for new CNG buses. I heard they have a good relationship with them. It would be nice to see some more NABI CNG buses, excluding the 60BRTs due. If Metro wants to invest into 45 foot buses or maybe 35 footers, that could work out. Since they piggybacked off of LA, they might be able to get a good deal on some CNG buses from NABI.
Quote from: 79MetroExtraMD on July 31, 2008, 07:12:10 PM
Quote from: Nabinut on July 31, 2008, 06:45:41 PM
That's not a bad tought. hell Reagan International uses Eldorado Axxess CNG buses just fine
Reagan got new buses? I thought they never get rid of those Van Hools.
They did not get rid of the VanHools, but a few (seems like less than 5) ElDorado Axxess 40' Low Floor CNG buses were apparently
added to the fleet in mid-2007.
Quote from: Tristan on July 31, 2008, 07:39:27 PM
They did not get rid of the VanHools, but a few (seems like less than 5) ElDorado Axxess 40' Low Floor CNG buses were apparently added to the fleet in mid-2007.
It's nice to see something recent (meaning this decade) down at Reagan. ElDorado might be on par to Gillig in the airport shuttle thing.
The ones i saw were numbered in the low 100s (106-107) and had twinvision Full color signs
Quote from: Tristan on July 31, 2008, 07:39:27 PM
Quote from: 79MetroExtraMD on July 31, 2008, 07:12:10 PM
Quote from: Nabinut on July 31, 2008, 06:45:41 PM
That's not a bad tought. hell Reagan International uses Eldorado Axxess CNG buses just fine
Reagan got new buses? I thought they never get rid of those Van Hools.
They did not get rid of the VanHools, but a few (seems like less than 5) ElDorado Axxess 40' Low Floor CNG buses were apparently added to the fleet in mid-2007.
Wow, so few? It seems like they dominate the fleet with some Van Hools thrown in for good measure. At least those are longer buses. Are there any 35ft Axxesses out there?
Quote from: 79MetroExtraMD on July 31, 2008, 07:21:28 PM
Quote from: WES on July 28, 2008, 11:21:47 PM
With the new Southeastern being built, and built with CNG facilities there is a possibility that Southeastern might get a whole new CNG fleet. Now if this happens, the most likely choices would be Orion (that's if WMATA's relationship with Orion didn't go down the tubes like RIDE ON's relationship with Orion may have gone), and NABI/OPUS. Flyer is probably out since WMATA will order 30 footers to not only go into the new Southeastern, but would most likely replace the remaining Orion IIs at Bladensburg, and New Flyer as of this writing doesn't offer a rear door 30 footer (though with WMATA anything is possible).
Now the coup would be if WMATA chose none other than El Dorado National to be the builder of their next CNG fleet. I mean it might not happen but it would be a real coup of that does happen. Would bring back some fleet diversity back to WMATA. Just an outloud thought.
Knowing Metro, they could go with Flyer for new CNG buses. I heard they have a good relationship with them. It would be nice to see some more NABI CNG buses, excluding the 60BRTs due. If Metro wants to invest into 45 foot buses or maybe 35 footers, that could work out. Since they piggybacked off of LA, they might be able to get a good deal on some CNG buses from NABI.
It would be interesting to see 31-LFW buses running around the DC area, although would WMATA need more CNG 30 footers? The Orion Vs should be getting ready for retirement sometime soon I imagine, and the depots that use them (Landover, elsewhere?) don't really have those CNG facilities IIRC.