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Does anyone know the total capacity of the former WMATA 3900s (that went to Ride On after the last cutaway fire)?  A friend and I were discussing how much those buses can hold total, seated and standing, and no one knew for sure, and I'm not finding anything doing research on that size of Orion V, either.

Based on the number, I believe that 5352 is a 2012 diesel-electric hybrid Gillig Low Floor.  So this is from the most recent order of new buses from Ride On.

Bus 5352, a Gillig low-floor hybrid, seems to be the bus that struck a house in Silver Spring:

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2012/08/ride-on-bus-crashes-into-building-in-silver-spring--78987.html

Early reports indicate that this may be an issue with the brakes.

The county is also now announcing that the modified holiday schedule will be in effect Monday and Tuesday as well, returning to a normal schedule on Wednesday.  Additionally, they said that buses will be running on the normal weekend schedule.

After this final Champion fire, I wrote a Journal entry about it, since I am probably the only one on here who rides a Ride On cutaway route on a regular basis:

http://www.schuminweb.com/2012/07/18/i-didnt-want-to-have-this-i-told-you-so-moment-but/

For #11, I'm guessing that regardless of the destination codes actually set, this train was probably signed "SPECIAL" via the override switch with no color sign in the bulkhead door.

Discusses the issue of how Metro doesn't know its own photo policy.  I'm mentioned in there about halfway down (next to the stock photo of the photographers).  Interesting article!

http://www.tbd.com/blogs/tbd-on-foot/2012/02/photographers-shouldn-t-have-to-defend-legal-metro-photos-to-wmata-14638.html

True that.  By the way, does anyone recall what the usage pattern for this new multilevel transit center is/was planned to be?  I wouldn't think that the buses would go on anything higher than ground level, but I reserve the right to be mistaken in that impression.

And a longer story on the fire:

http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/transportation/2012/02/fourth-ride-bus-same-model-catches-fire/247036

I find it interesting that Ride On's union told the county not to get these buses, and they did it anyway.  In any case, I hope that the county comes through on its plan to phase these out in 18 months.  Whether it's new baby Gilligs or more ex-PATs is an entirely different story, I suppose.

Another Ride On International cutaway goes up in smoke:

http://www.nbcwashington.com/video/#!/news/local/Raw-Video--Bus-Fire-at-Rt-650-in-Silver-Spring/138846954

http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/capital-land/2012/02/fourth-ride-bus-goes-flames/245931

Here's the link to the full article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/silver-spring-transit-center-delayed-indefinitely/2012/01/13/gIQAvBmNxP_story.html

Seems that improperly poured concrete is likely the culprit.

No surprise that the cutaways aren't the greatest buses in Ride On's fleet:

http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/dc/2011/12/three-ride-buses-go-flames-15-months/2041966

Spotted three of those hybrids at Glenmont a week or so ago: http://twitpic.com/7r06q7

Cracked the nut!  While the exterior numbering on the old PAT cutaways was completely obliterated, there is a small metal plate on the left side as you're going up the steps into this bus that has the old PAT number on it in raised numbers, plus braille beneath.  Thus the former PAT number is available somewhere.

Also amusing is that these former PAT cutaways still have PAT's rules sign in them, complete with PATransit logo still intact.

Agreed - those new buses look SHARP!