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[CHICAGO]

CHICAGO - Six weeks after they were removed from service, 200 extra-long CTA buses remain parked. When -- or even if -- they will run again remains an open question. CTA spokesperson Noelle Gaffney said the agency awaits the report of a consultant brought in to determine if repairs can be made to the buses, manufactured between 2003 and 2005 by North American Bus Industries (NABI). The buses have had a troubled run at the CTA.  Agency officials quickly became disenchanted with their riding characteristics and durability.  In 2005, the agency stopped paying NABI for the buses because of the recurring problems, and an inability to come up with solutions.  CTA has since sued NABI, and CTA officials have stated publicly that they will not purchases buses from NABI again. Other transit agencies have had similar complaints. CTA abruptly withdrew the 60-foot-long, articulated buses from service when a Feb. 23 inspection of one NABI bus, with only 157,000 miles on its odometer, showed cracks in its axles and its articulation joints -- the accordion area. The agency shuffled its bus assignments citywide and even juggled its 'L' service during rush hours to try to accommodate riders.  Gaffney said that continues, with a bit of help. "We have other bus orders in place and have been receiving other buses," Gaffney said. "So since that date we have added an additional 65 buses to the fleet. We've been able week by week to improve (schedules and capacity)." CTA's newest buses are being built by a different manufacturer, New Flyer.  A lease order for 150 buses is being filled, and money from the federal stimulus and state infrastructure programs will be used to acquire at least 180 additional buses. Gaffney would not speculate as to whether CTA would opt to junk the 200 buses, even though they remain under warranty and are nowhere near the 12-year standard for bus replacement advised by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).  She said that decision would be made by CTA officials, working with the consultant. [/t]