MTA's Newest Buses...the DE60LFRs

[Nabinut]

Caught these this afternoon:
8006:10-1158


8010: 8-1100


8015: 8-1113

8016: 8-1100


8018: 8-1106



8020: 8-1108

[C40LF_2464]

Those buses looking sweet. Im looking fowrad on riding them on the 8.

[79MetroExtraMD]

Nice shots Thomas. I saw one on the 27 going up Howard when I got off the MARC train. I heard one of them had some problems already. One of the Bush operators I know told me that.

[Scrabbleship]

If I go up on Sunday, what are my odds of getting one of these?

[79MetroExtraMD]

They only run on weekdays so far. When the 48 starts up this fall, that might change, but the most ridership is during weekdays.

[Scrabbleship]

What's so special about the 48 that's forthcoming?

[mrpete]

The 48 (QB48) will be a new QuickBus line that overlays the 8 line. There will also be a QB 43 to complement the 3 & 36 lines as well. These are not yet set in stone as another round of public hearings is scheduled in June.The first QuickBus line QB 40 was implemented several years ago and roughly complements the 23 line.

For more info:

http://mtamaryland.com/Public_Hearings_June2009.cfm

http://www.mtamaryland.com/services/bus/schedule/40schedule.pdf

Unlike WMATA's Metro Extra, REX et al, MTA's QuickBus service has no "dedicated" vehicles but the destination signs have a unique format with the "qb" logo preceeding the route number along with the "QUICKBUS" title. A few bus stops were inconsistently identified with a large red, yellow and gray "QuickBus" pylon with the route nubber and schedule.

Due to budget constraints several more QuickBus routes are on the back burner as well as upgrades to QuickBus bus stops.

Artics have been used sparingly on the 40.

[79MetroExtraMD]

The 8 line definitely needs a Quickbus line because of the capacity. The 3 is in the same boat. As for artics, the 64 has been getting quite crowded at times (even at night) and I've seen artics on a couple blocks rarely. The Light Street choke past Montgomery Street needs to be reconsidered for the southbound part of the 64. I want to see it off of Light Street altogether.

Back to the subject, the new artics are pretty nice. I'd really like to see a couple on the 3, 13, 15.

[mrpete]

Initially they were to be assigned to the 8, 91 and certain blocks of the 36. Apparently there has been a policy change where they are now assigned to almost any route. This first full week has seen them on the 8, 10, 23, 40, 51, 54, and even a school tripper on the 51.

FYI the 9600 NABI artics are on the way to permanent assignment in Ocean City. The 9500 artics have been retired although 9501 was seen in service on the M1 earlier this week.

By the way, get your rides and pics of MTA's Flx's while you can as they will likely be gone before year end as 100 DE40LFR's will begin arriving this summer. The oldest of the Flx's 8946 & 8974 are still shakin, rattlin & rollin after 20 years!!

Here's Nabinut's latest MTA roster: http://monumentalcity.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=41&start=495

[C40LF_2464]

The 48 (QB48) will be a new QuickBus line that overlays the 8 line. There will also be a QB 43 to complement the 3 & 36 lines as well. These are not yet set in stone as another round of public hearings is scheduled in June.The first QuickBus line QB 40 was implemented several years ago and roughly complements the 23 line.

For more info:

http://mtamaryland.com/Public_Hearings_June2009.cfm

http://www.mtamaryland.com/services/bus/schedule/40schedule.pdf

Unlike WMATA's Metro Extra, REX et al, MTA's QuickBus service has no "dedicated" vehicles but the destination signs have a unique format with the "qb" logo preceeding the route number along with the "QUICKBUS" title. A few bus stops were inconsistently identified with a large red, yellow and gray "QuickBus" pylon with the route nubber and schedule.

Due to budget constraints several more QuickBus routes are on the back burner as well as upgrades to QuickBus bus stops.

Artics have been used sparingly on the 40.

So th QuickBus is an express route like the REX and 79?

[OrionFlyer]

So th QuickBus is an express route like the REX and 79?

Yep, you got it.

[smithavechuck]

More specifically, Limited Stop ,although I'm not certain which niomenclature REX operates under.  I have to come down & buma ride.

Chuck

[uncle_shawn]

The REX is limited stop

[BladensburgB2]

Hello Guys

As far as the QB43/48 compaired to the REX its tha same only difference is that there are no buses that are commited to those lines and the 48/48 wont have as many stops as the REX but yes its tha same Limited stop service