articulated buses for "RIDE ON"

[metrodriver]

Do u think RIDE ON  will purchase artics anytime soon.

[79MetroExtraMD]

The ridership as it is now doesn't really warrant them, plus the space constraints at both Gaithersburg and Silver Spring.

[Scrabbleship]

Do u think RIDE ON  will purchase artics anytime soon.

Does Ride On even need artics to begin with? Outside of the 15, 46, and 55, I can't think of any routes that would come close to needing them.

An artic on the 5's curvy portion between the Beltway and Kensington would be fun though.

[79MetroExtraMD]

Do u think RIDE ON  will purchase artics anytime soon.

Does Ride On even need artics to begin with? Outside of the 15, 46, and 55, I can't think of any routes that would come close to needing them.

An artic on the 5's curvy portion between the Beltway and Kensington would be fun though.

The 15, 46, and 55 have good frequencies so you really wouldn't need them. Plus, you have multiple routes going to the same place. The 70 does come close at times. I've been on a couple that were SRO all the way up 270.

[WayneNYC]

I've joked about it in the past, but my guess (non-transit professional) is that they're not quite ready for artics yet. 

[DCT S9Z4Z6]

The 16's thru Quebec Terrace & the 20's thru Northwest Park & both on Piney Branch, at times, could use them.

Also the 1/11's in rush hours, Ive had to leave people behind at Silver Spring & friendship hgts, driving those routes.

Maybe not currently, but since RIDE is buying 40fters for the everyday routes, im sure in time, that Artics will 1 day, be used.

Just my humble Opinion.

[Perry]

With all of the interlining they do, it would be hard to keep artics to one route unless they re-did their blocking to accommodate them. 

[79MetroExtraMD]

With all of the interlining they do, it would be hard to keep artics to one route unless they re-did their blocking to accommodate them. 

I forgot to mention that as well. They do some crazy interlining.

[DCT S9Z4Z6]

In reality, Ride-On is a community based bus/transit system, who's niche is getting INTO the neighborhoods to provide service to its customers.

I cant see a 60' Artic going down Thayer Ave (rte 20) with all those speedbumps, or making a turn off of Sligo Ave, or a #16 on Qubec Terrace. or doing a #1 thru Leland Street & the Meadowbrook community.

Maybe if the Artics stayed on the 46, 55, 100 etc etc. .  but then again, once Scotty fixes the transporter, it will put all of us transit workers & fans outta work.

[NewFlyer9736BCT]

Although it's well suited for the 46 in terms of the roads, the 46 is fine as it is, it's usually not as crowded as the 55 can get. As for the 55, I take the bus to Montgomery College Rockville every day, and I know for a fact that, especially during morning rush hour and PM rush starting at 1:30 pm, the 55 gets a crazy amount of riders, and it doesn't help when a 35-footer shows up (ahem...5906 and 5932, the usuals)

I would have to say part of this is because of the Science Center construction at MC, causing the parking to be more of a problem, and causing people like me to take the bus more often. But either way, outside of MC, the 55 can get crazy-packed and if they were to get artics, I would be content with that decision.

I guess the 70 could use them too, and maybe the 46. The 100...probably not, since it runs VERY frequent during rush hour, it's probably the most frequent route in Ride On.

Now for the interlining...I agree that something has to be done about that, because it would be pretty unusual seeing those buses go in the small streets like where the 48 and 59 go near Rockville Station, and the Washington Grove MARC Station area of the 61 (with the railroad crossing and immediate turn), and Tschiffely Square Rd where the 76 goes, etc...

[Tritransit Area]

Can't the 55 run more often as well?

[aznboy4305]

Artics should have no problem going into small neighborhoods, if you can maneuver a 35 footer through it, you can definitely maneuver an artic through it. The problem is not wanting to waste capacity resources on routes that do not need them, but that is no different from say using a 40 footer on a deep neighborhood route while there are 35 footers on trunk routes.

Also, you do NOT want to place an artic in a potential situation where you may need to back up. With the interlining levels at Ride On, that may be difficult to monitor.

[WMAveteran]

I think Ride On would have to make too many expensive infrastructure improvements to maintain artics for too few routes.  I would prefer Ride On to focus on customer comfort by purchasing 40 foot buses with cushioned suburban seating for the longer routes like the 100, 70, 76 to Poolesville, 90 to Damascus, etc.   

[WMATAGMOAGH]

Artics are often not this golden solution to crowding problems, not because they can't be, but because TAs use them in a cost-cutting measure.  Ride On's community focus and complex interlining doesn't lend itself well to the use of artics IMO, they are better off sticking with standard size buses.

[OrionFlyer]

What about 45ft buses?