WMATA orders DesignLine ECOSaver IV?

[novabusorionfan]

What if WMATA order the DesignLine ECOSaver IV?

Here's a picture: http://thebergennetwork.com/special/2008-10-07/designline01.jpg

here's a picture of NYCT style one: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/archive/1/16/20090924051748!MTA_New_York_City_Bus_DesignLine_EcoSaver_IV_%282009%29.jpg

[Annex4421]

Not that 1st one, but the one NYC has yes.

[btconet]

Why on earth would you want them?  Baltimore's Circulator was supposed to have kicked off this past Summer with a fleet of 21 of them.  They can't even guarantee that they'll have 7 by this February to start one of the three lines, and all we get are excuses about global slowdowns.

[Scrabbleship]

Wasn't New York supposed to have a lot more in service by now as well?

IIRC, DesignLine was one of the runners up for the 500 hybrid contract that went to New Flyer (the current LFA order). Imagine if DesignLine won it; there would maybe be 5 buses on WMATA property rather than nearly 200.

[WayneNYC]

New York is moving slowly with the DesignLine buses (good idea IMO) to iron out the teething problems.  I'm sure that's why we're getting just 90 of them which is a very small order for NYCTA.  Looks like once they get the early units operating to their satisfaction, they'll give the OK for the remaining units to be built to those specs.  If the TA is happy with the initial order, it'll likley open the door for future MTA purchases.

[Flxible]

Wasn't New York supposed to have a lot more in service by now as well?

IIRC, DesignLine was one of the runners up for the 500 hybrid contract that went to New Flyer (the current LFA order). Imagine if DesignLine won it; there would maybe be 5 buses on WMATA property rather than nearly 200.

Which would have extended the tenure of their remaining Flxes.  With all due respect to NFI (my present-day industry fave), I suddenly wish DesignLine had won the contract....

[WayneNYC]

It appears that the DesignLine folks have lost their chance with the MTA in NY.  NYCTA was set to get 90 of them, but they've had nothing but problems with the few units they had on property.  The buses has undergone lots of testing in NYC and well as revenue service at 3 NYCTA depots.  According to a NYCTA dispatcher who posts on one of the New York boards, the DesignLine buses at his depot (Manhattanville) have been idle for several weeks and he says the program has been cancelled.  I guess the buses are waiting to be shipped back to DesignLine.

[Flxible]

It appears that the DesignLine folks have lost their chance with the MTA in NY.  NYCTA was set to get 90 of them, but they've had nothing but problems with the few units they had on property.  The buses has undergone lots of testing in NYC and well as revenue service at 3 NYCTA depots.  According to a NYCTA dispatcher who posts on one of the New York boards, the DesignLine buses at his depot (Manhattanville) have been idle for several weeks and he says the program has been cancelled.  I guess the buses are waiting to be shipped back to DesignLine.

That does not surprise me.  They don't look very sturdy, and the design is hideous.  Their other model that went to NYC is more attractive, however- reminds me a bit of the Millennium RTS.