Ride On News

[WMAveteran]

Annoncement to the DCATZ board



Today (4/3/09) is my last day here as an employee at Ride On  I will miss it here as it is like a family to me for my last 10+ years but I got to move on with my career. I still of course will continue to participate as a DCATZ member.

Congratulations and much luck in the future.  Keep in touch.

[ChristopherF]

At this time (4/6/09), all of the Gillig Advantage clean diesels from 2008 (5726-5746) should have the Orbital announcer system installed.

[Scrabbleship]

Well, it looks like Ride On is realigining their service adjustments:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/getthere/2009/04/changes_in_montgomery_bus_plan.html#comments

I support keeping the 53 and Saturday service on the 29.

Hiking the 93 and 96 to full-fare makes total $en$e.

But hiking the 70 to an express fare!?!? That's transit suicide!! And to believe that when I wrote my testimony on WMATA's adjustments I said that the 70 might take the J7/9's passengers if that route's fare was hiked.

Will anyone get that save for airports express fares only work going into downtown Washington!?

[rideonrulez]

Well, it looks like Ride On is realigining their service adjustments:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/getthere/2009/04/changes_in_montgomery_bus_plan.html#comments

I support keeping the 53 and Saturday service on the 29.

Hiking the 93 and 96 to full-fare makes total $en$e.

But hiking the 70 to an express fare!?!? That's transit suicide!! And to believe that when I wrote my testimony on WMATA's adjustments I said that the 70 might take the J7/9's passengers if that route's fare was hiked.

Will anyone get that save for airports express fares only work going into downtown Washington!?

Personally the route 7 can go. The 70 is a bad idea, I think they will lose alot of riders with that one. I'm happy they kept what they have there on the list.

In other Ride On news, Look for the new Ride On paint scheme coming on this next order of Gilligs. 

[LandoverDivision]

Well, it looks like Ride On is realigining their service adjustments:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/getthere/2009/04/changes_in_montgomery_bus_plan.html#comments

I support keeping the 53 and Saturday service on the 29.

Hiking the 93 and 96 to full-fare makes total $en$e.

But hiking the 70 to an express fare!?!? That's transit suicide!! And to believe that when I wrote my testimony on WMATA's adjustments I said that the 70 might take the J7/9's passengers if that route's fare was hiked.

Will anyone get that save for airports express fares only work going into downtown Washington!?

Personally the route 7 can go. The 70 is a bad idea, I think they will lose alot of riders with that one. I'm happy they kept what they have there on the list.

In other Ride On news, Look for the new Ride On paint scheme coming on this next order of Gilligs. 

Please tell me it looks better than the current (green/yellow) one. Man I look foward to seeing this new scheme. When are the new Gilligs due?

[C40LF_2464]

Cant ride-on get more buses from another bus manufactuer other than gillig?

[LandoverDivision]

Cant ride-on get more buses from another bus manufactuer other than gillig?

HA Imagine Ride-On with NABIs. Weird...

[Tritransit Area]

I could definitely picture a NABI (with the old front) in the Ride-On (blue and white)scheme.  The new front...not so much.

Ride-On did look at the Compobus some time back for the Viers Mill Road BRT, if I'm not mistaken.

I remember when I didn't think that Ride-On would be operating New Flyer buses...same with SEPTA.  Obviously, I was wrong on both accounts.

[C40LF_2464]

I hope they dont get those ugly Compobuses but if they want to go with NABI, they should get the NABI LFW with the new front. In matter of fact i had a dream about that the other nighnt. But if they want to go with Gillig. As muc as i hate the back of it *sighs* they should get the new Gillig BRT's. And is it possible for Ride-On to buy some artics?

[mrpete]

The bus contract goes to the "lowest, responsive, responsible bidder". While price is the largest factor, just as important is whether or not the bidder claims it can meet the specifications and delivery/service/warranty conditions and does the bidder have the financial capacity to complete the order.

Typical bus bids for larger TA's include options for additional vehicles to be ordered and delivered at a future date if the TA has the $$$. Thus, to oversimplify, the TA is reserving space on the vendor's assembly line. This is how TA's can continue to purchase from a single vendor for several years without going out for a new bid. If the option is "assignable" and the TA decides not to exercise it, that TA can assign the option to another TA which can now get its order sooner.

[NewFlyer9736BCT]

It looks like the 63 has been shortened from Shady Grove to Gude and Piccard Dr. during mid day...I think it's a logical choice rather than completely eliminating the route.

[ChristopherF]

5746 now has the fleet number on the front.  Not sure about 5738, though (I reported it to Ride On via Email recently).

[ChristopherF]

I just received an Email from Montgomery County Ride On this morning & their fleet specialists  confirmed that there will be 35 new 2009 Gilliig Advantage 40' hybrid buses, which will be, by far, the largest order of hybrid buses to date.