November 2010 Observations

[Tritransit Area]

A NIMCO trip would be so sad and morbid.  It is amazing how fast the buses can be replaced, eh?  Gosh, I still, in the back of my mind, kind of think of the Metro Es as the "new buses", at least the "New Flxes".   Most of them spent most of their lives in Virginia, didn't they?

Time flies indeed!

[NewFlyer9736BCT]

what exactly is NIMCO?

[WayneNYC]

Most of them spent most of their lives in Virginia, didn't they?

Time flies indeed!

There was a time about 3 years ago when half of the Metro-Es were at Arlington.  Other than that, they pretty much were in all divisions for much of their lives.

what exactly is NIMCO?

http://www.nimcobus.com/about_us/

[NewFlyer9736BCT]

Most of them spent most of their lives in Virginia, didn't they?

Time flies indeed!

There was a time about 3 years ago when half of the Metro-Es were at Arlington.  Other than that, they pretty much were in all divisions for much of their lives.

what exactly is NIMCO?

http://www.nimcobus.com/about_us/

yeah, Arlington had 4051-4104 a couple years back, it wasn't long before 4051 moved to Annex and 4095-4104 moved to Montgomery, then the rest slowly moved away. Plus before FMR was taken over by Orion VIIs, they had plenty of 9700s and 9800s, as well as some 8800s and 9200s, and probably more. And when Royal had a LOT of the 9300s, and some 9400s as well. Arlington also had some 9300s, and that was the point in time when Arlington had NOTHING but Flxibles, and when the first 4200s started moving in, it was pretty hard to find a 4200. Now they're all over the current West Ox routes.

[WayneNYC]

I finally saw one of the new MTA MCIs in service.  176C was at Shady Grove on the 991 last night. 

Also, I've noticed that those MTA D4500s are looking rather shabby and in need of some TLC.

[smithavechuck]

NIMCO is a scrap dealer in Newark.  They bid on all of the MTAs retired buses.

Chuck

[Flxible]

I wonder how much they bid on them, and is the bidding process even fair anymore?  Seems like at least one private owner candidate would step up to the plate and outbid NIMCO. 

[RideOn5905]

5376 could possibly be a Nicholson bus now; I saw it this morning at GTC. I was sitting on the 55 at the time, and I didn't notice it until it had already passed us; chances are it was NIS.

And the other day, my dad and I went to pick somebody up at National Airport, and I saw 5197 on the 83.

[Tristan]

@Flxible,

Depends on your definition of fair.  Is fair for one company to low-ball but then buy up whole lots of surplus without extreme regard for condition, or to wait for MAYBE a one or a bunch of individuals bidding separately and randomly showing up on their own schedules for inspected, top shelf, pristine equipment?

For us (the fan community), the latter is best, but for the TAs who want money now and don't have a sales team...?

[rideonrulez]

Just saw 5209, one of the last 6 IKARUS on the X2 at 7th & H St this morning going Eastbound.

[WMAveteran]

Ride On bus # (99)5725 on November 24, 2010 at approximately 4:45 PM operating Route 70 express service from Germantown (Milestone) to Bethesda. I had the opportunity to pace this bus for several miles on southbound I-270 at speeds up to 65 mph.  I didn't think the old girl had it in her (lol)!  Besides the operator there was exactly one (1) passenger enjoying this rapid commute.   

[Tritransit Area]

Saw 5437 on the k6...and does ro 5613 have an allison? sounds different

[RideOn5905]

Saw 5437 on the k6...and does ro 5613 have an allison? sounds different

Could be... earlier this month, I noted that 5595 also sounded a bit weird (on top of that, her interior looked like crap).

[79MetroExtraMD]

Ride On bus # (99)5725 on November 24, 2010 at approximately 4:45 PM operating Route 70 express service from Germantown (Milestone) to Bethesda. I had the opportunity to pace this bus for several miles on southbound I-270 at speeds up to 65 mph.  I didn't think the old girl had it in her (lol)!  Besides the operator there was exactly one (1) passenger enjoying this rapid commute.   

Nice. I rode 5733 on the 74 this morning. Pretty good ride up Great Seneca. Totally forgot about the modified holiday schedule (Ride On definitely needs to probably do something to the print schedules or something. Not everyone has internet access to the pdfs). Had 5812 on the 100 today and I was the only person from GTC to SG.

[WMAveteran]

Ride On bus # (99)5725 on November 24, 2010 at approximately 4:45 PM operating Route 70 express service from Germantown (Milestone) to Bethesda. I had the opportunity to pace this bus for several miles on southbound I-270 at speeds up to 65 mph.  I didn't think the old girl had it in her (lol)!  Besides the operator there was exactly one (1) passenger enjoying this rapid commute.   

Nice. I rode 5733 on the 74 this morning. Pretty good ride up Great Seneca. Totally forgot about the modified holiday schedule (Ride On definitely needs to probably do something to the print schedules or something. Not everyone has internet access to the pdfs). Had 5812 on the 100 today and I was the only person from GTC to SG.

Thanks for the comment.  I agree with you about the schedules for not only the 74 but also the 67 and 76.  Unfortunately none of these routes have service on weekends either but none of the bus stops have a notation that the service on these routes is Mon-Fri only.  A number of times I have driven by people waiting for the buses on weekends and I stopped and told them there was no service.  I have communicated with Ride On about posting some notice about the limited service (the 67 is also rush-hour only) on the stops and I was ignored.  Don't even start me on how this lack of weekend service denies westside Gaithersburg riders access to the closest Metro station (SG) and The Kentlands without having to go to Rockville or Lakeforest and transfer.