Ride-On 35ft Orion V CNGs

[Tritransit Area]

Are Ride-On's 35 footers still running?  The CNG Orion Vs, that is.  Any new buses coming soon that may be CNG powered?

[WMAveteran]

Are Ride-On's 35 footers still running?  The CNG Orion Vs, that is.  Any new buses coming soon that may be CNG powered?

In the latest budget document I saw Montgomery County has postponed the purchase of any new transit vehicles for 2012. 

[NewFlyer9736BCT]

I haven't seen those buses in well over a year, maybe even 2 years. i think it's safe to say that they're gone.

[79MetroExtraMD]

I haven't seen those buses in well over a year, maybe even 2 years. i think it's safe to say that they're gone.

Same. I haven't seen 5997-99 in quite a while. I last saw 5999 on the 100.

[Tritransit Area]

Are Ride-On's 35 footers still running?  The CNG Orion Vs, that is.  Any new buses coming soon that may be CNG powered?

In the latest budget document I saw Montgomery County has postponed the purchase of any new transit vehicles for 2012. 

Youch, that's not good.  It will be grand to ride M11 Orion Vs but a large portion of the fleet is getting up there in age, isn't it?  Are they still rocking the 1996 Gilligs on Nicholson routes?

I'll miss those 35 footers, though...or at least the opportunity to see them.  I really am long overdue for a trip to the region, heh, especially to the northern part of the county.

[Scrabbleship]

Are Ride-On's 35 footers still running?  The CNG Orion Vs, that is.  Any new buses coming soon that may be CNG powered?

In the latest budget document I saw Montgomery County has postponed the purchase of any new transit vehicles for 2012. 

Youch, that's not good.  It will be grand to ride M11 Orion Vs but a large portion of the fleet is getting up there in age, isn't it?  Are they still rocking the 1996 Gilligs on Nicholson routes?

I think some 1994 and 1995 Gilligs are still running on Nicholson routes. Some buses that are just crying to be retired at this point and would have in most other areas given that they've served their time and deserve mercy.

I know the state of the US is dire, but something major must have happened for a rich and well-off county like Montgomery to pass on buying buses for three years in a row after they bought buses for 20+ years in a row. I know the quasi-depression we're in is part of it, but it makes me wonder if something else is going on. Would their 5-year deal with Gillig carry over after such a long-layoff?

[RideOn5905]

Are Ride-On's 35 footers still running?  The CNG Orion Vs, that is.  Any new buses coming soon that may be CNG powered?

In the latest budget document I saw Montgomery County has postponed the purchase of any new transit vehicles for 2012. 

Youch, that's not good.  It will be grand to ride M11 Orion Vs but a large portion of the fleet is getting up there in age, isn't it?  Are they still rocking the 1996 Gilligs on Nicholson routes?

I think some 1994 and 1995 Gilligs are still running on Nicholson routes. Some buses that are just crying to be retired at this point and would have in most other areas given that they've served their time and deserve mercy.

I know the state of the US is dire, but something major must have happened for a rich and well-off county like Montgomery to pass on buying buses for three years in a row after they bought buses for 20+ years in a row. I know the quasi-depression we're in is part of it, but it makes me wonder if something else is going on. Would their 5-year deal with Gillig carry over after such a long-layoff?

Actually, it's been a few months since I've seen a 1994-97 Gillig on any actual route; I did see 5376 the other day, but it was being towed when I saw it. Nowadays, it seems like the only 35-footers that Nicholson ever bothers to run are 1999 Gilligs. And to a lesser degree, 5575 (a 1998 Orion V); the latter I saw a couple weeks ago on the 23, then a couple days ago parked at Wheaton (most likely about to do an 8 run). For the former, I rode one just a couple of days ago; it was 5414 on the 98.

[WMATAGMOAGH]

I saw 5413 on the 23 this afternoon.

[Tritransit Area]

Visited the area...didn't see any M11 Orion Vs or '96 Gilligs.  Saw a lot of Gillig LFs up front, both in the old and newer scheme.  Even rode a 30 footer on route 44 (never saw this bus line before...guess since it usually ran cutaways and peak hours only).

I suppose Ride-On's fleet is now somewhat young thanks to all of the new Gillig LFs.