Roster of WMATA buses in blue Express scheme?

[RailBus63]

Does anyone have a list of WMATA buses in the blue Express scheme they can post here? 

[NewFlyer9736BCT]

off the top of my head, we have 2464, 2665, 2815-2825, 6212-6217, 6424-6461, and possibly 2712 (as well as more 2700s on the way through rehab)

EDIT - 2712 is NOT blue, it's red, why that is, I don't know...

[rideonrulez]

Were going to have to add to the list Xcelsiors #7091-7100. They have "Metroextra" logos and are in the Blue Express scheme. They look GOOD in Blue!!   

[WMATAGMOAGH]

So is MetroExtra making a comeback?  I thought the plan was to phase out the branding in favor of "express."  Thanks for the update, Chris!

[Flxible]

Were going to have to add to the list Xcelsiors #7091-7100. They have "Metroextra" logos and are in the Blue Express scheme. They look GOOD in Blue!! 

Wow- I'll bet they do.  So the Metro Extra branding is still around, eh?

[Tritransit Area]

So is MetroExtra making a comeback?  I thought the plan was to phase out the branding in favor of "express."  Thanks for the update, Chris!

I'm sure that was the plan with the last General Manager, but as we all understood, it was confusing to call a route like the X9 an "Express" while calling a route like the J9 "Express", yet charging a local fare on the X9 and an express fare on the J9.  I'm glad they reconsidered that idea.

I'm so glad to see the "MetroExtra" branding return, though (I still, in my mind, refer to the 79 as the "Extra")!  I can't wait to see these buses in blue (honestly, I prefer the blue scheme to the "local" red scheme).

[79MetroExtraMD]

I liked the MetroExtra scheme because it had the blue in the front and really showcased the Limited Stop aspect of it. Of course, the Local and Express branding was just confusing (thanks Catoe). It'd really be interesting to see MetroExtra on the Xcelsiors. Now, as for the new repaints and whatnot, will they slap on MetroExtra onto them or keep them in a semi-usable express scheme?

[WayneNYC]

I don't find the local and express branding themselves to be confusing.  I think it was confusing in WMATA's current operation.  I think they're a good idea, if the agency can be consistent about keeping the locals on local routes, expresses on express routes and limited/MetroExtra on limited routes.  I get the whole interlining concept and I understand that from time-to-time a bus designated for one type of service may have to cover on a route with a different type of service.  However, if this is the norm, then the branding loses it's purpose.  If this is going to prevent WMATA (or any agency) from being able to keep branded buses on their respective routes, then I think the branding shouldn't be done.

This is not at all criticism of WMATA.  I simply think that WMATA's current bus fleet and/or method of operation does not support the use of local/express branding.  Perhaps that will change.  I hope so as I'm infavor of the express/local (and limited/MetroExtra) branding concept.

I know we've debated this in the past.  My thing is that Joe and Jane Transitrider should not have to play a guessing game with buses and their branding.  Example: Imagine a rider waiting for a bus at Bethesda during the PM rush hour.  They could (regularly) see a J2 Local, J4 Express and an identical J9 Express at the same time.  That can be quite confusing seeing as the branding has the J4 and J9 both appearing to be express routes.   

[79MetroExtraMD]

It also has to do with scheduling as well. For example, MN01 block does both the J9 and the N line. There are a few other blocks that are interlined with express and local routes (mainly Montgomery). Western and Northern seem to have exclusive 37 and S9 blocks that don't interline albeit the K1 used to have express buses at times. It also has to do with starters and bus assignments at the garage with whatever is available and most of the time, it is the express buses since they're done with their rush hour runs. With more limited stop/express routes and straightforward scheduling, the branding could work.

[WayneNYC]

It also has to do with scheduling as well. For example, MN01 block does both the J9 and the N line. There are a few other blocks that are interlined with express and local routes (mainly Montgomery). Western and Northern seem to have exclusive 37 and S9 blocks that don't interline albeit the K1 used to have express buses at times. It also has to do with starters and bus assignments at the garage with whatever is available and most of the time, it is the express buses since they're done with their rush hour runs. With more limited stop/express routes and straightforward scheduling, the branding could work.

I understand why this happens.  Hence, my statement that I believe WMATA's current operation does not support local/express branding of their buses. 

[RailBus63]

Perhaps WMATA should come up with a simplified paint scheme that is mostly silver but does have red and blue stripes and/or accents, for use on a handful of buses at each depot on interlined runs and as spares. 

[79MetroExtraMD]

Perhaps WMATA should come up with a simplified paint scheme that is mostly silver but does have red and blue stripes and/or accents, for use on a handful of buses at each depot on interlined runs and as spares. 

I remember the document with the NABI BRTs where they had an early rendering of a possible paint scheme for Metro. If I could get a hold of the pdf of it, I might recall what it looked like.

[Flxible]

[ can't wait to see these buses in blue (honestly, I prefer the blue scheme to the "local" red scheme).

I agree.  I guess I'm biased...Blue is my favorite color.  I grew up with red and white buses and always liked the way they wore their colors (Flx New Looks, Grumman 870s), but that was then, this is now.  Modern buses look very plasticky with too much red, especially today's brighter hues and rear-swept liveries.  Blue looks really good around the rear flanks of late-model buses.  Case in point? Our current paint scheme in Roanoke.

[Transport]

I liked the MetroExtra scheme because it had the blue in the front and really showcased the Limited Stop aspect of it. Of course, the Local and Express branding was just confusing (thanks Catoe). It'd really be interesting to see MetroExtra on the Xcelsiors. Now, as for the new repaints and whatnot, will they slap on MetroExtra onto them or keep them in a semi-usable express scheme?

You hit the nail on the head.  The MetroExtra paint scheme was the true differentiator between the other buses because the unique blue coloring was on the FRONT of the bus visible to passengers as the bus approached the bus stops.  The what I will call "Catoe livery" includes red for local and blue for express/limited but both have silver paint on the front-- the colors were on the back of the bus not visible to passengers along the route.  I see WMATA is trying to fix this with the red and blue strips of color on the front below the windshield.

The main issue, though, is that passengers will board whatever bus shows up.  I ride the S9 frequently and I've seen all types of paint schemes - Orion Vs, 42' BRT local and Express and 60' artics.  No matter what the color of the bus or color of the destination sign, there is not mass confusion among passengers.  They just see the "S9" route designation and board - - be it an orange crush or green destination sign on a bus painted any which way or wrapped in an ad.

[WayneNYC]

I liked the MetroExtra scheme because it had the blue in the front and really showcased the Limited Stop aspect of it. Of course, the Local and Express branding was just confusing (thanks Catoe). It'd really be interesting to see MetroExtra on the Xcelsiors. Now, as for the new repaints and whatnot, will they slap on MetroExtra onto them or keep them in a semi-usable express scheme?

You hit the nail on the head.  The MetroExtra paint scheme was the true differentiator between the other buses because the unique blue coloring was on the FRONT of the bus visible to passengers as the bus approached the bus stops.  The what I will call "Catoe livery" includes red for local and blue for express/limited but both have silver paint on the front-- the colors were on the back of the bus not visible to passengers along the route.  I see WMATA is trying to fix this with the red and blue strips of color on the front below the windshield.

The main issue, though, is that passengers will board whatever bus shows up.  I ride the S9 frequently and I've seen all types of paint schemes - Orion Vs, 42' BRT local and Express and 60' artics.  No matter what the color of the bus or color of the destination sign, there is not mass confusion among passengers.  They just see the "S9" route designation and board - - be it an orange crush or green destination sign on a bus painted any which way or wrapped in an ad.

I have to change my earlier thought to fully agree with you guys.  I wasn't thinking about the fact that while the "Express" and "Local" schemes were clearly different... both are pretty much identical from the front end.  Of course that's a problem because the person(s) at the bus stop will see a bus with a gray face approaching.  While the Blue and Red patch under the windshield could help, I'm thinking they should also fit in the "Express" and "Local" lettering (should they decide to go back to the lettering).   I personally would've liked something where all of the area below the windshield was blue or red.