January 2012 Observations

[NewFlyer9736BCT]

wow 2012 already...

so I walked past Montgomery Division today, I'm sad to say that there were at least a dozen retired Orion Vs in the back, all with their numbers scratched off. I think among those were 4310 and 4365. Such a sad sight to see.
Also I saw 2082 and 2086, both had blue tarps over the front, it's like they didn't even try to fix them. Now that 6206 is gone, there may be a chance that 2082 will finally come back? who knows...
Among the graveyard of Orion Vs were a couple of other buses, such as 6459, 6375, 2077, 6023, and an unidentified 61/6200.

[WayneNYC]

The 1997 Orion Vs have (had) the distinction of the first buses to be painted with the paint scheme they sported upon delivery (someone else is going to have to offer the correct name for it), and the first buses to have CleverDevices (now installed on every bus in service if the Flxibles are all retired).  Also, their LED signage was readable for about 5 minutes after delivery.  Anything else noteworthy about these buses?  Aside from marking several "first" in terms of the bus fleet, I don't think they were terribly exceptional or unexceptional either way.

Folks - I split this topic to keep Observations "clean", and since this topic will certainly continue for some time now that the '97 Orion Vs are starting to be retired.  Of course you can continue to list observed retired units in the Observations thread, but let's have the discussion(s) in the new thread.

[WayneNYC]

7110 on the 31 at approaching Friendship Heights station. 
7115 in service southbound along Wisconsin Ave with NIS on the sign board.
2823 on the H4.

[79MetroExtraMD]

7098 on the D6
7025 on the 79
(What is going on at Bladensburg?)

[WES]

7128 on the 64
6444 on the 63

[C40LF_2464]

#3906 On the F4

[RideOn5905]

2812 on the D6.
7115 on the 31.
7103 and 7108 driving down Western Avenue from Chevy Chase Circle, towards Western Division.
6179 on the Z6 (they just keep coming).
2149 on the 79.
5708 on the 55; this bus has a higher-pitched *ding*, like what 5812, the Voithed Orion VIIs, and the C40LFs have.

[WMAveteran]

January 4, 2012: MTA D4500 coach #178C in ICC wrap at the bus staging area at Montgomery Mall preparing to operate new Route 203 ICC Express service to Columbia that originates at the Medical Center/NIH station on the Red Line in Bethesda.

[WayneNYC]

7103 on the D5

[rideonrulez]

Interesting Saturday


Rode WMATA Neoplan #5309 on the 70.
Saw 3 WMATA New Flyer DE62LFA's (5438,5440,5444) on the Y line at Silver Spring.
Also finally got the unit number on the mystery Ride On Gillig Phantom with the Orange LED sign #5415.

[WMAveteran]

WMATA: New Flyer 40 foot BRT #6456 in Metrobus Express Livery with the pleasing green led destination signs operating southbound J7 I270 express service to Bethesda at Russell Avenue and Montgomery Village Avenue in Gaithersburg about 5:00pm. 

[rideonrulez]

I think I just saw another Ride On Gillig Phantom with an orange LED sign #5417. I'm not 100% sure since it was dark and moving.

[WES]

2147 was seen on the H8 this morning.

[RideOn5905]

5828 on the 75 leaving Germantown Trans. Center empty-handed yesterday. After three months, I am still baffled by the decision to move the 75 to Gaithersburg; this is such a waste of bus.

[79MetroExtraMD]

2047 on the 39 @ Farragut Square
6438 on the 43 @ Farragut Square
7091 on the 42 signed as H1 POTOMAC PARK @ Farragut Square (I'm sure those along Columbia Road were confused)
2819 on the 80 signed as 80 TAFT JR HIGH SCH @ Farragut Square