November 2008 Observation Photos

[Tristan]

At WMATA, the route number and the destination are two separate codes, and on at least CD buses if not all others as well, the driver can input any four characters in the route number entry.

Attached is my favorite example of this.  The driver of this bus (from 2005) would get off and sit in the shelter and just kinda hang out during his layover, but he left the bus open so people could sit inside and be protected from the elements and such...and to prevent people from asking him over and over what time he left: well, you see.

[OrionFlyer]

At WMATA, the route number and the destination are two separate codes, and on at least CD buses if not all others as well, the driver can input any four characters in the route number entry.

Attached is my favorite example of this.  The driver of this bus (from 2005) would get off and sit in the shelter and just kinda hang out during his layover, but he left the bus open so people could sit inside and be protected from the elements and such...and to prevent people from asking him over and over what time he left: well, you see.

Makes sense now. So if the operator wanted to, he or she could but in "R3 NEW CARROLLTON STATION", OR "Y8 GREENBELT STATION", or even "16Y SILVER SPRING STATION" since the route and destination are different codes?

BTW that picture's awesome. Man I miss those green led flip dot signs. To bad the only buses that have them now are the Orion II's.

I wish I could have one of those just for myself, but those signs probably cost a lot, if they're still made.

[WMATAGMOAGH]

The Clever Devices allow operators to input the route, at which point it will display all the options for that route.  However, I think a driver can then choose "none of the above" and put in a different destination if he wishes to do so.  For example, enter L2 as your route, and it will offer

Chevy Chase Circle to McPherson Square
McPherson Square to Chevy Chase Circle
Van Ness to Chevy Chase Circle

Should a driver want to put in something else (i.e. L2 WOODLEY PARK), he can still do that.

[LandoverDivision]

At WMATA, the route number and the destination are two separate codes, and on at least CD buses if not all others as well, the driver can input any four characters in the route number entry.

Attached is my favorite example of this.  The driver of this bus (from 2005) would get off and sit in the shelter and just kinda hang out during his layover, but he left the bus open so people could sit inside and be protected from the elements and such...and to prevent people from asking him over and over what time he left: well, you see.

That's actually kinda smart. I hate it when people annoy bus drivers about "what time you leavin", or "how many minutes you got untill you pull off". Some people are too lazy to read a schedule. Back to the photo thing. Unfortunately i'm not going to have any photos today.

[OrionFlyer]

The Clever Devices allow operators to input the route, at which point it will display all the options for that route.  However, I think a driver can then choose "none of the above" and put in a different destination if he wishes to do so.  For example, enter L2 as your route, and it will offer

Chevy Chase Circle to McPherson Square
McPherson Square to Chevy Chase Circle
Van Ness to Chevy Chase Circle

Should a driver want to put in something else (i.e. L2 WOODLEY PARK), he can still do that.

I'm talking about non Clever Device ways of putting the R and D's in; the control panel hidden behind the Clever Device control.

Thats what truly does all the work, which leads me to ask, How does the CD control panel communicate with the destination sign control panel?

[Tritransit Area]

Anyone know the story behind "Sherry Williams's bus?"  I found this at West Fall's Church Station on Veteran's Day.  Silly me, seeing the headsign, almost thought an MC-9A was pulling in.

[79MetroExtraMD]

I'm talking about non Clever Device ways of putting the R and D's in; the control panel hidden behind the Clever Device control.

Thats what truly does all the work, which leads me to ask, How does the CD control panel communicate with the destination sign control panel?

The CD system communicates with the sign through a connector from the control head to the keypad of the sign controller. I've seen it a few times. Whenever a route is set, the CD system sends a signal to the sign controller to set it to the appropriate route and destination code. Of course, sometimes things don't work out properly. There has been the issue of 3839 and 3837 coming up on some Landover buses. I asked about that and an operator told me it was a Clever Devices issue that is causing the signs to display those numbers.

Hopefully soon, things will be fixed so that the system will automatically set itself and change signs when needed. So far, most 6000s, 6100s, 2800s have things working very well. I haven't seen it work properly on the 2000s. If I see the system working on a few buses out of a series, I'll list them here.

[Tritransit Area]

I'm talking about non Clever Device ways of putting the R and D's in; the control panel hidden behind the Clever Device control.

Thats what truly does all the work, which leads me to ask, How does the CD control panel communicate with the destination sign control panel?

There has been the issue of 3839 and 3837 coming up on some Landover buses. I asked about that and an operator told me it was a Clever Devices issue that is causing the signs to display those numbers.

You know, I did see that occur on at least one (but I think two) buses yesterday out of Landover.  One bus was on the T18 coming from New Carrollton (I don't remember the number, but it was a 6100 with a rear wrap).  The sign was correctly set, with T18 going out the rear, and then suddenly it was 3839.  Then, after a few moments, it reverted back to T18.

What a strange quirk.

[WES]

Anyone know the story behind "Sherry Williams's bus?"  I found this at West Fall's Church Station on Veteran's Day.  Silly me, seeing the headsign, almost thought an MC-9A was pulling in.

Brandon,

That unfortunately is  Loudoun Transit's bus  I mean vehicle.  I think it is a Chumpion RE somethingorrather, but not sure.

[Tristan]

Blue Turd Q Bus.  Why is it at West Falls?  VRT doesn't run anything there do they?

Albeit it doesn't look like it's actually doing anything, not even in a bay....

[NewFlyer9736BCT]

Blue Turd Q Bus.  Why is it at West Falls?  VRT doesn't run anything there do they?

Albeit it doesn't look like it's actually doing anything, not even in a bay....

Apparently there is at least 1 Loudoun County route that goes to West Falls Church Station

[Tristan]

There are commuter routes, but is there a Transit route?

Okay, did some research - turns out VRT is trying to step it up a bit with their information...looks like they have a Ride Guide now.  And listed in that book is a GW Shuttle service to Foggy Bottom and West Falls Church stations.

[Tritransit Area]

That's very interesting.  I guess I caught quite a catch - too bad it is in that full wrap!

[79MetroExtraMD]

Eventually, this was bound to happen, and what a day for it to happen. I was lucky enough to ride this one.

[Tritransit Area]

Wow, that was fast to get repainted.  Of course, there's the issue with the "Local" bus on a Rapid route!

Those 28XXs look good in the new scheme, though.  The LACMTA style "M" decal technique doesn't quite work with these, and I wish they could've kept that grey around the headlights, but ah well.

Great catch!