August 2008 Observations

[Tristan]

And I read probably in the same place as you did that the 5A was a route considered for artics, so ... that means, yes, either Bladensburg is operating a VA route (FMR operates a DC route so it wouldn't be unprecedented, plus the 5A starts downtown anyway) or FMR is getting some Bladensburg buses.  If you don't believe in one theory, then go with the other.

[79MetroExtraMD]

And I read probably in the same place as you did that the 5A was a route considered for artics, so ... that means, yes, either Bladensburg is operating a VA route (FMR operates a DC route so it wouldn't be unprecedented, plus the 5A starts downtown anyway) or FMR is getting some Bladensburg buses.  If you don't believe in one theory, then go with the other.

Eh. I kinda don't see it happening in my sense. IF I do see a 5400 on the 5A with a B block, then I'll be shocked. Doesn't FMR already have a crapload of Orion 7s. Anything different would seem odd. To me, the Virginia routes don't seem to have immense capacities like the DC lines have. It's just shifting one load to one place and picking up another load. It's not where you have a full load going the entire route.

[Tristan]

79, leave it to people who live here.  The 5A is overcrowded on virtually every trip.  Ask operators and other passengers -- something needs to be done, if not increased headways (again), then bigger buses (less expensive to implement).  That's why they thought about it in the first place.

[79MetroExtraMD]

79, leave it to people who live here.  The 5A is overcrowded on virtually every trip.  Ask operators and other passengers -- something needs to be done, if not increased headways (again), then bigger buses (less expensive to implement).  That's why they thought about it in the first place.

What's the current headways for the 5A on weekdays?

[Perry]

http://www.wmata.com/timetables/dc/5a.pdf

[ChristopherF]

Are WMATA's 2008 NABI articulated buses (the first ones in the fleet with CNG) in service yet?  There are 22 of these buses, but are they numbered 5400-5421 or 5401-5422?

[Tristan]

Probably 5401-up, in keeping with WMATA orders since the Orion VIIs.

These buses don't yet seem to be in service -- but don't worry, you'll hear about it the day they hit the streets.  Stay tuned to DCATZ :-) 

[WMATAGMOAGH]

Not sure when this happened or if it has been noted here, but the Georgetown Blue buses have been replaced by larger, white buses with small owned/operated by Veolia stickers on the rear.  They also have LED signage.

[79MetroExtraMD]

Not sure when this happened or if it has been noted here, but the Georgetown Blue buses have been replaced by larger, white buses with small owned/operated by Veolia stickers on the rear.  They also have LED signage.

I didn't know Veolia ran that as well. Why didn't they get Smartrip boxes is beyond me? Alot of people use the service to get to Rosslyn when the 38B is taking long.

[WMATAGMOAGH]

Not sure when this happened or if it has been noted here, but the Georgetown Blue buses have been replaced by larger, white buses with small owned/operated by Veolia stickers on the rear.  They also have LED signage.

I didn't know Veolia ran that as well. Why didn't they get Smartrip boxes is beyond me? Alot of people use the service to get to Rosslyn when the 38B is taking long.

The two routes only share a few stops in common on M Street, no more than 2 IIRC.  I'm sure many people board whichever comes first.  Seems to me it could just be absorbed by Circulator, the way Circulator absorbed their first route.

The buses also don't seem to be parked at the Key Bridge Marriott anymore.

[NewFlyer9736BCT]

9405 is now at Montgomery - seen on the Q2 this morning
9764 returns to Montgomery - seen at Silver Spring with an M block and finished Q2 service (as seen from the sign)
9764 and (I think it was) 9753 were missing their fleet numbers on the back. It looks like 9764 got its numbers on the back, I don't know about 9753.

4353 remains at Royal - seen on 10B
9351 remains at Montgomery
9756 remains at Northern
4261 is confirmed as an Arlington bus now...seen at Ballston on the 22A (as well as the Mini wrap)
4262 remains at Northern - seen on the 70
4332, 4336, and 4338 are back at Western. I heard that 4331-4338 and possibly 4330 moved back to Western but I didn't see this until today.
4227 remains at Montgomery - seen on J2
4329 remains at Montgomery, I don't know about 4330.
DASH bus 57 seen on the 8, then the 7. First time EVER seeing a DASH bus numbered 44-58 on a route other than the 3 or 4 (or 3-4)

Wow...that was more sightings than I thought...I had a REALLY long day today...12.5 total hours spent on today's trip (new record for me)

[Perry]

With the influx of all the new vehicles DASH has received over the years, that's true that you may see less Gilligs on other routes.  However, when they were the mainstay they were all over the place.  When my wife lived at Cameron Commons on Duke Street (gheetttoooooo) we would take a Gillig to King St. Metro every now and then.  Luckily after we started dating, she only lived there for another month or so before I moved her to Ballston with me. :-)

[Tristan]

With the influx of all the new vehicles DASH has received over the years, that's true that you may see less Gilligs on other routes.  However, when they were the mainstay they were all over the place.  When my wife lived at Cameron Commons on Duke Street (gheetttoooooo) we would take a Gillig to King St. Metro every now and then.  Luckily after we started dating, she only lived there for another month or so before I moved her to Ballston with me. :-)

Good move, Perry!

George, buses 45-58 are NextBus equipped, so they tend to stick to the 3, 4, 3/4, 6, and 7 -- our NextBus routes.  Interlining might cause a run to stray away from those five routes, however...it's a regular occurrance because, while the 3, 4, and 3/4 are generally blocked alone (no interlining), the 6 and 7 mix around a bit with other routes at shared terminals.

[Tristan]

Not sure when this happened or if it has been noted here, but the Georgetown Blue buses have been replaced by larger, white buses with small owned/operated by Veolia stickers on the rear.  They also have LED signage.

I didn't know Veolia ran that as well. Why didn't they get Smartrip boxes is beyond me? Alot of people use the service to get to Rosslyn when the 38B is taking long.

You can't just "get" SmarTrip boxes from Walmart, Georgetown Metro Connection is and never was part of the regional fare agreement.  It's funded solely by fares and the Georgetown Business Improvement District, with the sole goal of bringing (more) customers into Georgetown, not providing public transportation.  SmarTrip infrastructure is a huge investment for someone trying to actually make money (the members of the BID).

[NewFlyer9736BCT]

With the influx of all the new vehicles DASH has received over the years, that's true that you may see less Gilligs on other routes.  However, when they were the mainstay they were all over the place.  When my wife lived at Cameron Commons on Duke Street (gheetttoooooo) we would take a Gillig to King St. Metro every now and then.  Luckily after we started dating, she only lived there for another month or so before I moved her to Ballston with me. :-)

Good move, Perry!

George, buses 45-58 are NextBus equipped, so they tend to stick to the 3, 4, 3/4, 6, and 7 -- our NextBus routes.  Interlining might cause a run to stray away from those five routes, however...it's a regular occurrance because, while the 3, 4, and 3/4 are generally blocked alone (no interlining), the 6 and 7 mix around a bit with other routes at shared terminals.

ah...good explanation...

btw imma post my trip from yesterday on my TWJ at btco