Northern Division getting ready for changes in March 09

wmata employee · January 25, 2009, 10:48:40 PM

In the spring changes, this division well get a fleet of new coaches for the new S line changes effective spring pick. MORE TO COME.........

Antozilla · January 26, 2009, 07:22:53 AM

Brand new or reassigned coaches?

Tristan · January 26, 2009, 11:51:36 AM

I really don't see the good side of giving Northern new buses...I can only hope that A) they are used, and B) VA doesn't get reinfested with 2100s. Keep those damn things across the river or I'm selling my SmarTrip and buying a car.

LandoverDivision · January 26, 2009, 12:00:26 PM

Quote from: Tristan on January 26, 2009, 11:51:36 AM
I really don't see the good side of giving Northern new buses...I can only hope that A) they are used, and B) VA doesn't get reinfested with 2100s. Keep those damn things across the river or I'm selling my SmarTrip and buying a car.

So you think you're too good for 2100s? And how in the hell would you get a car from selling a SmarTrip? Or was that another joke I just ruined?

Perry · January 26, 2009, 12:03:22 PM

Yeah, he wasn't implying selling the Smart Trip to buy a car.....

ir0cq09 · January 26, 2009, 01:41:07 PM

Quote from: Tristan on January 26, 2009, 11:51:36 AM
I really don't see the good side of giving Northern new buses...I can only hope that A) they are used, and B) VA doesn't get reinfested with 2100s. Keep those damn things across the river or I'm selling my SmarTrip and buying a car.

Whats wrong with giving Northern new buses?...They need to ship there Flx D's off to another depot though i was at a friends house on 16th st the other day and i saw countless metro d's that were banged up and at least 2 had busted mufflers..they were LOUD as hell....So would that have something to do with why Northern Should't get new buses?

Tristan · January 26, 2009, 02:32:47 PM

To be politically correct: they run too much service to be able to keep their equipment maintained, and therefore it gets worn out much faster than it would at another garage. Look at any bus that has ever actually worked at Northern for a year or more, no matter where it is, it's probably in worse shape than its comrades that haven't been there.

Perry · January 26, 2009, 03:02:16 PM

The Neoplans are a good example of that. It didn't take long for them to look older than the NABI's that have been at Montgomery for years longer.

C40LF_2464 · January 26, 2009, 03:22:59 PM

I Hope some of thoses busses will run on the 70

ir0cq09 · January 26, 2009, 04:18:22 PM

Quote from: Tristan on January 26, 2009, 02:32:47 PM
To be politically correct: they run too much service to be able to keep their equipment maintained, and therefore it gets worn out much faster than it would at another garage. Look at any bus that has ever actually worked at Northern for a year or more, no matter where it is, it's probably in worse shape than its comrades that haven't been there.

Ok i get it.... so a bus is on the road for probably about 20 hours(what is the exact time frame are there buses out) and that leaves no time for the bus to be maintained..ok....thats sad...How many buses do they have? They are a indoor garage right? Yeah i seen a couple of the Neo's they look horrible Never ridden one though..

wmata employee · January 26, 2009, 09:31:03 PM

The reason to give them new coaches is because of the S line study they are supposed to get "BRT" coaches. Northern is also set to get 11 articulated buses along with Montgomery is set to get the other 11.

smithavechuck · January 30, 2009, 01:04:36 AM

Just because Northern has been the "salvage yard" for Metrobus doesn't mean it has to continue in that mode. How about the following changes?

1. Hire a maintenance supt external to the agency.

2. Assign 20-25 additional buses to the division.

3. When accidents occur - as they are bound to in the city - send the bus to the Body Shop.

4. Service every bus about every 3,000 miles or so.

5. Change the attitude of the maintenance staff.

....And watch the miles between road calls increase.

Yeeah, I'm watching the late night comedy crowd as I'm typing this.

Chuck

rideonrulez · January 30, 2009, 09:11:51 AM

Quote from: smithavechuck on January 30, 2009, 01:04:36 AM

2. Assign 20-25 additional buses to the division.

How would this help?? That means you have 20-25 MORE buses to maintain which means even LESS time for TLC on the equipment that is there. On top of that Northern is at capacity.

smithavechuck · January 30, 2009, 09:31:43 PM

True, however, all transit operations require at least a 10% spare ratio. Now if the entire fleet is serviced at least every 3,000 miles, the rate of road calls would decrease and we wouldn;t have people stating "those Neoplans always look banged up.

Metrobus is one organization. The same policies and procedures that govern FMR also apply to Northern.

I stand by my original thesis.

Chuck

BladensburgB2 · January 31, 2009, 08:39:41 AM

Hello All

Ok Chuck stay on your side of the river dont come down here getting smart ok !!!!

News:

Northern Division getting ready for changes in March 09