HERE IS WHAT'S GOING ON.

LandoverDivision · February 17, 2009, 01:31:58 PM

Quote from: WMATAGMOAGH on February 17, 2009, 01:27:06 PM
Quote from: Perry on February 17, 2009, 09:36:55 AM
I know, I know!! If only each agency could hang on to some of these old buses and run a historic bus day like NYCT does. :-)

I'd like to see a Flxible Metro added to the historic fleet. I'd rather it be a Metro-B than one of the others, but any bus will do in this case.

I wonder if there are plans to keep the Metro-Es and possibly some Metro-Ds around as a contingency fleet.

Probably. Let's hope so. It's better to let Royal have all the D's, Annex and Montgomery with the E's etc. than to retire them. it's going to suck when they leave.

NewFlyerGuy · February 17, 2009, 11:25:29 PM

Some (Or all) of you guys might hate me for hating the Flx's even though i grew up with them i just hated them!!! I was even happy when we had the Orion 5 coaches but the only Flxible bus model I personally like is the D!!! I just love hearing her screech!!! God knows if I wish Flxible was still in business!!!!

WayneNYC · February 18, 2009, 08:45:08 AM

We won't hate you. You may know that a few of us barely tolerate Orion V, VIIs and we absolutely hate WMATA's 21/2200s.

We just have to accept that Flxible Metro era is fading away.

Although, I'm no fan of the wheel covers on the new stuff, I'm ready to embrace the new.

LandoverDivision · February 18, 2009, 08:49:44 AM

I agree with Wayne about the wheel covers, but look at the buses themselves. The wheel covers may be the worst thing about them. Other than that, the buses are sexy. I love them 2100s though.

Tristan · February 18, 2009, 09:28:44 AM

Quote from: landoverdivision on February 18, 2009, 08:49:44 AM
I agree with Wayne about the wheel covers, but look at the buses themselves. The wheel covers may be the worst thing about them. Other than that, the buses are sexy. I love them 2100s though.

I want to know how many drivers are actually lifting those things up to pre-trip their buses properly.

Landover, I have to admit, when you get a clean-sounding 2100 that does that roaring from the exhaust like they did when they were new, I think they sound pretty cool. It's the radiator fan howl/moaning/engine-about-to-fall-out-and-run-away sounds that they make at times that turn me off from them.

LandoverDivision · February 18, 2009, 09:40:44 AM

Now that's something I can agree on. Like the 3900s. Cool buses and all, but they have this "you feel like you're cramped" type feeling and that "this bus is way too bumpy" feelin'.

Back to the subject. Did you guys actually see the inside of the LFAs? Man those seats spell awesome with a capital AWESOME! Something doesn't seem right though. I don't think WMATA is retiring all of the Flxs. They are trying to increase the number of buses and trains they have. Why would they want to retire ALL Flxs? Something tells me that's not true.

WayneNYC · February 18, 2009, 09:54:59 AM

I'm also thinking that all of those Flxibles won't disappear so quickly. Seems to me like some of the best may be retained at the least in the contingency fleet.

rideonrulez · February 18, 2009, 11:08:56 AM

Quote from: landoverdivision on February 18, 2009, 09:40:44 AM
I don't think WMATA is retiring all of the Flxs. They are trying to increase the number of buses and trains they have. Why would they want to retire ALL Flxs? Something tells me that's not true.

I think it is true considering the service cuts that WMATA is considering this summer. I think the 4000's might be kept but for contingincy only.

79MetroExtraMD · February 18, 2009, 12:20:29 PM

I can only imagine what exactly will happen with the March and June picks. It's nice to see the Orion VIs coming back to VA. At least for now until the 42LFAs come in, there will be some low floors on the Arlington/West Ox routes. Now, as for Royal St.

WMATAGMOAGH · February 18, 2009, 08:06:06 PM

Quote from: rideonrulez on February 18, 2009, 11:08:56 AM
Quote from: landoverdivision on February 18, 2009, 09:40:44 AM
I don't think WMATA is retiring all of the Flxs. They are trying to increase the number of buses and trains they have. Why would they want to retire ALL Flxs? Something tells me that's not true.

I think it is true considering the service cuts that WMATA is considering this summer. I think the 4000's might be kept but for contingincy only.

I realize you may not be able to share the answer to this question if you know the answer, but when might WMATA officially announce proposed cuts and changes?

RailBus63 · February 18, 2009, 11:24:24 PM

How many Flxibles are still active?

WayneNYC · February 19, 2009, 12:22:20 AM

Off the top of my head, I'd guess about 250ish. All Metro-Ds (9701-9785, 9801-9835, nearly all Metro-Es (4001-4104) and assorted 93/9400 Metro-Bs.

rideonrulez · February 19, 2009, 12:55:04 PM

Quote from: WMATAGMOAGH on February 18, 2009, 08:06:06 PM
Quote from: rideonrulez on February 18, 2009, 11:08:56 AM
Quote from: landoverdivision on February 18, 2009, 09:40:44 AM
I don't think WMATA is retiring all of the Flxs. They are trying to increase the number of buses and trains they have. Why would they want to retire ALL Flxs? Something tells me that's not true.

I think it is true considering the service cuts that WMATA is considering this summer. I think the 4000's might be kept but for contingincy only.

I realize you may not be able to share the answer to this question if you know the answer, but when might WMATA officially announce proposed cuts and changes?

Not sure, I think it still is in the mist of being approved by the WMATA board members and there waiting on the budgets from each jurisdiction to get a feel on how bad it really is. If it is approved I heard a end of June/early July implementation.

RailBus63 · February 19, 2009, 01:02:28 PM

Quote from: WayneNYC on February 19, 2009, 12:22:20 AM
Off the top of my head, I'd guess about 250ish. All Metro-Ds (9701-9785, 9801-9835, nearly all Metro-Es (4001-4104) and assorted 93/9400 Metro-Bs.

That's what I thought. I don't get the rush to junk all the Flxibles before they have sufficient replacement buses - any talk about a lack of spare parts is nonsense because they'll have plenty of retired Metros to cannibalize. There's no reason they can't keep the best 50 or so of the 4000's going for a few more years.

WMATAGMOAGH · February 19, 2009, 02:25:55 PM

Quote from: rideonrulez on February 19, 2009, 12:55:04 PM
Quote from: WMATAGMOAGH on February 18, 2009, 08:06:06 PM
Quote from: rideonrulez on February 18, 2009, 11:08:56 AM
Quote from: landoverdivision on February 18, 2009, 09:40:44 AM
I don't think WMATA is retiring all of the Flxs. They are trying to increase the number of buses and trains they have. Why would they want to retire ALL Flxs? Something tells me that's not true.

I think it is true considering the service cuts that WMATA is considering this summer. I think the 4000's might be kept but for contingincy only.

I realize you may not be able to share the answer to this question if you know the answer, but when might WMATA officially announce proposed cuts and changes?

Not sure, I think it still is in the mist of being approved by the WMATA board members and there waiting on the budgets from each jurisdiction to get a feel on how bad it really is. If it is approved I heard a end of June/early July implementation.

Thanks Chris. I guess it is time to sit back, wait, and look for headlines on Thursday afternoons until further notice...

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HERE IS WHAT'S GOING ON.