Ride On fleet update, please!

[Annex4421]

How high the o9 Gillig's supposed to be numbered

[79MetroExtraMD]

So far, I've seen up to 5757. As for the hybrids, up to 5335 as of today.

[Tritransit Area]

Thanks rideonrulez!

Also, wait, what, 40 foot, 35 foot?   No friends, Ride On only had 30 foot Orion I/Citycruiser T-30s.... Don't confuse Ride On with DASH and Fairfax Connector, which had 35 foot (DASH) and 40 foot (Fairfax) Orion Is, all of which are retired.

The Orion Is that I speak of date back to the days when the LARGEST buses Ride-On (with the hyphen) had were 30 feet long.  Imagine THAT on the 16 - I experienced it first hand, although primarily on weekends.  Orion Vs #5546 and 5547 were the first 35 foot buses, and the ex-MTA Metro Ds were the first 40 footers.

Speaking of which, on youtube there was a rumor that 5546 and 5547 were supposed to be Orion Is, while the '89 Gilligs were also supposed to be Orion Is.  Any truth to that rumor?

Ok I thought Fairfax Connector never had those. THANKS. I was saying ride on should have gotten 40 footers and put them one the 16 becausethe 16 get crowded every time I catch it

Back then, I don't even think Ride-On was thinking about running full size buses.  I wonder, though, how much ridership has increased on that line within the past (omg) 20 years.  I don't remember that HUGE crowd of people waiting for the 16/K6 at the New Hampshire/Lebanon bus stop back when I was little.  I'm sure the extension to Takoma Park raised the ridership a little bit.

[Annex4421]

Maybe ride on should create something I'd call Ride-On-Rapid

[NewFlyer9736BCT]

Hey, it's my understanding that a whole slew of Gillig clean diesel and hybrid buses just came in.  I just want to make sure the following is true:

1) The remaining Orion Is have all been retired (if so, NOOOOOOO!!!!)

2) My absolute favorite bus, 5546, has been taken out of service permanently (if so, *BAWLS* )

3) Some of the 1994 Gillig Phantoms have been retired (if so, pops open a bottle of champagne!)

4) The rest of the Hell Dorados have been retired (if so, shoots fireworks)

Thanks for your help.  I just want to know what to expect from the Ride On scene the next time I make my way down there, whenever that may be.

1. I thought the Orion Is were extinct until the other day I saw 5529 on the 79...but that's the only one I know that's still around. LandoverDivision says 5545 is still around, but I haven't seen ANY hammerheads in a LONG time.

2. I think 5546 is still around. 5547 has been gone for a while now.

3. I have no idea about the 1994 Gilligs

4. Unfortunately, the helldorados are still around. Honestly, as much as everyone hates them, I like them best for their seats because the low-floors have their seats too close to the ground. I'm not sure about the upper 5200s though, seeing as it's been ages since I rode one.

[DCT S9Z4Z6]

Back then, I don't even think Ride-On was thinking about running full size buses.  I wonder, though, how much ridership has increased on that line within the past (omg) 20 years.  I don't remember that HUGE crowd of people waiting for the 16/K6 at the New Hampshire/Lebanon bus stop back when I was little.  I'm sure the extension to Takoma Park raised the ridership a little bit.*****************************************
Originally, they got the 2 35'ers to help with the 15,16 & 20's

When we took over the T6, split it into the 42 & 46, the plan was to get the 35'ers on the 46's & even the 55's tp help with the ridership numbers.

Now everything has EXPLODED everywhere.

[Tritransit Area]

Maybe ride on should create something I'd call Ride-On-Rapid

There once was a plan for a Viers Mill Rd BRT line.  I dunno what happened to that idea.

[Tritransit Area]

Ride On didn't get any more Baby Gs in the Big R scheme, did they?  I'm wondering if any remaining Orion Is are being retained solely as back-up vehicles.

[DCT S9Z4Z6]

Maybe ride on should create something I'd call Ride-On-Rapid

There once was a plan for a Viers Mill Rd BRT line.  I dunno what happened to that idea.

WMATA has it in their master plan.
I guess we will see it, after WMATA closes the $90 Million projected budget shortfall in 2010.

Run the Q2 like it is now, only between Wheaton & Rockville, have it as Limited Service/Express. .  stopping only at major transfer points:
Ct Ave/Randolph Rd/Twinbrook Pkwy. .  operate to East Side of Rockville Metro, hook the right on Hungerford Rd/ operate as a local from East Side Rockville Metro, BYPASSING Montgomery College, en route to Shady Grove.

Schedule buses to leave Wheaton 2-3 min after the Q2 BRT leaves, heading to Rockville, operating as a local/same routing, & operate it only as far as Mont College.

Just a suggestion. A suggestion from someone in the trenches/front lines.

[Annex4421]

Maybe ride on should create something I'd call Ride-On-Rapid

There once was a plan for a Viers Mill Rd BRT line.  I dunno what happened to that idea.

WMATA has it in their master plan.
I guess we will see it, after WMATA closes the $90 Million projected budget shortfall in 2010.

Run the Q2 like it is now, only between Wheaton & Rockville, have it as Limited Service/Express. .  stopping only at major transfer points:
Ct Ave/Randolph Rd/Twinbrook Pkwy. .  operate to East Side of Rockville Metro, hook the right on Hungerford Rd/ operate as a local from East Side Rockville Metro, BYPASSING Montgomery College, en route to Shady Grove.

Schedule buses to leave Wheaton 2-3 min after the Q2 BRT leaves, heading to Rockville, operating as a local/same routing, & operate it only as far as Mont College.

Just a suggestion. A suggestion from someone in the trenches/front lines.

Just like the Q2 the X2. W4, AND the 90's need Limmited Stop Service and/or artics   

[NewFlyer9736BCT]

Here's my idea of the Q2 limited:

Shady Grove Station
Gude Drive
Montgomery College Rockville
Rockville Station
First Street
Broadwood Drive
Atlantic Ave
Twinbrook Pkwy
(maybe Aspen Hill Rd)
Randolph Road
Connecticut Ave
(maybe University Blvd)
Wheaton Station
(somewhere between Wheaton Station and Forest Glen Rd)
Forest Glen Road
Seminary Pl
Spring St
Silver Spring Station

...and DCT Groupie...why should your idea of the Q2 limited go to the EAST side of Rockville Station?

[DCT S9Z4Z6]

Here's my idea of the Q2 limited:

Shady Grove Station
Gude Drive
Montgomery College Rockville
Rockville Station
First Street
Broadwood Drive
Atlantic Ave
Twinbrook Pkwy
(maybe Aspen Hill Rd)
Randolph Road
Connecticut Ave
(maybe University Blvd)
Wheaton Station
Silver Spring Station

...and DCT Groupie...why should your idea of the Q2 limited go to the EAST side of Rockville Station?

Because when your going on Viers Mill Rd, towards The Rock (Rockville), as you approach the bridge over the RR tracks, there is a right turn (stonestreet??) just before you cross the bridge. You bear to the right, and avoid the light at The Pike & Viers Mill Rd, and end up at the east side of Rockville Station. You also avoid the busier side of Rockville Station (comming back, you also avoid sitting in the lights, looping thru the station, comming back out, and waiting thru the light at The Pike again).

Comming back, you make the left off Hungerford, go under the tracks, make the stop at the East Side of the Station, and book out, ending up at Rte 28 & Viers Mill Rd, on the way back towards Wheaton. You would save EASY 3-5 minutesdepending on direction routing this way, not to mention avoiding Mont Coll on the limited/express routing.

[ChristopherF]

In 2009, Ride On will have the following:

*11 new 40' Gillig Advantage clean diesel buses, numbered 5747-5757
*35 new 40' Gillig Advantage hybrid buses, numbered 5314-5348
*25 new 29' Gillig Advantage clean diesel buses ("Baby Gilligs"), numbered 5007-5031

[79MetroExtraMD]

In 2009, Ride On will have the following:

*11 new 40' Gillig Advantage clean diesel buses, numbered 5747-5757
*35 new 40' Gillig Advantage hybrid buses, numbered 5314-5348
*25 new 29' Gillig Advantage clean diesel buses ("Baby Gilligs"), numbered 5007-5031

Source?

[WayneNYC]

So far, I've seen up to 5757. As for the hybrids, up to 5335 as of today.

I saw 2 hybrids (5345 and 5346) being delivered a couple of weeks ago.