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#53 Pulaski Extension

One of the last CTA with our last NYC bus today. Very surreal for sure, I am glad so many people enjoy the buses! I have probably hundreds if not thousands of photos from my years there that I will definitely share at some point. I lost my Flickr account due to not using my Yahoo account ugh.

please do cuz apparently u dont know what the hell u talking about

My vote is using the Tri-State and avoiding the nonsense that's the Kennedy (if that load was going South). That construction project surely made life worse annoying these days, I don't think the delays are worth it.

Budget cuts or no, their consistent stated plan was to keep no more than 430 New Flyer D40s. I don't see how state funding from either side of the coin changes that by much. Plus folks keep pressing against that panic button regarding what the state might do when we don't even know what the veto session holds. Yes, it's going to be a bit tougher because of the higher vote threshold, but the Illinois legislature has still shown a willingness to address the issue. That's the huge difference between us and what's facing SEPTA and the other Pennsylvania TAs. PA's state senate is showing close to zero interest to even meet to address the transit shortfall there on the premise that SEPTA is bad with its money, when the truth of the matter is that agency is a hell of a lot better on that front than CTA, Metra and Pace when comparing the numbers. Now getting back to Illinois, the legislature's clear and consistent position has been that cracking down and reforming the governance of Chicago area transit had to be a part of any solution that they hash out. They've hammered out a direction on the governance part. They just need to get it passed into law. Now I'm ready to give them space to attempt to crack the financial part and see if they can accomplish it within the span of the veto session before I hit the panic button just yet.

7185-86 are ready to go for service while sitting on the lead tracks at Skokie. 7187-7194 are at the final stages of being prepared for service inside the shops. 7157-58 are yet to be mated. 7201-7206 are also mated. 7195-7200 are waiting to be sent back to the shops for servicing and testing. 7207-7210 have been delivered. Per the shop personnel, they’re receiving 4 new cars per week.

This is just the tip of the iceberg.

Looks like it is coming close. Feb. 2025 agenda item "for the transfer of UP transportation employees and functions to Metra. ... Metra will assume the responsibility of operating UP lines, as well as direct oversight of the employees operating commuter trains and various support functions. UP will remain responsible for dispatching all trains on its mainline territory and for local tower operations." The new agreement is to be effective April 16, 2025.

Which isn't the only one. When there were competitive procurement, Nova would have about 50 responses "We kindly request" our floor covering" NF had "our supp;ier won't give us a 5-year warranty," etc, in which the bidder (I assume) had to figure in the extra cost. In Pace's case NF and Nova said don't 'you mean a square rear sign and the answer was "no, the same as on the sides." NF eventually redesigned the bus, but when it came to procuring the 8980 coaches, MCI was the only qualified bidder and said that the wide sign would not fit on the bus, so take it or leave it. If there is any analogy, Toyota has certain equipment packages for an LE, SE, XLE, or XSE, but if you want a hybrid, you can't get a V6. On the other hand, if you want to "build your own Porsche", you'll pay through the nose.

I will not be taking any wegovy in that case.

7239 7240 in service

I could see a plot twist coming where someone is going to lose a bunch of 8350s for 74ths 7900s more in the fashion of a milage swap. It’s been almost a year since the FG and 7 swap with the Novas, 74ths Novas are at their 10 year mark now.

The Prudentual/Aon service was originally ran by a company called CSI ( Continental Shuttle Inc). They ran 8 MC -8 coaches. That company also had the Midway Parking Lot Shuttle. That portion of the operation and its buses were purchased from Continental Air Transport as Continental Air Transport was shifting away from buses and focusing more on Airport Express shuttle van service. In the mid 1990s, CSI was purchased by Sam Van Gander ( of Van Gander Bus in Janesville, WI) and the company was renamed Greatway. They purchased 8 Dina's to run the Prudential/Aon Service. Around 1999 Sam Van Gander sold Van Gander and Greatway to Coach USA. A roof collapse at its garage at 17th and Prairie forced the Greatway operation to move in with the Keeshin operation as Keeshin was already a Coach USA owned company. Eventually the Coach USA operation moved to 4400 S Racine . The Prudential/Aon contract led them to receive a contract from Michigan Plaza which operated 4 buses. Eventually the Prudential/ Aon Dina buses were replaced by MCI J coaches until about 2016 when Prudential/Aon people decided to go green and went electric. That is when Standard Parking got the electric buses. I also have to mention that Coach USA woynd down its Charter Operations in 2011 and wound down their contract operations in 2012 to focus on their Megabus operation. I don't recall who ran the service from 2012 to 2016. My first two guesses would be Free Enterprise and Aries Charter, but I can't recall who ran it.

I wouldn't say they're done for, C still has them on the active roster. However they're currently housed at 77th awaiting materials (Parts/other Miscellaneous) to be delivered. The ZX5s for whatever reason seem to be easier to work on and maintain than the BE40s. I dont know why that is though. HFE and HFM is what they're being held for. (Hold for Materials - Hold For Engineering). Every now and then they'll move them out of the bays to other parts of SS.

Just saw a few cars running today on the blue.

https://buswatch.scj.me

Track 3 is still covered by the temporary Argyle station. Assuming that it will move over once demolition is complete.

#7157-58 (about damn time with those units), #7227-28, #7229-30, and #7233-34 were the rail cars.

there’s been artics on 36 before on a rare evening occasion #4140 was the recent artic to run on the 36 5/23/25

I can confirm that 12401 is still running, it was on 475 today. I’m not sure about 12402 though.

The new modernized Bryn Mawr, Berwyn, Argyle, and Lawrence Red Line train stations set to open up for business on July 20th! https://www.transitchicago.com/mayor-johnson-announces-four-new-fully-accessible-cta-red-line-stations-will-open-july-20/

Looking at the route assignment notice here, seems CTA has some more potential route change/restructuring between this year’s end and next year or further (some that’s already known/coming): Winter 2025: •75: Extended to 79th/Western •81W: Eliminate weekend service along Cumberland Avenue to operate on East River Road on all days. •93: Extended to Logan Square Blue Line Station 2026 (or later): •49B: Extended to Howard L Station •X49: Extended to Western/Howard •1: Extended to operate along the South Lakefront area. •96: Route restructured to operate on Pratt between Western and Kedzie. •201: Extended south of Howard via Ridge to Bryn Mawr Red Line Station •90: Extended to Forest Park Blue Line Station •91: Extended to 54th/Cermak Pink Line Station •92: Extended to Harlem (O’Hare) Blue Line Station •New bus route operating along Yates Boulevard •New 55W - West 55th/Harlem bus route (Eliminating/replacing 55A, 55W, & 62H) •2-3 new OWL routes/extension •54: Extended to Midway Airport/Orange Line Station (Eliminating 54B) •57: Extended to Jefferson Park Blue Line/Metra Station Interesting potential future bus changes. Always figured that it couldn’t hurt having the X49 covering the 49B portion of Western Avenue too. 49B to Howard Station is not a bad idea either. For 92, it could work since Foster Avenue is almost adjacent to Higgins Avenue between Harlem & Milwaukee. 201… I guess it is a straight shot to Bryn Mawr down Ridge south of Howard, but then there’s the congestion/traffic it’ll have to endure during the rush hours. 91 to 54th/Cermak Pink Line, interesting take. Used to think if any FG route could extend to Cermak, maybe it be 85 but then again, Austin Ave probably has a little more ridership on its south end (it must given the increase of service for Pace 315). Lastly, I thought buses don’t run on Pratt between Western & Kedzie because the amish was more populated in that area and didn’t want any buses moving down there.

7219 - 7220 as well

No garage is closing. And we're 99% sure we're gonna get funding; so If anything with them being back to pre COVID levels it can be argued we need an archer replacement again especially for to have something closer for routes 1, 18, 21, 31, 35, 37, 39, 43, 47,51, 60, 62, 157. Plus CTA's finally realizing trains can't do it all so the bus system might need some more peak service added back on top of the FBN.

7215-7218 in service

Please pass the pipe sir cause..... WHAT?! What's after that? Cutting 67th back to Pulaski cause 79th is close and also goes to Ford City? 🥴

7207-7208, 7211-7212 and 7213-7214 is enroute to Rosemont Yard from Skokie Shops.

They have been since its inception in 2012. Real time didn't show up to Pace until ~2016, Metra was back and forth as well (~2015ish). Jack's answer is the only one - because Transit can do so much more than what the RTA wants to do (and do it wrongly).

#7167-68*

#7165-66, #7203-06, and #7209-10 are currently in service.

The one thing that could help the entire CTA bus fleet would be bus signal priority. Let the buses change the traffic lights to green so they can go & not wait forever. The single worst is when the 155 turns north at Devon/Sheridan & has to wait for several minutes to go past the Sheridan Rd. cutoff there. But Clark is also stuck at the lights at Ridge, Elmdale/Peterson & where Ashland splits off at Edgewater Ave for far too much time.

This was 2 mins ago.

Here's the remaining list of #8350s at SS along with the remaining batch that have yet to be delivered embolden in black below. There is a total of 13 left that haven't been delivered yet. Once they arrive that will conclude the delivery process. #8765, #8804, #8816, #8822, #8825 - #8843, #8845 - #8853, #8856 - 8879, #8880, #8881 - #8885, #8886, #8887 - #8895, #8896, #8897 - #8909, #8910, #8911 - #8913, #8914, #8915, #8816, #8817, #8819, #8821 - 8924, #8925, #8926 - 30, #8931, #8932, #8933 - #8935, #8936, #8937, #8938, #8939 #8940 - #8945 (Total: 109) Excluding the the ones embolden.

Yeah, but in those days, buses didn't include fareboxes (most just had a shelf where you laid your token), electronic signs (they just grabbed a roll sign off some other bus), farecard readers, gps, radios, emergency alarms, cameras, cell phone hotspots, powered rear doors, collision avoidance systems, wheelchair ramps, and electronic engine control.They also didn't have emission controls, although maybe propane buses didn't need them. CTA also probably had an adequate number of mechanics @ $6/hour.

The other pages were just miscellaneous items related to the picking schedule for the rest of the year.

Yeah the 52 was rumored to be getting extended but that yet to be confirmed by CTA/Local 241. The 75 getting extended to 79th/Western doesn't make much sense with the terminal being that small with 4 other routes counting the Weekday X49s that sit there with the 349. If the 50 does go to K what does NP gain in return other the 151? I'm surprised that FG hasn't gotten Fullerton back after all these years. I hope the return of the X54 will come in the near future at the very least CTA is dropping the ball with the return of Express service on local streets. The return of X3 is long overdue along with the X80.

West of Clark but east of Ashland. Unless you live just steps from Clark, it's not a long walk. While we can appreciate your particular ailments, CTA service doesn't revolve totally around you. Suppose someone with a similar condition lives steps from Ashland and Bertram. They either have to make that walk to Clark or use paratransit . The Ashland reroute is a suggestion to speed up service on the portion of the route that you live on which is further north. I would think you would be in favor of something that would reduce your wait times up in Rogers Park.

I'll just leave these here.... 😅 Whatever they're planning I hope it pans out.

It appears that March 22nd is the effect date for spring changes on the CTA bus system. CTA has announced the launching of a new “Frequent Network” initiative to improve frequency on select bus routes & operating on a “10-minute or less” frequency scale during certain times on all days of the week. The article confirms 20 bus routes will be part of this initiative, taking effect throughout 2025. The 8 listed below are the ones set for added service later this month: #J14 Jeffery Jump #34 South Michigan #47 47th Street #54 Cicero #60 Blue Island/26th #63 63rd Street #79 79th Street #95 95th Street No other service changes to these or any other bus routes have yet to been announced at this time. For more information on the CTA “Frequent Network” initiative, here’s the link to the press release: https://www.transitchicago.com/cta-launches-new-frequent-network-for-buses/

Adding a 3rd more simpler option: since Belmont and Halsted isn't used by 151 any more try 22's between downtown and Belmont 🤷

Just got a headcount of #8350s down at SS and the total is up to 72 with the highest delivered so far being #8904. #8765 is the lowest still remaining at SS. #8893 is also at SS. I'll see if anymore deliveries will occur today and tomorrow.

The Novas are rolling in quickly but are very slow rolling out in service. At least the Nova deliveries are faster than the 7000 series rail cars.

4687 to Scrap Metal Services 11/2/24

During 2024 following 6400s went to Scrap Metal Services: 6401 6455-6456 6473-6474 6477 6503 6516 6558 6562-6564 6573-6574 6577 6581 6585 6651 6671 6674 6678 6681 6684 6686 6696 6699 6710-6711 6713-6715 6722 6724 6734 6746 6751 6758 6761 6763-6764 6772 6776 6780 6784 6787 6794 6799 6808 6810 6819 6824 6826 6838 6842-6843 6847-6848 6870-6871 6873 6877 6882

Carter wasn't exactly a visionary before the pandemic, but the past five years were basically crisis mode and try to get it fixed. I think the recovery could have been managed better, but at least full service has been restored which most cities haven't achieved yet. There were many worse CTA presidents in the past, so I am hoping for the best. The upcoming fiscal cliff is going to be even harder to figure out than the pandemic recovery so I'm not surprised Carter has decided to leave. We'll see if the MMA happens - it's going to be one of the bigger news stories this year.

for F i only know 1050 is at SS, 1065 LTH at the garage, 1407 broken tracker, 1609 is at SS, 1637 1648 and 1665 are retired.

In that the approximately 170 Novas to come are supposed to complete the retirement of approx. 550 NFs, the rust buckets shouldn't be around much longer. All that should be left is 450 of 5he under 1630 range..

The original plan was for the 6 electric Novas to go to 103rd garage. They were also supposed to get charging equipment for that garage. Needless to say none of this has come to fruition.

8757 in service today P on #50.