sw4400

I wouldn't doubt they have a few, BusHunter. If the bus is unable to be towed by a wrecker they need to have a way to transport the vehicle to a repair location.

Are some buses coming back from the retired line? This one hasn't been on the list for a long time(I rode it yesterday and it's out again tonight)...

Maybe there's a chance the CTA could put a 4400, 5300 and 6000 into the Heritage Collection, though they're no Fishbowl or New Look.

If they want to go all-electric by 2040, best thing to do is put a few electric buses on long routes like Ashland, Irving Park or Belmont to really test the reliability of them on longer routes. Navy Pier is nice, but we need a long-route test to see how the bus really performs.

Yeah, all-electrics still need lots of refinement to be used for everyday, long run use. Issues found out include stalling on hills, problems in extreme cold and heat(both common in Chicago), problems with long routes(Ashland and Irving Park, among others would be difficult for them) and charge time causes delays. I think for the forseeable future, CTA should just consider going with Clean Diesel and Diesel-Electric Hybrids. Proven units that will work the routes. Continue to get small amounts of All-Electric to test and refine, but when it comes time for the New Flyers to begin phaseout, I think unless All-Electric is really refined for long routing and extreme heat and cold, CTA should just stick with what works.

I really don't know about these Proterras which we have yet to see, honestly. This article was from January, 2019... https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2019/01/electric-bus-battery-recharge-new-flyer-byd-proterra-beb/577954/

Well eventually, yes. But don't they need equipment removed first like the Bustrackers, Control Boxes(the data boxes used to input user ID and get notices from Control), Clever Devices unit and fareboxes.... among parts that can be used for other Novas still operable?

Well where is the "dead line" then? I remember retired and soon-to-be scrapped buses being taken to 77th and Perry, like this one at South Shops. Isn't South Shops 77th and Perry?

Someone might have to check the dead lot at 77th/Ewing soon for the following buses(These are most likely gone from service): 6466,6468,6470,6473,6474,6477,6488,6553,6554,6558,6562,6564,6574,6577,6579,6581,6585 Been gone for over 10 days(not seen on tracker): 6674,6694,6696,6697 Been gone for over 20 days(not seen on tracker): 6751,6842,6862

So Proterra got the contract in June, 2018 and all has gone quiet... when should we be seeing a prototype and delivery of these buses?

We need to do some sleuthing on several M.I.A's.. 7901 7902 8346

Well 8346 has yet to be seen visually or on tracker since 8325-8345 and 8347-8349 have entered service. There is a possibility it is a training bus of sorts unless there is something seriously wrong where it can't enter service(which is doubtful).

8346 is the proverbial "needle in a haystack"... my speculation it's still at 77th. Why, I don't know.... maybe it's a training bus like 7900 is.