The Bus Doctor

https://www.newflyer.com/2024/08/new-flyer-hybrid-electric-buses-to-include-next-generation-bae-systems-propulsion-system/ New flyer link

Here are some more bae links https://www.baesystems.com/en/productfamily/electric-and-hybrid-solutions

A few links first is a download explaining the green zones in sf https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://sfcontroller.org/sites/default/files/Muni%20Reliability%20Working%20Group/Green%20Zone%20Presentation.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjK87mMo5iJAxV6L9AFHcBkDroQFnoECDEQAQ&usg=AOvVaw25lKi9xi7dc8Tq9YTqksrH

As the electric bus technology evolves, something new on the horizon in the field of autos as well as buses is what is known as a series hybrid electric. How it works, is it gives you the option to charge electrically to get limited range or to use a generator on board the vehicle, which is in most cases, an engine smaller than what the vehicle uses traditionally. This is marketed to ease range anxiety, because it gives you alot more range. It seems to be newer tech in autos and pickup trucks than in bus tech, but has been around in buses since 2019, moreless in an experimental phase, but out in SF they have purchsed vehicles maybe as a test bed in the last few years. I know one of the first pickups to use this will be the 2025 dodge ram 1500, known as the ram charger, which gives it 180 mile range on the battery, but in using the generator gives it close to 700 mile range. In buses it is called a BAE systems propulsion electric hybrid. It seems to be the new kid that is in town that's all the rage. New Flyer and Nova Bus are adopting this as a model in its new 2024 buses. This is something CTA and Pace should try out and see how it works. They might not have to build charging towers at every terminal end and it's up to them how they will build the charging infrastructure but it would be cheaper than current technology allows. Fuel cell and hydrogen can also be used instead of a battery but it hasn't been researched as well, maybe a future endeavor. Big cities are already jumping on the band wagon. Dublin is buying buses this year and Phoenix,AZ has an order for some New Flyer buses. Back to SF, the MUNI, there has already jumped down the rabbit hole. They have purchased buses received and have applied the tech in its service. They have established "Green Zones" in the city where buses run all electric and in areas not in these designated areas the gas charger aboard the bus charges it up. This may very well be the future of bus transit and it will be exciting to see it's development. It can get better but you have to admit this is better than all the pans on the roofs on buses and being dependant on an electric charging station all day long. CTA and Pace are going to have to figure out something quick because the state passed a bill that says all Illinois bus purchases ran by a government agency will only be ordered as electric buses effective July 2026. This really needs its own topic. I'll see if I can throw up a few links to the bus tech story.

Well what I nention is an unforseen circumstance. No way did the customer know that Proterra would go out of business. Alot of regular Joe's would have to go through major legal hurdles to get the same results. But it makes sense to play nice. They are teeing off with agencies with up to million plus dollar budgets, with federal pull that can have an even greater pull. They may have lost the cta. Pace if they want to play ball with them is their call. Maybe instead of seeing the likenesses they need to see what has changed. But starting out a company in the negative with all these defective proterras is not my idea of a fine corporation. I won't be buying their stock... and what you say about my quote doesn't make sense but that's the friendly art of debate...

#8748 was on the #73. Good grief. The last 5 buses are at 3 different garages.

Question of the week is what happened to 8662 to 8708??? I hope they bundle the buses together by number this is confusing. You need to look at a roster just to see who had what. If I was a tea leaf reader I would say the Glen could end up with the first 100. Perhaps the missing buses are off to North Park. The managers have a say on what they want. Maybe kedzie don't like novas. 8450s could stay at 103rd and the 8550s to chicago. 74th could train soon. If north park ends up with the 8650s that would put the 8750s out south. But who really knows???

So the warranty is null and void as well?? Poor cta got burned by these guys all they can do is shelf the buses now. The first model 600 to 606 they did. I see them running until they break and it's Cest la vie!! Sometimes you just get burned but they should get some legal recourse but I!m not sure they have a case it's moot. I'm kind of surprised at Pace they have a living example of a Gillig electric. It can't suck that bad can it. They trust someone's word over what they have produced. Phoenix /Proterra has not produced. I see Pace has electric paratransits maybe they could run those in light service like in Elgin on the mainline feeders. Something to ponder anyway....

It's scary how much the Phoenix buses look like Proterras. It is most likely a safe bet, they are using the same parts and chassis. I had a face palm just looking at that site. What was the Phoenix design before? 20 years in the business has to produce something. If I may be so bold the site looks like a front for Proterra. Please use caution Pace. Maybe give Gillig a shot. Sounds like they have a contractional obligation. At least the I55 electric tour bus that is on order should be a success.