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The Chicago and 103rd bus swap


BusHunter

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This morning Bustracker is revealing a few changes between 103rd and Chicago. Chicago appears to be getting the #1900's and #2000's from 103rd for Chicago's #1000's. Right now #1021 is on X28, #1022, #1012 is on the #29, #1020 is on the #28, #1000, #1010 is on the #14, #1004 is on the #15, and #1013 is on the #119. For Chicago #2001 and #1924 is on the #20, #1998 is on the #72, #1985 is on the #70, #1996 is on the #66, #1981 is on the #76, #1920 and #1926 is on the #53, and #1928 is on the #54. It looks like the #1900's and #2000's may soon be done at 103rd.

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Un %$%@@** believable
I'll put this more on the level of Nero fiddling while Rome burns.

I could have seen the point that some scrambling was necessary to cover the NABI shortage (to now enter its second month). However, I certainly do not see the point of trading some 1000s for some 1900-2000s. Apparently the trading is not complete, as 1011 is showing up on 54. Of course, two garages get nothing (although one had the buses now traded for the third time) and a third got only a token allotment.

Meantime, while CTA claims there is nothing it can do about its diesel contract, it finds more ways to burn it. If nothing else, with maybe 20 buses remaining on this order and 40 on the articulated one, you would think that someone in the Taj Mahal on Clinton and West Lake COULD FIGURE OUT WHERE THEY GO.

By the way, did any of our clairvoyants predict this?

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I'll put this more on the level of Nero fiddling while Rome burns.

I could have seen the point that some scrambling was necessary to cover the NABI shortage (to now enter its second month). However, I certainly do not see the point of trading some 1000s for some 1900-2000s. Apparently the trading is not complete, as 1011 is showing up on 54. Of course, two garages get nothing (although one had the buses now traded for the third time) and a third got only a token allotment.

Meantime, while CTA claims there is nothing it can do about its diesel contract, it finds more ways to burn it. If nothing else, with maybe 20 buses remaining on this order and 40 on the articulated one, you would think that someone in the Taj Mahal on Clinton and West Lake COULD FIGURE OUT WHERE THEY GO.

By the way, did any of our clairvoyants predict this?

I'll agree with that. It makes no sense to deliver buses south just to transfer them somewhere else. Just deliver them to that spot they end up transferred to in the first place. If you want the buses to be a Chicago then deliver them to Chicago. Plus what's with shifting the 1000s that are the oldest and thus used the most on the south side?

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Plus what's with shifting the 1000s that are the oldest and thus used the most on the south side?

What's happening is what CTA is historically known to do.... send the garbage down south! :lol:

Then the south side residents can cry they have the older junky equipment and then CTA will do more transfers to pacify them... and the cycle repeats....

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What's happening is what CTA is historically known to do.... send the garbage down south! :lol:

Then the south side residents can cry they have the older junky equipment and then CTA will do more transfers to pacify them... and the cycle repeats....

Except older is a relative term.

I know that I'll tee off 5555, but the oldest stuff is at the other 3 garages I mentioned. There seems to be no point in trading a 3 year old bus, when some parts of the south and far northwest sides have 14 year old ones. And you are saying that 3 year old buses are now "garbage?"

Also, there are probably neighborhoods through which C buses run that are no better than the south side.

I would really want to know who are the geniuses who think up this stuff.

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This morning Bustracker is revealing a few changes between 103rd and Chicago. Chicago appears to be getting the #1900's and #2000's from 103rd for Chicago's #1000's. Right now #1021 is on X28, #1022, #1012 is on the #29, #1020 is on the #28, #1000, #1010 is on the #14, #1004 is on the #15, and #1013 is on the #119. For Chicago #2001 and #1924 is on the #20, #1998 is on the #72, #1985 is on the #70, #1996 is on the #66, #1981 is on the #76, #1920 and #1926 is on the #53, and #1928 is on the #54. It looks like the #1900's and #2000's may soon be done at 103rd.

I mentioned on another post that I was on 1981 on route 76. I thought the south side was supposed to get the newer buses, but this appears like another of those famous bus swaps.....

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Moth-eaten old adage: "Always expect the unexpected." Seems to apply to the latest episodes of swaps.

What seems unique about this one is that it's being done midweek.

I actually did expect some 1000s to migrate to 103rd, but never would have assumed that Chicago would get high 1900s & 2000s in return. For whatever sense it makes, all six garages with New Flyers now have buses from the early options (pre-1430).

My prediction for the most recent exchange (for whatever it's worth) would have involved another three-way swap among NP, Chicago & 103rd complementing the one earlier this month --- something like this:

1000-1027 Chicago to 103rd

1855-1909 (odds) NP to Chicago

1566-1620 (evens) 103rd to NP

This would have continued the pattern of creating solid numerical blocks, eliminating the odd-even scheme, which started with the reassignment of 1481-1529 (odds) to 103rd.

Too logical and predictable I guess. :blink:

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This would have continued the pattern of creating solid numerical blocks, eliminating the odd-even scheme, which started with the reassignment of 1481-1529 (odds) to 103rd.

===Come to think of it, I guess that trend really began with the gradual migration of 1430-1479 to Chicago from both NP & 103.

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Too logical and predictable I guess. :blink:

Here's a theory. There are 8 garages and 1000 is an even multiple of 8.

May as well assign the buses in this order

For each n from 0 to about 125:

1000 + (n*8) to Archer

1001 + (n*8) to Kedzie

1002 + (n*8) to Chicago

1003 + (n*8) to North Park

1004 + (n*8) to 103rd

1005 + (n*8) to 74th

1006 + (n*8) to 77th

1007 + (n*8) to Forest Glen

Certainly takes care of the allegation that the north side is dumping its garbage on the south. Also, if an odd-even split works, why not really burn diesel fuel (and give the operators lots of overtime) and do this? :wub:

Anyway, this isn't any more ridiculous than the "planning" that went into the current allocation and swaps.

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Cta5555 and I were one of the few lucky ones to partake in the bus-swapping tonight. We took 1001 and 1016 down and brought 1986 and 1989 back. Cta5555 went down for a 2nd round trip but I didn't so maybe he can elaborate on the vehicles involved on that trip.

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Is this related to moving Flyers with more seats to 103rd and less seats to Chicago?

I know that 1975 and 1993 both have only 35 seats rather than 39 seats. The seating in the low floor section is perimeter like on the DE60LF with both disabled positions on the offside. Does anyone know where the changeover takes place and whether all up to 2029 will be 35 seat?

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I took 1002 to 103rd and got 2003 to go back had 1400 miles on it! The shop told me by the end of the week 1000-1087 will be at 103rd. He didnt know what the highest 2000s we are going to get. As of last night it was 2005 at chicago. At 103rd 2011 was getting its farebox put in just got it last night.

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I took 1002 to 103rd and got 2003 to go back had 1400 miles on it! The shop told me by the end of the week 1000-1087 will be at 103rd. He didnt know what the highest 2000s we are going to get. As of last night it was 2005 at chicago. At 103rd 2011 was getting its farebox put in just got it last night.

You guys are probably going to get all the #2000's. #2006 this morning is on the #72. There's still alot more to swap. #2004 is showing up on the #15, so it's still on the south side. Seems so far there concentrating on #1000 - #1030 for 103rd and #2006 - #1981, and the pre #1930 bunch (mostly #1920's so far) for Chicago. (#1930 starts the longitudinal seating for the poster that asked) #2007 - #2011 sounds like there still being prepped, but before long they'll probably be chicago bound too. If you count both groups #1000 - #1087 that's 88 buses versus #1912 - #1976 evens, #1978 - #2029 86 buses. Only problem is #2012 - #2029 is not here yet, so I don't know how the last 20 will work out. I wouldn't be surprised long term if you end up with the 23 #1900's that are left at 77th. It's pretty ironic 103rd was getting two different new bus types at once and now there getting nothing.

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You guys are probably going to get all the #2000's. #2006 this morning is on the #72. There's still alot more to swap. #2004 is showing up on the #15, so it's still on the south side. Seems so far there concentrating on #1000 - #1030 for 103rd and #2006 - #1981, and the pre #1930 bunch (mostly #1920's so far) for Chicago. (#1930 starts the longitudinal seating for the poster that asked) #2007 - #2011 sounds like there still being prepped, but before long they'll probably be chicago bound too. If you count both groups #1000 - #1087 that's 88 buses versus #1912 - #1976 evens, #1978 - #2029 86 buses. Only problem is #2012 - #2029 is not here yet, so I don't know how the last 20 will work out. I wouldn't be surprised long term if you end up with the 23 #1900's that are left at 77th. It's pretty ironic 103rd was getting two different new bus types at once and now there getting nothing.

Thanks for the info about 1930 on with longitudinal seating.

1932-22, 1948-22 and 1972-36 are showing up on North Park routes on bus tracker.

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Cta5555 and I were one of the few lucky ones to partake in the bus-swapping tonight. We took 1001 and 1016 down and brought 1986 and 1989 back. Cta5555 went down for a 2nd round trip but I didn't so maybe he can elaborate on the vehicles involved on that trip.

I see you guys really "liked" 1001 and 1016 (see run box).

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Certainly takes care of the allegation that the north side is dumping its garbage on the south. Also, if an odd-even split works, why not really burn diesel fuel (and give the operators lots of overtime) and do this? :wub:

Anyway, this isn't any more ridiculous than the "planning" that went into the current allocation and swaps.

O m'gosh Busjack...now you are starting to sound like me.....yikes !!!!! :o

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Thanks for the info about 1930 on with longitudinal seating.

1932-22, 1948-22 and 1972-36 are showing up on North Park routes on bus tracker.

Looks as if 103rd is receiving low 1800-odds in return. Sooner or later, 77th will probably join the Dance of the Buses, sending more odd 1900s up north in exchange for high odd 1700s(?). If so, there could even be a three-way switch at some point among 77th, 103rd & NP, bringing high even 1700s to 77th.

Then there's always the possibility of more trades between 103rd and North Park, redistributing 15 & 1600s into consecutively-numbered series. Oh, and before I forget, since it looks as if the 6000s will be hanging around for a while, there's always a chance that some will be redistributed among --- uh --- maybe Archer? 77th? 103rd???

Just speculating during a few idle moments away from my work. I'll probably be proven wrong, but who knows?

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I see you guys really "liked" 1001 and 1016 (see run box).

Yep! 103rd can have them! Cta5555 had 1001 and when we were getting off the Bishop Ford taking the ramp towards 103rd there was a nice sized bump in the road and when he hit it the bus lost power. I looked in the mirror and was wondering where he went... then I saw him off on the side of the ramp. He had to restart the bus! I didn't think that bump was that bad. Oh well it's 103rd's headache now!

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Cta5555 and I were one of the few lucky ones to partake in the bus-swapping tonight. We took 1001 and 1016 down and brought 1986 and 1989 back. Cta5555 went down for a 2nd round trip but I didn't so maybe he can elaborate on the vehicles involved on that trip.

What's with the route #31 sign? Is that information already installed in the Clever Device system, or were you guys just messing around again with the signs?

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I took 1002 to 103rd and got 2003 to go back had 1400 miles on it! The shop told me by the end of the week 1000-1087 will be at 103rd. He didnt know what the highest 2000s we are going to get. As of last night it was 2005 at chicago. At 103rd 2011 was getting its farebox put in just got it last night.

Does this mean that 103rd is loosing all of it's New Flyers with the Allison engine? :unsure:

I hope that doesn't happen because I enjoy riding them on the #14, 95E/W, and 29. They even sound like the old Americanas.

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Yep! 103rd can have them! Cta5555 had 1001 and when we were getting off the Bishop Ford taking the ramp towards 103rd there was a nice sized bump in the road and when he hit it the bus lost power.

I don't like this change too much. My favorite NF bus was 1006 (since it was on #76 Diversey regulary), and now it'll be at 103rd so I won't be able to see it. Guess I'll have to find a new favorite NF bus. As of #1001, since I've never rode that bus before and seen it only once, it's just a goodbye to that bus.

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i saw a 1500s new flyer running X55 and a i saw a 1001 on X28 on CTA Bus Tracker

Since you mentioned it, you diverted me from my work again :wub: , but I saw 1580 on 55 and 1582 on 47. Not enough to confirm a trend yet.

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