More Bus Moves

[artthouwill]

6 hours ago, jtrussel said:

As far as the 1000s new flyers go did has the process of rebuilding those select few hundred began. I see they want to keep those until 2029 the latest. My main question is it really worth putting a 100+ million dollars into busses that are already closing in on the 20 yr mark. CTA wanted to retire the first batch of 1000s (2006-7) models but those are the least affected by rust. We can all see the 2008-9 flyers are being retired due to rust. As much as I like the 1000s hey have served heir ime well and that money should go to new busses. I feel he cta just throws away money they did the 6000 flxibles he same most were only a couple years out of rehab and then was mothballed and retired. I could be wrong what are your guys thoughts

The problem is that CTA is not in a position to order a large number of electric buses.  They can't keep the few electrics they do have on the street consistently.   I've been saying they should do one more diesel or hybrid bus order but they would need to do it quickly.    Since federal law mandates zero emission fleets by 2040, it wouldn't make sense to buy diesel vehicles after 2026 because they would only get minimal use of of those vehicles   Meantime stretching out the life of 400 vehicles gives them a chance to incrementally increase their electric fleet while  the 7900s and 8350s will last until 2035 and up to 2039  before being retired.

 

To add to @jajuan  "s post, CTA and the State boxed themselves in by ordinances and state law making the 8350s the last diesel orders.    

[Tcmetro]

CTA has known for several years now that electric buses will cost billions of dollars in garage upgrades and haven't made much progress on that front. What's going to happen is that there will be hundreds of buses on the street that are 20+ years old until real money is put in place to make electric a reality.

[Busjack]

26 minutes ago, artthouwill said:

..   Since federal law mandates zero emission fleets by 2040...

No, it doesn't. It only requires that if a TA wants a Low/No grant, it has to have a transition plan.

Otherwise I agree with you and @jajuan.

6 hours ago, jtrussel said:

... As much as I like the 1000s hey have served heir ime well and that money should go to new busses. I feel he cta just throws away money...

The 2025 Budget has:

That comes out to $272,000 per bus, with an electric bus with charger (not to mention garage and other infrastructure) being about $1.5 million a bus, and even a hybrid being over $1 million (according to Pace). So, that's not too bad.