Driving an Artic

[trainman8119]

To our operators at NP, K and 103, how is it driving the artics? When they first made their appearence in the 70's (the MANs), they were touted as being no more difficult to drive than the standard 40 footers. As I walked down Michigan Ave today and watched these things zig in and out and around, I was wondering about how operators feel about having to maneuver these things all over the place....especially on routes that turn a lot (147 for example) or have to make tight turns. Are they okay, or would one rather have a standard 40 footer ???

[santran]

I love them, esp a low floor NF. I pick my runs based on the bus, I try and get a 146 as much as I can. They seem to be harder to drive, but it really is not that bad. Alot of people will say it is easier, but that is not true, I can take a 40' bus down the street so much faster and turn a corner without much thought. But it is all about the love for the bus in the end!!

[artthouwill]

I have never driven an artic nor have I worked for the CTA. I have driven 35 ft buses which seemed pretty easy to handle. I have driven 40 ft buses which seemed easy to handle, and I have driven 45 ft motor coach buses which seemed easy to handle. Watching my mirrors closely and making sure I could see the rear axle and the back of the bus is very key. Once there was a heavy snow fall. The streets had been plowed but there was so much snow on Midway Plaisance that the parked cars on each side turned a two lane street into a one lane street. This particular day I had a 45 fto coach and turning from northbound Woodlawn to westbound Midway Plaisance where cars were parked all the way to the intersecton was a hairy experience. I did it, but that extra 5 feet of bus made it a bit harder. My guess is because the artics usually has it bends at about 35 ft (on a 60 ft bus), turning it would be like turning a 35 ft bus, but again because of the length of the whole bus, you still have to account for the entire length with lane changes, curbing the bus, and right turns where the rear end can swing out.

[BusHunter]

Probably one of the hardest turns for an artic on the North side is the turn from Addison to Neva. Sometimes this turn can be tricky for 40 footers. The street is very small over there. I've seen stuck operators that needed help from another one.

[twyztdmynd]

Colonial had Neoplan Artic Transits. They were awesome. A bit intimidating at first but after a while they seem to grow on ya. It was kinda nice watching them snake around corners. I even drove an artic Prevost Motorcoach (Rest in peace 200). I was proud to drive that one. Had no major obstacles in the city but you were screwed if you had to back up at places like the Sheraton Hotel off Columbus. It had a turnaround worth gouging your eyes out. Mostly the Neo's were used as McCormick Place hotel shuttles.

[speedracer1407]

I'm curious about what operators think of the hybrid artics' throttle response.

On the rare occasion that I'm sitting near the front, I often hear the "clack" of the driver stomping on the accelerator from a stop. It makes a distinct noise, and some operators have the odd habit of tapping the pedal to the floor a few times in rapid succession (tap tap tap) pulling away from every stop.

Anyway, 40 ft NFs seem to respond quickly, launching hard off the line. 60Ft hybrids, however seem to take forever to begin generating meaningful forward progress. I recall a few times when the operator closed the doors and stomped on the gas at the same time. Several seconds went by before torque from the electric motors gradually ramped up.

It's probably hard for operators to hear what's going on in the engine compartment. But daily observations aboard 4000s on the 147 lead me to believe that the driveline computers take their sweet time getting the bus moving from a dead stop.

[cta_44499_FG]

Probably one of the hardest turns for an artic on the North side is the turn from Addison to Neva. Sometimes this turn can be tricky for 40 footers. The street is very small over there. I've seen stuck operators that needed help from another one.

This is due to the fact that cars are parked all the way up to the corner. There were signs placed up saying NO PARKING CTA bus turnaround...but they were removed just as quick as they were put up.

[Guest]

Colonial had Neoplan Artic Transits. They were awesome. A bit intimidating at first but after a while they seem to grow on ya. It was kinda nice watching them snake around corners. I even drove an artic Prevost Motorcoach (Rest in peace 200). I was proud to drive that one. Had no major obstacles in the city but you were screwed if you had to back up at places like the Sheraton Hotel off Columbus. It had a turnaround worth gouging your eyes out. Mostly the Neo's were used as McCormick Place hotel shuttles.

Hey Whats up??

I drove the CTA 7100 series artics out of NP back in 1999. They took a little to get used to but it came to me. Before long it became an easy bus to drive. I wish Id get the opportunity to drive the Houston Artics we have at Colonial.

[Nabi60SFW9620]

Some Articulated models are better to drive then others. And some Articulated buses drive better then 40fts. Like the New Flyer DE60LF and DE60LFR.. I heard some Philadelphia SEPTA drivers dislike the Neoplan AN460HFs they have. But riding an AN460HF I like WMATAs better then SEPTAs. Since WMATAs have Series 60 and SEPTAs have Series 50. I know the NABI 436 Articulated Ive heard is worse to drive then a 40ft. Which I hear some operators in Baltimore who didnt like driving the tics say that the New Flyer DE60LFRs handle much better then the NABI 436s.

[BusHunter]

This is due to the fact that cars are parked all the way up to the corner. There were signs placed up saying NO PARKING CTA bus turnaround...but they were removed just as quick as they were put up.

You'll be happy to hear there's a no parking sign on the west side now that looks like it extends double the length of the typical no parking zone on the streetcorners. The pole and sign look pretty new.