TMC-RTS-08 Posted May 16, 2009 Report Share Posted May 16, 2009 I am wondering what buses does Gary Public Transit (GPTC) use. I remember seeing pics of Nova 30ft RTS and some Flxible Metros, but do they still use these and what else do they have? I would be interested in going to check out GPTC's fleet sometime in the summer. Also, what does nearby Hammond Transit use? Gillig Phantoms? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesi2282 Posted May 16, 2009 Report Share Posted May 16, 2009 They still have the 30' Nova RTS's as well as Gillig Low Floor's and Optima Opus buses, as far as the Flxible Metro's I think those are retired (but I could be wrong). Hammond's HTS uses mainly Optima Opus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted May 16, 2009 Report Share Posted May 16, 2009 Both Gary's and Hammond's Optimas are owned by the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (there is a decal near the rear door, or where it would have been on a 30 footer). With all the talk in the Times whether bus service will be dropped if a Regional Bus Authority doesn't take them over, better get there soon. For instance, Hammond doesn't run on Saturdays anymore. There was a trolley replica on the Indianapolis Blvd. Saturday special, but, based on the preceding sentence, I assume it isn't being operated by Hammond. Apparently the stimulus bill and casino money gave them a reprieve until the end of the year. Also, the (admittedly few) times I have been through Hammond lately, I have seen a Thomas bus, similar to what was common prior to 2003. I don't know if that is a contractor provided spare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 16, 2009 Report Share Posted May 16, 2009 They still have the 30' Nova RTS's as well as Gillig Low Floor's and Optima Opus buses, as far as the Flxible Metro's I think those are retired (but I could be wrong). Hammond's HTS uses mainly Optima Opus. One interesting note about the Gary RTS buses, they have the rear tailgate doors that were taken off the CTA RTS buses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMC-RTS-08 Posted May 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2009 I gotta check out those baby RTS' one day. OT: I wonder what TA still runs Flxibles of any number? Does CUMTD still have theirs? I goto Champaign-Urbana often and I never see them, all I see are New Flyers. Does CityBus in Lafayette, IN (Purdue) still have their Flxibles or even their New Flyer D60HFs? I know Citybus is slowly phasing out older buses and going Gillig, but hopefully they still have some older equipment running around.:( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rideonrulez Posted May 18, 2009 Report Share Posted May 18, 2009 I gotta check out those baby RTS' one day. OT: I wonder what TA still runs Flxibles of any number? Does CUMTD still have theirs? I goto Champaign-Urbana often and I never see them, all I see are New Flyers. Does CityBus in Lafayette, IN (Purdue) still have their Flxibles or even their New Flyer D60HFs? I know Citybus is slowly phasing out older buses and going Gillig, but hopefully they still have some older equipment running around. It's funny you mentioned Citybus. My friend that works there was just visiting me this weekend. Apparently there are about 10 Flx's on property as of now BUT since Purdue is out of school and there getting a bunch of new and used buses this summer they may never see service again. Now the D60HF's (ex-Samtrans) that they currently have apparently are getting replaced by other D60HF's that they got secondhand from Minnesota. I'll try and get more info if needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMC-RTS-08 Posted May 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2010 Does anyone know if Gary runs their Novas on weekends? I am planning a trip to Chicago in June and it will be on a Saturday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted May 13, 2010 Report Share Posted May 13, 2010 Does anyone know if Gary runs their Novas on weekends? I am planning a trip to Chicago in June and it will be on a Saturday. Not directly on whether they would run them, as opposed to newer, shorty Gilligs or Optimas, the question is given the current unrest in Northwest Indiana transit, including RBA efforts to merge the systems and financial distress,whether you can book a trip on a Saturday assuming that the system will run at all. For instance, Hammond cut Saturday service,and while the RBA says it intends to restore it,that hasn't happened yet. Update: Googling indicates that GPTC tweeted that it got its stimulus buses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTS Bus Fan Posted June 19, 2019 Report Share Posted June 19, 2019 On 5/16/2009 at 9:48 AM, Busjack said: Both Gary's and Hammond's Optimas are owned by the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (there is a decal near the rear door, or where it would have been on a 30 footer). With all the talk in the Times whether bus service will be dropped if a Regional Bus Authority doesn't take them over, better get there soon. For instance, Hammond doesn't run on Saturdays anymore. There was a trolley replica on the Indianapolis Blvd. Saturday special, but, based on the preceding sentence, I assume it isn't being operated by Hammond. Apparently the stimulus bill and casino money gave them a reprieve until the end of the year. Also, the (admittedly few) times I have been through Hammond lately, I have seen a Thomas bus, similar to what was common prior to 2003. I don't know if that is a contractor provided spare. One correction...NIRPC never owned the Opus Low-Floor buses used by GPTC. There was no decal by the door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted October 16, 2023 Report Share Posted October 16, 2023 Gillig pointed to an article that GPTC got 4 Gillig battery electric buses, for the Broadway Metro Xpress route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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