New Flyer at FG...

[jajuan]

I wonder if FG will get some of the 40-foot hybrids from Kedzie. Those would be well-suited for many FG routes such as #56.

I'm inclined to say not likely since someone who said he's in the know (if I remember correctly he correctly reported the modification done to route 48) reported that the NFs that go to FG will be from 77th. Based on that I'd say that it's likely that FG has already gotten what NFs it would from Kedzie if those aren't just loans for until those 50 reported NFs go from 77th to FG. That scenario does in fact make more sense because of the fact that 77th is the one other garage that is still in need of artics from the sidelining of the NABIs. Kedzie and NP are close to being back to where they were in artic numbers. 77th (and to some degree 103rd now that I think about it) is one that hasn't seen its artic numbers go back up much.

[trainman8119]

Forest Glen never had them they used GM FishBowls 7940-7949 whic had high powered engines so they wouldn't break down on the xpwy

Almost correct. That series of Fishbowls only went up to 7944. FG actually had 7931-7944. Occasionally you might see an 1100 or 1200, but yes, the 7900's were generally used on the 40. That was one of the "treats" of riding that route.

Also, even though FG didn't have any of the actual CTA artics (7000-7024 and 7100-7224), they did get one of the demos for a couple of weeks when it was in town. It was used on the 40 during it's stay at the Glen. Somewhere in the forum, I posted a pic of this bus as it tooled by Habetler Bowl at NW Highway and Foster on it's way to O'Hare (from the Krambles book CTA at 40).

[Guest ctafan630]

Almost correct. That series of Fishbowls only went up to 7944. FG actually had 7931-7944. Occasionally you might see an 1100 or 1200, but yes, the 7900's were generally used on the 40. That was one of the "treats" of riding that route.

Also, even though FG didn't have any of the actual CTA artics (7000-7024 and 7100-7224), they did get one of the demos for a couple of weeks when it was in town. It was used on the 40 during it's stay at the Glen. Somewhere in the forum, I posted a pic of this bus as it tooled by Habetler Bowl at NW Highway and Foster on it's way to O'Hare (from the Krambles book CTA at 40).

Based on your reply, I would conclude that FG briefly just had the one artic for a while.

I also rode on a FG artic on Lawrence from roughly Harlem to Jeff Park. I can't recall if the route was 81W or 64 at the time but it had to be in the early 80's.

[Busjack]

Based on your reply, I would conclude that FG briefly just had the one artic for a while.

I also rode on a FG artic on Lawrence from roughly Harlem to Jeff Park. I can't recall if the route was 81W or 64 at the time but it had to be in the early 80's.

That certainly would have been the routes where they would have been the least necessary (assuming you meant the 64 Foster-Lawrence loop). But, then, again, we are dealing with the CTA.

[pudgym29]

That could be a possibility. I'm only stating the message that I was given. My buddy from FG tells me they're shipping out the Flxs for New Flyers. He didn't elaborate on it; if they're losing all of them of some of them. But that would be nice if FG hangs on to a few.

The Forest Glen routes which seem (to me) to have the highest number of Flxibles in service (including on weekends) are #77, & #80 | #X80. I'll keep checking Bus Tracker to see if those runs switch to New Flyers. However, there remains the possibility that it is operators who prefer to drive the Flxibles who are pulling them out, and they'll change to Novas if they can't get a Flxible.

[Guest ctafan630]

That certainly would have been the routes where they would have been the least necessary (assuming you meant the 64 Foster-Lawrence loop). But, then, again, we are dealing with the CTA.

When I mentioned #64 it would have been the Foster-Lawrenece bus. I don't remember what year I rode the MAN artic. If it wasn't on the #64, it would have been the #81W.

[Buslover88]

The Forest Glen routes which seem (to me) to have the highest number of Flxibles in service (including on weekends) are #77, & #80 | #X80. I'll keep checking Bus Tracker to see if those runs switch to New Flyers. However, there remains the possibility that it is operators who prefer to drive the Flxibles who are pulling them out, and they'll change to Novas if they can't get a Flxible.

Especially #77. During the weekdays, there's at least 10 or more Flxibles on the route at almost any given time.

[Busjack]

Especially #77. During the weekdays, there's at least 10 or more Flxibles on the route at almost any given time.

One might think that, like the (old) Flyers and MAN Americanas persisting on 152, that is because of the higher capacity. But cf. the discussion on an artic. only having 43 seats. I also wonder what the proportion of Flxs to Novas is; probably still far less than half on those routes.

[cta_44499_FG]

One might think that, like the (old) Flyers and MAN Americanas persisting on 152, that is because of the higher capacity. But cf. the discussion on an artic. only having 43 seats. I also wonder what the proportion of Flxs to Novas is; probably still far less than half on those routes.

The 152 has always been mostly Flxibles, with the exception of off-peak weekends (that is, a dormant Wrigley Field).

Seems to just be a "that's how it's always been" type thing. Streets like 90 Harlem and 68 Northwest Highway, which are mostly Nova's, I'm told are because of complaints from seniors and things of the like. One might ask themselves why the seniors on other routes are any different....but again, "that's how it's always been".

Perhaps the above can explain the sudden slow demise of Flxibles at FG.

[jajuan]

The 152 has always been mostly Flxibles, with the exception of off-peak weekends (that is, a dormant Wrigley Field).

Seems to just be a "that's how it's always been" type thing. Streets like 90 Harlem and 68 Northwest Highway, which are mostly Nova's, I'm told are because of complaints from seniors and things of the like. One might ask themselves why the seniors on other routes are any different....but again, "that's how it's always been".

Perhaps the above can explain the sudden slow demise of Flxibles at FG.

OT but it may also explain why lately the 12 Roosevelt only has 1 or 2 Flx's these days, if at all. And that's mostly during morning rush. This route has a relatively higher number of seniors riding depending upon the time of day with the addition of the senior complex at Roosevelt and St. Louis, just a few blocks down from the one that already existed along the route at Roosevelt and Kedzie. The relative higher number of people I see at a lot of stops needing the bus kneeled might also be a factor in it since that function is either disabled or discouraged on the 6000s.

[trainman8119]

The 152 has always been mostly Flxibles, with the exception of off-peak weekends (that is, a dormant Wrigley Field).

Seems to just be a "that's how it's always been" type thing.

There is a strange thing with the 152, though. I had noticed that until they died, 152 is

where all of the original Flyers (9800-9900) would operate, as that was one of the last,

if not the very last of the non-ADA routes. Who knows why it was designated that way? I also noticed that with 91 too, as that is also where the MAN's (4000 series) would hide out. Now, you see more Flxibles on the 152 than anything else. I guess that means when the New Flyers make their way to the Glen, I wouldn't count on seeing too many on that route (sans Cub game), as

the consistent thing would be to put the oldest bus on that route, in this case it is

spelled N-O-V-A.

[Busjack]

...I guess that means when the New Flyers make their way to the Glen, I wouldn't count on seeing too many on that route (sans Cub game), as

the consistent thing would be to put the oldest bus on that route, in this case it is

spelled N-O-V-A.

People in garages have said similar things as did 44499, or that it was what ever was in front of the line, unless 5555 requested a 5300.

In the old days, there were rationales, such as that you really had to pack the passengers in on 81, but obviously on nothing northwest of Jefferson Park. ADA required specifying what routes were accessible and nonaccessible (and hence the theory why 152 was nonaccessible to the end), but you don't have that rationale anymore.

One could also speculate that what drives it is the appearance of the buses parked facing the fence on Elston, but I doubt that is any real reason.

I find more curious that FG is unlikely to assign a 500 on the weekend, when you would think ridership would really be down on the far NW side routes.

[trainman8119]

I find more curious that FG is unlikely to assign a 500 on the weekend, when you would think ridership would really be down on the far NW side routes.

You will occasionally see them on the 85A or evening 88 on the weekends. However, for the most part you are correct, they're not out on Sat/Sun like they are during the week. Must be that operator preference...they don't want to drive the little stuff and would rather have a "standard" bus as a choice.

[BusExpert32]

Is the rumor about all the Flxibles leaving Forest Glen slowly disappearing? Since its been close to two weeks since this news broke, and I haven't seen, heard, or read about even one of the 104 Flxibles at FG leaving yet.

Maybe since FG supposedly still had a shortage of buses, Kedzie gave them 5 New Flyers when it received more 4000s from North Park.

[Busjack]

Is the rumor about all the Flxibles leaving Forest Glen slowly disappearing? Since its been close to two weeks since this news broke, and I haven't seen, heard, or read about even one of the 104 Flxibles at FG leaving yet.

Maybe since FG supposedly still had a shortage of buses, Kedzie gave them 5 New Flyers when it received more 4000s from North Park.

In that there wasn't the "over the weekend" migration of 40 buses, like there was from 74th to K, C, and 103 (respectively), you may be on to something.

Of course, I'm not in a position to confirm or deny.

[Guest]

Is the rumor about all the Flxibles leaving Forest Glen slowly disappearing? Since its been close to two weeks since this news broke, and I haven't seen, heard, or read about even one of the 104 Flxibles at FG leaving yet.

Maybe since FG supposedly still had a shortage of buses, Kedzie gave them 5 New Flyers when it received more 4000s from North Park.

I dont think the rumor is disappearing, I was told by a FG operator that the New Flyers are coming to FG. Sometimes it can take two or more weeks to get all operators checked out on them. When a garage recieves a new model bus that has never been assigned there before, instruction dept. has to make sure every operator assigned to that garage is familiar with the bus before the garage can recieve them, mechanics have to get familiar with the bus as well. Knowing where the controls are, clearances, wheelchair lift operations, driver familiarity and other pertinent information that an operator needs to know to safely operate the bus. I remember this with the Novas in 2002 at FG. We borrowed three Novas from Chicago ave. so that every operator is competent using them. Believe me as a seasoned bus operator myself there can be quite a few differences in buses as far as operator familiarity. When I became a full time operator in 1999, I decided to go to North Park garage. There I had to learn the MAN Artics as well as the New Flyer 5800s. We were given instruction by a Bus Instructor which required about 8 hrs of OJT on how to operate them. Other models at NP such as the TMC and MAN 40 footers I didnt have to get trained in because I already knew how to operate them. New Flyers have never been assigned to FG so the instruction dept. is given time to get operators familiar with the bus. When I started at Colonial Coach I had to get familiar with the Orions as well as the Nabis. There were slight differences in the Nabis that I wasant aware of. Now imagine a bus operator taking out a bus and not knowing how to get it going, not knowing where the wheelchair lift controls are, how to shift it into drive, with the Nabis its a bit different than most buses! You cant learn a bus by figuring it out on the street, youre just setting yourself up for problems. One thing failed to mention was that as of yesterday 7/23, this same operator from FG tells me that it is likely FG may get a few artics for 152 Addison service, Ill find out some more info on this.

[BusHunter]

I dont think the rumor is disappearing, I was told by a FG operator that the New Flyers are coming to FG. When a garage recieves a new model bus that has never been assigned there before, instruction dept. has to make sure every operator assigned to that garage is familiar with the bus before a garage can recieve them. Knowing where the controls are, clearances, wheelchair lift operations and driver familiarity. I remember this with the Novas in 2002 at FG. We borrowed three Novas from Chicago ave. so that every operator is competent using them. Believe me as a bus operator myself there can be quite a few differences in buses as far as operator familiarity. When I became a full time operator in 1999, I decided to go to North Park garage. There I had to learn the MAN Artics as well as the New Flyer 5800s. We were given instruction by a Bus Instructor then 8 hrs of OJT on how to operate them. New Flyers have never been assigned to FG. So the instruction dept. is given time to get operators familiar with the bus. When I started at Colonial Coach I had to get familiar with the Orions as well as the Nabis. There wer slight differences in the Nabis that I wasant aware of. Now imagine me taking out a Nabi and not knowing how to get it going, not knowing where the wheelchair lift controls are, how to shift it into drive, its a bit different than most buses! On the street you would make yourself look like a horse' rear!

I wonder why 77th didn't get a few #6000's to train on. It's been over 6 years since they had some of them. That's alot of time for people to forget how to troubleshoot problems like the stair lift versus the easier flat ones. On the subject of the #1230's being trainers, I think if I remember correctly #6658 which is made reference to above, was about 2 to 3 weeks ahead of the pack. So that's would be your timeframe of when FG gets the rest. I'm thinking by the first or second week of August.

[Busjack]

I wonder why 77th didn't get a few #6000's to train on. It's been over 6 years since they had some of them. That's alot of time for people to forget how to troubleshoot problems like the stair lift versus the easier flat ones. On the subject of the #1230's being trainers, I think if I remember correctly #6658 which is made reference to above, was about 2 to 3 weeks ahead of the pack. So that's would be your timeframe of when FG gets the rest. I'm thinking by the first or second week of August.

The ones that had "Training Bus" placards and C windshield tags on Elston were 6712 and 6715. Actual deliveries started around 6756. Whether there were earlier loans, I don't know.

I'm still guessing that 77th is being set up for 4000s (maybe over 4200), but how it is set up is a matter of conjecture. 77th and NP are the two that didn't get the 40 some allocations of 6000s from 74th or previously had 6000s. (I'm assuming that the intent at Archer was to keep it all Nova.)

[New Flyer]

Hey 5750/ New Flyer saying goodbye. You be careful out there and watch your back.

The episode I told you about is the reason behind me being let go, get my number from Vicki/Steve and I'll explain.

[BusExpert32]

I dont think the rumor is disappearing, I was told by a FG operator that the New Flyers are coming to FG. Sometimes it can take two or more weeks to get all operators checked out on them. When a garage recieves a new model bus that has never been assigned there before, instruction dept. has to make sure every operator assigned to that garage is familiar with the bus before the garage can recieve them, mechanics have to get familiar with the bus as well. Knowing where the controls are, clearances, wheelchair lift operations, driver familiarity and other pertinent information that an operator needs to know to safely operate the bus. I remember this with the Novas in 2002 at FG. We borrowed three Novas from Chicago ave. so that every operator is competent using them. Believe me as a seasoned bus operator myself there can be quite a few differences in buses as far as operator familiarity. When I became a full time operator in 1999, I decided to go to North Park garage. There I had to learn the MAN Artics as well as the New Flyer 5800s. We were given instruction by a Bus Instructor which required about 8 hrs of OJT on how to operate them. Other models at NP such as the TMC and MAN 40 footers I didnt have to get trained in because I already knew how to operate them. New Flyers have never been assigned to FG so the instruction dept. is given time to get operators familiar with the bus. When I started at Colonial Coach I had to get familiar with the Orions as well as the Nabis. There were slight differences in the Nabis that I wasant aware of. Now imagine a bus operator taking out a bus and not knowing how to get it going, not knowing where the wheelchair lift controls are, how to shift it into drive, with the Nabis its a bit different than most buses! You cant learn a bus by figuring it out on the street, youre just setting yourself up for problems. One thing failed to mention was that as of yesterday 7/23, this same operator from FG tells me that it is likely FG may get a few artics for 152 Addison service, Ill find out some more info on this.

We'll see. It's possible that FG may get more 1000s and/or a few 4000s. Sometimes we were correctly informed by garage banter, and other times we were fooled by garage banter.

[Buslover88]

We'll see. It's possible that FG may get more 1000s and/or a few 4000s. Sometimes we were correctly informed by garage banter, and other times we were fooled by garage banter.

I think that FG will most likely get 1000s, because 1) there isn't room for any 4000s [at least to my knowledge] over there and 2) it seems to me CTA wants every garage to have 1000s in it.

[Guest]

Hey 5750/ New Flyer saying goodbye. You be careful out there and watch your back.

The episode I told you about is the reason behind me being let go, get my number from Vicki/Steve and I'll explain.

New Flyer, Its not going to be the same without you out there with us on the #606, getting the job done!. You are a real team player! Good Luck to you!

Today New Flyer #1227 was on a pullin from Central/Caldwell. Just a little while ago #1226 was on the 78 Montrose, WB Forest Preserve approaching Harlem av.

[qwantae]

I think that FG will most likely get 1000s, because 1) there isn't room for any 4000s [at least to my knowledge] over there and 2) it seems to me CTA wants every garage to have 1000s in it.

Any Idea when would 1000s coming back to Archer?

[Buslover88]

The New Flyers are really coming into FG. Alone on #56 Milwaukee are two, 1222 and 1224. On #77 Belmont, there is 1229. 1228 is currently switching over from #68 to #81W West Lawrence. On #152 Addison, there is 1227, currently around Harlem. On #91, there is 1230. 1233 is on #90 Harlem and 1226 is on #81 Lawrence.

The lowest numbered NF I've seen on a Forest Glen route so far is #1222 and the highest number is #1233. It looks like that 1223 (is this at FG yet?), 1225 (is this at FG yet?), 1231 (is this at FG yet?) and 1232 aren't out today.

[BusExpert32]

It looks like Kedzie is shipping over a handful of its New Flyers to FG. Any movement of FG's 6400s or 6000s yet?