sw4400 Posted September 26, 2009 Report Share Posted September 26, 2009 I like the New Flyers, but I gotta go with the Flxibles... they are the last of a bus company that produced good quality buses. They will be missed when they are all retired, and many on here will miss them, too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted September 26, 2009 Report Share Posted September 26, 2009 I don't vote for any tin cans, or tin cans with a sloped front denoted as BRT. Maybe LA votes for the Compobus, but given NABI's history around here, not me (although I am not convinced that Pace has totally written them off). I would have voted for an Orion VII Next Gen, except, since 1989, Orion hasn't figured out how to put a grille over the A/C openings. That probably leaves Nova LFS (although I am not sold on the high radiator in the newer models) or NF Xcelsior, but if both can figure out how to integrate the roof equipment with the lines of the bus. Of course, I am in no position to judge the mechanicals, and since the buses seem to use the same powertrains, etc., there probably isn't any reason to. It isn't like the days of the New Look or RTS buses, which were actually GM products. Of course, since they are no longer made, they are disqualified from this poll. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksone44 Posted September 26, 2009 Report Share Posted September 26, 2009 I am a New Flyer fan. Hands down. I like the new Seattle DE60LFA's for the new Rapid Ride BRT service that'll be online in 6/10. Also a fan of the new Washinton Metro DE42LFA's. Very good looking buses. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 26, 2009 Report Share Posted September 26, 2009 No comparison, Flxible 6000s are my favorite! Im getting used to the Novas finally after 9 years! But the Flx, damn, I just love that bus! They look really good with the straight back design. As Ive stated before it looks so menacing when you see it coming down the street. I love those Alcoa rims, the Detroit and Cummins engines. Just a tough looking bus all around, a true workhorse! I feel proud to have operated them. Id love to drive one again one day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jajuan Posted September 26, 2009 Report Share Posted September 26, 2009 New Flyer, though it would be nice to see CTA show some imagination and try other body designs. They did the same body front with the 5800s, 40-ft hybrids, 1000s and now the 4000s. How about after the 4000s, including what options get exercised, trying something new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Transit Posted September 26, 2009 Report Share Posted September 26, 2009 DesignLine...I hope they can win some more significant contracts in the near future...also I can't wait for the completed version of Fishercoachwork's new GTB-40 model...I saw on the FTA's website that, the MTA in Flint, Mi. was awarded a $2.2 million ARRA grant to buy two of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted September 26, 2009 Report Share Posted September 26, 2009 I might get on Mr. Transit's bandwagon, as those two are the only ones that are innovative in both a powertrain and design sense. Apparently, the one that the MTA is now receiving is a little more conventional looking than the one tested in NY and Chicago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMC-RTS-08 Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 I would have to say the Flxibles because they just sound mean when accelerating. Also, they look good after all these years and seem to have stood the test of time! My other favorite in CTA's fleet would be the Nova LFS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwantae Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 CTA: I love the 4000s/900s Flyers but at 1st I'll go for Flxible 6000s but 6305s Cummings I like the best. And I like Nova LFs 6400s as second. Pace: Nova Classic 2379s, then Orion VI 6000s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusHunter Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 I might get on Mr. Transit's bandwagon, as those two are the only ones that are innovative in both a powertrain and design sense. Apparently, the one that the MTA is now receiving is a little more conventional looking than the one tested in NY and Chicago. I wouldn't doubt we see that newer designline bus tested here. With all the savings on maintenance costs and 12 year warranty on the battery it sounds like it's not too bad. And now it looks more like a modern city bus. BTW, favorite current bus: #6000's because they look tough like a Chicago city bus should look. Or #900's because they are modern and go when you press the gas. (They don't spend 20 seconds thinking about it) I'd like to see the ISE in artics. I have a weird feeling these hybrid drivetrains on #4000's may slow down in a few years. Best bus at PACE: Nova Classics hands down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artthouwill Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 I will go MCI 102D (Pace), Nova Classics (Pace), NABI (40ft Pace). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 I didnt know we were including Pace vehicles, but since the gloves are off on this one, the Nova Classic and the Flxible 6000s are the coolest buses on the streets around Chicago. I wish Pace had more of the Classics. Technically the GMC Fishbowl lives on, thats why I love those Novas. I do have to say I like the Pace 35ft Nabis, both 2400 and 6600 series. I do tend to like the 2400 series a little more because it has more color to it than the 6600s as well as the turn signal indicators on the 2400 look more smooth than the 6600s. I wouldnt mind having the 2400s shipped over to Academy on top of some NOVA CLASSICS!!!. The one thing I like about he 35ft Nabis, they dont have too much of a low floor look to it. Now the 40ft version on the other hand does. The CTA NABI artics were also very good looking buses, its such a shame they didnt last. Didnt really get a chance to ride them enough. The CTA Optimas, get em outta here! They dont belong here in Chicago. The CTA Novas are starting get my attention. Im highly curious to see whats going to happen with the Pace MCI coaches that are coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geneking7320 Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 I might get on Mr. Transit's bandwagon, as those two are the only ones that are innovative in both a powertrain and design sense. Apparently, the one that the MTA is now receiving is a little more conventional looking than the one tested in NY and Chicago. I checked the link and think that is nice looking bus. I don't prefer pop-out doors and wish it sat 40 passengers though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 I checked the link and think that is nice looking bus. I don't prefer pop-out doors and wish it sat 40 passengers though. In that the NY Daily News says it is a 42 foot bus, shows where seating standards have gone. At the beginning of the low floor era, it was assumed 1 seat per foot, but current buses don't even come close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 I wouldn't doubt we see that newer designline bus tested here. With all the savings on maintenance costs and 12 year warranty on the battery it sounds like it's not too bad. I wonder how wedded CTA is to the up to 900 NF hybrid articulateds, since especially if they are used to replace 6000s, there won't be much more to replace for a while. I have a feeling that that order was rushed, given that they had the 35 foot DesignLine to test about that time, as well as Nova getting back into the U.S. and articulated markets, and hence CTA again got "last generation" technology. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jajuan Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 I checked the link and think that is nice looking bus. I don't prefer pop-out doors and wish it sat 40 passengers though. Yes it is a nice looking bus, like an updated version of an RTS model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twyztdmynd Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 My vote is on New Jersey transit MCI D4500... I like the aluminum look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJL6000 Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 The CTA Optimas, get em outta here! They dont belong here in Chicago. The biggest reason for their presence is primarily to operate on those outlying routes with very low ridership and without which service there would have been no transit options other than private automobiles for miles. But in reality, some such routes are run with the wrong types of buses (e.g. a regular 40-footer on those routes with an average weekday passenger load of fewer than 10 riders per run). Another primary reason for the Optimas is for them to be operated on the U of C routes that the CTA ran at the time of the order (the turns from street to street in the affected routes are too tight for the typical 40-foot long, 102-inch wide bus to operate safely). But now that the U of C wants to eventually operate those routes by themselves, the CTA's Optimas are becoming redundant. With that said, I have never rode the Optimas or the 4150-4207 NF group thus far. Nor have I rode the 40-foot hybrids. But I rode the 6000-series Flxibles, 6400-series Novas, 1000-series NFs and the "leased" 4000-series NF articulateds. I am presently unable to pick from any of those because I have not rode on enough CTA buses recently enough for me to pass judgment. Speaking of the currently in-service Pace buses, I rode on only four types (surprisingly, I have seen Eldorados but never rode on one thus far): Nova Classics (which are no longer assigned to my service area), Orion VIs, and 35- and 40-foot NABIs. Too bad the Classics and the Orion VIs are no longer in production, and I cannot vote for the NABIs due to spotty quality control. (For that matter, Flxible as a manufacturer has been defunct since 1996.) Thus, no vote from me for the time being. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChicagoNova Posted November 16, 2009 Report Share Posted November 16, 2009 I am a New Flyer fan. Hands down. I like the new Seattle DE60LFA's for the new Rapid Ride BRT service that'll be online in 6/10. Also a fan of the new Washinton Metro DE42LFA's. Very good looking buses. I have to say I'm a fan of the Nova LFS 6400 Series and New Flyer Articulated Hybrids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwantae Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 I have to say I'm a fan of the Nova LFS 6400 Series and New Flyer Articulated Hybrids. After 6000s being sadly retired, then those two (6400s and 4000s) are my favorites with NF 900s also. 4000s drives way smoothly and more comfort ride than those roughly, broken-down 7500s, The MAN 7100s/7300 Seattles were way better as 4000s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 After 6000s being sadly retired, then those two (6400s and 4000s) are my favorites with NF 900s also. 4000s drives way smoothly and more comfort ride than those roughly, broken-down 7500s, The MAN 7100s/7300 Seattles were way better as 4000s. Hands down the 6000s are the best! They will be missed when theyre gone. Ive grown to like the 6400 Novas. Funny, it took me 9 years to say that! One of the buses I really miss and enjoyed driving were the 4000 series MAN Americanas. Those buses had that European feel to it, I liked that alot. You knew they werent American, although built in Cleveland, NC they still had the Euro import feel to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rideonrulez Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 The 6000 series Flxible's for me... :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChicagoNova Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 The 6000 series Flxible's for me... Everytime I think about the Nova LFS's, I think about the word "spaceship". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Everytime I think about the Nova LFS's, I think about the word "spaceship". Im a stickler for detail, Id like the Novas even more if they were designed with rectangular headlights. Some info, Ill be in San Diego from the 28th Nov. to Dec. 3rd. Ill get some MTS action (bus/trolley). Im curious to take a ride aboard one of those ugly NABI BRT buses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trainman8119 Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Everytime I think about the Nova LFS's, I think about the word "spaceship". Me too, especially those with the Orange signs !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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