Kevin Posted November 7, 2005 Report Share Posted November 7, 2005 Here is the information I have regarding assignments of this bus: - The bus operated on the #20 madison route on Monday, Nov. 7th. It left Austin at 2:30p, departed Randolph/Columbus at 3:37p, departed Austin at 4:38p, and ended its run at Pulaski. - The bus was at CTA headquarters Tuesday, Nov. 8th at 1:30p for about an hour. - The bus operated out of several garages for about the next week. - Testing was complete by Tuesday, November 15th. The bus will now be sent back to New Flyer. November 8th Updates - A news brief discussing the new bus has been posted. - 17 photos from today's press conference have been posted. - 1 video of the bus has been posted as well. As a treat to forum visitors, here are high resolution (1024x768) versions of the photos posted in the gallery: Photo 1 - Photo 2 - Photo 3 - Photo 4 - Photo 5 - Photo 6 - Photo 7 - Photo 8 - Photo 9 - Photo 10 - Photo 11 - Photo 12 - Photo 13 - Photo 14 - Photo 15 - Photo 16 - Photo 17 - Photo 18 - Photo 19 - Photo 20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
venom_20 Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 very nice bus. I see the a/c unit is not on the roof this time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJL6000 Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 I've noticed that the #1000 prototype is equipped with Luminator amber LED destination signs - the same type of sign which came on the 7500-series NABI artics. The production New Flyers may or may not come with the same signs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trainman8119 Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 I love how it looks. I kind of like the New Flyers anyway, and since the a/c is in the back instead of on the roof, it just looks like a real city transit bus, nothing overly fancy. I hate the new logo though...yuck !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geneking7320 Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 Great pics Mr.KZ! I like the New Flyer LF but must admit I have been spoiled by the latest front end. If only there was some way to get CTA to drop the gray "rocker panels"... Gene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw4400 Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 It's OK.... But I'm kinda disappointed. I thought it would've been more unique than the other New Flyers(5800 Series) were. Really, there's not a big difference except for the missing rear window and the new logos slapped on. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetroShadow Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 I'm a little disappointed since its not the newer models...perhaps they'll suprise us with the newer models somewhere in the middle of the order (can't hurt to dream). It looks really nice, and it looks like a real transit bus. Kinda reminds me of the New Flyers in L.A. because they do have the AC panels in the back. In any case, I'm slightly more disappointed with the choice of logo...oh well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geneking7320 Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 I just thought to ask - since the 5800s have a rear window (and they are New Flyers) why did CTA decide to go with a rear mounted A/C unit on this order. Is this to achieve a commonality with the hybrid buses? Gene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted November 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 I just thought to ask - since the 5800s have a rear window (and they are New Flyers) why did CTA decide to go with a rear mounted A/C unit on this order. Is this to achieve a commonality with the hybrid buses? Gene That was more of New Flyer's decision. With some rare exceptions, they no longer make D40LFs with the old configuration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
venom_20 Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 I'm a little disappointed since its not the newer models...perhaps they'll suprise us with the newer models somewhere in the middle of the order (can't hurt to dream). I would love to see the newer models on the road. I know that newe flyer is going to continue to make the older models anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
venom_20 Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 what kind of powertrain are used in cta buses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw4400 Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 Thanks for sharing the photos(and video) of Bus #1000, Zolk. I'm starting to appreciate it slowly, but I guess the true way for me to appreciate it is to ride it(which may not happen anytime soon, since I ride buses dispatched from North Park and Forest Glen). Will it be around or are they taking it back to New Flyer Inc. until the other 244 are made? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted November 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 sw4400, I'm not sure if this will be sent back or not. There may be some changes which could require they be sent back to the factory. However, official delivery of the buses will begin in about two months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetroShadow Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 Mid-January it is! LOL. Well, I guess most of us can concur that this will be something to look forward to...we'll have to say good-bye to the 5300's while we wait too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trainman8119 Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 Although it is due, and they are beat up and tired, the bad part about saying good bye to the 5300's is that it is really the beginning of the end of Flxible forever in Chicago. This is what many of us grew up with and saying good bye is somewhat a sad thing :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanbytes Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 I saw it at the CTA HQ. I got on and heard the whole presentation. I don't like the plastic seats. The drivers don't either. Too flimsy. The rear doors don't have bars. They have sonic sensors. Touch the door where the bars used to be and you break the beam. Somehow this is supposed to be cheaper than bars. There's a new forward facing camera and cameras with a side view along the right side of the bus to record any accidents. The driver seat also has sensors to record forces the driver is taking. It was said that this is to cut down on false claims by drivers after accidents. The air conditioning is very loud. Like not being able to converse all the way to the front of the bus loud. I got to ride it back to the Chicago garage. Smooth. I did hit my head as I was sitting down. We hit a bump at just the wrong moment so I left my mark on the bus. I definitely could feel the flimsyness of the plastic seats. The have a lot of give making for a better ride but after a while of sudden stops with people holding onto them I don't know if they would last. This is just what I can remember as I write this. If you have any questions please ask and if I can I'll try to answer. Keep in mind I'm not anything except a rider that got lucky today! Yes the bus had a new bus smell! Pictures. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanbytes/sets/1326135/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted November 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 Yeah, those seats do seem flimsy. I'm wondering why they don't have stainless steel backings like the ones CTA tested out last year. I'm also curious as to why only 8 seats in the entire bus are the new design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTA 9537 Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 I saw it today at Navy Pier I do like it but I wish it was the new design beacuse it looks like the 5800s. And i dont like the new logo. I guess its a good and a bad thing to see them delivered I will miss the 5300s very much Flxibles are good buses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Yeah, those seats do seem flimsy.... I'm also curious as to why only 8 seats in the entire bus are the new design. My guess is to compare both types before deciding on what goes into the production order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw4400 Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 what kind of powertrain are used in cta buses? The 1000 Series is said to have a Cummins Diesel Engine. Most of the new buses have this as they are more environmentally friendly. The DELF's will have a Cummins Diesel/Electric Engine. How that will look/sound, I do not know. Here's the breakdown of the other CTA Bus Engines 4400 Series TMC RTS's: Detroit Diesels 5300 Series Flxible Metros: Detroit Diesels(5300-5739)Cummins Diesels(5740-5769) 5800 Series New Flyer DLF's: Detroit Diesels(5800-5861)Cummins Diesels(5862-5864) 6000 Series Flxible Metros: Detroit Diesels(6000-6304)Cummins Diesels(6305-6329) 6400 Series NOVABus LFS: Cummins Diesels 7500 Series NABIBus 60-LFW: Cummins Diesels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw4400 Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Although it is due, and they are beat up and tired, the bad part about saying good bye to the 5300's is that it is really the beginning of the end of Flxible forever in Chicago. This is what many of us grew up with and saying good bye is somewhat a sad thing They won't all be gone, Trainman8119. Remember, we'll still have the 6000 Series Flxibles around for another 5-10 years because of the rehab(which should be completed by the end of 2005). So and if you have a camera, take a few pictures of these buses. When these are gone, then Flxible will be offically gone from Chicago(unless they remake the Flxible Metro in a Low Floor type model, like they did with the RTS) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montell305 Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Actually, the way I understood the news article shown here: http://www.chicagobus.org/archives/18/ I believe that only a little more than half of the 5300 series buses will be retired and the rest will continue to be operated unless the Legislator comes up with more money. Any idea on how the CTA will determine which buses of the series to retire? Also I know that I am in the minority here but I actually like the new logo with the old paint job. Do you think that as older buses are repaired/repainted they will also recieve this logo design? I think it sorta has a retro look like the logos the buses had back in the 50's & 60's. :cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
venom_20 Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Most of the new buses have this as they are more environmentally friendly. The DELF's will have a Cummins Diesel/Electric Engine. How that will look/sound, I do not know. So cta is getting hybrids? Nice, they are very quiet and powerful buses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanbytes Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 20 hybrids. 10 with a series hybrid drive from ISE Research and 10 with a parallel hybrid drive from Allison. The buses cost $500,000 each. There was talk of batteries and capacitors and the benefits and drawbacks of both. It sounded like capacitors were getting played up quite a bit though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
venom_20 Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 the hybrids in pgh have batteries. The buses are holding up pretty well here, considering all of the steep hills that we have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.