Orange Destination Sign

[rotjohns]

I was up on the northwest side today and saw a Pace Orion VI bus 6155 with an Orange LED sign on the front, never saw that before on any of the buses south or west. I am assuming the original dull lime green electronic sign went cuckoo and Pace had the funds to replace it with the bright orange. I know there have been several other Orion VIs that have bad dest. signs out West and a couple SW. Are there any other buses with these orange signs?

[PACE NORTHWEST]

6155 has always had the orange LED sign. The orange LED destination sign was probably a test to see if they worked before ordering any new buses. The seats in 6155 are also different.

[RJL6000]

6155 has always had the orange LED sign. The orange LED destination sign was probably a test to see if they worked before ordering any new buses. The seats in 6155 are also different.

Also, 6155 is one of several Orion VIs which were actually delivered in 2004, after the 6162-6261 series NABI 40C-LFW and the 6600-series NABI 35C-LFW buses, which all have had amber (orange) LED destination signs from the beginning.

[Busjack]

Also, 6155 is one of several Orion VIs which were actually delivered in 2004, after the 6162-6261 series NABI 40C-LFW and the 6600-series NABI 35C-LFW buses, which all have had amber (orange) LED destination signs from the beginning.

No, that's wrong, since 6155 was around prior to the 2003 NABIs, and undoubtedly, as PACE NORTHWEST says, to test the signs for the 6162s. Also, I believe that it was the first with an advertising frame on the bike rack.

The 6 listed in the Pace budget (page 68), and in actuality, are 6156-6161.

If you want to start searching for contemporaneous verification, you can go into ChicagoTransit on Yahoo groups about 2004.

[RJL6000]

No, that's wrong, since 6155 was around prior to the 2003 NABIs, and undoubtedly, as PACE NORTHWEST says, to test the signs for the 6162s. Also, I believe that it was the first with an advertising frame on the bike rack.

The 6 listed in the Pace budget (page 68), and in actuality, are 6156-6161.

If you want to start searching for contemporaneous verification, you can go into ChicagoTransit on Yahoo groups about 2004.

I stand corrected. I had some of the numbers mixed up.

[qwantae]

So it means that those several Orion VIs that delivered in 2004 are 2002 models which were the last makes until Orion VIs discountinued?

So far, all the Orion VIs at WMATA has Orange LED Destination signs.

[Busjack]

So it means that those several Orion VIs that delivered in 2004 are 2002 models which were the last makes until Orion VIs discountinued?

Probably.

Again, the Yahoo group documents all sorts of surprise and speculation about this, but only Pace knows. Documented (in the sense of requests on the Pace Contract Opportunities page) was that there were two contracts (one for 143 and another for 17) , and, according to the people with the delivery lists, each consisted of two options. 11 (6145-6155) were delivered some time after Pauline Transportation lost the contract for 767-877-888, and 11 Nova Classics went from NW to other Pace divisions (S and W) after Pace started covering the routes. One was featured in Pace literature as having the 9/11 commemorative wrap.

In 2003, there was all the speculation about what the real extent of the NABI numbers was (since Pace said it ordered 71 buses, it was assumed that it was 6155-6227, until buses in the 6230s started showing up in South Holland, and no one reported seeing a NABI under 6162), and, of course, when 6156-6161 showed up in 2004, where were they all this time? Various guesses were made, such as they were just sitting at one of the Orion plants until Pace got the money, or that they were ordered in connection with a UPS route that never developed.

The other thing noticed at the time is that most of their license plates did not match the fleet numbers in that the plates were in the form of M12 5157 instead of M 12 6157, although Pace has had other departures.The 6600s have three series of plates, reflecting the base order (42) and apparently two options (6643-6655 and 6656-6684)

6156-6161 allowed 2372-2377 being transferred to Academy.

[BusHunter]

6155 has always had the orange LED sign. The orange LED destination sign was probably a test to see if they worked before ordering any new buses. The seats in 6155 are also different.

The run box and rear destination signs are still green on that bus. The seats are similar to what's in a #6162-#6322 NABI, so it was a testbed for many things. I remember the ex CTA #4924 Orion had a different seat style as well kind of similar to #6155's seats, but not as cushiony.

[Busjack]

... I remember the ex CTA #4924 Orion had a different seat style as well kind of similar to #6155's seats, but not as cushiony.

Depends on what its fleet number was on Pace. If it was in the 2120s, those buses were for express service and had the padded seats similar to what ended up on the 6162s.

[rotjohns]

On another thread it was noted recently that SW doesn't take care of their destination signs on a few Orion VIs and Nova Classics. Now the Novas are on their way out, we know that. But could there be any chance that even though the Orions are approaching 10 years old that Pace could do what CTA did with their Flxibles and put orange destination signs on some of their buses?

[Busjack]

On another thread it was noted recently that SW doesn't take care of their destination signs on a few Orion VIs and Nova Classics. Now the Novas are on their way out, we know that. But could there be any chance that even though the Orions are approaching 10 years old that Pace could do what CTA did with their Flxibles and put orange destination signs on some of their buses?

Given that the ones on 2401s at South have been shot for 5 or 6 years as far as I know, if they haven't been changed recently, they won't be.

At least at NW, those on the 6000s still look good.

[rotjohns]

Given that the ones on 2401s at South have been shot for 5 or 6 years as far as I know, if they haven't been changed recently, they won't be.

At least at NW, those on the 6000s still look good.

Yeah the 2400s are not the best, some of them you can barely see the destination. I wonder if it simply costs too much money to fix them. I know the 1999 Nabis are next to go after the 93 Orions and the Nova Classics, but even bus 6195's destination sign is completely out on the front at South (saw it about a week ago). Makes you wonder about south's buses and how they are treated. But the cost can't be that horrible if CTA invested the money to replace all the destination signs on their Flxibles.

[Busjack]

I wonder if it simply costs too much money to fix them.

In the real world, not much, in that you can buy an LED sign at OfficeMax, but I don't know what Luminator charges.

But, as far as replacing them with Luminator LEDs, you also have to wonder about that, since the one on 2749 was either delivered broken or broke in a few days of use.

With regard to South's, the main thing I noticed on the 2401 series (LED lighted flip dots) is that the dots seemed to freeze in the 90% green mode. Again, I don't get down there that often, but it doesn't seem like the North ones of the same vintage, nor, as I mentioned before, the NW ones on the 6000s have that problem. Again, our people from those three garages could probably further elucidate.

[Railwaymodeler]

In the real world, not much, in that you can buy an LED sign at OfficeMax, but I don't know what Luminator charges.

But, as far as replacing them with Luminator LEDs, you also have to wonder about that, since the one on 2749 was either delivered broken or broke in a few days of use.

With regard to South's, the main thing I noticed on the 2401 series (LED lighted flip dots) is that the dots seemed to freeze in the 90% green mode. Again, I don't get down there that often, but it doesn't seem like the North ones of the same vintage, nor, as I mentioned before, the NW ones on the 6000s have that problem. Again, our people from those three garages could probably further elucidate.

Oh, the North Division flip-dot boards have their share of problems.

Bus 2445 is currently saying '272' on the back board regardless of what the front or side boards say, and it will not change over. Another 2400 series says '572' all the time on back, regardless of the front or side boards.

Many times the front boards are either totally blank (Though this is more often due to faulty IBS communication) or is completely scrambled.

Only the 6600 series work properly it seems. Those use orange LED signs, rather than the flip dots on 2300 and 2400s.

[rotjohns]

Oh, the North Division flip-dot boards have their share of problems.

Bus 2445 is currently saying '272' on the back board regardless of what the front or side boards say, and it will not change over. Another 2400 series says '572' all the time on back, regardless of the front or side boards.

Many times the front boards are either totally blank (Though this is more often due to faulty IBS communication) or is completely scrambled.

Only the 6600 series work properly it seems. Those use orange LED signs, rather than the flip dots on 2300 and 2400s.

So it sounds like the 2400 series has always had problems w/their destination signs and since they'll be eligible to be on the chopping block starting next year, they are not too concerned with fixing them. Which probably makes sense, I guess it's easier to just take a big black marker and write the route number than not running the bus at all because of a faulty destination sign. Most people (especially in Waukegan) probably know where they need to go and I'm sure the driver will acknowledge anything different thru his microphone.

[rotjohns]

Yeah the 2400s are not the best, some of them you can barely see the destination. I wonder if it simply costs too much money to fix them. I know the 1999 Nabis are next to go after the 93 Orions and the Nova Classics, but even bus 6195's destination sign is completely out on the front at South (saw it about a week ago). Makes you wonder about south's buses and how they are treated. But the cost can't be that horrible if CTA invested the money to replace all the destination signs on their Flxibles.

I saw 6195 today running the UPS route 395 and its destination sign got fixed. Maybe somebody saw this thread... :lol:

[Railwaymodeler]

So it sounds like the 2400 series has always had problems w/their destination signs and since they'll be eligible to be on the chopping block starting next year, they are not too concerned with fixing them. Which probably makes sense, I guess it's easier to just take a big black marker and write the route number than not running the bus at all because of a faulty destination sign. Most people (especially in Waukegan) probably know where they need to go and I'm sure the driver will acknowledge anything different thru his microphone.

Actually, the most common trick, if the destination signs are not working, is to put the route number in the run box.

Never seen a handwritten destination sign in the window at North Division. Seen it often in Chicago though.

I think you are right: Due to the 2400s age, the signs will not be fixed.

So far as driver annoucements, most will, some don't care if you are on the wrong bus, even if he had no sign, or a wrong sign. I usually ask before boarding at the Wasington/Sheridan pulse point, unless I know for sure what it is (By run number or driver).

[PACE 834]

Here are a few examples of South buses with defective or non-working headsigns.

[jajuan]

Here are a few examples of South buses with defective or non-working headsigns.

From your first photo, the defective headsign problem isnt restricted to the older 2400s at South.

[rotjohns]

From your first photo, the defective headsign problem isnt restricted to the older 2400s at South.

But I would think 6677's destination sign could be fixed quickly. Actually all of the buses' destination signs should be fixable. They are all Nabis so it's not like Pace couldn't get them done if they wanted to. But it's worse at South than any other division.

[PACE 834]

I saw the 350/Sibley on Friday with a paper sign in the window and I just have to ask,

does anyone else wish they would bring back the old roll signs again?I know they are not

ADA compliant,but paper signs aren't either(especially at night).At least roll signs were

still readable mostly.

[Busjack]

We discussed before that roll signs could be ADA compliant if they had the right size fonts (cite to regs). For instance, they are on the Downers Grove shuttles. The main deterrent seems to be that they aren't programmable, and if you had a new route or terminal, the TA would have to splice in the new readings.

However, I have imagined how Pace roll signs would look, if the CTA or Metra station destinations matched the colors of the lines. Won't happen, though.