Christmas Bus?

[sw4400]

Hello ChicagoBus Members,

As you all know, we have a annual Christmas Train around this time of year visit each line for a few days.  Do we also have a Chrismas Bus roam our streets? If so, is it the same Bus Number or type each year?(I know the Christmas train is 2600 Series Train Cars 2891-2898 each year) Also, does the Bus travel from Garage to Garage every couple of days or weeks? And lastly is it just a interior decoration or is it as colorful as the Train is?

-sw4400

[Kevin]

There is usually a Christmas bus that operates. I've seen it briefly in the past, but never rode it or got a good look at it. Can't remember what series it was last year.

[Busjack]

I was going to put a "bah humbug" on this thread, but then remembered seeing a 5800 with lighted candy canes on the outside between the windows, a couple of years ago. This probably means that it was a project at the individual garage.

[RIPTA42]

I saw an RTS with the same, plus a wreath on the front, on Michigan Avenue yesterday. Will post photo, eventually.

[RIPTA42]

It's 4463

[MetroShadow]

I think its been looking crappier every year...don't get me wrong, but its not as good looking like the previous years...

[Busjack]

Santa on the bike rack looks a little strange. Also, this may look "off" because the bus doesn't have the large panel over the windows, so you don't have decorations there. (If my memory is correct, the 5800 a couple of years ago also had a sign over the windows, something like "Merry Christmas from North Park Garage," and some garland). That bus also looked better at night, with the candy canes lit.

[trainman8119]

I was downtown today and rode on 6847, a Milwaukee bus, on Washington from Ogilvie Station. It had a wreath on the bike rack .

When I got on, I found that all the railings were wrapped to look like candy canes, there were wrapped boxes on top of the wheel wells. The ad racks above were made to look like wrapped boxes with ribbon and bows and had some ornaments hanging down. To top it all off, WLIT was piped in. (WLIT plays exclusive Christmas music from almost Halloween until Christmas). Finally there were white snowmen and snowflakes affixed all the side windows.

This bus definetly had a theme !!!!

[Buslover88]

Does anybody know when the Christmas Bus is coming on Diversey?

[Kevin]

Someone put up a photo of #6847 on Flickr.

[Busjack]

I saw the RTS today, and with the road spray resulting from the partial thaw, it didn't look too good.

I also saw 5851 with an orange headsign, consisting of two rows of triangles. Maybe Christmas trees, but probably just a damaged controller (the side sign said 22 Clark /to Polk, even though it was on 151).

[trainman8119]

I saw a NABI (7600) go by on Adams the other day, and it was decked out like 6847. Bike rack with wreaths and Christmas stuff stuck on the windows, so there are a few out there.

[RIPTA42]

Maybe Christmas trees, but probably just a damaged controller

Creative use of the test pattern

Many buses have "Seasons Greetings" or "Happy Holiday" PR messages displayed.

[pace2322]

Heres the np bus this year 5859

[RIPTA42]

I saw it go by on Foster on Saturday. Didn't realize it was the Christmas bus; I thought the boots sticking out of the roof was a gag.

[rmadisonwi]

Does the back of that bus give you the impression that the passengers are in jail?

[jesi2282]

Chicago Garage has bus 6700 as their Christmas bus.

[Busjack]

Chicago Garage has bus 6700 as their Christmas bus.

I guess that means 6700 is back after hitting the pole. I previously reported that that number came up on Bustracker, but didn't recognize its significance.