CTA Bus Garage Rosters

[Sam92]

And this may be a bit nitpicky, but Kedzie's 4300s are a small mix of 12 DE60LFRs and 7 D60LFRs for a total of 19 4300s or as a few like to look at it 12 4300s and 7 4333s. Similar thing for Chicago and 77th since those newer artics are clean diesels and not hybrids, 23 D60LFRs not DE60LFRs at Chicago and 36 D60LFRs at 77th.

Kedzie's also the only garage to have all 3 types of artics (103rd did for the brief time from delivery till the Ryan was rebuilt). Matter of fact I've always that it's unique that up until recently they happened to be the only all NF garage and they're the only garage to hold a fleet comprised of a selection of every New Flyer bus model CTA uses.

[jajuan]

Kedzie's also the only garage to have all 3 types of artics (103rd did for the brief time from delivery till the Ryan was rebuilt). Matter of fact I've always that it's unique that up until recently they happened to be the only all NF garage and they're the only garage to hold a fleet comprised of a selection of every New Flyer bus model CTA uses.

Yeah Kedzie does seem to be unique in that way. 103rd and North Park joined it as comprised only of NFs and in the next weekend or two 77th looks to be joining that group. But it is indeed the only garage to use all all six NF models/series currently in use by the CTA.

[jajuan]

Slight correction on NP's artic count. That total is 121 rather than 120.

[BusHunter]

You know how we were talking about Kedzie garage not being able to wash Novas. I was thinking, I thought I read somewhere they have a wash pit, so maybe the novas can't fit because they have a long front overhang and it scratches the ground entering/leaving the pit. ( I'm talking about the distance from the front axle to the front bumper.)

[Busjack]

You know how we were talking about Kedzie garage not being able to wash Novas. I was thinking, I thought I read somewhere they have a wash pit, so maybe the novas can't fit because they have a long front overhang and it scratches the ground entering/leaving the pit. ( I'm talking about the distance from the front axle to the front bumper.)

Was argued before, but the spec sheet says that the LFS is 40.0 feet, even though the LFS artic. is 62 feet.

Apparently, it has a shorter wheelbase, in that it is 244 inches, compared to 283" on a NF Xcelsior 40 footer.

If one wants to speculate about Nova assignments, it may be based on where the urea tanks are to be installed (necessary to meet EPA requirements with Cummins engines).

[sw4400]

If one wants to speculate about Nova assignments, it may be based on where the urea tanks are to be installed (necessary to meet EPA requirements with Cummins engines).

Urea? Is this a typo?

[Busjack]

Urea? Is this a typo?

Definitely not. This requirement was mentioned in the prebid meeting minutes in the addenda.

The April 2014 Car and Driver* dissects a diesel engine, and notes "Ammonia injected into the exhaust stream reacts with oxides of nitrogen to produce pure nitrogen ... and water vapor. But because ammonia is toxic, the AdBlue fluid...takes the form of urea diluted with water."

You can look up such things as Daimler BlueTec, or news stories saying that Navistar suffered penalties and eventually put Cummins systems in its trucks because it couldn't meet EPA requirements with its planned diesel engine that wouldn't use urea.

*Apparently they haven't yet put the April issue on their website.

[wordguy]

#6468 and #6469 are still at 77th. With no sightings as of yet of #6470 or #6471, which was on the #8A last week I'm assuming those are still south as well until other evidence convinces me otherwise.

Just eyeballed BustTracker for 77th, C, & FG.

At FG, 6471 is showing up on Irving Park. (It was still assigned to 77th as of Friday. I'm guessing that it was swapped for 1191). In the meantime, another straggling NF is apparently still at FG. 1083 is on Central. My hunch is that it was a hold-in just now released for service. It'll probably migrate Friday night.

In the meantime, 6490 was transferred from FG to C. Also now at C: 6448-49. As you stated, 6468-69 have been left behind, probably just until this weekend. In addition, I remember tracking 1073 yesterday on one of the C routes. So that may still be another temporary straggler.

6470 still seems to be MIA, at least for now.

[garmon757]

You can add #6449 and #6490 on Chicago list BusHunter because #6449 is on #70 and #6490 is on #72 right now. Why is #4207 operating #143 and #4050 on #156 right now if both routes are fully owned by Kedzie?

[jajuan]

You can add #6449 and #6490 on Chicago list BusHunter because #6449 is on #70 and #6490 is on #72 right now. Why is #4207 operating #143 and #4050 on #156 right now if both routes are fully owned by Kedzie?

Could be borrowed artics from NP. It does happen on occasion.

[BusHunter]

Just eyeballed BustTracker for 77th, C, & FG.

At FG, 6471 is showing up on Irving Park. (It was still assigned to 77th as of Friday. I'm guessing that it was swapped for 1191). In the meantime, another straggling NF is apparently still at FG. 1083 is on Central. My hunch is that it was a hold-in just now released for service. It'll probably migrate Friday night.

In the meantime, 6490 was transferred from FG to C. Also now at C: 6448-49. As you stated, 6468-69 have been left behind, probably just until this weekend. In addition, I remember tracking 1073 yesterday on one of the C routes. So that may still be another temporary straggler.

6470 still seems to be MIA, at least for now.

I bet #1083 is rehabbed and was also brought over by accident. Now i have something to look for tomorrow if it lasts. #1191 was only out the one day. I don't know what's up with the nova swaps but if #6490 went to C, #6489 most likely went to C with it. Fg most likely has #6470. That's the two for two swap. I guess the #6440's at C seals the fate on where the final novas at 77th are going. Just some final transfers and we should have our spring pick roster. I think now the #7900's are coming to Chicago or 74th next month. FG will just have to lose the first year novas via NF transfer most likely. They are probably not up for new novas until next year.

[wordguy]

I bet #1083 is rehabbed and was also brought over by accident. Now i have something to look for tomorrow if it lasts. #1191 was only out the one day. I don't know what's up with the nova swaps but if #6490 went to C, #6489 most likely went to C with it. Fg most likely has #6470. That's the two for two swap. I guess the #6440's at C seals the fate on where the final novas at 77th are going. Just some final transfers and we should have our spring pick roster. I think now the #7900's are coming to Chicago or 74th next month. FG will just have to lose the first year novas via NF transfer most likely. They are probably not up for new novas until next year.

I don't know about 1083, but 1191 appeared before my eyes on Lawrence in the middle of last week. It didn't look to be rehabbed at all. That's why I believe that they were FG hold-ins rather than mistaken transfers. Also, 1191 operated out of FG for a few days before migrating south. You could be right about 6470, but FG still has 6489 as well. 6489's all by its numerically lonesome self, at least for now.

[garmon757]

Could be borrowed artics from NP. It does happen on occasion.

Seems reasonable. A lot going on with the artics as of lately.

[BusHunter]

I don't know about 1083, but 1191 appeared before my eyes on Lawrence in the middle of last week. It didn't look to be rehabbed at all. That's why I believe that they were FG hold-ins rather than mistaken transfers. Also, 1191 operated out of FG for a few days before migrating south. You could be right about 6470, but FG still has 6489 as well. 6489's all by its numerically lonesome self, at least for now.

#1191 is rehabbed for sure as I boarded the bus when it was at FG. Weird that #6489 didn't transfer. It may still be going this weekend.

[sw4400]

I bet #1083 is rehabbed and was also brought over by accident. Now i have something to look for tomorrow if it lasts. #1191 was only out the one day. I don't know what's up with the nova swaps but if #6490 went to C, #6489 most likely went to C with it. Fg most likely has #6470. That's the two for two swap. I guess the #6440's at C seals the fate on where the final novas at 77th are going. Just some final transfers and we should have our spring pick roster. I think now the #7900's are coming to Chicago or 74th next month. FG will just have to lose the first year novas via NF transfer most likely. They are probably not up for new novas until next year.

This could be the talked about third garage possibility... but I still see FG and 74th getting 7900's first with C getting them last. 82 1st Gen Novas at C vs. 137 at 74th and 233 at FG would justify that. Breaking it down by oldest, and I'm going by first order, which is the LED-Backlit Flip Dots...

Forest Glen: 64 Novas

74th: 123 Novas

Chicago: 78 Novas

It's a toss up between 74th and FG for the first 7900's, but this is where I see them going first. 74th because of the largest fleet of first order of Novas(6400-6708), FG next because they are an all Nova 1st Gen fleet, and will add additional miles to the 12+ year old fleet until arrival of the 7900's in late April/early May. C has 78 Novas, but also the newest of the NF D40LF's, with 1982-2029 being at their garage as well as the other buses there being rehabbed and returned(your current number shows 26, 3rd highest total of all garages with NF's that have rehabbed buses). Will C get some 7900's? If the 3 garage split holds true, then eventually it's possible if the CTA has them pegged for the 3rd Garage... but not immediately. I can't see CTA moving all the NF's from FG just to put them closer to South Shops for a rehab. Several of the former FG ones that have been rehabbed have returned to service for their newly assigned garages. This was a trade-off to get select garages ready for 7900's. North Park is a long way from South Shops, yet their buses are getting rehabbed without them being transferred to 77th temporarily in a swap. If moving buses closer to South Shops for rehabs was CTA's intentions, I'd look for NP to be swapping non-rehabbed buses for rehabbed ones at 77th.

[BusHunter]

It may just well turn out that Chicago gets 150 novas and Fg picks up the #1300's/#1400's from there. Looks to me like it's going to be 150/150/150 for delivery or close to it. As far as the NF rehab theory, it's possible. NP has not had many rehabs compared to the other garages. Obviously someone is lobbying for this and the NW side doesn't oppose it or have anyone with high enough rank to counter it so it passes. NP is probably the more important garage with FG falling by the wayside with only 233 buses. That's the lowest I've seen since i've been tracking buses for over 25 years and most likely in it's history. It's no wonder they are looking to give it more routes, the cutting of service is slowly taking away the fleet from there. I think we're forgetting everything is political in Chicago, even the bus assignments.

[jajuan]

This could be the talked about third garage possibility... but I still see FG and 74th getting 7900's first with C getting them last. 82 1st Gen Novas at C vs. 137 at 74th and 233 at FG would justify that. Breaking it down by oldest, and I'm going by first order, which is the LED-Backlit Flip Dots...

Forest Glen: 64 Novas

74th: 123 Novas

Chicago: 78 Novas

It's a toss up between 74th and FG for the first 7900's, but this is where I see them going first. 74th because of the largest fleet of first order of Novas(6400-6708), FG next because they are an all Nova 1st Gen fleet, and will add additional miles to the 12+ year old fleet until arrival of the 7900's in late April/early May. C has 78 Novas, but also the newest of the NF D40LF's, with 1982-2029 being at their garage as well as the other buses there being rehabbed and returned(your current number shows 26, 3rd highest total of all garages with NF's that have rehabbed buses). Will C get some 7900's? If the 3 garage split holds true, then eventually it's possible if the CTA has them pegged for the 3rd Garage... but not immediately. I can't see CTA moving all the NF's from FG just to put them closer to South Shops for a rehab. Several of the former FG ones that have been rehabbed have returned to service for their newly assigned garages. This was a trade-off to get select garages ready for 7900's. North Park is a long way from South Shops, yet their buses are getting rehabbed without them being transferred to 77th temporarily in a swap. If moving buses closer to South Shops for rehabs was CTA's intentions, I'd look for NP to be swapping non-rehabbed buses for rehabbed ones at 77th.

I'm sorry but all that swapping couldn't be for getting ready for 7900s alone because for one thing, CTA has never really done a huge swap around of buses just to prepare for the arrival of a new bus model BEFORE the new model actually got here for revenue service. It would just took on delivery and sent that new model to whatever garages it decided were going to get that new model. And as that new model increased in number at the relevant garages, that was the point you had the big swap around among the garages to make room for that new model. 77th is a busy garage. Before the swaps started. If it were to have NFs out of service for rehabbing, what 40 footers did it have to fall back on to continue covering its assigned routes? Nothing other than its former junk Novas. The artics weren't going to be much help because it only has 36 at last count and most of those are tied up cover the #79, That's why I say rehabbing was probably playing a part in this because with a number of the transferred NFs being rehabbed already, 77th can keep covering its routes with buses less likely to breakdown while their unrehabbed model mates continue in progression for their respective turns at being rehabbed. It's not too much of a stretch if you consider that CTA is trying to do three things simultaneously: take on a new bus model, retire an old one that has met its 12 year standard service life as an FTA funded bus model, and rehab a bus model that makes up more than half its current bus fleet. There's no way you can't tell me that the rehabbing of more than half the bus fleet wasn't going to play a part in triggering a shift in bus assignments at some point.

[BusHunter]

This is what I have as far as the current CTA bus roster: (starting from north to south, descending from newest to oldest) (last updated 4/12/14)

Forest Glen (252 total)

Nova LFS #6400 series (2000 - 2002):
#6468 - #6478, #6489-90, #6498 - #6520, #6561 - #6567, #6569 - #6596, #6692 - #6725, #6727 - #6737, #6739 - #6831, #6833 - #6875 (252 total)

North Park (286 total)

New Flyer D60LF #4000 series (2008 -2009):
#4050, #4052 - #4070, #4072, #4073, #4117 - #4203 (109 total)

New Flyer DE60LFR #4300 series (2012-13):
#4333 - #4344 (12 total)

New Flyer D40LF #1000 series (2006 - 2009):
#1266 - #1270, #1301 - #1334, #1348 - #1350, #1375 - #1419, #1761 - #1797, #1855 - #1860, #1861 - #1897 (odd numbers) #1899 - #1903, #1905 - #1925 (odd numbers) (165 total)

Chicago (265 total)

New Flyer D40LF #1000 series (2006- 2009):
#1041 - #1044, #1420 - #1467, #1469 - #1471, #1862 - #1898 (even numbers) #1904 - #1924 (even numbers), #1926, #1927, #1974, #1982 - #2029 (141 total)

Nova LFS #6400 series (2000 - 2002):
#6428 - #6449, #6451- #6467, #6491 - #6497, #6521, #6523 - #6530, #6532 - #6560 (84 total)

New Flyer DE60LFR #4300 series (2012-13):
#4377-99 (23)

New Flyer D60LF #4000 series (2008 - 2009):
#4075 - #4079, #4098, #4106 - #4116 (17)

Kedzie (274 total)

New Flyer D60LF #4000 series (2008 - 2009):
#4000 - #4049, #4051, #4074 (52 total)

New Flyer DE60LFR #4300 series (2012-13):
#4321, #4322, #4324 - #4332 (11 total)

New Flyer DE40LF (2006, 2007):
#800 - #809 (10 total)

New Flyer DE40LF (2006, 2007):
#900, #903, #904, #905, #907, #909 (6 total)

New Flyer D40LF (2006 - 2009):
#1166 - #1188, #1200, #1201, #1204, #1206, #1208, #1210 - #1213, #1216, #1217, #1223, #1225, #1277 - #1282, #1351 - #1374, #1590 - #1596, #1601, #1603, #1606 - #1614 (even numbers), #1615 - #1723 (195 total)

74th (258 total)

New Flyer D40LF (2006 - 2009):
#1113 - #1151, #1545 - #1589, #1724 - #1760 (121 total)

Nova LFS #6400 series (2000 - 2002):
#6400(slated to become a training bus for Olive-Harvey College, still in service), #6401, #6403, #6405 - #6419, #6421-27, #6479 - #6488, #6597 - #6609, #6611 - #6691, #6876 -#6883 (137 total)

77th (263 total)

New Flyer D40LF #1000 series (2006 - 2009):
#1045 - #1112, #1152 - #1165, #1189 - #1199, #1202, #1203, #1205, #1207, #1209, #1214, #1215, #1218 - #1222, #1224, #1226 - #1249, #1258- #1265, #1273 - #1276, #1283 - #1300, #1335 - #1347, #1928 - #1973, #1975- #1981 (227 total)

New Flyer DE60LFR #4300 series (2012-13):
#4341 - #4376 (36 total)

103rd (237 total)

New Flyer DE60LFR #4300 series (2012):
#4300 - #4320 (21 total)

New Flyer DE60LF #4000 series (2008, 2009):
#4080 - #4097, #4099 - #4105 (25 total)

New Flyer D40LF #1000 series (2006 - 2009):
#1000 - #1040, #1250 - #1257, #1271, #1272, #1472 - #1481, #1483 - #1544, #1597 - #1600, #1602, #1604, #1605 - #1613 (odd numbers), #1798 - #1854 (191 total)

Buses Out Of Service

Nova LFS #6400 Series: (2000 - 2002):



#6420,



#6450,





#6522,





#6531,








#6568,





#6610,






#6726,







#6738,








#6832






2 Novas slated to become training buses for Olive-Harvey college: #6400 (still in service), 2nd bus: ??





2 Novas have become work buses:



#6402 - Wb-1










#6404 - Wb-2



New Flyer D40LF #1000 Series (2006 - 2009):
#1305, #1468, #1482

New Flyer DE40LF (2006, 2007)
#901, #902, #908 (currently at South Shops, this might be an early retirement)
#906 (the 2/1/14 roster says this is retired)

New Flyer D60LF #4000 series (2008 - 2009):
#4071

New Flyer DE60LFR #4300 Series (2012):
#4323






Picture credits go to garmon757 and Mel Bernaro for the #6404 WB picture

[sw4400]

Well, this is an interesting update...

• We have two 4333's assigned to NP. Loaners or a possible trade between NP and K?
• 77th has no Novas now. C has 104 Novas assigned, 74th has 137 Novas assigned and FG has 233 Novas assigned. I would look for 6876-6883 to be moved to FG in a trade where either C or K sends eight New Flyer D40LF's to 74th and those eight Novas will be transferred to FG. Things will probably remain like this for a month, then when the 7900's make their debut in late April/Early May, they'll be split in some capacity between C, FG and 74th. C and 74th Novas will be fully retired by the end of this year with the LED Novas(6709-6883) remaining in some quantity at FG until next year when/if the option for 150 more Novas is picked up. At which time the CTA will assign the 150 to FG or do another shuffle.

[jajuan]

Well, this is an interesting update...

• We have two 4333's assigned to NP. Loaners or a possible trade between NP and K?
• 77th has no Novas now. C has 104 Novas assigned, 74th has 137 Novas assigned and FG has 233 Novas assigned. I would look for 6876-6883 to be moved to FG in a trade where either C or K sends eight New Flyer D40LF's to 74th and those eight Novas will be transferred to FG. Things will probably remain like this for a month, then when the 7900's make their debut in late April/Early May, they'll be split in some capacity between C, FG and 74th. C and 74th Novas will be fully retired by the end of this year with the LED Novas(6709-6883) remaining in some quantity at FG until next year when/if the option for 150 more Novas is picked up. At which time the CTA will assign the 150 to FG or do another shuffle.

Now when did you become a psychic?

[sw4400]

Now when did you become a psychic?

Just looking over the current rosters and basing it on the info on paper(or in this case, computer screen). Many have talked about three garages having the 7900's split amongst them, and the purpose of the 7900's is to retire their older Nova counterparts. You have C, FG, and 74th with the whole Nova fleet split among them. FG has all the amber LED Novas, so I would look for another garage to trade off some Novas to 74th so 6876-6883 will migrate to FG, or FG may give some flip-dot Novas to 74th for them(that's another scenario I just thought of now). I imagine the trading with the 40' buses is probably about done for now(we'll see the Nova 6400's start to retire officially when the Nova 7900's start rolling in here late April/early May)... I don't know what's with the migration of 4339-4340 to NP... loaners come to mind, but why be officially on a roster then? maybe K and NP are doing an equipment trade? All I can say on the 60' front is stay tuned...

In your future jajuan, I see you buying a used M.A.N Americana and transforming it into the ultimate busfan's bus... picking up members of a popular Chicago transit forum and taking them on tours to see garages and retired/scrapped buses. I see you charging $150/person($200/person on Sundays). I see this bus outfitted with a train horn as an attention grabber, but all it does is grab the attention of the Chicago Police, who cite you for a loud horn.

How am I doing on the psychic front so far?

[jajuan]

Just looking over the current rosters and basing it on the info on paper(or in this case, computer screen). Many have talked about three garages having the 7900's split amongst them, and the purpose of the 7900's is to retire their older Nova counterparts. You have C, FG, and 74th with the whole Nova fleet split among them. FG has all the amber LED Novas, so I would look for another garage to trade off some Novas to 74th so 6876-6883 will migrate to FG, or FG may give some flip-dot Novas to 74th for them(that's another scenario I just thought of now). I imagine the trading with the 40' buses is probably about done for now(we'll see the Nova 6400's start to retire officially when the Nova 7900's start rolling in here late April/early May)... I don't know what's with the migration of 4339-4340 to NP... loaners come to mind, but why be officially on a roster then? maybe K and NP are doing an equipment trade? All I can say on the 60' front is stay tuned...

Or maybe just maybe 6876-6883 might even get retired sooner than you think considering from past history CTA hasn't really retired particular models in numerical sequence. As for 4339-4340, I wouldn't read too much into that yet as far as some further trade down the road goes since in some of those moves BusHunter mentioned he hasn't always seen official rosters but has sometimes gone based on sightings on the street especially with that exodus of Novas from 77th. I take note he has 4050 and 4206 still back up at NP as an example of this when both of those had also been sighted on Kedzie routes the latter half of last week along with 4207. I also take as evidence how he said he couldn't list a few Novas last weekend after that first NF for Nova trade between Chicago and 77th because those Novas hadn't yet been sighted on the street to verify.

[wordguy]

Just a li'l bit of Nova roster-tweaking based on recent BusTracker sightings:

6468-6469 are operating out of ForestGlen. So I guess we know where 6470 is going to be living if/when it shows up again. And --- 6490 has returned to FG after a brief visit to Chicago Ave. Assuming that it was a transfer, I guess I was wrong. It was more likely a loaner just like 6501 seems to be now.

[TripleTransit1]

Does anybody know when any 1000-series NFs will return to Forest Glen? I haven't seen any since Feburary.

[sw4400]

Does anybody know when any 1000-series NFs will return to Forest Glen? I haven't seen any since Feburary.

I'd look for these to come to Forest Glen starting in May.