PACE getting MCIs

[ctrabs74]

http://www.mcicoach.com/media-center/2013-05-13-pace.htm

Chicago's Pace Suburban Bus has awarded Motor Coach Industries (MCI) a contract for 13 MCI Commuter Coaches with an option for 37 more. Pace will use the new coaches to replace older buses and those leased from MCI, on its poplar "Bus on Shoulder" service, which debuted in 2011 between Chicago and the southwest suburbs.

Pace recently announced it is increasing service on its Bus on Shoulder routes due to the dramatic ridership increases. Pace's Bus on Shoulder program, which began in 2011, currently uses 14 MCI Commuter Coach buses on the Interstate Highway 55 shoulder when traffic in regular lanes is flowing at less than 35 miles per hour. The buses using the shoulder cannot travel at speeds greater than 35 mph, or 15 mph faster than the flow of regular traffic - whichever is less. Special signage and roadway markings show where buses can use the shoulder, and the buses have markings indicating authorization to use the shoulder.

Shoulder riding has been cited to be one of the most affordable options for implementing bus rapid transit on highways because it is less expensive to modify shoulders than it is to construct new roadways, and it requires little capital investment compared with rail alternatives. Pace officials say the buses are reducing travel times through one of Chicago's most congested corridors, and more commuters are leaving cars at home.

Built to offer maximum performance and safety at highway speeds, the MCI Commuter Coaches feature plush, forward-facing seats along with individual temperature controls and reading lights, and a smooth ride for a tour-level riding experience that transcends typical transit. The new coaches come equipped with wheelchair lifts and clean-diesel engine technology for near-zero emissions. Pace is also adding optional security cameras, special Bus on Shoulder graphics and "do not follow" warnings on the back of the bus.

"The Bus on shoulder program has been effective at helping combat the Chicago area's chronically jammed expressway system, and we are very pleased that Pace has once again selected the MCI Commuter Coach," said Patrick Scully, Executive Vice President of MCI. "We're proud that our Commuter Coach offers the best mean distance between failures among all types of bus models, reinforcing our Reliability Driven promise to offer the highest quality coaches, parts and service."

This makes me wonder if the new ElDorados are going to be reassigned to other suburban services once the new MCIs are placed into service.

[Busjack]

http://www.mcicoach.com/media-center/2013-05-13-pace.htm

...

This makes me wonder if the new ElDorados are going to be reassigned to other suburban services once the new MCIs are placed into service.

At least this is confirmation of something that was on the procurement page.

However, 13 MCIs does not even cover 755/855* (8900-8907 will reach their FTA service life at about the time of delivery**). Currently only 2 Axess express buses are on these routes, the rest so far are on 877/888.

However, in that the minutes reflected 8 Axess buses going to South and 15 to arrive, there is at least a question about the disposition of 5, although I am still betting that short term it is for 924/925.

It also sounds from the Press Release that Pace will have these painted or with decals for BOS ("special Bus on Shoulder graphics") instead of wrapped.

_________

*The press release says "Pace ... currently uses 14 MCI Commuter Coach buses on the Interstate Highway 55 shoulder..."

**The release says "Pace will use the new coaches to replace older buses..."

[artthouwill]

http://www.mcicoach.com/media-center/2013-05-13-pace.htm

Chicago's Pace Suburban Bus has awarded Motor Coach Industries (MCI) a contract for 13 MCI Commuter Coaches with an option for 37 more. Pace will use the new coaches to replace older buses and those leased from MCI, on its poplar "Bus on Shoulder" service, which debuted in 2011 between Chicago and the southwest suburbs.

Pace recently announced it is increasing service on its Bus on Shoulder routes due to the dramatic ridership increases. Pace's Bus on Shoulder program, which began in 2011, currently uses 14 MCI Commuter Coach buses on the Interstate Highway 55 shoulder when traffic in regular lanes is flowing at less than 35 miles per hour. The buses using the shoulder cannot travel at speeds greater than 35 mph, or 15 mph faster than the flow of regular traffic - whichever is less. Special signage and roadway markings show where buses can use the shoulder, and the buses have markings indicating authorization to use the shoulder.

Shoulder riding has been cited to be one of the most affordable options for implementing bus rapid transit on highways because it is less expensive to modify shoulders than it is to construct new roadways, and it requires little capital investment compared with rail alternatives. Pace officials say the buses are reducing travel times through one of Chicago's most congested corridors, and more commuters are leaving cars at home.

Built to offer maximum performance and safety at highway speeds, the MCI Commuter Coaches feature plush, forward-facing seats along with individual temperature controls and reading lights, and a smooth ride for a tour-level riding experience that transcends typical transit. The new coaches come equipped with wheelchair lifts and clean-diesel engine technology for near-zero emissions. Pace is also adding optional security cameras, special Bus on Shoulder graphics and "do not follow" warnings on the back of the bus.

"The Bus on shoulder program has been effective at helping combat the Chicago area's chronically jammed expressway system, and we are very pleased that Pace has once again selected the MCI Commuter Coach," said Patrick Scully, Executive Vice President of MCI. "We're proud that our Commuter Coach offers the best mean distance between failures among all types of bus models, reinforcing our Reliability Driven promise to offer the highest quality coaches, parts and service."

This makes me wonder if the new ElDorados are going to be reassigned to other suburban services once the new MCIs are placed into service.

This seems to give the impression that Pace will not award a contract to a private carrier for 877/888. It appears that the motor coach order will go toward the Shoulder Services with options in case new routing is established in other corridors. The Jane Addams Tollway will be undergoing a widening project which will take the toll road in the northwest burbs from 3 lanes in each direction to 4 lanes with widened shoulders on both the left and right sides with the intent of making available room for more Shoulder Expresses. In the case of I-90, construction from Elgin to O'Hare won't start until 2014 on the eastbound side and 2015 on the westbound side.

The 877/888 and 924/925 could be run with Axxess buses in the meantime. Perhaps eventually those routes could go back to motor coaches (877/888) with West getting some Expresses at some point to run 757 or NW for 600/606/616 (which amounts to about 15 buses for all 3 routes)

[Busjack]

... In the case of I-90, construction from Elgin to O'Hare won't start until 2014 on the eastbound side and 2015 on the westbound side.

...

The question will be whether the options will be used for the I-90 service, or were just included in the contract to lock in prices.

[artthouwill]

Spotted 6923 downtown today at Harrison and Wabash, apparently an 855.

[BusHunter]

I have up to 6925 on the pace roster