Juniorz Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Damn WGN just had on the news about 3 minutes ago that the electric buses would be going in service today. They said not only would they serve downtown, but they would serve the near west side so sounds like they may serve more than #124. DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam92 Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Damn WGN just had on the news about 3 minutes ago that the electric buses would be going in service today. They said not only would they serve downtown, but they would serve the near west side so sounds like they may serve more than #124. The press release says #7, 120, 121, 124 and 157 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusHunter Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Don't see it on Bustracker unless it's a ghost. It probably will be coming out for the rush though we'll have to keep watch!! LOL!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juniorz Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-cta-electric-buses-20141029-story.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-cta-electric-buses-20141029-story.html Now you have something, including the potential routes (K routes mostly serving downtown). I suppose that someone would have to be wired into BusTracker to pin one down for a ride. Note also that the article says that the chargers will be in the garage, and that they think a charge would last for a day. That appears to rule out the pantograph type chargers outside shown in the Manitoba video. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juniorz Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 They will debut this evening on the fore-mention routes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jajuan Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Well it looks like bus fans will post themselves downtown this evening. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 The CTA Press Release inadvertently said why these buses don't pay for themselves in an economic sense: "Saves the CTA more than $25,000 annually in net fuel costs per bus, or more than $300,000 over the expected 12-year bus lifespan." Thus, assuming that these buses last 12 years (and from the 5900s and 900s you can't assume that), they are still approximately $400K more than a diesel bus ($1.2 million cost minus $300K fuel savings minus $488K cost of a 2014 Nova). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TripleTransit1 Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Damn WGN just had on the news about 3 minutes ago that the electric buses would be going in service today. They said not only would they serve downtown, but they would serve the near west side so sounds like they may serve more than #124. A few minutes later..... Sure enough there's a link to the story. http://wgntv.com/2014/10/29/cta-hits-the-road-with-new-electric-buses That's a little strange to be testing them out on routes other than the Navy Pier route, don't you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 That's a little strange to be testing them out on routes other than the Navy Pier route, don't you think? Not necessarily. All except 7 are short downtown routes. I had mentioned 124 as a hypothetical that made sense, but apparently the other 1XXs also do. Apparently CTA does not want them full time on a particular route, but someone else's suggestion of 52 and 82 doesn't appear in the cards (or at least the press release). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTRSP1900-CTA3200 Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Does anyone know if those routes make the buses visible from east-west Lower Wacker or Lake Shore Drive? I'm hoping to catch a glimpse of the buses. Edit: If they're on the 157 as mentioned, I have hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Does anyone know if those routes make the buses visible from east-west Lower Wacker or Lake Shore Drive? I'm hoping to catch a glimpse of the buses. Edit: If they're on the 157 as mentioned, I have hope. 120 and 121 are mostly on Lower Wacker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTRSP1900-CTA3200 Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 120 and 121 are mostly on Lower Wacker. That's even better. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTRSP1900-CTA3200 Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Just saw the blue bus going north down Halsted by UIC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jajuan Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Just saw the blue bus going north down Halsted by UIC. Which would seem to suggest being on the #7 given the current detour of that route because of Circle Interchange Reconstruction Project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTRSP1900-CTA3200 Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Which would seem to suggest being on the #7 given the current detour of that route because of Circle Interchange Reconstruction Project. Just confirmed by another member in another thread! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.cta85 Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 They have pics of 700 in their Facebook site with a interior pic as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garmon757 Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 Here it is guys!!! #701!!!! 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twyztdmynd Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 BOOM..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusHunter Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 Yeah I was on the last trip to the garage. Man can New Flyer make a bus!! I was actually shocked how many seats it has. The ride is smooth as silk. I recorded video on board the bus. Maybe I'll put up some of what I have later. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juniorz Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 garmon757 see you finally got those Xcelsior!!!!!!!! Need a full report, how did you like the new 700-series, will be doing a photo shoot of the XE40s very soon!!!!!!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.cta85 Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 Here it is guys!!! #701!!!! Wow Garmon you be on it homie lol great great shots man. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garmon757 Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 garmon757 see you finally got those Xcelsior!!!!!!!! Need a full report, how did you like the new 700-series, will be doing a photo shoot of the XE40s very soon!!!!!!!!!The best I can say about it is that it's extraordinary quiet and spacious my goodness!!! I was really shocked to see 4 seats in the front on both sides (reminds me of the Eldorados)! Also, the bus driver was a total prick. Poor attitude and very unprofessional. He should be happy as hell that he had a golden opportunity of driving one of the two buses. I guaranteed you that a ton of drivers at Kedzie were dying to have a run on these buses!!!! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garmon757 Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 Wow Garmon you be on it homie lol great great shots man.Thanks man! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juniorz Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 The best I can say about it is that it's extraordinary quiet and spacious my goodness!!! I was really shocked to see 4 seats in the front on both sides (reminds me of the Eldorados)! Also, the bus driver was a total prick. Poor attitude and very unprofessional. He should be happy as hell that he had a golden opportunity of driving one of the two buses. I guaranteed you that a ton of drivers at Kedzie were dying to have a run on these buses!!!! Those are some really good models by New Flyer, they're stylish but still professional. Can't wait to hear status updates on the 700-series and this kind of "social experiment" that New Flyer is exploring into the electric genre. Sorry to hear about the drivers attitude (that seems to be the case with a lot of drivers) but glad that you finally have an Xcelsior period and it's the Top of the Line Experimental model Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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