Pace Bus Moves

[garmon757]

No, I'm saying that the newsletter was full of beans.

Fair enough.

[garmon757]

#6232 on #358. That's a tough switch. Should've been at North Shore.

[garmon757]

#6962 on #855.

[Busjack]

#6232 on #358. That's a tough switch. Should've been at North Shore.

The last I tracked, it was not (shortly after the shifts due to West getting Axess).

Someone else sighted 6232 at South in 2011. Apparently as a result of the 2401s quickly falling off the roster.

[garmon757]

The last I tracked, it was not (shortly after the shifts due to West getting Axess).

Someone else sighted 6232 at South in 2011. Apparently as a result of the 2401s quickly falling off the roster.

No, I wasn't saying it was at North Shore. I was suggesting it should be at North Shore but I guess it seems like that the number format doesn't matter at this point because the NABI fleet is very inconsistent including the 6600s. What happened to the rest of them in the 6230s except 6238-39?

[Busjack]

No, I wasn't saying it was at North Shore. I was suggesting it should be at North Shore but I guess it seems like that the number format doesn't matter at this point because the NABI fleet is very inconsistent including the 6600s. What happened to the rest of them in the 6230s except 6238-39?

North Shore, I already mentioned. BusHunter apparently has the ones at North.

But essentially, everything has been moved around too much to rely on fleet number order. Some may be able to keep track of 6600s; I can't. In the case of 2003 NABIs at West, it was originally 6218-6248; basically nothing under 6241 is left, although BusHunter has one (6225).

[BusHunter]

North Shore, I already mentioned. BusHunter apparently has the ones at North. But essentially, everything has been moved around too much to rely on fleet number order. Some may be able to keep track of 6600s; I can't. In the case of 2003 NABIs at West, it was originally 6218-6248; basically nothing under 6241 is left, although BusHunter has one (6225).

Unfortunately garmin must not read my roster. Lol Or he would know #6232 was already at south.

[garmon757]

Unfortunately garmin must not read my roster. Lol Or he would know #6232 was already at south.

North Shore, I already mentioned. BusHunter apparently has the ones at North.

But essentially, everything has been moved around too much to rely on fleet number order. Some may be able to keep track of 6600s; I can't. In the case of 2003 NABIs at West, it was originally 6218-6248; basically nothing under 6241 is left, although BusHunter has one (6225).

I've never seen 6247-48 on any routes at West during the first 9 years out of almost 12 now living in Bellwood (2002). I was a teenager at the time when they arrived at West in 2003 but I had good memory keeping up with the numbers especially when I was in high school riding them on #301 and #310. Before the blue NABI's came in 2005-06, South had 6162-6217, West had 6218-6246, and Heritage had 6247-6261 (I've remembered seeing 6247 on #501 and 6248 on #831 and #834 when I went to Joliet coming from Midway in 2008). BusHunter, you're indeed correct about me not reading your roster post unfortunately but I do appreciate both of you helping me though.

[rotjohns]

North Shore, I already mentioned. BusHunter apparently has the ones at North.

But essentially, everything has been moved around too much to rely on fleet number order. Some may be able to keep track of 6600s; I can't. In the case of 2003 NABIs at West, it was originally 6218-6248; basically nothing under 6241 is left, although BusHunter has one (6225).

There are a few 2003 Nabis left at West above 6241. 6246 is on 302, 6252 is on 305, and 6248 is on 309. All on Web Tracker on this morning's rush.

****EDIT*** I misspoke, nothing from 6218-6240 should be left at West now. They should all be at other various locations. My bad.

[Busjack]

There are a few 2003 Nabis left at West above 6241. 6246 is on 302, 6252 is on 305, and 6248 is on 309. All on Web Tracker on this morning's rush.

Most of those 6241 and up that are not on the list at elsewhere are still at West, which would be 6241-9. 6252 is there, but only indirectly, as it was originally Joliet, then Academy, and then West. We were surprised at the time that a couple of the Academy ones (6250, 6254) went to South.

My point was that it was surprising that out of the approx. 31 that were originally there, they are down to 11.* But they did get the 54 Axess buses, which they theoretically didn't need. That roster also indicates that West is down 20 blue NABIs (was 53, now 33).

I'm not sure what BusHunter uses to keep up his roster, but it is also a bit surprising that Waukegan is up to 50, from its former 40 or 44, but I guess they needed more buses to get 572 up to half an hour and do the interline that required more North buses on 272.

________

*Update: see correction by twy, below.

[busfan2847]

I've never seen 6247-48 on any routes at West during the first 9 years out of almost 12 now living in Bellwood (2002). I was a teenager at the time when they arrived at West in 2003 but I had good memory keeping up with the numbers especially when I was in high school riding them on #301 and #310. Before the blue NABI's came in 2005-06, South had 6162-6217, West had 6218-6246, and Heritage had 6247-6261 (I've remembered seeing 6247 on #501 and 6248 on #831 and #834 when I went to Joliet coming from Midway in 2008). BusHunter, you're indeed correct about me not reading your roster post unfortunately but I do appreciate both of you helping me though.

On MLK day 6247 was on 319, 6248 on 303 and 6249 on 757 according to Bus Tracker. 6249 was the first at Heritage moving to Academy and then West (7/11)

[Busjack]

On MLK day 6247 was on 319, 6248 on 303 and 6249 on 757 according to Bus Tracker. 6249 was the first at Heritage moving to Academy and then West (7/11)

He's talking about originally (2004). My recollection was that Joliet started with 6249. He doesn't have recollection of Joliet, but has a negative one of West then.

There isn't a dispute about what is there 10 years later, nor that 6247-8 were in Joliet at some point.

[BusHunter]

There are a few 2003 Nabis left at West above 6241. 6246 is on 302, 6252 is on 305, and 6248 is on 309. All on Web Tracker on this morning's rush. ****EDIT*** I misspoke, nothing from 6218-6240 should be left at West now. They should all be at other various locations. My bad.

Then what happened to #6225? I haven't seen it in a while. Did it go to south holland?

[twyztdmynd]

Then what happened to #6225? I haven't seen it in a while. Did it go to south holland?

Bingo !!!!

[garmon757]

There are a few 2003 Nabis left at West above 6241. 6246 is on 302, 6252 is on 305, and 6248 is on 309. All on Web Tracker on this morning's rush.

****EDIT*** I misspoke, nothing from 6218-6240 should be left at West now. They should all be at other various locations. My bad.

6241-49 and 6252 are still at West.

[garmon757]

#6042, #6043, #6044, #6049, #6050, #6052, #6058, #6060, #6062 and #6672 are back at West from Northwest (Orion's) (Not sure where #6672 was originally from for the time being).

#6629 at South from West. #6634 and #6635 at South from River.

#6669 at River from West.

#6609, #6610, #6640, #6644, #6679, and #6680 at North from West. #6633 and #6643 at North from River. #6206 at North from South (I don't recall that bus being at North for a while).

#2826 and #2827 at Fox Valley from Southwest (That's highly interesting). #2743 and #2766 at Fox Valley from Heritage???

[BusHunter]

#6042, #6043, #6044, #6049, #6050, #6052, #6058, #6060, #6062 and #6672 are back at West from Northwest (Orion's) (Not sure where #6672 was originally from for the time being).

#6629 at South from West. #6634 and #6635 at South from River.

#6669 at River from West.

#6609, #6610, #6640, #6644, #6679, and #6680 at North from West. #6633 and #6643 at North from River. #6206 at North from South (I don't recall that bus being at North for a while).

#2826 and #2827 at Fox Valley from Southwest (That's highly interesting). #2743 and #2766 at Fox Valley from Heritage???

That is already on my roster. Here's a link

http://forum.chicagobus.org/topic/2509-pace-roster/

#6609 at north is news though.

[garmon757]

That is already on my roster. Here's a link

http://forum.chicagobus.org/topic/2509-pace-roster/

#6609 at north is news though.

Hey, thanks for the backup on that. That's a hell of a roster that you got

[Busjack]

...

#2826 and #2827 at Fox Valley from Southwest (That's highly interesting). #2743 and #2766 at Fox Valley from Heritage???

I don't know where you got your priors, but 2826-2829 were always at Fox Valley (N. Aurora). Those are the 4 32 foot BRTs, as opposed to the others being 30 foot standard EZ Riders (see, e.g., here). Presumably they were acquired because Aurora needed a slightly larger bus, or the very low 2600s were needed in Downers Grove and Niles.

2766 has also always been at Fox. Again, there is something special about that bus, at least as indicated by the different rear (perforated instead of solid back) and that it has been used as a backdrop at several HQ press events.

The only possible transfer among the EZ Riders is 2743.

For that matter, the South ones have been there for quite a while, and probably were directly from River (Elgin) to South.

[garmon757]

I don't know where you got your priors, but 2826-2829 were always at Fox Valley (N. Aurora). Those are the 4 32 foot BRTs, as opposed to the others being 30 foot standard EZ Riders (see, e.g., here). Presumably they were acquired because Aurora needed a slightly larger bus, or the very low 2600s were needed in Downers Grove and Niles.

2766 has also always been at Fox. Again, there is something special about that bus, at least as indicated by the different rear (perforated instead of solid back) and that it has been used as a backdrop at several HQ press events.'

The only possible transfer among the EZ Riders is 2743.

For that matter, the South ones have been there for quite a while, and probably were directly from River (Elgin) to South.

See that's the part I'm not understanding about Fox Valley. If they needed larger buses then why not do a proposal for more? 4 32 foot El's are not going to cut it by all means. As far as 2766, I can't comment on that because I've never seen that bus yet. It makes me wonder why they let the 35 foot NABIs go in the first place but I'm not an expert on that.

[Busjack]

See that's the part I'm not understanding about Fox Valley. If they needed larger buses then why not do a proposal for more? 4 32 foot El's are not going to cut it by all means. As far as 2766, I can't comment on that because I've never seen that bus yet. It makes me wonder why they let the 35 foot NABIs go in the first place but I'm not an expert on that.

Apparently they only needed four. Go back to the top of the page to which I previously linked, where there was a sole source contract for 4 buses, then for no apparent reason.

The reason for (at least River and Joliet) getting EZ Riders was that there were grants to replace bigger buses with smaller buses. However, that wasn't direct, as what was eventually replaced were Orion Is and Ikarus buses, by 6600s that were displaced when 2600s were put into the collar cities.

Originally, the theory was that the 2600s were to replace 2500 series Eldorado Transmarks and the 1920 series Chance buses, since the number budgeted equaled the number of those. However, when 102 were ordered, and it became apparent that Aurora and Highland Park were losing their 6600s, that theory was shot, although the mentioned buses were eventually replaced.

I've argued before that even though 84 6600s were purchased to replace 84 2000s (35 foot Orion I), that appeared to be a mistake, because the only place that kept their 6600s was South (6653-6660).

[garmon757]

Apparently they only needed four. Go back to the top of the page to which I previously linked, where there was a sole source contract for 4 buses, then for no apparent reason.

The reason for (at least River and Joliet) getting EZ Riders was that there were grants to replace bigger buses with smaller buses. However, that wasn't direct, as what was eventually replaced were Orion Is and Ikarus buses, by 6600s that were displaced when 2600s were put into the collar cities.

Originally, the theory was that the 2600s were to replace 2500 series Eldorado Transmarks and the 1920 series Chance buses, since the number budgeted equaled the number of those. However, when 102 were ordered, and it became apparent that Aurora and Highland Park were losing their 6600s, that theory was shot, although the mentioned buses were eventually replaced.

I've argued before that even though 84 6600s were purchased to replace 84 2000s (35 foot Orion I), that appeared to be a mistake, because the only place that kept their 6600s was South (6653-6660).

I can understand the 2600s replacing the 2500s and the Chances. The 6600s replaced the Orion I's and Ikarus 416s. That's how West and South received them correct? You're right about South keeping their 6600s but i thought #6661-63 and #6677-78 was at South also. If that's not the case then who had them first?

[Busjack]

I can understand the 2600s replacing the 2500s and the Chances. The 6600s replaced the Orion I's and Ikarus 416s. That's how West and South received them correct? You're right about South keeping their 6600s but i thought #6661-63 and #6677-78 was at South also. If that's not the case then who had them first?

Mostly how West and Academy received them.

6661-6664 or 6665 were originally in River (Elgin), 6677-6684 were originally in Highland Park.

The Elgin buses (6626?*-6652 and the above) replaced not only those in the 2030-2040s, but also displaced about 8 1992 35 foot Orion Is, which basically then went onto DuPage contractor routes. The Highland Park buses replaced 2077-2084, but some of those eventually ended up on 696 and 699.

Even in the early days, 6652 and 6676 were shifted to Aurora**, and then to the Westmont-Lisle contract, when 6614-6623 were also transferred from Aurora to there.

*6624-6628 were at NS for a while, then traded to Heritage for some 40 footers.

**Corrected.

[garmon757]

Mostly how West and Academy received them.

6661-6664 or 6665 were originally in River (Elgin), 6677-6684 were originally in Highland Park.

The Elgin buses (6626?*-6652 and the above) replaced not only those in the 2030-2040s, but also displaced about 8 1992 35 foot Orion Is, which basically then went onto DuPage contractor routes. The Highland Park buses replaced 2077-2084, but some of those eventually ended up on 696 and 699.

Even in the early days, 6652 and 6676 were shifted to Aurora**, and then to the Westmont-Lisle contract, when 6614-6623 were also transferred from Aurora to there.

*6624-6628 were at NS for a while, then traded to Heritage for some 40 footers.

**Corrected.

So you're saying almost half of the 6600s were for contract purposes?

[Busjack]

So you're saying almost half of the 6600s were for contract purposes?

Not originally (and I don't consider Niles and Highland Park to be contract operations, but municipal operators).

With the Highland Park caveat noted above, all of the original allocation was to divisions (Fox, River, South, and Heritage).

However, when the 2600s started displacing 6600s in all but South, a good number ended up on contract operations, basically because around 2006 or so, the contractors had the oldest Pace-owned equipment. The transfer from Aurora to Westmont was to replace 2500s and 2000s, and, essentially, the smaller 2500s were replaced with larger 6600s. Similarly, once Academy's equipment started breaking down, a mess of 6600s and some 6200s went there.

Not all transfers were for contractors; for instance 6600-6003 were transferred to North to run the short lived 580 North Central Service feeders, and stayed there after those were cancelled. 6682 and 6684 went to North from Highland Park for the Lake Forest feeders, and also stayed there.

Of course, when Lisle-Westmont got 2793-2812, the 6600s were freed to go to divisions, primarily NS and N. Others were freed when W got the Axess buses, but apparently that was mostly 6200s to NS and N.