600-series Proterra BE40/ZX5 - Updates

[Erin Mishkin Jr.]

1 hour ago, Busjack said:

When I brought up that the BE40s were missing, others have said that 602 was scrap and 603 at training.

As of last check buses 602-605 are laid resting at the Perry fence, and 600-601 are nowhere to be found. Did they take away 602 recently?

[Busjack]

11 minutes ago, Erin Mishkin Jr. said:

As of last check buses 602-605 are laid resting at the Perry fence, and 600-601 are nowhere to be found. Did they take away 602 recently?

At least you confirmed @Shannon tahoeppv's observation.

My only implicattion was that one of the buses was inoperable.

[Mr.NewFlyer1279]

3 hours ago, Erin Mishkin Jr. said:

As of last check buses 602-605 are laid resting at the Perry fence, and 600-601 are nowhere to be found. Did they take away 602 recently?

600 is inside of 77th, 601 is dug in the boneyard, 600-605 were inside of 77th for quite some time before they were thrown back there 

[YoungBusLover]

12 hours ago, Mr.NewFlyer1279 said:

600 is inside of 77th, 601 is dug in the boneyard, 600-605 were inside of 77th for quite some time before they were thrown back there 

That's a negative, #600 is sitting about 40 feet away from the fuel pumps adjacent to the boneyard right next to #5454 and #4910. #601 - #605 we're moved to the boneyard, hell one even started up after sitting for so long while another had to be assisted from the new owners of Proterra in order to move it. The BE40s are still on the active roster under C waiting for materials to I guess revive them so to speak. All in all if the CTA can somehow source parts from the new owners they'll restore them to active service.  

[andrethebusman]

So 600-605 have likely run their last miles? For shame, for shame, CTA falling for the snake oil seller's pitch.

[Busjack]

1 hour ago, andrethebusman said:

So 600-605 have likely run their last miles? For shame, for shame, CTA falling for the snake oil seller's pitch.

Are you saying the same for Philly, Toronto, and BC? As noted several times, at least 15 of the ZX5s appear to be running, and despite having the opportunity to disaffirm in the bankruptcy process as BC Transit did, CTA assigned the contract for 22 more to PhoenixEV But as far as "salesman's snakeoil," there was a publucly advertised procurement, and Caesar's Sportsbook is giving -800 on the moneyline that you were not in the room.

As I noted in the TTC topic, I really don't know if PhoenixEV can deliver or is long for this wotld, but that isn't CTA's fault, especially after NovaBus pulled out of the US.

[Busjack]

18 hours ago, andrethebusman said:

So 600-605 have likely run their last miles? For shame, for shame, CTA falling for the snake oil seller's pitch.

On the other hand, the transit activists said to cancel the remaining options on the 8350s order and get electrics, but CTA  said that was physically impossible. What would you have said now if CTA listened to these Transit "Authorities," and now would have been 400 buses short?

[EasyMoney]

CTA is not ready it will cost billions for garage upgrades and electric vehicles they should just keep buying low emission buses (i know they bought the 8350s) plus how would these electric buses do in the winter

 

[YoungBusLover]

#602 - #605 have been placed on LTH/300.

[andrethebusman]

On 11/3/2025 at 2:24 PM, Busjack said:

Are you saying the same for Philly, Toronto, and BC? As noted several times, at least 15 of the ZX5s appear to be running, and despite having the opportunity to disaffirm in the bankruptcy process as BC Transit did, CTA assigned the contract for 22 more to PhoenixEV But as far as "salesman's snakeoil," there was a publucly advertised procurement, and Caesar's Sportsbook is giving -800 on the moneyline that you were not in the room.

As I noted in the TTC topic, I really don't know if PhoenixEV can deliver or is long for this wotld, but that isn't CTA's fault, especially after NovaBus pulled out of the US.

Most of Philly's went out in a blaze of glory one night...

[Mnbaco]

On 11/3/2025 at 5:24 PM, Busjack said:

Are you saying the same for Philly, Toronto, and BC? As noted several times, at least 15 of the ZX5s appear to be running, and despite having the opportunity to disaffirm in the bankruptcy process as BC Transit did, CTA assigned the contract for 22 more to PhoenixEV But as far as "salesman's snakeoil," there was a publucly advertised procurement, and Caesar's Sportsbook is giving -800 on the moneyline that you were not in the room.

As I noted in the TTC topic, I really don't know if PhoenixEV can deliver or is long for this wotld, but that isn't CTA's fault, especially after NovaBus pulled out of the US.

Most proterra Zx5 have been sidelined Philly retired almost all of them then they got a little overheated. Aon/pru (a local example) has replaced their fleet of proterras with BYD. Most likely phoenixEV is a going to have the same problems as the Zx5s in service.

[Busjack]

58 minutes ago, Glennwood Road Ent. said:

Update :

Miami will receive their FTA waiver to retire & replace the Proterras early, just as expected. These units are problematic for breakdowns since entering revenue service in October 2022.

 

...

Also wondering if CTA will be canceling the PhoenixEV order in light of the current procurement. CTA apparently did once during the bankruptcy, but re-upped. (See up the thread starting about here.)

In further support, one of the articles @Glennwood Road Ent.  cited said:

Quote

The report ... also confirms that Miami-Dade terminated its contract with Phoenix Motor, the company that took over Proterra’s transit bus business following the manufacturer’s bankruptcy, after county officials concluded Phoenix failed to meet warranty and service obligations.

 

[TaylorTank1229]

611 currently NB on X9

[Busjack]

2 hours ago, TaylorTank1229 said:

611 currently NB on X9

CTA must be testing longer blocks, as there doesn't seem to be a charger on the north end of the route. @maths22's tracker also shows a block on X49.

BTW, 610 shows trips on 55 and 62.

[YoungBusLover]

Well it appears to today #611 didn't get a full charge or if it did something else may be currently delaying it but from scanner traffic it appears to be due to a low battery percentage.  

[79th to lakefront 1302]

611 is MIA idk why

[Policeman]

13 minutes ago, 79th to lakefront 1302 said:

611 is MIA idk why

think monkey, think

[ajm522]

1 hour ago, Policeman said:

think monkey, think

I was just on 611 SB on X49. Driver said electric busses on western because flyers have bad air. Clerk assigns any available bus. 

[Erin Mishkin Jr.]

#611 is not tracking and I already reported it so it should be fixed this week

[79th to lakefront 1302]

22 hours ago, Policeman said:

think monkey, think

I'm not a monkey 

[79th to lakefront 1302]

Why 610 in Chicago garage it should be in 74th 

[Busjack]

29 minutes ago, 79th to lakefront 1302 said:

Why 610 in Chicago garage it should be in 74th 

Because someone moved it.

[Busjack]

3 hours ago, artthouwill said:

That's two.  Looking for the Trifecta!

 

Was able to catch 608 on the 66.  Couldn't find 610 on the tracker.   How old are these buses?

 

 

1 hour ago, Mr.NewFlyer1279 said:

about 4 years. 

 

1 hour ago, artthouwill said:

Seems like it's older than that.

If you are counting only ZX5s, (since the BE40s seem all out of service) this post says 606 was received in 2022, so 4 years is correct.

[Mr.NewFlyer1279]

1 hour ago, Busjack said:

Because someone moved it.

😂😂😂

[YoungBusLover]

Welp I guess the BE40s really couldn't handle a constant charge. 😂😂😂