Pace Electric Buses

[artthouwill]

On 6/23/2026 at 11:45 AM, Busjack said:

Thanks.

• At least there is evidence that Gillig can deliver a BEB. PhoenixEV apparently can't.
• I thought I could figure out Pace's numbering system, but I guess not. The 25500s were confusing enough with 35' and 40' buses both in the 25500s, and, it turns out the 35' ones in the middle. Now, 26533 is pictured. First, I figured it would be something like 26700, since the demonstrators were 20700 and 22700. As recorded above, this contract was for 27 Gillig BEBs, so 26533 is too high unless hybrids are also in this series or there are placeholders for the 22 PhoenixEVs.

I also thought the BEBs would be 26700s as well.  

As far as 35' and 40' budes shaking the same series, there's a precedent.  The 2400 series MABIs were both with the first 20 being 40' and the rest 35'.   But that was straightforward and not mixed up.  I don't know why Pace wouldn't use 700s for BEBs bit I suppose they have their reasons. 

[Busjack]

33 minutes ago, artthouwill said:

I also thought the BEBs would be 26700s as well.  

As far as 35' and 40' budes shaking the same series, there's a precedent.  The 2400 series MABIs were both with the first 20 being 40' and the rest 35'.   But that was straightforward and not mixed up.  I don't know why Pace wouldn't use 700s for BEBs bit I suppose they have their reasons. 

Pace was pretty much that until the 30' buses and 6600 NABIs. What makes it strange this time is that the buses are not interchangeable--the garage needs a charger. It is sort of like that the 20500s and 20400s were the same series, but obviously the CNG buses could only run out of S.

[Busjack]

34 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....

Which makes me wonder when the PhoenixEV contract will be cancelled, given the pending procurement, noted above.

[Busjack]

23 hours ago, Busjack said:

 

As inducated above, the CTA solicitation is on behalf of both CTA and Pace. See tge RFP, which has Pace Exhibits. Also see above in this topic where there is a picture of a Pace VRV ynder the VW settlement, picked off the Washington state contract. So, Pace is getting those plus whatever CTA procures.

Looking at the RFP, the current due date is August 28, so obviously, the NITA BOARD (which takes office September 1) will be awarding this contract.

[jtrussel]

Well our electric gilligs are on the road heading our way

Well this one at least 

26540

Edited August 2 by jtrussel
More pictures

[artthouwill]

29 minutes ago, jtrussel said:

Well our electric gilligs are on the road heading our way

Well this one at least 

26540

Any guesses where they land?  River?

[Busjack]

12 minutes ago, artthouwill said:

Any guesses where they land?  River?

There's no need to guess.

North is the only place that has the charging canopy complete, but Metzger said some will be distributed around the system for evaluation.

BTW, the "from above" picture shows that the charging rails are behind the roof "wings," while nothing was behind the wings on the hybrids.

 

[Busjack]

On 8/3/2026 at 5:52 PM, YoungBusLover said:

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

2 Pace implications from the last 2 paragraphs of this CTA document:

1. Did Pace also cancel its contract with Phoenix Motorcars? Starting around here, it was said that Pace expected the buses in March 2023, and it's 3 years 3 months after that. The Gilligs are showing up now.
2. CTA says it only wants 100 on the current RFP. But since the RFP is for up to 250, does Pace intend to take 150, or is the intent to sell options to others?

[Busjack]

On 8/2/2026 at 3:31 PM, artthouwill said:

Any guesses where they land?  River?

 

On 8/2/2026 at 3:42 PM, Busjack said:

There's no need to guess.

North is the only place that has the charging canopy complete, but Metzger said some will be distributed around the system for evaluation.  ..

 

.

 

I should have remembered that Metzger also said that 381 would get another,  as the charger has 2 plugs .

[artthouwill]

5 hours ago, Busjack said:

 

I should have remembered that Metzger also said that 381 would get another,  as the charger has 2 plugs .

Where is the 2nd demonstrator?

[Busjack]

15 minutes ago, artthouwill said:

Where is the 2nd demonstrator?

North.

You have to keep up.

[chitowndude84]

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D74LCHJpW/

photos are from Chris Higa.............Somewhere in Nevada lol 

 

 

[artthouwill]

On 8/5/2026 at 7:33 AM, chitowndude84 said:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D74LCHJpW/

photos are from Chris Higa.............Somewhere in Nevada lol 

 

 

Similar to what seems to be going on with the CTA 7900s rail series,the newest, most recently built buses appear to be the first ones being delivered.

[Busjack]

3 hours ago, artthouwill said:

Similar to what seems to be going on with the CTA 7900s rail series,the newest, most recently built buses appear to be the first ones being delivered.

What's more surprising is that the BEs and HEs are being delivered together, instead of the  265XX HEs coming first.

BTW, looking at the other topic, you meant 7000.

[chitowndude84]

Correction "Mr Social media content dude" using a Pace bus was in Arizona lol

 

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1058637343382364/?s=single_unit&__cft__[0]=AZbbv_g62NAsTd87FFT2XgPgYzu-zlkGR0dpITXqbeAfgRlU9U8lYIniY6FuUqclGLA3AeVixAMbrL1jZ43AJjNAYcHiXkgqjHGImTEdfucsXMH3bCXFhTVEsEuyAskRPKtop6Y1-9SWdY3LTdjicmexeSh0vzyMIGro7OwV36o-1Me4AtJMfGvsfQ7keQzgkjBx1erUTZQk0rdIr8qI8Md6q1hqz7bb2K5DYAdlnEXzhQ&__tn__=H-R

[Busjack]

1 hour ago, chitowndude84 said:

Correction "Mr Social media content dude" using a Pace bus was in Arizona lol

 

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1058637343382364/?s=single_unit&__cft__[0]=AZbbv_g62NAsTd87FFT2XgPgYzu-zlkGR0dpITXqbeAfgRlU9U8lYIniY6FuUqclGLA3AeVixAMbrL1jZ43AJjNAYcHiXkgqjHGImTEdfucsXMH3bCXFhTVEsEuyAskRPKtop6Y1-9SWdY3LTdjicmexeSh0vzyMIGro7OwV36o-1Me4AtJMfGvsfQ7keQzgkjBx1erUTZQk0rdIr8qI8Md6q1hqz7bb2K5DYAdlnEXzhQ&__tn__=H-R

What surprised me was that the video said the bus took 425 kwh at the charging station. Gillig says that the maximum capacity they offer is 686 kwh, and PSTA says that gets about a 225-mile range. I guess that's why there isn't anxiety about completing a block.

[Busjack]

The farewell Press Release noted "that Pace has begun receiving its first major order of battery-electric buses," picturing the board members in front of BEB 26540 and hybrid 26502.

[chitowndude84]

Not sure why a new PACE bus is in the Seattle area??............But we've been living in the "Twilight Zone" the last 10+year so here ya go 

   

[Busjack]

4 hours ago, chitowndude84 said:

Not sure why a new PACE bus is in the Seattle area??............But we've been living in the "Twilight Zone" the last 10+year so here ya go 

   

Most of the social media pictures are NOT of the straight route via I-80, but before in Oklahoma (I-40?--although Google Maps says that's an alternate route) and "somewhere around Arizona." My guess is that Gillig is using them for a promotional tour.

I thought there was a 1948-era CTA bus in front of it, but not since it has a "PORTLAND AVE"sign on it.

[artthouwill]

1 hour ago, Busjack said:

Most of the social media pictures are NOT of the straight route via I-80, but before in Oklahoma (I-40?--although Google Maps says that's an alternate route) and "somewhere around Arizona." My guess is that Gillig is using them for a promotional tour.

I thought there was a 1948-era CTA bus in front of it, but not since it has a "PORTLAND AVE"sign on it.

Seattle kind of makes sense in that there is a very long stretch of I 80 in Utah where there are no services ( restaurants,  gas stations, hotels).  A driver  might run out of time or fuel in that area which wouldn't be good.  I 80 would be the straightest path, but that stretch is literally a no man's land.  Imagine 70 plus miles between exits.  No one would want to break down in the middle of that.  Interstate 90 isn't nearly as desolate. 

As for Interstate 40, I believe Gillig has a facility somewhere Ali that Interstate, possibly in Oklahoma  where help or parts can be accessed.

 

That bus with the Portland Ave sign could be from anywhere, but Minneapolis would be my first guess.

[Busjack]

3 hours ago, artthouwill said:

As for Interstate 40, I believe Gillig has a facility somewhere Ali that Interstate, possibly in Oklahoma  where help or parts can be accessed.

All of Gillig's Calif. facilities are in the Bay area (map).

You might be onto something, especially if it is an electric bus, as the picture in Oklahoma was at a charging station.

But given the Twin Coach bus, there's some kind of event happening. Maybe @chitowndude84 can find out.

 

[chitowndude84]

Ehhhh........You wanna know something weird?? I'm currently working in Oklahoma City area 😬😶‍🌫️

I travel between OKC-DFW 2x a month and have seen many new transit buses(mostly gilligs) going down I35 into Texas FROM Oklahoma

I haven't lived in SEA-TAC area in 10 years. Charging picture was in Arizona. 

 

My contract ends in November and can't wait to get back home to Chicago......Oklahoma SUCKS!!!

 

 

[Tcmetro]

Looks like Pierce Transit's preserved Twin Coach: https://www.southsoundtalk.com/2017/11/08/pierce-transit-twin-coach/

They have a Portland Ave route in Tacoma, WA.