BusHunter Posted May 5, 2008 Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 #1667 was on the #8 yesterday. As far as who would get Nf's next it may finally be time for 74th to get some of these, but as far as older equipment is concerned 103rd has about 100 1991's to replace still. It would seem to me I'd look at 1 of those 2 choices. It should be interesting, Kedzie's deliveries should be ending very close to where the 60 footers arrive. North park I would say would need them first eliminating any more 1000's there. The Nabi's there really take a beating. Also the #5800's would then be sent to the scrap heap. I don't think the BRT service will have any effect initially on deliveries, but that may soon change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw4400 Posted May 5, 2008 Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 It should be interesting, Kedzie's deliveries should be ending very close to where the 60 footers arrive. North park I would say would need them first eliminating any more 1000's there. The Nabi's there really take a beating. The 600's replacing some NABI's so they can have their manufacturer issues fixed I can see, but some NP routes require the 40' 1000's that they have already. #11 is very narrow and a 60' bus can barely get by on this route. Why I've seen NABI's on #11 once or twice in the past is mind-boggling. I've ridden this bus all the way to Howard and Kedzie, and a lot of those streets are one lane with very tight turns for a 60' bus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 5, 2008 Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 The 600's replacing some NABI's so they can have their manufacturer issues fixed I can see, but some NP routes require the 40' 1000's that they have already. #11 is very narrow and a 60' bus can barely get by on this route. Why I've seen NABI's on #11 once or twice in the past is mind-boggling. I've ridden this bus all the way to Howard and Kedzie, and a lot of those streets are one lane with very tight turns for a 60' bus. Who was it at CTA that said "using the right tool for the right job"?? Hmmm!! You gotta wonder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jajuan Posted May 5, 2008 Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 1667 is doing service on the 12 Roosevelt today. I rode it to work this morning. It was the very first EB bus of the morning to pull out of the garage. At least two other 1600s are on the 12 today, 1639 and 1657. I was glad to see that 1667 doesn't have that annoying Comcast mini-billboard over the front of the bike rack. This can be a nuisance if you decide to do one of CTA's Mystery Shopper surveys and want to be discreet about making note of the bus number and run number as you're boarding the bus because the bus number can't be seen with these placards on the bike rack. Yes, you can get the bus number from the inside of the bus after boarding, but the CTA tells you to look for it on the front of the outside of the bus below the windshield. I did notice Friday that 1128's bus number is applied to the raised portion of the driver's side dashboard facing the windshield. I guess there were a number of folks who voiced this same frustration on their own surveys.:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jajuan Posted May 5, 2008 Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 #1667 was on the #8 yesterday. As far as who would get Nf's next it may finally be time for 74th to get some of these, but as far as older equipment is concerned 103rd has about 100 1991's to replace still. It would seem to me I'd look at 1 of those 2 choices. It should be interesting, Kedzie's deliveries should be ending very close to where the 60 footers arrive. North park I would say would need them first eliminating any more 1000's there. The Nabi's there really take a beating. Also the #5800's would then be sent to the scrap heap. I don't think the BRT service will have any effect initially on deliveries, but that may soon change. I would agree with you about 74th except, that 6000s won't start seeing retirement until after the TMCs and 5300s, and that's not a complete retirement. I still see 74th as being last on the New Flyer list for those reasons. I noticed my error in my previous post in regards to North Park since from a prior post in the what's left for 4400s thread there were only about 44 TMCs or so left there at last count, basically the 4500s. I'll still say North Park is a more likely choice over Chicago for more New Flyers because if you count the 5800s, North Park still has about 100 soon to be retired 40 footers to replace. Plus for reasons given in my prior post, Chicago may have about 60 1991 buses left but only half of them will actually need to be replaced permanently after retirement. The other half are extra because of 3 Track operations. That's why I think it's likely Chicago will get TMCs to finish out 3 Track and get a transfer of New Flyers from some other garage(s) to fill that 30 bus gap after 3 Track is over rather than take delivery of new buses from Option 3 or 4. It makes more sense to do it this way, but of course CTA management hasn't always done what makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted May 5, 2008 Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 Who was it at CTA that said "using the right tool for the right job"?? Hmmm!! You gotta wonder. Kruesi, in connection with 500s. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted May 5, 2008 Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 I still see 74th as being last on the New Flyer list for those reasons.Also because of the announcement that it will soon been on BusTracker. It was unlikely that it would get the equipment if the buses were soon to retire. By the way, who was the one who saw a BusTracker sign on a 74th route and failed to read it, dismissing it because it wasn't an Archer Garage route? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jajuan Posted May 5, 2008 Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 Also because of the announcement that it will soon been on BusTracker. It was unlikely that it would get the equipment if the buses were soon to retire. By the way, who was the one who saw a BusTracker sign on a 74th route and failed to read it, dismissing it because it wasn't an Archer Garage route? Yes that's a consideration too. But I don't completely eliminate 74th though because weighing roughly 300 1991 buses left toward the beginning of Option 3 against the number of new buses left to deliver at the time, there's 100 buses to spare. I see 74th on the list for those because it's been said the Hybrid Arctics won't be used for Lake Shore Drive Express routes, which the BRT announcements seem to support, and yet 74th's routes aren't busy enough to justify seeing much use for those Artics there. Yes the 9 and X9 are busy, but Belmont and say 79th are busier as are 3, X3, 4, and X4. So 77th and Forest Glen are better candidates in that regard, thus leaving 74th a good candidate for New Flyers. As for the 600s, after the NABI issues are worked through, I speculate, and don't quote me seriously on this, a split between Archer, 77th and Forest Glen. I speculate between these three because of current garage route assignments and possible candidate streets for BRT placement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetroShadow Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 As for the 600s, after the NABI issues are worked through, I speculate, and don't quote me seriously on this, a split between Archer, 77th and Forest Glen. I speculate between these three because of current garage route assignments and possible candidate streets for BRT placement. Should we start the 'speculation pool' in regards to where the 600's end up? :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 Should we start the 'speculation pool' in regards to where the 600's end up? It has been started twice, and the second resulted in a flame (since it was based on the premise "is it known," which it wasn't). Obviously, though, now the announcement that the BRT project will use them means that that speculation pool on that has to work out first. Anyway, that isn't this topic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetroShadow Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 It has been started twice, and the second resulted in a flame (since it was based on the premise "is it known," which it wasn't). Obviously, though, now the announcement that the BRT project will use them means that that speculation pool on that has to work out first. Anyway, that isn't this topic. fair enough. I've been out of the loop recently with graduation pending. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUSANGEL#1 Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 FYI: CTA already confirmed that 74th will not recieve 40' NFs at all because they don't have TMCs or 5300s. Neither is FG getting them for the same reason. The 60' NFs will be going to 77th, FG,74, and NP. Huberman already stated that the 600s will going on routes and garages that usually wouldn't have them but do need them. He also stated that more artics will go on local routes with high ridership. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 FYI: CTA already confirmed...I don't want to get into a flame war again, but CTA hasn't confirmed anything. It would be fair for you to say that you inferred certain things for certain reasons, but honestly, you don't know. If CTA has confirmed anything, post a link to an official CTA source (either transitchicago.com or Huberman quoted in the media). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 FYI: CTA already confirmed that 74th will not recieve 40' NFs at all because they don't have TMCs or 5300s. Neither is FG getting them for the same reason. The 60' NFs will be going to 77th, FG,74, and NP. Huberman already stated that the 600s will going on routes and garages that usually wouldn't have them but do need them. He also stated that more artics will go on local routes with high ridership. It will be nice to see the 600s at FG. FG has never operated articulated buses in its history so this would be interesting to see. Im sure there will have to be some space to be found for the arrival of the 600s, FG is already overcrowded, 74th isnt really one of the largest garages in the system and 77th Im sure dosent have a space issue. This will be the largest fleet of artics CTA has ever had at one time, 375 articulated 60 footers. Does anyone know when the first 600 series prototype is scheduled to arrive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nflyer22 Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 It will be nice to see the 600s at FG. FG has never operated articulated buses in its history so this would be interesting to see. Im sure there will have to be some space to be found for the arrival of the 600s, FG is already overcrowded, 74th isnt really one of the largest garages in the system and 77th Im sure dosent have a space issue. This will be the largest fleet of artics CTA has ever had at one time, 375 articulated 60 footers. Does anyone know when the first 600 series prototype is scheduled to arrive? Well, based on the info here, the 600s should arrive as early as August, but I'm not sure if that's the prototype or the whole group of them, or even both prototype and rest of fleet. If the prototype does arrive early by itself, that would be great, and if possible, before the 2nd week of June, before I leave for Hong Kong! Delivery of the new buses will begin in August, with all 150 scheduled to be received by summer 2009. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 Well, based on the info here, the 600s should arrive as early as August, but I'm not sure if that's the prototype or the whole group of them, or even both prototype and rest of fleet. If the prototype does arrive early by itself, that would be great, and if possible, before the 2nd week of June, before I leave for Hong Kong! Dont mean to sound picky but I wish they would number these buses a different series. Maybe 8000 or 9000 series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jajuan Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 I don't want to get into a flame war again, but CTA hasn't confirmed anything. It would be fair for you to say that you inferred certain things for certain reasons, but honestly, you don't know. If CTA has confirmed anything, post a link to an official CTA source (either transitchicago.com or Huberman quoted in the media). Yes, I would have to agree. The CTA has not confirmed anything. As was noted by CTA5750, 74th is small in size compared to other garages. So if the new Arctics go there instead of New Flyers I would be surprised. Based on the size, 77th, Forest Glen and Archer are more suitable for Arctics. As for the topic of this thread, the New Flyer 1000s, 1671 is in service this afternoon on the 12 Roosevelt. So that's at least 42 buses from Option 3 delivered so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nflyer22 Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 Dont mean to sound picky but I wish they would number these buses a different series. Maybe 8000 or 9000 series. Yeah, that's what I was thinking of, but ironically it's under 600, to be under the 800-900 hybrids. Yes, I would have to agree. The CTA has not confirmed anything. As was noted by CTA5750, 74th is small in size compared to other garages. So if the new Arctics go there instead of New Flyers I would be surprised. Based on the size, 77th, Forest Glen and Archer are more suitable for Arctics. As for the topic of this thread, the New Flyer 1000s, 1671 is in service this afternoon on the 12 Roosevelt. So that's at least 42 buses from Option 3 delivered so far. Yeah, like to see Archer pick up some of the artics, since Western is one of the only candidates I can see with the BRT, and it can really be helpful on 62 Archer and other regular, but busy routes. Hmm, deliveries have picked up again for the New Flyers, still eager to ride one of those inside-LED buses! :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 Well, based on the info here, the 600s should arrive as early as August, but I'm not sure if that's the prototype or the whole group of them, or even both prototype and rest of fleet. If the prototype does arrive early by itself, that would be great, and if possible, before the 2nd week of June, before I leave for Hong Kong! Make sure you get some good transit info from Hong Kong. I was there in 1991 and I rode their subway system and their colorful light rail system. Very interesting transportation system they have there, I think youll enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusHunter Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 You guys all make good points about where the 600's will go, but i seem to remember a certain plan to consolidate the fleets. Wouldn't all these 600's going to x routes turning brt really screw up this consolidation? Most certainly Western is on this plan to become Brt. So you give Archer a few 600's. What do you do with the Nova's? Questions like these will become common within the system. Also why would you replace 5800's when there are 1991's floating around in the hundreds if in fact NF deliveries went to North Park next? The only way I see the entire plan working without a hitch is that there will be even more bus swaps coming soon. In the long term scheme of things, we are only going to be in a test phase for BRT service if that when the 600's do come. So initially the 600's won't be for BRT service. As far as the talk of a "flame war", there are many of them on this site lately. Just look around. It's too bad we can't all just get along. BTW, I saw something strange yesterday on the 290 yesterday around North Avenue in Elmhurst. It was a 60 foot NF. It had a big orange stripe going down the length of the middle of the bus about 3 feet wide at least with the rest of the bus being white in color. I wonder where he was headed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jajuan Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 You guys all make good points about where the 600's will go, but i seem to remember a certain plan to consolidate the fleets. Wouldn't all these 600's going to x routes turning brt really screw up this consolidation? Most certainly Western is on this plan to become Brt. So you give Archer a few 600's. What do you do with the Nova's? Questions like these will become common within the system. Also why would you replace 5800's when there are 1991's floating around in the hundreds if in fact NF deliveries went to North Park next? The only way I see the entire plan working without a hitch is that there will be even more bus swaps coming soon. In the long term scheme of things, we are only going to be in a test phase for BRT service if that when the 600's do come. So initially the 600's won't be for BRT service. As far as the talk of a "flame war", there are many of them on this site lately. Just look around. It's too bad we can't all just get along. BTW, I saw something strange yesterday on the 290 yesterday around North Avenue in Elmhurst. It was a 60 foot NF. It had a big orange stripe going down the length of the middle of the bus about 3 feet wide at least with the rest of the bus being white in color. I wonder where he was headed? No one said North Park would be next. What I said is that North Park, 103rd, and 74th are more likely candidates than Chicago for New Flyers because they had more soon to be retired buses to permanently replace than Chicago. That's the key phrase here: permanently replace. The order that I listed garages was not a statement of the order that buses be delivered. Respectfully, I actually don't explicitly make any statement about any order of delivery other than to state that 74th would be last on my speculated list of garages to see deliveries of New Flyers. If we wanted to go by size of remaining 1991 complement per garage, then obviously 103rd is the logical choice to be next. The reason I include North Park on the list for New Flyers is because, if in fact 103rd is next on the list with its 100 total TMCs and 5300s combined, the deliveries there should be finishing up close to the time that the hybrid Artics are set to start arriving. The hybrid artics are meant to retire all the 5800s and about half the 6000s. However, North Park has a decent complement of Artics already, but its 5800s are set to retire. Not to mention it doesn't serve streets that are suitable for BRT service along with BRT will be in the test stage during the hybrid Arctics early days of service. So what's left to permanently replace those 5800s along with its remaining TMCs? New Flyers. Plus since I already speculated Archer, FG and Chicago as logical garages to implement BRT, that leaves the last New Flyers to go to 74th to replace what 6000s may retire there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw4400 Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 BTW, I saw something strange yesterday on the 290 yesterday around North Avenue in Elmhurst. It was a 60 foot NF. It had a big orange stripe going down the length of the middle of the bus about 3 feet wide at least with the rest of the bus being white in color. I wonder where he was headed? Maybe it's a NF 60' Bus coming so Huberman and Co. can check it out and decide on things they like and dislike so New Flyer can modify and have the Prototype ready to go in August without delays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ctafan630 Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 It will be nice to see the 600s at FG. FG has never operated articulated buses in its history so this would be interesting to see. Im sure there will have to be some space to be found for the arrival of the 600s, FG is already overcrowded, 74th isnt really one of the largest garages in the system and 77th Im sure dosent have a space issue. This will be the largest fleet of artics CTA has ever had at one time, 375 articulated 60 footers. Does anyone know when the first 600 series prototype is scheduled to arrive? Are you saying the CTA never ran artics out of FG regularly on any route or are you saying the runs out of FG never had an artic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jajuan Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 Are you saying the CTA never ran artics out of FG regularly on any route or are you saying the runs out of FG never had an artic? CTA never ran Arctics out of FG on any route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 Maybe it's a NF 60' Bus coming so Huberman and Co. can check it out and decide on things they like and dislike so New Flyer can modify and have the Prototype ready to go in August without delays.Could have been for Mississauga. Pictures of comparable D60LFs are here. We previously discussed seeing OC Transpo buses on the expressways around here. Are we so Chicagocentric that everything NF does is to bow to Huberman? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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