And the next garage to get New Flyers is...

[nflyer22]

There is higher than #1684 on the street. #1686 was on the 8 on saturday. As far as the interior lighting I was talking about before, all NF's #1678 and above have the newer interior lightbar setup. You should have seen it on #1684. It seems the newer lights provide more light than the #1630's setup. But to me they are less attractive to look at. I wish we could get the old setup back. In other news, something you might be interested in. #1658 sports a black floor that looks identical to the #2200's blue line cars with the white marble swirl that's in it. That makes four different floor variations.

But the Flyers 1678+ still feature the LEDs right? (Even if they may be of a different setup).

Hmm, saw 1658 like 4 weeks ago, forgot which route it was on, nor did I see the floor setup; too bad Kedzie routes aren't on Bus Tracker yet, I better catch a glimpse before I leave for Hong Kong! :lol:

[jajuan]

But the Flyers 1678+ still feature the LEDs right? (Even if they may be of a different setup).

Hmm, saw 1658 like 4 weeks ago, forgot which route it was on, nor did I see the floor setup; too bad Kedzie routes aren't on Bus Tracker yet, I better catch a glimpse before I leave for Hong Kong!

Yes the higher numbered buses do still feature the LEDs. Apparently they're just a different setup than some of the earlier Option 3s.

[BusHunter]

#1687 was on the #7 Harrison yesterday.

[geneking7320]

Since I live near the Kennedy Expy, I sometimes have the urge to see if any new deliveries arrive from Minn. But you just never know when theyre going to pass, they can come at anytime of the day. What I have noticed is that lots of deliveries tend to happen on saturdays in the early mornings or early afternoon.

When I was on I-90 (NW tollway) heading to Schaumburg 5/25/2008 I did happen to see an MBTA [boston] New Flyer being driven to Boston. This had to be around 5:00pm or so. I've seen SEPTA and MBTA New Flyers but not CTA's being delivered.

[qwantae]

Does anyone know what type of Buses CTA considering for replacement of 5800s and 6000s?

Any suggestions?

[qwantae]

When I was on I-90 (NW tollway) heading to Schaumburg 5/25/2008 I did happen to see an MBTA [boston] New Flyer being driven to Boston. This had to be around 5:00pm or so. I've seen SEPTA and MBTA New Flyers but not CTA's being delivered.

Man, SEPTA probably has over 1000 New Flyers already, delivered within since 2003.

[jajuan]

Does anyone know what type of Buses CTA considering for replacement of 5800s and 6000s?

Any suggestions?

The new hybrid artics coming starting in August are supposed to replace all the 5800s and up to half the 6000s.

[BusHunter]

Were up to #1689 now, it was on the Halsted yesterday. That makes 710 buses delivered. Only 340 left. We are really starting to look like a New Flyer town.

[jajuan]

Make that at least 1702 we're up to now. I just saw it 15 minutes ago operating on the #52 Kedzie/California. It had to have to have been delivered within the past few days. It wasn't sporting a regular destination on it's destination or run number. It was still showing 'CTA PROGRAM 3/23/08' on its destination sign. So we may have been in the 1690s last week. We just may not have seen them yet since the previous high number was 1689 first spotted by Bushunter on the 8 Halsted.

[Orion VIII]

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?

Could have been for Mississauga. Pictures of comparable D60LFs are here.

Definitely Mississauga. :D

[kendo26]

I seen 1702 this afternoon running southbound on Halsted The destination sign was correct

[jajuan]

I seen 1702 this afternoon running southbound on Halsted The destination sign was correct

Means they fixed it since yesterday because it wasn't correct when 1702 was on Kedzie.

[nflyer22]

Means they fixed it since yesterday because it wasn't correct when 1702 was on Kedzie.

Yep, those New Flyers coming in pretty fast, still have yet to see anything higher than 1694.

Well, well...well Chicago, we're getting an approx. 13 additional NF hybrids thanks to the federal government's $9.6 mil grant, which really makes us a New Flyer town. For you who do not like the majority of the fleet of New Flyers, and prefers it to have more variety, you might say "Chicago is NOT my kind of town" :lol:

[Busjack]

Yep, those New Flyers coming in pretty fast, still have yet to see anything higher than 1694.

Well, well...well Chicago, we're getting an approx. 13 additional NF hybrids thanks to the federal government's $9.6 mil grant, which really makes us a New Flyer town. For you who do not like the majority of the fleet of New Flyers, and prefers it to have more variety, you might say "Chicago is NOT my kind of town"

At least that article said that it was an additional 13 buses.

Durbin Press Release

It still isn't clear from what was said about the BRT grant whether that paid for buses on the existing lease.

[BusHunter]

Make that at least 1702 we're up to now. I just saw it 15 minutes ago operating on the #52 Kedzie/California. It had to have to have been delivered within the past few days. It wasn't sporting a regular destination on it's destination or run number. It was still showing 'CTA PROGRAM 3/23/08' on its destination sign. So we may have been in the 1690s last week. We just may not have seen them yet since the previous high number was 1689 first spotted by Bushunter on the 8 Halsted.

#1695 was on the #126 last friday. #1702 most likely came in with it. There just getting alot of buses all at once. Some are lucky and they hit the street first some are not and will be out in a few days. By the sounds of it someone must have wanted a #1700 out there.

[jajuan]

#1695 was on the #126 last friday. #1702 most likely came in with it. There just getting alot of buses all at once. Some are lucky and they hit the street first some are not and will be out in a few days. By the sounds of it someone must have wanted a #1700 out there.

That should speed up more Kedzie TMCs heading to the shredder if more haven't already headed there as is. I was a bit surprised to see Bushunter's post from May 14 stating that the count was still at about 79 when Kedzie's Option 3 Flyer count had passed into the 50s. At that time, that means only 25 TMCs had been transferred or scrapped. Even with Kedzie storing some buses outside in the parking lot along the south wall and near the shops at the soutwest corner of the lot, where was Kedzie managing to store all those buses? There already had been reports that Kedzie's bus count was over 300 just after the spring changes before Option 3 really got rolling.

[Buslover88]

That should speed up more Kedzie TMCs heading to the shredder if more haven't already headed there as is. I was a bit surprised to see Bushunter's post from May 14 stating that the count was still at about 79 when Kedzie's Option 3 Flyer count had passed into the 50s. At that time, that means only 25 TMCs had been transferred or scrapped. Even with Kedzie storing some buses outside in the parking lot along the south wall and near the shops at the soutwest corner of the lot, where was Kedzie managing to store all those buses? There already had been reports that Kedzie's bus count was over 300 just after the spring changes before Option 3 really got rolling.

Just like Chicago garage, i'm guessing the bus are going on the streets surrounding the garage.

[jajuan]

Just like Chicago garage, i'm guessing the bus are going on the streets surrounding the garage.

From some of what I've seen, some are parked on the front driveway in front of the bay doors from late evening into early morning, but you can only fit so many there maybe 15 or so since at least one of those doors needs to stay open for pullins. This was done though before Kedzie got the extra buses. That's still not enough room to fit in all the extra buses. Plus Kedzie doesn't really have as much outside space as Chicago does.

[Busjack]

Sounds like someone has to take a trip to 78th and Perry and see what's there marked "Scrap." Personally, I don't have the time.

[Guest]

#1695 was on the #126 last friday. #1702 most likely came in with it. There just getting alot of buses all at once. Some are lucky and they hit the street first some are not and will be out in a few days. By the sounds of it someone must have wanted a #1700 out there.

I just found out #1704 is in service.

[Guest]

Sounds like someone has to take a trip to 78th and Perry and see what's there marked "Scrap." Personally, I don't have the time.

It isnt that easy, there is so much security around South shops now you cant get close enough, unless you drive past slowly along Perry ave. just enough to get a glance.

[BusHunter]

That should speed up more Kedzie TMCs heading to the shredder if more haven't already headed there as is. I was a bit surprised to see Bushunter's post from May 14 stating that the count was still at about 79 when Kedzie's Option 3 Flyer count had passed into the 50s. At that time, that means only 25 TMCs had been transferred or scrapped. Even with Kedzie storing some buses outside in the parking lot along the south wall and near the shops at the soutwest corner of the lot, where was Kedzie managing to store all those buses? There already had been reports that Kedzie's bus count was over 300 just after the spring changes before Option 3 really got rolling.

A question Jajuan, how could the TMC total pass into the 50's on May 14th? Around that point my list only reflected deliveries up to 1667. Before any #1630 deliveries started, Kedzie was at 120 TMC's. Ok, if #1630 - #1667 ( minus #1631 which hadn't been delivered yet) come into the picture. That's 37 deliveries taken away from 120 the original total. That's about 83 left, a few retiree's here and there and were at 79. There was also 10 buses transferred to 103rd and 77th in total to accelerate there retirements. Now with Kedzie up to #1704 that's almost 40 more to retire ( if they're all on the street) that leaves around 40 now. I'm seeing more buses transferred to 103rd like #4709 and #4714 in the past two weeks along with #4631 at 77th. So more buses have been transferred. So I would say there getting very low with TMC's like the low 30's. I don't see deliveries there going past #1729 if they get that far. The #127 getting cut will cut the fleet even more than it is now. It's just about time to start deliveries somewhere else. BTW, does anyone see any more scrap buses at 92nd/Ewing?

[jajuan]

A question Jajuan, how could the TMC total pass into the 50's on May 14th? Around that point my list only reflected deliveries up to 1667. Before any #1630 deliveries started, Kedzie was at 120 TMC's. Ok, if #1630 - #1667 ( minus #1631 which hadn't been delivered yet) come into the picture. That's 37 deliveries taken away from 120 the original total. That's about 83 left, a few retiree's here and there and were at 79. There was also 10 buses transferred to 103rd and 77th in total to accelerate there retirements. Now with Kedzie up to #1704 that's almost 40 more to retire ( if they're all on the street) that leaves around 40 now. I'm seeing more buses transferred to 103rd like #4709 and #4714 in the past two weeks along with #4631 at 77th. So more buses have been transferred. So I would say there getting very low with TMC's like the low 30's. I don't see deliveries there going past #1729 if they get that far. The #127 getting cut will cut the fleet even more than it is now. It's just about time to start deliveries somewhere else. BTW, does anyone see any more scrap buses at 92nd/Ewing?

The number 50 refers to the new 1000s deliveries and not TMCs. I was saying that on May 14 you posted the latest TMC count at Kedzie was 79. I spotted 1680 and 1684 at the garage on May 15 and rode 1681 on May 16. So from there I was estimating that the new deliveries was approaching or had approached about 50. I didn't realize that you based your TMC count on deliveries only up to 1667 since you didn't state that in your TMC post. Now that you've explained that small detail, I can withdraw my question about storage of extra buses since I now see that the total bus count at Kedzie wasn't as high as I was thinking without that extra information that you now provided.

I agree that the 127's elimination after next Friday (ooh Friday the 13th) will cut the the number of buses in use some but I don't really see the numbers at the garage shouldn't be dropping too much because at the same time that the 127 will be gone, service is increasing on the 12 Roosevelt, mainly during rush hours along with some nominal midday and weekend enhancements, and the 7 Harrison is supposed to be getting service increased to operate until 9pm. Also don't forget the 38 is getting weekday service even though it's getting cut back to terminate at California and Ogden near Mt. Sinai Hospital.

[qwantae]

I just found out #1704 is in service.

I've found #1708 this past afternoon on S. Michigan passing Van Buren Northbound working Route #120 which it was shown that route # on rear.

[jajuan]

I've found #1708 this past afternoon on S. Michigan passing Van Buren Northbound working Route #120 which it was shown that route # on rear.

The numbers are increasing quickly. Though I'm guessing though that the destination sign may have been incorrect or that bus was heading to start service as a southbound 120 since you said you spotted the bus northbound on Michigan at Van Buren and that route doesn't cross or meet Michigan Van Buren but at E. Wacker and at Grand or Illinois heading to or from Navy Pier.