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

[qwantae]

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.

You are correct about that route doesn't meet on Michigan it was coming from Kedzie via I-290 Congress and turned North on Michigan to probably Wacker to start a route, It was around 3PM when I saw it.

By the Way, any updates about what's next garage after Kedzie, my guess still would be Chicago or 77th.

[jajuan]

You are correct about that route doesn't meet on Michigan it was coming from Kedzie via I-290 Congress and turned North on Michigan to probably Wacker to start a route, It was around 3PM when I saw it.

By the Way, any updates about what's next garage after Kedzie, my guess still would be Chicago or 77th.

Ok that explains it. It was heading to start service. As for what's next, I don't see it being Chicago or 77th, because their 1991 counts aren't that high. Chicago's count equals the number of extra buses added for 3Track which will be ending later this year. Those buses can easily be retired with no replacements. 77th would more likely get more buses through transfers. It's TMC counts aren't that high even with some TMC transfers from Kedzie. I'm more inclined to say that 103rd because it has a combined total of TMCs and 5300s close to 100 that needs to go.

By the way, spotted 1707 this evening pulling in off the 12 Roosevelt.

[CircleSeven]

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.

I thought the 7 Harrison will be extended to 10pm? Also I don't think the 38 might be too much affected too much since some buses will run during the day for their reinstatement of Midday service (first time in a decade). I still want to know where they're going to turn around at Ogden & Cali. We should make a separate post about the Summer Pick changes.

But back on topic, do you know if NP will get anymore New Flyers?

[MVTArider]

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.

That reminds me, a while back in my local paper, the Pioneer Press, I saw an ad for some investment or insurance company. The ad showed an employee at the New Flyer plant and in the background there were two or three NF's with the MBTA paint scheme. By the way was the bus on a flatbed or just being driven by someone? I would assume it was on a truck but that would be a cool job driving the new New Flyers around the country.

[jajuan]

I thought the 7 Harrison will be extended to 10pm? Also I don't think the 38 might be too much affected too much since some buses will run during the day for their reinstatement of Midday service (first time in a decade). I still want to know where they're going to turn around at Ogden & Cali. We should make a separate post about the Summer Pick changes.

But back on topic, do you know if NP will get anymore New Flyers?

You're right it is 10pm. I was thinking of the original evening service that ended at 9pm that was in effect before the BoozAllen cuts that CTA surreptitiously called 'service changes' instead of what they actually were CUTS. As for NP getting more New Flyers, to me it's more likely than the wishful thinking that it be Chicago which already has more than 200 currently after the implementation of garage consolidation. In regards to the 38 turning around at Ogden and Cali, my guess would be that they would have it turn around via California, 16th, and Washtenaw back to Ogden.

[qwantae]

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?

I rode #4631 on #3 King Drive on Michigan Northbound to Water Tower this afternoon.

About #127 being cut, Why??? It was a good route, it helped the crowded #12 and #20 during rush periods, but I really do agree with #7 needs to run evenings. I've been taking that route directly from Cook County Hospital for Check up to my school by Washington/ Franklin.

[CircleSeven]

About #127 being cut, Why??? It was a good route, it helped the crowded #12 and #20 during rush periods, but I really do agree with #7 needs to run evenings. I've been taking that route directly from Cook County Hospital for Check up to my school by Washington/ Franklin.

When you see a bus parking on the corner at Roosevelt & Ogden after turning left on Ogden and stand there for a few minutes (which is their layover on the west end), and the some drivers would patiently waiting for the 12 to make that left turn from Damen to Roosevelt going east, even if that driver was suppose to leave on time going east to State Street, once that 12 cleans that street up with a standard load, here comes that 127 trailing behind it. Sometimes two blocks behind it and they would intentionally stop before a red light flashes at an intersection after the 12 goes to the bus stop across the street, or maybe three blocks behind the 12. And since more people from the Roosevelt Corridor take the 12 anyway, the 127, at least when I always seen it, the ridership is very dim. I doubt the ridership levels at Madison are slow because it feeds in with the Ogilvie Station and many people would take any bus from their to downtown. So the 20 & X20 can cover that.

They really need to adjust the times on Roosevelt on times where it gets very heavy and it would be nice to see the new schedules come out. Hopefully Friday the 13th, before the pick goes in effect on Father's Day!

[Guest]

When you see a bus parking on the corner at Roosevelt & Ogden after turning left on Ogden and stand there for a few minutes (which is their layover on the west end), and the some drivers would patiently waiting for the 12 to make that left turn from Damen to Roosevelt going east, even if that driver was suppose to leave on time going east to State Street, once that 12 cleans that street up with a standard load, here comes that 127 trailing behind it. Sometimes two blocks behind it and they would intentionally stop before a red light flashes at an intersection after the 12 goes to the bus stop across the street, or maybe three blocks behind the 12. And since more people from the Roosevelt Corridor take the 12 anyway, the 127, at least when I always seen it, the ridership is very dim. I doubt the ridership levels at Madison are slow because it feeds in with the Ogilvie Station and many people would take any bus from their to downtown. So the 20 & X20 can cover that.

They really need to adjust the times on Roosevelt on times where it gets very heavy and it would be nice to see the new schedules come out. Hopefully Friday the 13th, before the pick goes in effect on Father's Day!

If anyone happens to see dark blue Orion 35 footers with Colonial Coach Lines draped across the sides those are exPace 2000s #742, 746, 748, those are used for Stroger Hospital Shuttles.

[rmadisonwi]

I understand that a garage that does not currently have New Flyers will be getting them before the end of the month.

[CircleSeven]

I understand that a garage that does not currently have New Flyers will be getting them before the end of the month.

I'm hoping the Glen. Please, let it be The Glen!!!!

[Buslover88]

I understand that a garage that does not currently have New Flyers will be getting them before the end of the month.

Finally, 74th (maybe) is getting new buses. I'm saying 74th because they have old equipment from 1995 (the 6000 Flxibles).

[Busjack]

Finally, 74th (maybe) is getting new buses. I'm saying 74th because they have old equipment from 1995 (the 6000 Flxibles).

I don't bet against rmadison anymore, but history says I bet against you on this one.

We'll see.

[BusHunter]

I understand that a garage that does not currently have New Flyers will be getting them before the end of the month.

Well I guess that scratches 103rd for now. What does this say about the retirement of 1991 buses. Could we be seeing another bus transfer looming in the future, because I don't believe #6000's will retire before 1991's. Also with consolidation in mind, would you mess with a just consolidated 74th? You would if 74th got all Nf's, but I highly doubt it. I've often wondered why the #6400's never made it to Fg. This fact alone sells me to the notion that it is Fg that will be getting NF's. We'll just have to wait and see. BTW, now I'm seeing the post #1678 lightbar appearing on buses that were previously having the #1630's lightbar. #1646 and #1668 now have newer type lightbar. Strangly enough, alot of the #1650's appear normal. Could the #1630's lightbar be in jeopardy? I hope not. Also #4773 ( a Kedzie bus) was on the #22 two days ago. So it appears that the Kedzie TMC's are appearing up at NP too.

[jajuan]

I rode #4631 on #3 King Drive on Michigan Northbound to Water Tower this afternoon.

About #127 being cut, Why??? It was a good route, it helped the crowded #12 and #20 during rush periods, but I really do agree with #7 needs to run evenings. I've been taking that route directly from Cook County Hospital for Check up to my school by Washington/ Franklin.

It's getting cut because the buses have been empty for some months now. On the Roosevelt leg in each direction, there are at best 5 or 6 people on the 127 while the 12 runs jammed packed. I don't know about the Madison leg, but for sure people have been opting for the 12 over the 127, even if their total trip is east of Ogden.

[jajuan]

I understand that a garage that does not currently have New Flyers will be getting them before the end of the month.

Well it's a toss up between 74th and FG since Archer got consolidated with Novas. I'll agree with Tim and say hopefully it's 74th since it's been getting passed over for new buses for 13 years. FG already has Novas, so I would say nay to them.

[wordguy]

Well it's a toss up between 74th and FG since Archer got consolidated with Novas. I'll agree with Tim and say hopefully it's 74th since it's been getting passed over for new buses for 13 years. FG already has Novas, so I would say nay to them.

===I'd assume 74th Street as well considering the fact that their entire fleet is 12-13 years old. If so, the likely scenario might be the following:

-Reassignment of 100 or so 6000s to 103rd, (depending on the number of NFs received at 74th) replacing their remaining 4400s & 5300s.

-Surviving 4400s to either NP or 77th (assuming none are any longer based at Kedzie).

-Any remaining 5300s to Chicago Ave. as replacements for their most dilapidated cousins.

[jajuan]

===I'd assume 74th Street as well considering the fact that their entire fleet is 12-13 years old. If so, the likely scenario might be the following:

-Reassignment of 100 or so 6000s to 103rd, (depending on the number of NFs received at 74th) replacing their remaining 4400s & 5300s.

-Surviving 4400s to either NP or 77th (assuming none are any longer based at Kedzie).

-Any remaining 5300s to Chicago Ave. as replacements for their most dilapidated cousins.

It makes a lot of since. Though, as far as Chicago is concerned, as 3Track starts winding down I can see them just retiring what 5300s they have without the need to replace them.

[Busjack]

It makes a lot of since. Though, as far as Chicago is concerned, as 3Track starts winding down I can see them just retiring what 5300s they have without the need to replace them.

But then why did they redistribute 103rd's 6000s to FG and 74?

More fodder for trainman.

[wordguy]

But then why did they redistribute 103rd's 6000s to FG and 74?

More fodder for trainman.

===Agreed that such movements might seem irrational, but they wouldn't set a precedent. Over the past few months there's been a fair amount of back-and-forth shuffling of equipment Examples:

--- 6185-6199 from 74th to FG, then back to 74th

--- Assorted low 4600s from 103rd to 77th, back again to 103rd

--- At least one 4400 (4471, possibly a few others) from NP to Kedzie, returning to NP

--- and, not to be forgotten, some low 6500s from 77th to FG, back to 77th, & ultimately a few

of the same from 77th to Archer.

[jajuan]

But then why did they redistribute 103rd's 6000s to FG and 74?

More fodder for trainman.

I'm not sure but given Huberman's desire to start retiring some of them, the redistribution isn't as big a deal under consolidation as with the Novas and 1000s. One could've argued that the redistribution was done to get a big enough number of 1991 buses there to accelerate their retirements. Maybe it will still happen after the next set of NF deliveries is done.

[busfan2847]

Kedzie 1700 was out on the 120 last night.

[BusHunter]

Well it's a toss up between 74th and FG since Archer got consolidated with Novas. I'll agree with Tim and say hopefully it's 74th since it's been getting passed over for new buses for 13 years. FG already has Novas, so I would say nay to them.

Regardless to who would get Nf's first, most likely both Fg and 74th will end up with NF's. Every garage in the end should get something. With the arrival of 1,200 plus Nf's 60 and 40 footers, it would be hard to pass up anyone without feeling a sense of neglect to that particular garages fleet. BTW, in the things that make you go hmm catagory, yesterday I saw a New Flyer sitting at the south terminal for Milwaukee ( Madison/Michigan) with it's destination sign saying #56 Milwaukee (flip) to Wash/Mich. The bus was #1656. Maybe it's a sign of things to come. I have to admit it was weird to see this.

[artthouwill]

Regardless to who would get Nf's first, most likely both Fg and 74th will end up with NF's. Every garage in the end should get something. With the arrival of 1,200 plus Nf's 60 and 40 footers, it would be hard to pass up anyone without feeling a sense of neglect to that particular garages fleet. BTW, in the things that make you go hmm catagory, yesterday I saw a New Flyer sitting at the south terminal for Milwaukee ( Madison/Michigan) with it's destination sign saying #56 Milwaukee (flip) to Wash/Mich. The bus was #1656. Maybe it's a sign of things to come. I have to admit it was weird to see this.

Forgive me for being such a cynic, but I believe that CTA will find a way NOT to give 74th the NFs. I believe one of two scenarios is possible.

1. The next set of Flyers goes to 77th to replace Novas which would go to FG (making FG all Novas) and FGs Flxibles go to either 77th or 103rd to replace 4400s and 5300s. Once the new Flyer artics come, theywill go to 77th to replace 4400s making 77th all Flyer, and they will also go to 103rd to replace 4400s, 5300s and 6000s making it nearly all Flyer. The NABIs would probably wind up either at K or C.

2. The next set of Flyers goes to NP to replace 5800s and any crap left over. The following set would then play out in Scenario one. NP would also be in line to possibly get NF artics, making it an all Flyer garage.

3.The next set of Flyers goes to 103rd to replace 4400s and 5300s, which the remaining good ones will wind up at 77th until the New Flyer artics replace them.

Remember that someone decided garages should have one type of bus. The 74th garage is all 6000 series Flxible, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. I believe scenario one is the most likely to get FG under one bus type with 77th and 103rd to follow. There will be at least 2 or 3 garages with multiple type buses: Archer (NOvas and Optimus), K (with NF and NABI, and either 77th or 103rd). I believe C will get new artics as well.

These are just my opinions and not based on any inside information or facts. But history has shown that 74th generally gets the short end of the stick. I could see 74th getting all Novas before getting any Flyers.

[jajuan]

Regardless to who would get Nf's first, most likely both Fg and 74th will end up with NF's. Every garage in the end should get something. With the arrival of 1,200 plus Nf's 60 and 40 footers, it would be hard to pass up anyone without feeling a sense of neglect to that particular garages fleet. BTW, in the things that make you go hmm catagory, yesterday I saw a New Flyer sitting at the south terminal for Milwaukee ( Madison/Michigan) with it's destination sign saying #56 Milwaukee (flip) to Wash/Mich. The bus was #1656. Maybe it's a sign of things to come. I have to admit it was weird to see this.

In regard to 1656, it most likely was a loaner because if I'm not mistaken it was in service on the 12 today.

[jajuan]

Forgive me for being such a cynic, but I believe that CTA will find a way NOT to give 74th the NFs. I believe one of two scenarios is possible.

1. The next set of Flyers goes to 77th to replace Novas which would go to FG (making FG all Novas) and FGs Flxibles go to either 77th or 103rd to replace 4400s and 5300s. Once the new Flyer artics come, theywill go to 77th to replace 4400s making 77th all Flyer, and they will also go to 103rd to replace 4400s, 5300s and 6000s making it nearly all Flyer. The NABIs would probably wind up either at K or C.

2. The next set of Flyers goes to NP to replace 5800s and any crap left over. The following set would then play out in Scenario one. NP would also be in line to possibly get NF artics, making it an all Flyer garage.

3.The next set of Flyers goes to 103rd to replace 4400s and 5300s, which the remaining good ones will wind up at 77th until the New Flyer artics replace them.

Remember that someone decided garages should have one type of bus. The 74th garage is all 6000 series Flxible, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. I believe scenario one is the most likely to get FG under one bus type with 77th and 103rd to follow. There will be at least 2 or 3 garages with multiple type buses: Archer (NOvas and Optimus), K (with NF and NABI, and either 77th or 103rd). I believe C will get new artics as well.

These are just my opinions and not based on any inside information or facts. But history has shown that 74th generally gets the short end of the stick. I could see 74th getting all Novas before getting any Flyers.

Only one problem with your scenarios, rmadison posted that a garage that didn't have NF's would get them by the end of the month. Most of us have learned not to bet against his info because it always ended up being true, the most recent example being his hints of the changes in the spring picks that he gave us months before the spring picks went into effect. That being said the next garage can't be those three because they all have NF's.