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

[sw4400]

I saw bus #1521 working route 151 Sheridan to Union Station heading south down N. Michigan Av. today.

I saw 1529 on #11 Lincoln SB today.

[BusExpert32]

I saw 1529 on #11 Lincoln SB today.

North Park is really running their 4400s on the #151; they can be seen on N. Michigan Av. or at Union Station laying over.

[BusExpert32]

We're up to at least #1561 now. #1561 was working route #22 Clark yesterday at Howard Red Line in the photo. The highest New Flyer isn't too far up from #1561 because this bus seems very brand new and clean on the exterior, which is rare in the winter. #1561 must have been delivered within the past few days.

[jajuan]

We're up to at least #1561 now. #1561 was working route #22 Clark yesterday at Howard Red Line in the photo. The highest New Flyer isn't too far up from #1561 because this bus seems very brand new and clean on the exterior, which is rare in the winter. #1561 must have been delivered within the past few days.

I thought that's the bus I saw last night on Clark. I wasn't too sure because it was passing by too fast to get a look at the bus number outside of a quick glance.

[westing]

We're up to at least #1561 now. #1561 was working route #22 Clark yesterday at Howard Red Line in the photo. The highest New Flyer isn't too far up from #1561 because this bus seems very brand new and clean on the exterior, which is rare in the winter. #1561 must have been delivered within the past few days.

I've seen some New Flyers with these different bike racks, but I thought they were experimental. Does anyone know if all future buses are receiving them or just a test batch?

[cta5658]

I finally rode a 103rd New flyer it was #1562 on the #14

[rmadisonwi]

Now that a photograph exists, we have finally proven the existence of New Flyers at 103rd.

[jajuan]

Now that a photograph exists, we have finally proven the existence of New Flyers at 103rd.

That bit of sarcasm was quite funny. Thanks for the laugh

[BusExpert32]

Now that a photograph exists, we have finally proven the existence of New Flyers at 103rd.

I understand your humor towards 103rd finally recieving New Flyers, but there have been photos of 103rd's New Flyers on different sites for a while now.

[BusHunter]

We're up to at least #1561 now. #1561 was working route #22 Clark yesterday at Howard Red Line in the photo. The highest New Flyer isn't too far up from #1561 because this bus seems very brand new and clean on the exterior, which is rare in the winter. #1561 must have been delivered within the past few days.

We are up to at least #1571 now. It was working the #125 Water Tower Express. It had no exterior advertizing and only 2 or 3 placards on the inside of the bus, so I'm assuming it's pretty new. I got a chance to ride it and noticed almost immediately that it had a "new car smell". It's nice to ride something that is new and clean because sometimes it is rare on CTA.

[Guest]

Hello all,

Just got back from Rockford an hour ago. I got on the I-90 tollway at Belvidere heading back home. As I merged into traffic I met CTA New Flyer #1578 heading inbound to Chicago. I stayed behind it so I can get better look. The rear was totally covered in snow as if it was sitting for days, while it was relatively clean, I eventually passed it, there was still plastic wrapping around the bike rack. And it sported the "Transit Chicago" lettering topside. The destination sign was flashing "Chicago My kind of town". No other buses were spotted with #1578 on the way back home.

[Danielsmusic]

Hello all,

Just got back from Rockford an hour ago. I got on the I-90 tollway at Belvidere heading back home. As I merged into traffic I met CTA New Flyer #1578 heading inbound to Chicago. I stayed behind it so I can get better look. The rear was totally covered in snow as if it was sitting for days, while it was relatively clean, I eventually passed it, there was still plastic wrapping around the bike rack. And it sported the "Transit Chicago" lettering topside. The destination sign was flashing "Chicago My kind of town". No other buses were spotted with #1578 on the way back home.

I saw that!!! I was driving by the highway but I couldn't quite make out the number.

[Guest]

I saw that!!! I was driving by the highway but I couldn't quite make out the number.

Will the deliveries continue or will it slow down until later buses are retired? The Mad City Train Show is next month. Im sure on the way to Madison, Ill see some more NF CTA buses coming from Minnesota. Last year on the way to Madison I spotted CTA NF #1430/#1431 on their way to Chicago.

[BusHunter]

Will the deliveries continue or will it slow down until later buses are retired? The Mad City Train Show is next month. Im sure on the way to Madison, Ill see some more NF CTA buses coming from Minnesota. Last year on the way to Madison I spotted CTA NF #1430/#1431 on their way to Chicago.

Is it just me or does it seem that there has already been a slowdown on New Flyer deliveries. Deliveries seem to have slowed down around the beginning of December with bus #1550. Since then (7 weeks) we've only managed to get to around #1578. 29 buses in 7 weeks, well short of 10 buses a week. If my memory is correct something similar happened last December 2006 but not on such a dramatic turn. This year the bad weather could be to blame (December was really crappy to drive long distance. ) Why not ship the buses by rail? This has to be creating a backlog at the factory. Well anyway I have a question. When New Flyer buses are delivered are they shrink wrapped around the front of the bus. I saw a while back bus #1025 and #1024 when they were being delivered at Archer. They were on the apron at 38th. One guy was testing the lift on #1024 and #1025 was sitting to the side with this shrink wrap on it. I wonder if this is done at maybe south shops. It seems kinda goofy to go down I-94 like this. The shrink wrap would never make the 1000 mile trip.

[Guest]

Is it just me or does it seem that there has already been a slowdown on New Flyer deliveries. Deliveries seem to have slowed down around the beginning of December with bus #1550. Since then (7 weeks) we've only managed to get to around #1578. 29 buses in 7 weeks, well short of 10 buses a week. If my memory is correct something similar happened last December 2006 but not on such a dramatic turn. This year the bad weather could be to blame (December was really crappy to drive long distance. ) Why not ship the buses by rail? This has to be creating a backlog at the factory. Well anyway I have a question. When New Flyer buses are delivered are they shrink wrapped around the front of the bus. I saw a while back bus #1025 and #1024 when they were being delivered at Archer. They were on the apron at 38th. One guy was testing the lift on #1024 and #1025 was sitting to the side with this shrink wrap on it. I wonder if this is done at maybe south shops. It seems kinda goofy to go down I-94 like this. The shrink wrap would never make the 1000 mile trip.

There are still over 400 left to be delivered where on earth will they go? Im sure FG will get theirs! FG will probably get the last ones.

[Busjack]

Is it just me or does it seem that there has already been a slowdown on New Flyer deliveries

For what its worth, the timeline in the presentation on exercising Options 3 and 4 indicates (page 9, blue bars) that Option 2 (up to bus 1629) is supposed to be completed by about the start of Q2 2008 (or by April).

As previously noted, the news reports about the hybrid articulateds indicated that the timelines in the presentation for Options 3 and 4 might be optimistic.

Of course, the only person who definitely knows is the scheduler at New Flyer, and one would hope that that person is communicating with CTA management.

[Busjack]

There are still over 400 left to be delivered where on earth will they go? Im sure FG will get theirs! FG will probably get the last ones.

Not if the rumor/prediction/inside information about consolidating bus types comes true.

[Busjack]

Why not ship the buses by rail?

When a Nova was found in Detroit, because the delivery driver was taking a side excursion, CTA said that thereafter buses had to be shipped on flatbed trucks. That apparently happened with the NABIs, but not with the New Flyers.

[BusHunter]

Not if the rumor/prediction/inside information about consolidating bus types comes true.

I thought Forest Glen would get the last 100 buses too, but we can always hope. (fingers crossed) As far as the NF artics I wonder if this purchased was considered in part because Ron Huberman knows there is a going to be a slowdown of #1000 bus deliveries and he is not sharing this with the public. Why in his statements is he talking about getting rid of TMC's and #5300's when by August 2008 they'll be nearly gone. Also when dealing with the same factories you have the same problems. Perhaps we are seeing the smartness of the TMC purchase and Flxible purchase of the early 1990's. When you purchase from two seperate companies you get the buses twice as fast.

[Busjack]

When you purchase from two seperate companies you get the buses twice as fast.

Assuming that the other company has excess capacity. Maybe Orion is too busy with NYC and Toronto orders. NABI is apparently available, but the sentiment here is that they are not wanted, especially after the articulated bus complaints.

I didn't understand Huberman's remark about the possibility that the articulateds could be here before exercised Options 3 and 4.

The timing also probably has to do with when CTA can sell the bonds to get the money to exercise the options.

[BusHunter]

I didn't understand Huberman's remark about the possibility that the articulateds could be here before exercised Options 3 and 4.

I didn't say that but the possibility is there for that to happen. 1,050 buses for New Flyer is a big order. It seems that New Flyer seems to be buying time to fill these orders. For Example CTA received 450 buses in the period 2/14/2006 through June 2007 minus the #900's. Okay 440 buses. It then took until late August/Early Sept. to start option 2. In the nearly five months since Option 2 started 158 more buses came down the interstate. So 52 buses are needed to complete option 2. Mathematically this order should be filled by early April. If history repeats itself and we wait two more months now it is June 2008 and option 3 and 4 starts. The last 400 buses could take up to a year to deliver. (June 2009) If August 2008 is the inauguration date for the NF artics it is possible to have half the artic fleet here or better before the end of option 4. In talking of Huberman's remarks I'm just saying that there have been delays because of such a big order with NF for the #1000's. This new artic order is hasting along the retirement of TMC's faster because of unantisipated delays. I believe the #6000's will be replaced by a combination artic/#1000 bus deliveries when the time comes.

[RIPTA42]

I saw that!!! I was driving by the highway but I couldn't quite make out the number.

Likewise, I saw one on I-90 yesterday afternoon. Didn't get a number.

[sw4400]

We're about half done with the 1600's now. I spoke to a North Park Driver at my store last night, and he said he drove 1649 just a day or two ago out of NP. He said the ride was very bouncy, like it had bad springs or suspension though.

[Busjack]

We're about half done with the 1600's now. I spoke to a North Park Driver at my store last night, and he said he drove 1649 just a day or two ago out of NP. He said the ride was very bouncy, like it had bad springs or suspension though.

That would mean that we were 20 buses into Option 3.

[BusExpert32]

We're about half done with the 1600's now. I spoke to a North Park Driver at my store last night, and he said he drove 1649 just a day or two ago out of NP. He said the ride was very bouncy, like it had bad springs or suspension though.

Most likely a numeric error. Option 3 has definitely not begun yet (#1630), so a number 20 buses up would be quite inappropriate. This driver probably just made a mistake with the numbers. That is all.