CTA Award for New Lo/No Buses

[Busjack]

3 hours ago, YoungBusLover said:

In a perfect world New Flyer brings back a revitalized version of the Metro from those blueprints they acquired years ago. 😂😂😂

Really, get real. That bus became obsolete 30 years ago, it isn't low  floor, and NF said about 12 years ago that Xcelsior is the inly platform it needs.

Dotou really think anyone could put a modern hybrid systen into THAT?

[Elkmn]

7 hours ago, YoungBusLover said:

In a perfect world New Flyer brings back a revitalized version of the Metro from those blueprints they acquired years ago. 😂😂😂

What next, bring back folding doors for the 9000s?

 

Anyways, we're almost definitely getting XE60s, which is fantastic news.

[YoungBusLover]

19 hours ago, Busjack said:

Really, get real. That bus became obsolete 30 years ago, it isn't low  floor, and NF said about 12 years ago that Xcelsior is the inly platform it needs.

Dotou really think anyone could put a modern hybrid systen into THAT?

Oh yeah I know 😅, just having a little fun here. In all seriousness though I would hope CTA listens to the Union as far as what manufacturer they decide to go to since that was brought up in this latest budget bill.  I want NFI back at the CTA bad it's not even funny. The LFS is the bane of my existence having to operate over the old reliable Flyers. The XDE40s/XDE60s would be a welcome sight to the fleet though. 150 would replace some #4000s though right if I'm not mistaken? I've tried catching up on exactly what the 150 would be replacing specifically. If it is the #4000s why not get more funding to replace the 300+ #1000s that got canned over the last 4 years? 

 

15 hours ago, Elkmn said:

What next, bring back folding doors for the 9000s?

 

Anyways, we're almost definitely getting XE60s, which is fantastic news.

Now we're talking let's create more nostalgia.😅😅😅😅😅

[artthouwill]

1 hour ago, YoungBusLover said:

Oh yeah I know 😅, just having a little fun here. In all seriousness though I would hope CTA listens to the Union as far as what manufacturer they decide to go to since that was brought up in this latest budget bill.  I want NFI back at the CTA bad it's not even funny. The LFS is the bane of my existence having to operate over the old reliable Flyers. The XDE40s/XDE60s would be a welcome sight to the fleet though. 150 would replace some #4000s though right if I'm not mistaken? I've tried catching up on exactly what the 150 would be replacing specifically. If it is the #4000s why not get more funding to replace the 300+ #1000s that got canned over the last 4 years? 

 

Now we're talking let's create more nostalgia.😅😅😅😅😅

You do know that CTA  is getting some Gillig buses soon,?

Outside of that someone needs to tell New Flyer to be the lowest bidder .  Outside of that,  your best bet for NF is the artic variety  

[wayfaringrob]

17 hours ago, Elkmn said:

Anyways, we're almost definitely getting XE60s, which is fantastic news.

 

25 minutes ago, artthouwill said:

The XDE40s/XDE60s would be a welcome sight to the fleet though. 150 would replace some #4000s though right if I'm not mistaken? I've tried catching up on exactly what the 150 would be replacing specifically

Grant is being used for 40' buses, not 60' -- see higher up this thread.

[artthouwill]

1 hour ago, wayfaringrob said:

 

Grant is being used for 40' buses, not 60' -- see higher up this thread.

I don't know how that quote was attributed to me but I didn't say any of that.  I know the order is fir 49 ft buses.   My last post to @YoungBusLoverwas about New Flyers.   I mentioned the artics only because New Flyer is the only manufacturer  that makes 60 ft buses.  Other than that,  the low bidder will win rge contract. 

[Busjack]

3 hours ago, artthouwill said:

You do know that CTA  is getting some Gillig buses soon,?

Outside of that someone needs to tell New Flyer to be the lowest bidder .  Outside of that,  your best bet for NF is the artic variety  

No, we DON'T know that.

Someone asked a bit up the thread a couple of days ago, "will we know the manufacturer tommorrow?" I said there was a procurement process. Well, that wasn't on the Dec. 10 meeting agenda, so the answer remains NO.

Also, I responded before, it is not the lowest bidder, but the lowest responsible, responsive bidder (which apparently NABI was not in the 2006 1050 bus procurement) or purchase assignable options (as did CTA from Seattle for artics), or use a multijurisdictional contract (as Pace did). 

My prediction, which may turn out to be wrong, is that NITA will buy the buses, or that it will be a joint procurement.

But I think too many posters have been smoking whacky tobbaccy. The subject is CTA Award for 40 foot hybrid buses. NOT Pace, anf not XE60s.

 

[MetroShadow]

On 12/10/2025 at 11:23 AM, YoungBusLover said:

In a perfect world New Flyer brings back a revitalized version of the Metro from those blueprints they acquired years ago. 😂😂😂

This is chaotic.

I suppose as long as you don’t use federal funds, it’s up for grabs?

[garmon757]

Keep posts relevant to this topic guys. Thanks for the few laughs though! 😂

[YoungBusLover]

13 hours ago, MetroShadow said:

This is chaotic.

I suppose as long as you don’t use federal funds, it’s up for grabs?

Oh most definitely. 😅😅😅😅

[Bus1883]

It’ll be nice if the D40LF made a comeback for new Flyer I’d say the modern version 

[Busjack]

3 hours ago, Bus1883 said:

It’ll be nice if the D40LF made a comeback for new Flyer I’d say the modern version 

As @garmon757,one of the administrators, pointed out, whay does this strange fantasy have to dd with 2026 model gybrid buses? Next someone will take a 151 on Route  115 and demand that GM build a 7400-series hybrid. Neither is gonna happen, nor HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS TOPIC.

[Bus1883]

17 hours ago, Busjack said:

As @garmon757,one of the administrators, pointed out, whay does this strange fantasy have to dd with 2026 model gybrid buses? Next someone will take a 151 on Route  115 and demand that GM build a 7400-series hybrid. Neither is gonna happen, nor HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS TOPIC.

What it seems like what u don’t get what I’m pointing out is that… I wish new Flyer still made D40LFs to this day we all know that is discontinued... Mainly I’m talking about is If new Flyer gets the contract I wish I’d see more D40LFs but more modern…. We’ll only have Xcelsiors/XD40s etc. if new Flyer wins, as I’m hoping they get more flyers.

[Elkmn]

Realistically, we are going to get ford cutaways and the 79 will run a flex service that comes hourly monday thru saturday with midday trips deviating to the 87th street jewel! 

 

In all seriousness, if we get gilligs (I hope we don't!!), will we get BRTs or Low Floors? It's impossible for me to imagine CTA with low floors, but BRTs do a good job at looking modern-ish.

[Busjack]

4 hours ago, Elkmn said:

Realistically, In all seriousness, if we get gilligs (I hope we don't!!), will we get BRTs or Low Floors? It's impossible for me to imagine CTA with low floors, but BRTs do a gThood job at looking modern-ish.

That;s a fair questtion, but Gillig;s website  only shows the low floor, and when they were popular, transit agencies reported that the BRTs were more expensive than 'they were worth. I'm assuming, without proof, that applicants had a price in mind when applying for the grants, and if a BRT were available, Pace would have ordered it to match its ENC fleet.

[EasyMoney]

So Whenever CTA Get These 150 Hybrid Buses Are They Going To Split Them Among The 7 Garages Or Which Ever Needs The Equipment 

Also I Think Cta livery will look good on a XE40

[Elkmn]

57 minutes ago, EasyMoney said:

So Whenever CTA Get These 150 Hybrid Buses Are They Going To Split Them Among The 7 Garages Or Which Ever Needs The Equipment 

Also I Think Cta livery will look good on a XE40

150 buses isn't that much in the grand scheme of things. Probably just to 2 or 3 garages. I assume/hope we will se them at 74th, Forest Glen and Kedzie, but just speculation.

I  would like some sleek looking XE40s. One of the few good things about the proterras is the blue paint scheme, so I hope we can get that.

[Busjack]

At the January Board Meeting  when the CIP was discussed   they said that this is  to replace buses received in  2006 . so I was right that it was for 1000s

 

[YoungBusLover]

42 minutes ago, Busjack said:

At the January Board Meeting  when the CIP was discussed   they said that this is  to replace buses received in  2006 . so I was right that it was for 1000s

 

Well that begs the question. Is 150 just the start of something bigger in the future? 

[Busjack]

21 hours ago, YoungBusLover said:

Well that begs the question. Is 150 just the start of something bigger in the future? 

As was also said at the meeting   this was a one time grant and CTA would have to apply again 

 Note that Pace got both 2024. and 2025 grants

 

 It was also said that this is a bridge to electrification.

I  don't know how this affects the solicitation for up to 500 overhauls.

[Busjack]

6 minutes ago, YoungBusLover said:

I'll be suprised if they get that procurement out by the end of the year. That should of been done in conjuction with the #8350s. As usual CTA put themselves further behind trying to stay in compliance with EPA standards in regards to electric purchases. We all can see how bad of investment that has been in the last 5 years across the US. At least we're not in a bigger pickle like Miami-Dade is with having to dispose of 75 Proterras.

To be fair about it, CTA just got the grant in Nov. 2025, so it was not going to buy these buses in 2020 or so, when it issued the contract to NovaBus. However, Pace had an idea where it was going to get buses on its 2025 grant, while CTA doesn't seem to.

[Mr.cta85]

I wonder what company will cta go with moving forward for new bus purchases. Will it be Gillig? Eldorado perhaps? That would be interesting or will they stick with nova. Can’t keep the 1000 series flyers around forever and also will cta order more artics again in the future. 

[busfan2847]

30 minutes ago, Mr.cta85 said:

I wonder what company will cta go with moving forward for new bus purchases. Will it be Gillig? Eldorado perhaps? That would be interesting or will they stick with nova. Can’t keep the 1000 series flyers around forever and also will cta order more artics again in the future. 

Can't be Nova - no longer built in USA so cannot use federal funds to buy them. Doubt Gillig or ElDorado are set up for large orders from cta. Looks like New Flyer is the only option! If they want to buy artics only New Flyer are in the market.

[Mr.cta85]

11 minutes ago, busfan2847 said:

Can't be Nova - no longer built in USA so cannot use federal funds to buy them. Doubt Gillig or ElDorado are set up for large orders from cta. Looks like New Flyer is the only option! If they want to buy artics only New Flyer are in the market.

Well if that’s the case that’s good news cause I love flyers lol. As a bus operator they’re still my favorite bus of choice. 

[Elkmn]

On 5/6/2026 at 11:04 AM, Mr.cta85 said:

I wonder what company will cta go with moving forward for new bus purchases. Will it be Gillig? Eldorado perhaps? 

this PAINS me to say.. but it might be gilligs (they've got a pace order!). No way we get the "hell-norados". remember, it's lowest QUALIFIED bidder. i don't expect us to be ordering more 40-footers though. We just finished the nova order, we're rehabbing the 7900s (to an extent), and ~400 D40LFs are getting rehabbed IIRC (three-habbed? it's been 20 years!)

On 5/6/2026 at 11:04 AM, Mr.cta85 said:

also will cta order more artics again in the future. 

if we order 60-footers, which we need to since those 4000s are running on prayers at this point, it WILL be XE60s at this point. Keep an eye on what King County Metro and Sound Transit are doing! Might be a good indication of our plans. Will we get 3-doors? who's to say! stay optimistic though. this NITA money will get us in the right direction!