Tcmetro Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 The new D60LFR's are in service, numbers 3240-3254. Metro Transit is also considering 5 more articulated buses for a north metro park and ride. The new MVTA buses to replace the 6 1999 Blue Bird CS's will be 6 35-foot Gilligs. The order is piggybacking on a Duluth Transit Authority order (all they have is Gillig Phantoms and LF's, but I think they used to have Flxibles and RTS's). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwantae Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 The new D60LFR's are in service, numbers 3240-3254. Metro Transit is also considering 5 more articulated buses for a north metro park and ride. The new MVTA buses to replace the 6 1999 Blue Bird CS's will be 6 35-foot Gilligs. The order is piggybacking on a Duluth Transit Authority order (all they have is Gillig Phantoms and LF's, but I think they used to have Flxibles and RTS's). DId Metro Transit used to have RTSes before MAN Americanas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIPTA42 Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 Minneapolis did not run RTSes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted April 24, 2008 Report Share Posted April 24, 2008 DId Metro Transit used to have RTSes before MAN Americanas? No RTS's for Metro Transit, but Lorenz ran RTS's on their north suburban lines until 2002. The U of M had RTS's for their University Commuter Expresses, and Medicine Lake Lines had RTS's for Plymouth and Maple Grove service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 No RTS's for Metro Transit, but Lorenz ran RTS's on their north suburban lines until 2002. The U of M had RTS's for their University Commuter Expresses, and Medicine Lake Lines had RTS's for Plymouth and Maple Grove service. What does Metro Transits bus fleet consist of now? I imagine the Gilligs are just about life expired. What are Metros operating facilities? I know theres the South Garage, Heywood and Snelling but it was torn down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted April 28, 2008 Report Share Posted April 28, 2008 What does Metro Transits bus fleet consist of now? I imagine the Gilligs are just about life expired. What are Metros operating facilities? I know theres the South Garage, Heywood and Snelling but it was torn down. All the Gilligs in service are 1994-2007, and the New Flyers are 1998-2008. The new Gillig BRT's should start arriving in May. The latest Gillig Phantoms are 2003 models. About 700-750 of the 900 active buses are Gilligs. Metro Transit has 5 garages: -Fred T. Heywood: North/Downtown Minneapolis -Martin J. Ruter: Brooklyn Center -East Metro: Saint Paul/Downtown -Nicollet: South Minneapolis -South: Airport/Richfield There are also the contractor garages (which are contractor owned). The First Transit garages are in an industrial area of SE Mpls, the Lorenz garage is in Blaine. There are several other mixed use garages that are used by the smaller contractors. The Suburban transit systems have garages in Eagan, Burnsville, and Eden Prairie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailBus63 Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 Why not bring back the solid red buses: (Image from the Motor Bus Society website) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geneking7320 Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 Why not bring back the solid red buses: (Image from the Motor Bus Society website) I liked the solid red also. When did they move to another livery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted May 3, 2008 Report Share Posted May 3, 2008 I have no idea why they changed it, but I think it was changed in the mid 80's with the Americana's to the thick red stripe and thin orange stripes. In July 1997 MCTO became Metro Transit (and in 1993 MTC became MCTO, under Metropolitan Council ownership), and the colors were modified to blue, green, and red. ----------- I have seen 3241, 3242, and 3245 (2008 D60LFRs) all in service. None of them have paint on the sides yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 4, 2008 Report Share Posted May 4, 2008 I have no idea why they changed it, but I think it was changed in the mid 80's with the Americana's to the thick red stripe and thin orange stripes. In July 1997 MCTO became Metro Transit (and in 1993 MTC became MCTO, under Metropolitan Council ownership), and the colors were modified to blue, green, and red. ----------- I have seen 3241, 3242, and 3245 (2008 D60LFRs) all in service. None of them have paint on the sides yet. I liked the old orange MTC colors with the "T" logo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted May 26, 2008 Report Share Posted May 26, 2008 Gillig BRT's are arriving. I think they start at #1100. Farewell 94' and 95' Phantoms :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted May 31, 2008 Report Share Posted May 31, 2008 I went by the Heywood Garage last night. They have some 2200's and 2300's Gillig Phantoms in the sattilite storage lots. These buses are not in regular service, but are reserved for State Fair service. At the garage there were serveral more Gillig BRT's. There were 6 or 7, all in the 1100 series. The highest number on property was 1122. Also the 2008 NF D60LFR's are at Heywood. They also have some D60's and a lot of Phantom's. The 7105-7109 Gillig LF's seem to run out of Heywood too. The 2300's are almost gone. I saw at least 2 BRT's in service yesterday. I will try and get some photos soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted May 31, 2008 Report Share Posted May 31, 2008 I saw at least 2 BRT's in service yesterday. Are the BRTs used on BRT routes (i.e., limited stop stations and the like), or just for style? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted June 1, 2008 Report Share Posted June 1, 2008 ^^ Just for style... We have a real BRT (dedicated busway) but it is run by the U of M and has some D60LF's, Gillig LF's, and some super-old Phantoms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted June 3, 2008 Report Share Posted June 3, 2008 Hello All, I am new to this forum Some comments for this discussion, first Gillig 1928 MVTA was mentioned as being on the 415 for Mendota Heights. This is interesting because I don't believe that MVTA has ever operated the 415, must have been a substitute. I would like it if Metro Transit would paint the entire bus yellow and blue(or all red would be cool too). I think the new paint scheme looks like they just had the funds to start painting but not finish. Today I was able to ride on Gillig BRT 1109 on route 64. I also saw 1100 and 1103 on the 64 as well, and 825 in the new color scheme. Also, surprised to see the New Flyer articulated buses on the 54 to Mall of America. I guess they are gearing up for the Republican National Convention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted June 3, 2008 Report Share Posted June 3, 2008 Wow, artics on the 54?? Nice. Oh yeah, about the MVTA Gillig #1928. It was a Metro Transit bus that was painted in MVTA colors. Metro Transit used to operate MVTA service, from 1991 to 2006. Simularily some Metro Transit buses are painted in Maple Grove Transit colors, because MT operates some routes for MGT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted June 3, 2008 Report Share Posted June 3, 2008 Wow, artics on the 54?? Nice. Oh yeah, about the MVTA Gillig #1928. It was a Metro Transit bus that was painted in MVTA colors. Metro Transit used to operate MVTA service, from 1991 to 2006. Simularily some Metro Transit buses are painted in Maple Grove Transit colors, because MT operates some routes for MGT. That makes sense. I think I remember in a newsletter when I first started riding MVTA buses there was a driver of the year for Metro Transit as well as Laidlaw and Schmitty and Sons. Also I just thought of the fact that the artics on the 54 are probably for the Obama rally at the X. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted June 6, 2008 Report Share Posted June 6, 2008 Here is the MVTA fleet: 4121-4126 - 2002 New Flyer D35LF - 6 buses 4127 - 2001 Blue Bird LTC-37 - 1 bus 4330-4336 - 2003 MCI D4500 - 7 buses 4337-4348 - 2003 Gillig Low Floor - 12 buses 4364-4376 - 2003 MCI D4500 - 13 buses 4449-4463 - 2004 New Flyer D40LF - 15 buses 4577-4581 - 2004 New Flyer D40LF - 5 buses 4610-4622 - 2006 New Flyer D40LF - 13 buses 4689-4698 - 2006 MCI D4500 - 10 buses 4726-4734 - 2007 Gillig Low Floor - 9 buses 9900-9905 - 1999 Blue Bird CS - 6 buses 9911-9914 - 1999 Blue Bird Q-Bus CNG - 4 buses MVTA also has some cutaways. Plymouth Metrolink 2100's - Blue Bird CS 2600-2610 - 2006 New Flyer D40LF - 11 buses Maple Grove Transit MG01-MG07 - 1999 Gillig Phantom - 8 buses MG08-MG17 - 2000 Gillig Phantom - 10 buses MG18-MG22 - 2006 New Flyer D40LF - 5 buses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted June 6, 2008 Report Share Posted June 6, 2008 Here is the MVTA fleet: 4121-4126 - 2002 New Flyer D35LF - 6 buses 4127 - 2001 Blue Bird LTC-37 - 1 bus 4330-4336 - 2003 MCI D4500 - 7 buses 4337-4348 - 2003 Gillig Low Floor - 12 buses 4364-4376 - 2003 MCI D4500 - 13 buses 4449-4463 - 2004 New Flyer D40LF - 15 buses 4577-4581 - 2004 New Flyer D40LF - 5 buses 4610-4622 - 2006 New Flyer D40LF - 13 buses 4689-4698 - 2006 MCI D4500 - 10 buses 4726-4734 - 2007 Gillig Low Floor - 9 buses 9900-9905 - 1999 Blue Bird CS - 6 buses 9911-9914 - 1999 Blue Bird Q-Bus CNG - 4 buses MVTA also has some cutaways. Plymouth Metrolink 2100's - Blue Bird CS 2600-2610 - 2006 New Flyer D40LF - 11 buses Maple Grove Transit MG01-MG07 - 1999 Gillig Phantom - 8 buses MG08-MG17 - 2000 Gillig Phantom - 10 buses MG18-MG22 - 2006 New Flyer D40LF - 5 buses Nice work! I always had a vague idea of the size of the fleet but did not know all the bus numbers. One correction though, I don't have proof so mabye you are correct but I think the NF D35LFs 4121-4126 are actually 2001. If you look at older pictures of MVTA buses the numbers on the earlier ones used to start with a zero instead of a four. I think they tried to keep the first two #'s representative of the year but then they started clashing with the Metro Transit #'s in 2003. Look at the MVTA website www.mvta.com(I tried posting a link but it kept saying there was an error with the file) and click on bus route information and look at bus photo under 444 and bus photo 1 under 460 and you will see the #'s start with zero. Also note the price of gas in the photo for 464. By the way do you know the history of the former MVTA Gillig phantoms (7000, 7010, 7020...I think through 7080?) I wonder because a few had The County Connection printed on the drivers panel and they all had the County Connection style seating colors. I was always glad when they used one of those for a sub on the 445 because they were nicer for riding on than the Bluebird CS's in my opinion. I did not know the MVTA had CNG Blue Birds. I guess that is why they don't seem to use 9911-9914 for regular route service very much now. They used to be on the 446 a lot but now it is usually a New Flyer. I still see them being used for some express service though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted June 6, 2008 Report Share Posted June 6, 2008 Oh yeah, last I heard the replacement Gillig Advantages for the Blue Birds will come in mid 2009. They are looking at if it would be better to order them with rear doors or if the benefit of two extra seats is better. From what I heard the rear doors add about $12,000 to the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted June 6, 2008 Report Share Posted June 6, 2008 MVTA bus routes DTA pictures Ok I figured out I was posting links the wrong way, this should work. The DTA link is to a site by a DTA driver. It has pictures of Flxibles and RTS's. As well as some other older coaches and newer ones too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artthouwill Posted June 6, 2008 Report Share Posted June 6, 2008 Hello All, I am new to this forum Some comments for this discussion, first Gillig 1928 MVTA was mentioned as being on the 415 for Mendota Heights. This is interesting because I don't believe that MVTA has ever operated the 415, must have been a substitute. I would like it if Metro Transit would paint the entire bus yellow and blue(or all red would be cool too). I think the new paint scheme looks like they just had the funds to start painting but not finish. Today I was able to ride on Gillig BRT 1109 on route 64. I also saw 1100 and 1103 on the 64 as well, and 825 in the new color scheme. Also, surprised to see the New Flyer articulated buses on the 54 to Mall of America. I guess they are gearing up for the Republican National Convention. I haven't been on a bus since 2004, but I remember riding a New Flyer artic back then on the route 54 from the airport to 34th Ave just west of I-494. It was the only time I rode a non-Gillig Metro bus. I can't remember the make of the MVTA bus I rode, but believe it to have been a New Flyer. I rode it from the burnsville transit center to Mall of America. I'm glad Chicago never got any Gilligs. I'm not a fan of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted June 6, 2008 Report Share Posted June 6, 2008 I haven't been on a bus since 2004, but I remember riding a New Flyer artic back then on the route 54 from the airport to 34th Ave just west of I-494. It was the only time I rode a non-Gillig Metro bus. I can't remember the make of the MVTA bus I rode, but believe it to have been a New Flyer. I rode it from the burnsville transit center to Mall of America. I'm glad Chicago never got any Gilligs. I'm not a fan of them. Most likely a 35ft New Flyer on the 444 which were running on it in 2003 according to an MVTA newsletter I can understand not being a fan of the Gilligs. The Gillig low floors MVTA has are pretty nice in my opinon. I also liked the old 1985 phantoms they retired recently. I have been on some Metro Transit phantoms that have shuddered really bad (even when they are not going over the washboards they call streets around here). I also rode on a LYNX phantom in Orlando that was shaking so bad I thought it was going to fall apart. So far the only brands of buses I have rode on recently are Blue Bird, Gillig, and New Flyer. Of the three, New Flyer seems the best for quality to me with Gillig coming in second. I used to ride all sorts of cool buses when I lived in Rochester New York but I was only about 5 or 6 at the time so I really can't make any comparisons there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted June 7, 2008 Report Share Posted June 7, 2008 I know some of the MVTA Phantoms came from County Connection (Contra Costa, CA), and some came from Pierce Transit (Tacoma, WA). I have fleet numbers but I have to find them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 7, 2008 Report Share Posted June 7, 2008 Hello All, I am new to this forum Some comments for this discussion, first Gillig 1928 MVTA was mentioned as being on the 415 for Mendota Heights. This is interesting because I don't believe that MVTA has ever operated the 415, must have been a substitute. I would like it if Metro Transit would paint the entire bus yellow and blue(or all red would be cool too). I think the new paint scheme looks like they just had the funds to start painting but not finish. Today I was able to ride on Gillig BRT 1109 on route 64. I also saw 1100 and 1103 on the 64 as well, and 825 in the new color scheme. Also, surprised to see the New Flyer articulated buses on the 54 to Mall of America. I guess they are gearing up for the Republican National Convention. I have it on video of an MVTA Gillig #1928 with the "415 Mendota Hts" displayed on the side sign. I spotted it at the MOA Transit Ctr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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