MVTArider Posted October 25, 2008 Report Share Posted October 25, 2008 Thanks Busjack and TC Its more clear now. I wasn't sure how the two regions compared before so I didn't want to jump to conclusions too much I'll have to look for 666 too, I have seen 665 and 667. BTW mplsguy08 to add to the fleet # thing I also think its odd that we have 7100-7102 as hybrid, the first in service Gillig ones according to City Transit Buses of the 20th Century, but then 7103-7109 being standard diesel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted October 26, 2008 Report Share Posted October 26, 2008 Actually there is no 7103 and 7104. The 2004 Gillig LF's are 7105-7109. Also 7105-7109 are my favorite MT LF's. They have the wide back doors :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mplsguy08 Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 Ive notice that the south garage has not been running the low floor 400 buses, i wonder what happened to them? the past few weeks the south garage and the east metro garages also havent been using the regular 400 buses that much which is weird because I take the 6, the 16 and 50 alot and I know on the 16 and 50 they use the long buses in the morning and mid afternoon but when ive been riding that route in the late after noon ive seen mostly 600, 700 , 800 , 900 and 1000s buses ( as well as on the 6 route) The one thing that irriates me though on saturday I was waiting for the 16 going to downtown minneapolis, the first one was like 7 minutes late and it said " drop off only" Now i saw seats open on the bus and it was one of the new 1100 buses. So then the next bus was late as well and people were standing almost to the front- it was an 1127. Metro transit should use the long buses on saturday as well , because the buses do get crowded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 Most if not all of the 488-497 LF buses are not running for MT anymore. 2 went to MVTA, 3 went to Anoka County, 2 went to Plymouth, and I think the rest went to Lorenz to replace 1985 Phantoms or they were sold. MT doesn't keep artics on routes for long for some reason. All Route 5 trips were artics last summer but I think they took them off. Seems that they did the same with the 16 <_< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mplsguy08 Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 Most if not all of the 488-497 LF buses are not running for MT anymore. 2 went to MVTA, 3 went to Anoka County, 2 went to Plymouth, and I think the rest went to Lorenz to replace 1985 Phantoms or they were sold. MT doesn't keep artics on routes for long for some reason. All Route 5 trips were artics last summer but I think they took them off. Seems that they did the same with the 16 thats to bad , i liked those buses I thought the 300 or 2300 buses would be transferred because metro transit doesnt really need to use those buses anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 I rode 436 on 68F/M today, it was running pretty nice although it was a bit sluggish on hills. I still haven't seen a 400 LF in MVTA service yet but i'm guessing MVTA is only using them to substitute. I get the impression MT must not have liked those low floors since they got rid of them instead of Phantoms. My guess is now that the 2300's/300's are gone the 400's have taken their place as the substitute/backup buses. That way we can start enjoying the new Gillig BRT's BTW whats up with the new transfers? Are they trying to make those of us who still use cash feel guilty for not getting Go-To cards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted October 30, 2008 Report Share Posted October 30, 2008 They are really pushing the GoTo Card Of course there are far better ways to spend $50 million. It's kinda refreshing to see new transfers. The old ones have been around since 2004. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted November 1, 2008 Report Share Posted November 1, 2008 They are really pushing the GoTo Card Of course there are far better ways to spend $50 million. It's kinda refreshing to see new transfers. The old ones have been around since 2004. Lets see, 50 million could buy at least 100 NF D60LFR's or probably boost service levels on a few routes for a few years BTW here's my crazy idea for transfers, sell advertising space on them to cover the cost of the paper/plastic/magnet /whatever they are made of and printing. Just use the bottom front half for a coupon or ad, like on the backs of grocery receipts. Of course you would need to find someone who would put their advertisements on them. I assume transfers don't cost much but still every little bit helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted November 1, 2008 Report Share Posted November 1, 2008 I saw a 488-497 series LF on a 35W Express at the Lake Street stop. I guess they aren't all gone yet Also a bus shelter has been put up along Hwy. 13 at Cliff Road for southbound buses. Now MVTA has like 4 bus shelters up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted November 1, 2008 Report Share Posted November 1, 2008 Lets see, 50 million could buy at least 100 NF D60LFR's or probably boost service levels on a few routes for a few years I was going to quote the CTA price, but you said D instead of DE. Nonetheless, the price is more likely closer to $600,000 than $500,000 now (unless they have the options locked up at a more favorable inflation rate). I'm still trying to run the numbers in my head to figure out whether the NF press release on CTA exercising 58 options makes sense, and it sort of does, if the cost of each DE is about $820,000, and the BRT grant pays for 45 of them. Not that I can confirm anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted November 1, 2008 Report Share Posted November 1, 2008 I was going to quote the CTA price, but you said D instead of DE. Nonetheless, the price is more likely closer to $600,000 than $500,000 now ... Whoops, you're right I was thinking they were a little cheaper. According to this it would be about $600,000. Also a bus shelter has been put up along Hwy. 13 at Cliff Road for southbound buses. Now MVTA has like 4 bus shelters up! Nice I'll have to look at that soon, is it an old one or a newer one? All the MVTA shelters before seemed to be hand-me-downs from MT. I remember there was one on Yankee Doodle by Wescott Square but it was removed after a glass pane broke, I assume from being hit by snow off the plows since it was right on the curb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 Whoops, you're right I was thinking they were a little cheaper. According to this it would be about $600,000.However, I was also right in putting in the caveat about them still having favorable options, which it appears from the link that they do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 It is old shelter. They have some other old shelters at 140th/Cedar NB, Minnesota Zoo, Savage Park and Ride, Blackhawk Park and Ride, Cty. Rd. 11/Hwy 13, and now Cliff/13. They used to have shelters at Thompson West (in the back), not sure if it is still there, also they had one at Wescott Square (as you noted), and I think they had one at Cedarvale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 Yeah I remember the shelter at Cedarvale back when the 445 looped around when there was still a mall there. I think it took about a year before it was taken away. I don't know if the one at West is still there or not. I'll have to check sometime, I remember it was a slightly different style and it had Thomson West on the glass so I'm not sure who owned it. It would be funny if that new shelter at Cliff/13 was the one that was replaced at IHCC. BTW here are some pictures from the APTA expo, it looks like 7178 took a side trip Its odd actually, our Gillig "BRT's" really seem to be Advantages with the BRT front. The other things on the Gillig BRT we don't have like the sloped roof/back and one piece windshield. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 The fronts are two piece windshelds, but other cities got one piece windsheilds. Also the window frames in the doors have square edges, whereas most cities get rounded edges. Otherwise it is the same as a typical Advantage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mplsguy08 Posted November 5, 2008 Report Share Posted November 5, 2008 Well I saw bus 488 on the 6 route today. yesterday I was riding the 18 route home on hybrid 7128 and halfway we had to do a bus change by the garage ( the machine ate someones bus card and the machine didnt work) and the bus we switched to was 2379 which was not a good bus. It shut off twice . I dont get why they gave a really old bus . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted November 6, 2008 Report Share Posted November 6, 2008 Well I saw bus 488 on the 6 route today. yesterday I was riding the 18 route home on hybrid 7128 and halfway we had to do a bus change by the garage ( the machine ate someones bus card and the machine didnt work) and the bus we switched to was 2379 which was not a good bus. It shut off twice . I dont get why they gave a really old bus . That is the drawback of the fareboxes I was on the 445 a while back and the farebox on 9902? died, the driver had to call in for another bus even though 9902 was running just fine. Hopefully they'll retire 2379 if its running bad now, I think its funny how some 2300's still seem to run pretty well and others are just about D.O.A. Oh, yeah I saw a 400 low floor parked outside South Garage on Sunday, it was still in MT stripe so I guess there will be a couple around anyways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mplsguy08 Posted November 7, 2008 Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 Did anyone here about that driver that got assulted on a bus last week and the the bus crashed into a light post? http://wcco.com/crime/metro.transit.bus.2.847741.html damn kids should be locked up for a long time and should also have to pay for any injuries for the driver as well as damage to bus and any other costs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted November 7, 2008 Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 Here is the new Transportation Committee meeting agenda: http://councilmeetings.metc.state.mn.us/Tr...1008agenda2.htm Of interest: 8 new 30' Gillig LF's, with options for up to 25, for routes 25-Sat., 32, and 705. Route 25-Sat. currently is operated by Lorenz with 40' Gillig Phantoms. 32 is currently operated by Metro Transit and this indicates it will be transferred to a private operator. Route 705 will replace rts. 755 and 756 during midday hours and will end at I-394/Louisiana TC instead of downtown Minneapolis. http://councilmeetings.metc.state.mn.us/Tr...10_2008_311.pdf New contract for schedule printing: http://councilmeetings.metc.state.mn.us/Tr...10_2008_290.pdf -------------------- Also SW Transit express routes will move to 3rd Avenue on November 17th so there will probably be new schedules. Many other regional routes will move back to Marquette and 2nd until construction resumes in the spring. Routes will be updated on December 13th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted November 8, 2008 Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 Did anyone here about that driver that got assulted on a bus last week and the the bus crashed into a light post? http://wcco.com/crime/metro.transit.bus.2.847741.html damn kids should be locked up for a long time and should also have to pay for any injuries for the driver as well as damage to bus and any other costs Yeah I heard about it but I hadn't seen the video, good thing buses are built well. Hopefully the perpetrators will get more than a time out Here is the new Transportation Committee meeting agenda: http://councilmeetings.metc.state.mn.us/Tr...1008agenda2.htm Of interest: 8 new 30' Gillig LF's, with options for up to 25, ... Oh boy, more 30' Gilligs, would have been cool if ElDorado had won instead though. Its interesting only Gillig and ElDorado put in bids though, since New Flyer, Orion, and the NABI group all offer 30 ft low floors as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted November 8, 2008 Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 Met Council would probably choose Gillig anyways. I assume they want to standardize the fleet, and they really want to get rid of the Blue Birds. I saw a Plymouth Metrolink Blue Bird downtown several months ago and it sounded like it was going to explode! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted November 9, 2008 Report Share Posted November 9, 2008 SouthWest Transit will test a double decker bus between Mon. 11/17/08 and Fri. 11/21/08. It will probably be on the express routes. http://www.swtransit.org/Another_Innovatio...st_Transit.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 SouthWest Transit will test a double decker bus between Mon. 11/17/08 and Fri. 11/21/08. It will probably be on the express routes.... Cool, I probably won't be able to ride it but I'll have to see if I can get to Downtown next week for a picture anyways Heres a few pics I took today. Sort of a modern Mary Tyler Moore on those last two Finally I got to ride the new MVTA Gilligs, 4735 on 470 and 4734 on 445D. I think they ride pretty nice but I did notice the bumps a bit more on 470 than when i've been on a New Flyer. Most of the ride was really smooth though. BTW whats the highest #'s you've seen for the new BRT buses? I have seen up to 1173 and 7178 (APTA Expo pic.) so far. It's still sort of wierd seeing them in the MOA station. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted November 11, 2008 Report Share Posted November 11, 2008 Adding 735,742,802,855,913 and 7101 MT buses seen in the new paint scheme so far.707-709,712,713,716,735,737,738,742,749,752802,823,825-828,831-833,835,840,847,852-854,855,856-858,8659137101 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 Most of the BRT's i've seen recently are the low numbered ones. I saw 1108 on the 54 just the other day. I wonder if this means South got some BRT's, or that East Metro operates some or all of the 54 now. Do you know if the artics are still running on the 54? Also if you are going to look for the Double Decker, SW buses run outbound on 3rd now, and will until the entire Marq2 project is done. Here is the new MVTA newsletter, apparently MVTA will stay on 3rd until Marq2 is done also: http://www.mvta.com/sites/d82719c7-9b33-46...08_Layout_1.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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