Minneapolis "t" Buses....

[Tcmetro]

^ 695 (direct) during rush hours and 698 (via Downtown) during midday/evenings.

[Tcmetro]

Service Changes for SW Transit have been posted:

August 2nd

- All routes except 695 and 698 will no longer serve the U of M

September 7th

603: New trips at 9:35 AM, 10:35, 6:55 PM (basically runs every 60-70 min now)

680: Now starts at Mitchell and Anderson Lakes Pkwy

684: Times adjusted, bus from Downtown at 5:30 AM now starts at Southdale at 6:00 AM

685: New pickup at Market Blvd because of Chanhassen TS (Market St. Station) constructon

690: EB trip at 3:05 PM will now become a Route 698 trip

691: New routing in Downtown Chaska to improve coverage

695: Now runs every 15-20 min in AM peak, every 30-40 in PM peak. Some trips become "695S" serving Southdale. No longer serves Shady Oak Rd. P&R

697: 1 AM trip now ends at East Creek. 697 trips to Clover Field now 697C.

697C/698C/699C: EB trips start at Pioneer Trl and McKnight Rd., WB trips end at Pioneer Trl and Village Rd.

698: 2 WB trips added at 9:30 and 10:30 AM to fill in AM gap in WB express service. A new EB trip will leave East Creek at 2:45 PM and stop at SW Village at 2:55 and SW Station at 3:05 to replace a 690 trip.

699: Some trips become 699D trips to Downtown Chaska to complement 691 service and provide better arrival and departure times.

http://www.swtransit.org/Service_Changes_-_August_2_AND_September_7.html

New 691/699D map: http://www.swtransit.org/sites/d82719c7-9b33-46b8-a7af-e5577d7145af/uploads/MAP_691__699_FINAL.pdf

Route 682C - Chaska Summer Shuttle ended on July 15th, instead of the originally stated date of July 29th. I would imagine this is because of low ridership.

http://www.swtransit.org/Chaska_Summer_Connector.html

--------------------------------------

In MVTA news I got a Rider Alert on the 442 about new changes beginning on July 21st, because of longer than expected travel times and low use of Cedar Grove TS.

Northbound Rt. 442 trips leaving at 5:54 AM, 6:24, and 6:54 will no longer stop at Cedar Grove and will arrive at MOA at 6:32 AM, 7:02, and 7:32, respectively.

Southbound trips at 4:48 PM, 5:18, and 5:48 will now leave MOA at 4:55 PM, 5:25, and 5:55 PM, respectively. SB trips will still stop at CGTS. AVTS times will not change (buses usually arrive AVTS about 5-8 min early), however Burnsville Center times will 2 minutes later for these 3 trips.

MVTA has not updated their website, however the Rider Alert said that the website and PDF schedule will be updated by July 21st, and printed schedules won't be available until September.

[Guest]

There will be some modifications to SW Transit routes on August 2nd and on September 7th.

Effective August 2nd:

- Routes 680, 685, 690, 691, 697, and 699 will no longer serve the U of M

Effective September 7th:

- Route 684 leaving Downtown at 5:30 AM will instead begin at 6 AM

- Route 690 from SW Station at 3:05 PM will be eliminated

- Route 695 will have added service to the U of M, and will now stop at Southdale

http://swtransit.org/Route_Modifications_-_August_2_AND_September_72.html

I couldn't find the Rider Alert for routes 684 and 690, maybe these changes aren't happening?

------

In MVTA news, the bus platform at NB Hwy 13 & Cliff Rd should be done soon, if it isn't finished already. Riders will no longer have to wait in the shoulder lane.

What is "SW" by the way? Ive seen this initial many times but never gave it much thought until now.

[MVTArider]

What is "SW" by the way? Ive seen this initial many times but never gave it much thought until now.

Southwest Transit. Serving, you guessed it, the Southwest suburbs :)

[Tcmetro]

I saw the oddest thing yesterday, an MVTA Gillig Phantom turning the corner from WB Old Shakopee Rd to NB 24th Ave. I think an operator like Lorenz must have picked it up and never repainted it. Hopefully I see it again.

I also bought a memory card reader to upload my photos, because my USB cord didn't work. Here are some of my photos:

SW Transit Alexander Dennis Enviro 500 Demo (taken 9/1/09)

MT 3122 (D60), 3148 (D60), 3146 (D60), 1029 (Phantom) at State Fair lot (9/1/09)

Lorenz Gillig Phantom 1708 (9/1/09)

SW Transit MCI D4500 584 (9/1/09)

MVTA MCI D4500 4112 when it was new (9/4/09)

A pre-2001 poster for bus passes at 394 level stop of the 5th Street Garage (7/13/09)

[Tcmetro]

Apparently the 442 leaves MOA at :25 and :55 all day now, not just rush hour.

I rode the 705 yesterday, on 2009 Gillig LF 30' 6092. The clear windows and better looking seats make the bus more open than the current Gillig LF's used on the 538/539. Also the fact that the bus was clean helps. It's a pretty fast run, with some decent passenger turnover, however ridership could be better. I also don't understand why the route deviates from Winnetka in the south end, it doesn't seem like there is much to serve. I guess they added those parts because there was too much time in the schedule for an hourly service.

Maple Grove Transit has updated their schedules now that the detour for route 782 is over: http://www.ci.maple-grove.mn.us/filestorage/3485/802/MGT_Pocket_Schedule_July_6_2010.pdf

[Bus Driver Dude]

2010 Gillig BRT

[MVTArider]

I rode the 705 yesterday, on 2009 Gillig LF 30' 6092. The clear windows and better looking seats make the bus more open than the current Gillig LF's used on the 538/539. Also the fact that the bus was clean helps.

I wonder if those 2002 30' GILLIGs on the 538/539 will be replaced in 2012/2013 since MTS/Metro Transit seem to follow the FTA guidelines pretty well. They look beat enough Also from what i've seen the new MTS GILLIG 30' have the same Insight seats with stainless steel backs like the Metro Transit ones. I hope that cuts down on the vandalism somewhat.

2010 Gillig BRT

I'm glad they don't do ad frames. I've noticed East seems to be the first to get them again with 1202, 1203, 1206, and 1209 all appearing on their routes. I've also noticed Robert St. is becoming a GILLIG BRT haven quickly. It's a bit of a preview of how service will look in 5-6 years with mostly the BRTs running everywhere, especially if GILLIG wins the next 40' contract.*

-----------

*I did see a bill in the legislature that was meant to avoid what happened with Metro Transit going with GILLIG instead of New Flyer despite New Flyer being 6 million cheaper (likely due to not fully meeting the contract and materials requirements) by forcing the agency to accept the lowest bid. I believe the bill passed but I have no idea if the bill was accepted as law. If it did pass the next 40' contract could have Orion, New Flyer, or NABI as winner instead assuming they might bid lower than GILLIG.

[Busjack]

*I did see a bill in the legislature that was meant to avoid what happened with Metro Transit going with GILLIG instead of New Flyer despite New Flyer being 6 million cheaper (likely due to not fully meeting the contract and materials requirements) by forcing the agency to accept the lowest bid. I believe the bill passed but I have no idea if the bill was accepted as law.

I certainly am not going into the politics of the land of Ventura and Franken, especially with me being from Illinois, but if the bill is as portrayed, you are looking for another NABI disaster similar to the one in Chicago. At least when NABI announced that it was the low bidder on the contract for the 1050 40 foot buses, CTA didn't feel that it had to take that, given its already suspicions about the 60 footers.

[Tcmetro]

Here are some photos from today at Heywood:

Ragstock lot:

Buses sitting in the lot were: 3049, 3042, 3031, 3018, 459 (which looked like it had accident damage), 455, 470, and 466.

This is one of the buildings, and it looks unused:

The other building was demolished and the buses are in the far end (from 7th St) of the lot:

3049 in the lot:

Accident(?) damage on 459:

3302 parked at Heywood:

7208 parked at Heywood:

The new buses parked at Heywood were 3302, 7208, 7204, 7206, 1222, 7207, 1219, and two other hybrids.

I also saw 3301 entering Heywood signed as route 261C, and a repainted 7106.

The rest of my photos are at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/52701740@N06/sets/72157624524811979/

[Tcmetro]

Thanks to Bus Driver Dude's blog for the info:

Maple Grove Transit will open the new Parkway Transit Station in October, near the new hospital:

Parkway Transit Station Construction Underway

Maple Grove Transit is pleased to announce that construction of Phase I for the new Parkway Transit Station is underway. Phase I construction will provide a 500-stall surface park-and-ride lot, busway, indoor station, and the foundation for a future parking ramp. The project is located along Maple Grove Parkway across the street from the Maple Grove Hospital.

For Phase 1, the park-and-ride lot is expected to be open for use by late October 2010, and the indoor station will open in January 2011. When the park-and-ride lot opens in October 2010, express bus operation for the Route 784 at the Wal-Mart Park-and-Ride lot will cease and be expanded as the new Route 785 at the Parkway Station. Initially, the Route 785 will offer seven trips to Minneapolis in the morning rush-hour period with seven return trips in the afternoon rush-hour period. Some of these trips will be operated with new 57-passenger MCI coach buses.

The Phase 1 construction costs were awarded to low bidder Ebert Construction at a total contract value of $2,817,959. Eighty percent of the construction costs will be covered by a federal grant, and the remaining 20 percent will be covered by a grant from the Metropolitan Council. Phase II construction will provide a one-level structured parking ramp with additional 475 stalls sometime in the future (three to five years).

If you have any questions regarding this project, please contact the Transit Administrator or call 763-494-6005.

http://www.ci.maple-grove.mn.us/content/3485/806/8762.aspx

http://twincitiestransit.blogspot.com/2010/08/new-park-and-ride.html

[Tcmetro]

Here are a few pics of MT buses that I took from the summer of 2001:

MVTARider, here are some of the 7000-series MT-owned Phantoms I was talking about before. They were an experimental fleet, they joined in 1992 and I'm assuming recently went out of service within the last couple years. I believe they were a methanol-ethanol fleet of some kind...I just know they had some MEAN-sounding 6v92s in them...almost unmuffled sounding. You could even hear it on the inside when riding them.

Enjoy!

Had to quote these awesome pictures!

There is a picture of 0051 as well as an old SW Transit bus built by Thomas.

EDIT: Well, it seems like you have to click on the images. I guess they won't show up because they are quoted.

[Tcmetro]

There was also an article in the Star Tribune about the new Maple Grove Parkway Transit Station. There will be 3 new MCI's as well as 1 new trip each way compared to the 784.

http://www.startribune.com/local/west/100240814.html

[Tcmetro]

I read the whole thread. There was a lot of info in it. Anyways here are some more updates from today:

- I saw 1210 on the 21 the other night.

- I am pretty sure that the Maple Grove Transit Route 786 is no longer operating.

- New SW Transit schedules are available, showing the Sept. 7th changes effective August 2nd. I guess they just decided to change all the routes on Aug. 2nd, however the schedule doesn't mention when the 695's operate (it shows all of them, with no notes of which ones don't operate when the U isn't in session.). It also doesn't show the temporary extension of some 690 trips to the U until Sept. 7th.

- The 887 Northstar Link changed on June 12th. Weekend service was added (it only works for people who live in St. Cloud, not those in the cities) and a stop was added in Becker.

- Anoka County's 8 30' Gillig LF's will arrive soon. Met Council said they should come in Q4 2010. Blue Bird's are almost gone (Prior Lake will be the lone operator now).

[Tcmetro]

I was watching the July 26th Transportation Committee meeting video, it was explained that there will be 101 new buses this year. They are all replacements.

40 D60LFRs: 3300-3339

31 Gillig Diesels: 1200-1230

30 Gillig Hybrids: 7200-7229

All Gilligs should be in service by October, and all New Flyers by November.

[artthouwill]

I was watching the July 26th Transportation Committee meeting video, it was explained that there will be 101 new buses this year. They are all replacements.

40 D60LFRs: 3300-3339

31 Gillig Diesels: 1200-1230

30 Gillig Hybrids: 7200-7229

All Gilligs should be in service by October, and all New Flyers by November.

Why is Metro so in love with Gilligs?

[Tcmetro]

No idea. I'm not a big fan of them, but Metro has bought them exclusively since 1989 (except for the New Flyer artics and the MCI's), so they must like them.

These are all from the multi-year contract with Gillig for 314 buses. 193 have already been delivered (including the new ones), so there are 121 more to be delivered, plus any options that are excercised.

Some of the suburban systems and contract routes have gotten Blue Birds, D40LF's, MCI's, and even more Gilligs. Plus there are the Van Hools that run on the U of M shuttle as well as the Van Hool coaches on the Ramsey Star Express.

---------

In other news, I was able to find the Route 475 Cedar Grove-U of M express schedule in the Metro Transit Trip Planner. 1 NB trip will also serve Downtown Minneapolis. This route will start in early September (I believe on the 7th). End-to-end travel times range from 28-37 minutes.

From Cedar Grove: 7:17 A, 8:10, 9:14, 1:10 P (via Downtown)

From Oak/Washington: 1209 P, 209 P, 409 P, 509 P (all direct trips)

Hopefully this new route will get people using the park and ride at Cedar Grove.

[MVTArider]

I was watching the July 26th Transportation Committee meeting video, it was explained that there will be 101 new buses this year. They are all replacements.

Thanks for the number info

Why is Metro so in love with Gilligs?

Because they are cheap, durable and reliable. Granted they have their quirks (like squeaky windows ) and they aren't super fancy, but they get the job done and seem to last 12-13 years without needing excessive maintenance.

Personally I like the Metro Transit GILLIG Low Floors/BRTs better than the new New Flyer D40LFRs I was riding on in Winnipeg last week. Better ride and quieter inside.

In other news, I was able to find the Route 475 Cedar Grove-U of M express schedule in the Metro Transit Trip Planner. 1 NB trip will also serve Downtown Minneapolis. This route will start in early September (I believe on the 7th). End-to-end travel times range from 28-37 minutes.

From Cedar Grove: 7:17 A, 8:10, 9:14, 1:10 P (via Downtown)

From Oak/Washington: 1209 P, 209 P, 409 P, 509 P (all direct trips)

Hopefully this new route will get people using the park and ride at Cedar Grove.

I might be able to use it sometimes Cedar Grove could use some actual business.

---

Also here's a few of my shots from the transit history tour last Saturday:

[Tcmetro]

The 475 schedule has been posted. It looks like the 1209 and 209 PM SB trips also stop in Downtown Minneapolis.

MVTA's news page about the new service:

http://www.mvta.com/route_475_between_cedar_grove_and_u_of_m_begins_sept_7.html

The new schedule.

http://www.mvta.com/uploads/475_2.pdf

[Tcmetro]

I saw 1212 on the 5 the other day, as well as 1222 on the 54 today. At South garage I saw 1228 while I was on the 515, there were others but it was too dark to see the numbers. I guess this means most or all of the 12xx's are here.

[MVTArider]

The MVTA Fall newsletter is now posted: http://www.mvta.com/uploads/fall_layout_1.pdf

A few more routes will be transitioned to bus stops only.

[Tcmetro]

It will be nice to see new bus stop signs on the 445, 464, and 480B, however they seem to be placed oddly in some areas, such as on the 444 between County 11 and Parkwood.

Too bad the old 'T' signs will be gone though, there were some up in Blaine and Coon Rapids, but I think they may have been replaced. There are a few out in the Lake Minnetonka area, however it seems to be mostly a flag stop area.

SW Transit's new commission meeting packet is also out, with ridership and subsidy figures for each route, an Xcelsior demo for the State Fair, and some coach rentals from MCI and First Transit, as well as drawings for a proposed ramp and retail project at East Creek Station: http://www.swtransit.org/sites/d82719c7-9b33-46b8-a7af-e5577d7145af/uploads/8.26.10_Packet.pdf

MVTA's meeting packet is also up, with the draft 2011-2016 Capital Improvement Plan, as well as some other things like the Apple Valley Layover for $1.6 million (why not just use the existing facility that is only 11 years old), and the Service Improvement Plan (no details ):http://www.mvta.com/uploads/august.pdf

New Transportation Committee agenda, including purchase of 4 MCI's to replace Maple Grove Gilligs, 4 MCI's for SW Transit's new Chanhassen Transit Station, and a new Double Decker for SW Transit: http://councilmeetings.metc.state.mn.us/Transportation/2010/0823/0823agenda4.htm

[MVTArider]

Interesting to read SWT's reasons behind wanting the retirement age of the MCIs to stay at twelve years.

Also not every transit authority has an entire section of a board agenda dedicated to explaining why they want to swap old furniture for a conference table

Of course if some people could have their way the MVTA conference table would probably be one of these.

[Tcmetro]

I saw 490 today at MOA signed 'South Garage', so I guess the '98 LF's aren't retired yet.

Also saw 6647 on the 539 today, I guess cutaways are used on the extra trips that run from Southdale to Normandale.

[geneking7320]

From a rider's viewpoint, how does the Gillig BRT compare with the Nova 40' bus

[with the Nova having the "regular" engine placement vs that of CTA's Novas]?