Busjack Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 Why do I get the feeling SWT is setting this up to fail so they can say there's no reason to provide inter-suburb service? One trip each direction a day seems like it wouldn't attract anyone other than a truly transit dependent person.... Of course, I am here and you are there, but that looks like basically to take care of one shift at SuperValu, and I guess a couple of other corporate offices. Hence, it doesn't look much different than the UPS routes here (who in the blank is going to ride a bus at 3:30 a.m.). BTW, SuperValu got a raking over the coals in the comment area in today's Tribune about their proposal to request that Jewel employees take unpaid furloughs. The consensus was that not only wasn't SuperValu value, but it was pricing itself out of this market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Of course, I am here and you are there, but that looks like basically to take care of one shift at SuperValu, and I guess a couple of other corporate offices. Hence, it doesn't look much different than the UPS routes here (who in the blank is going to ride a bus at 3:30 a.m.). BTW, SuperValu got a raking over the coals in the comment area in today's Tribune about their proposal to request that Jewel employees take unpaid furloughs. The consensus was that not only wasn't SuperValu value, but it was pricing itself out of this market. I think it would be much more likely to attract riders if there were a few trips each direction instead of just one, add a trip 20 minutes before and after for example and then drop whichever is lowest on ridership with the next service change. Incidentally I've noticed Supervalu in the news here for cost cutting measures as well lately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 I think it would be much more likely to attract riders if there were a few trips each direction instead of just one, add a trip 20 minutes before and after for example and then drop whichever is lowest on ridership with the next service change. .... Again, based on what goes on here, that probably depends on whether SuperValu or some TMA is subsidizing it directly, or if it is JARC, CMAQ or the like. In the latter case, it depends how big the grant. Pretty much, Pace does not expand service unless it gets one or the other. Googling, I don't find anything other than the schedule, as opposed to a news release or board minutes indicating the background of approving the route. Maybe you have other, local sources. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 There was a mention of the new 634 service in the SW Transit Dec. 2010 meeting packet: http://swtransit.org/sites/d82719c7-9b33-46b8-a7af-e5577d7145af/uploads/Packet_5.pdf It says the route is a partnership with I-494 Commuter Services. It also says they held information sessions at Lifetouch (school photographs) and SuperValu. Apparently they are looking for at least 12 riders. I saw the bus the other day on 35W. It was a SW Transit cutaway, and has the route info programmed into the destination sign (no papers in the windshield ). Unfortunately my camera is broken right now, so I can't get pics at this time. -- Also I've travelled up to Anoka County again recently to see what they have. I believe their roster is somewhat like the following: 6060 - ex-MT Gillig Phantom 01514 - Blue Bird 01510 - Blue Bird (short) 01509 - Blue Bird (short) 2106 - ex-Plymouth? Blue Bird 6646 - Aerotech Cutaway (ex-Rt. 540) 6656 - unknown cutaway (old 3-stripe scheme) 6655 - unknown cutaway (old 3-stripe scheme) I haven't been up there since late December, so I wonder if they have got their new Gillig's yet. -- Met Council Transportation Committee meeting agenda for 1-10-11: http://councilmeetings.metc.state.mn.us/Transportation/2011/0110/011011agenda3.htm It looks like there will likely be JARC funding for expanded service on routes 14, 219, 721, and new 810 (maybe some sort of Northstar Connector?): http://councilmeetings.metc.state.mn.us/Transportation/2011/0110/0110_2011_12.pdf It looks like MT will get 2 more hybrids soon as well: http://councilmeetings.metc.state.mn.us/Transportation/2011/0110/112210minutes.pdf -- Also new signs have been installed on Nicollet Mall, including new bus schedules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 It looks like MT will get 2 more hybrids soon as well: http://councilmeetings.metc.state.mn.us/Transportation/2011/0110/112210minutes.pdf Probably these will just be more GILLIG Hybrid units but, I wonder if they may be Daimler Orion VII-3G units instead. Reasons:Thermo-King which has been developing the electrically driven AC system has worked solely with Orion units AFAIK. If it's a federal grant they may have to issue an RFP instead of using options with the existing contract.It may be a different set of specs than the existing contract would cover.Are there even any hybrid options left on the existing contract? I remember they changed the base amount due to limited funding. Could be interesting If they are Orions instead I just hope they have better suspension than the one I rode in Des Moines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted January 15, 2011 Report Share Posted January 15, 2011 Probably these will just be more GILLIG Hybrid units but, I wonder if they may be Daimler Orion VII-3G units instead. Reasons:Thermo-King which has been developing the electrically driven AC system has worked solely with Orion units AFAIK.If it's a federal grant they may have to issue an RFP instead of using options with the existing contract.It may be a different set of specs than the existing contract would cover.Are there even any hybrid options left on the existing contract? I remember they changed the base amount due to limited funding. Could be interesting If they are Orions instead I just hope they have better suspension than the one I rode in Des Moines. In that is says "series hybrid" it is more than likely Orion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted February 11, 2011 Report Share Posted February 11, 2011 The other day I noticed that SWT 764 has one of those 3-bike racks. I also found a list of the changes at the Downtown Mpls. TMO. Here is what routes are changing on March 5th: 10, 14, 16, 21, 23, 46, 50, 53, 54, 59, 65, 225, 227, 355, 365, 375, 467, 535, 542, 652, 672, 675, 716, 717, 724, 740, Maple Grove, as well as MVTA 420, 444, 460, 465, 470, 477, 489. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted February 21, 2011 Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 I saw Prior Lake's Gillig #6514 downtown on Friday afternoon. Apparently one of the other buses got in an accident, and will be out of service for a while, so the Gillig will be in service. EDIT: Metro Transit's March 5th changes are up. Not much happening, but there will be increased service on the 724. I'll post the link later, because it seems that the site is down (Maybe people are wondering if there are buses in service right now, at least service wasn't shut down). SW Transit will also change some routes soon as well. On March 14th Route 631 will be eliminated (this is honestly like the 4th time in about 6 or 7 years), and replaced with 1 684S trip each way. These 684S trips only serve the Southdale-SW Station portion. On May 16th there will be some more cuts to SWT service. Routes 680 will have a 3rd trip, and will now serve the Shady Oak P/R, 685 service will become a shuttle between Dell and Hwy. 62 to SW Station, 1 691 trip will be cut, and replaced by a 698 with an added stop at Shady Oak, and 695 service will be reduced to 2 trips each way for the summer. http://www.swtransit.org/Proposed_Modifications_for_May_16_2011.html http://www.swtransit.org/Attention_Route_680_685_Riders.html http://www.swtransit.org/Attention_Route_631_Riders.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 I saw Prior Lake's Gillig #6514 downtown on Friday afternoon. Apparently one of the other buses got in an accident, and will be out of service for a while, so the Gillig will be in service. ----- SW Transit will also change some routes soon as well. I forgot to mention I saw a naked 29' GILLIG northbound on 35W a week ago with ANOKA TRANSIT on the destination sign. There were no unit numbers on the bus but it was definitely a new 2011 unit. Same seats as the other newer 29' units. More cuts for SWT, how shocking! They should move their whole garage downtown and just send a few buses out to the station each morning, it would probably be easier Some backups on the 16/50 yesterday, when everyone started coming to the U late but MT was running the usual low demand period service. Some buses weren't even stopping at the Metrodome station. Also a bit of a tie up at the station this afternoon when a D60LFR and a school bus merged into each other :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 I went up to Anoka this afternoon, and I am glad to say that the new 30' Gillig's are in! I saw 60023 on the 805, then midway through 60026 passed going the other direction. At Northtown 60024 was on the 831. I then went to Columbia Hts. TC and saw 60025 and 60029 on the 801. I would imagine that one of the two buses I did not see is on the 811, while the other is likely the spare. I believe that the order was for 7 buses, so the numbers must be 60023-60029. The new buses have some new features as well. The drivers belt is orange, they have rear destination signs (currently unused), automated announcements (however they are on the date/time program), a new seating pattern (27 seats, with mainly perimeter seating in the front), and the standard Metro Transit paint scheme. The color of the seats is blue, with a square pattern across them. The two buses that I rode did not have working GoTo readers. I think they may have been in service for a few days, because I did not hear any comments about them. I saw the build date on 60023, it was 1/20/11. Goodbye and good riddance to the Blue Birds that lasted, as well as the Phantom (#6060) and the cutaway (which I think may get transferred). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted March 1, 2011 Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 I saw a couple of New Flyer C(?)40LFR's on 35W this morning. They had the Grand Canyon paint scheme and the signs read "BUS FULL". Also the Anoka County buses have English and Spanish signs inside the bus. There was also an Anoka County Traveler bus stop sign at the Cub Foods in Coon Rapids. Some of the 7110-7128 buses have the front caps painted in yellow. There are still a few that have their caps in white. 500's are probably going to be retired soon. They aren't out as much anymore. SW Transit got 4 MCI's about a week ago. They also cancelled their order of 1 Alexander Dennis Enviro 500, and are instead going to add another MCI. Chanhassen/Market Street Station should open in November. http://swtransit.org/sites/d82719c7-9b33-46b8-a7af-e5577d7145af/uploads/PACKET_7.pdf The SWT service changes have been modified again. 680 will serve Shady Oak with 3 trips each way. 685 shuttle will operate 2 PM trips only. 3 AM and 2 PM trips will become 690A trips that will combine the 685 shuttle and the 690 for a one seat ride from Valley View Road. http://swtransit.org/Attention_Route_685_Riders.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 A few more updates.... I went to Little Canada on Thursday. The "Transit Center" is actually 2 bus shelters and a trash can across the street from a strip mall. I saw MTS's New Flyers 6048 and 6049 on the 62. Then I took 6617 (same as 6616 that runs on the 540 line) on the 223 over to Maplewood. I took MTS Gillig 6672 (I guess its back from Detroit Diesel) on the 80, and saw 6011 coming the other way. SWT Route 631 is gone, but new PDF schedules haven't been put up. I'd imagine they may not print a new schedule until May, when all the other changes happen. Few people will get confused, considering they only changed 1 trip in the combined Eden Prairie schedule... Met Council Transportation Committee meeting on The 14th (tomorrow). Of note is the purchase of 5 Gillig BRT's for Phantom replacements on MTS (Contracted) routes, and the purchase of 1 more MCI for Route 467. Also of note is the Work Plan which shows what will be presented to the Committee this year. http://councilmeetings.metc.state.mn.us/Transportation/2011/0314/031411agenda.htm According to this City of Minnetonka Economic Development Advisory Commission meeting packet, the transit study that will determine if Minnetonka should opt-out of Metro Transit or not will be completed soon. http://www.eminnetonka.com/your_government/meetings/economic_development_advisory_commission/2011/02/24/agendas/full_packet.pdf CTIB meeting packet for March 16th available. Not much going on this month it seems. http://www.mnrides.org/sites/default/files/downloads/Full_Packet.pdf Maple Grove may change a Rt. 781 trip to leave 1 hour earlier for the May 14th changes. http://www.ci.maple-grove.mn.us/filestorage/3485/806/Rt_781_inbound_trip_21_time_change.pdf This was in the Strib awhile ago, bus fares may be raised by 25 cents next year. http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/116786423.html Some MT 400 series Gillig's made their way to Lafayette, IN's CityBus. Apparently they have bought used MT buses (including D60's) before. http://www.subchat.com/buschat/readflat.asp?Id=225085 Found a few MTC photos from 1981. Pretty cool. 2 Flxibles, an AMG, and an Americana (looks new!). There is a buch of old photos of other systems on there too. http://www.norcalbusfans.fotki.com/minnesota/metro-transit/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotjohns Posted March 13, 2011 Report Share Posted March 13, 2011 That's great that CityBus in Lafayette purchased those Gilligs and did such a great job repainting those buses. It just goes to show you if one agency can no longer use them, why not send them to an agency that CAN use them effectively instead of sending them to bus heaven. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted March 16, 2011 Report Share Posted March 16, 2011 Great photos of the old fleet! Thanks for posting the links. Also I bet that D60 will really be rattling by the time CityLink retires it At least some of the Phantoms will wear a cool looking livery in their lifetime... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted March 18, 2011 Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 Some updates: Potential temporary use of the Denny Hecker dealership as a transit station during the upcoming floods of the Minnesota River. The property will be converted to a permanent transit station by 2014. http://www.startribune.com/local/south/117868229.html MVTA March 23 Board meeting packet. It looks like Met Council and MVTA have competing plans for 35W transit service. http://www.mvta.com/uploads/march_2.pdf CTIB March 16 meeting presentations. http://www.mnrides.org/sites/default/files/downloads/march16_handouts.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted April 4, 2011 Report Share Posted April 4, 2011 SouthWest Transit has had some more changes taking affect this week. They were announced last week. Some 695s will change to end at SouthWest Village or SouthWest Station to transfer to a 699 or 698 to East Creek. http://swtransit.org/SOME_CHANGES_EFFECTIVE_4_4_11.html There is also a shuttle to the former dealership (to become a transit station) at 169 and Marshall to SouthWest Station, run by BlueXpress, since Thursday, because of the flooding. I went to SWS on Friday to find it, however it never showed (leading me to believe that it had been canceled or something). http://swtransit.org/SWT_and_BLUEXPRESS.html The MN Senate passed a bill to cut transit service by $32 million over the next two years. Recently the House passed a bill to reduce transit funding by $130 million (by cutting the general fund for transit). The House bill seems like it will use the opt-out's reserve budget to eliminate $8 million in cuts to outstate transit. http://www.startribune.com/politics/119194334.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotjohns Posted April 5, 2011 Report Share Posted April 5, 2011 SouthWest Transit has had some more changes taking affect this week. They were announced last week. Some 695s will change to end at SouthWest Village or SouthWest Station to transfer to a 699 or 698 to East Creek. http://swtransit.org/SOME_CHANGES_EFFECTIVE_4_4_11.html There is also a shuttle to the former dealership (to become a transit station) at 169 and Marshall to SouthWest Station, run by BlueXpress, since Thursday, because of the flooding. I went to SWS on Friday to find it, however it never showed (leading me to believe that it had been canceled or something). http://swtransit.org/SWT_and_BLUEXPRESS.html The MN Senate passed a bill to cut transit service by $32 million over the next two years. Recently the House passed a bill to reduce transit funding by $130 million (by cutting the general fund for transit). The House bill seems like it will use the opt-out's reserve budget to eliminate $8 million in cuts to outstate transit. http://www.startribune.com/politics/119194334.html I don't know much about MN Metro so please forgive me in advance. But the fact the Senate is involved in a bill to eliminate Metro funding is interesting. I guess the beginning of the article is throwing me off. So does the state of MN own Metro and they are trying to, in effect "sell" the transit agency? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted April 5, 2011 Report Share Posted April 5, 2011 I don't know much about MN Metro so please forgive me in advance. But the fact the Senate is involved in a bill to eliminate Metro funding is interesting. I guess the beginning of the article is throwing me off. So does the state of MN own Metro and they are trying to, in effect "sell" the transit agency? The article is quite clear that the Metro Council runs the transit system. What is appears is that Minnesota is cutting the state aid. Illinois does the same thing, only fraudulently, by authorizing RTA to go into debt, and then reneging on its pledge to pay debt service. Unlike what my assembly person thinks (I'm not going into that here) Minnesota realizes that there is not infinite money, at least on the state and local level. Also, from their site, it looks like the Metro Council also fulfills, in one agency, the tasks done by various dysfunctional boards in Illinois, including the Water Reclamation District, Park District, Planning Board, and Public Housing. The Metro Council might be a state agency, in that the gov. appoints all members, with the advice and consent of the senate, also unlike the situation here (except for 3 CTA Board members), where there are various levels of patronage, and hence the state legislature may have more control over it. Again, our friends in Minnesota can further elucidate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted May 31, 2011 Report Share Posted May 31, 2011 Here is a rough overview of transit in the Twin Cities, it is by no means an exhaustive one. Basically, the Metropolitan Council was created by the Minnesota Legislature, in 1967, to provide regional planning and oversight for the seven county Twin Cities metro area. The legislature didn't want to deal with the problems of Minneapolis and St. Paul at the state level, but Minneapolis, St. Paul and vicinity needed some sort of regional oversight so there would be some consistency in public services. There are more details about the Met Council's history here. As far as transit services, operating responsibility for transit was given to the council in 1994. Before that, Metropolitan Transit Commission operated transit as a separate board. Currently the Met Council's transportation division has two services: Metro Transit - largest transit service provider, operates fixed route serviceMetropolitan Transportation Services Oversees contracted routes such as 80, 538/539Oversees Metro Mobility & Transit Link - The first provides ADA complimentary service to all local fixed route transit for those unable to use the system. The second is general public dial-a-ride service for the seven county metro area. It is for those who are not served by the fixed route system.Oversees long range transportation planning for the Council and lists projects for federal funding. And prepares the four year TIP. In addition there are the opt-outs. These are the result of legislation passed in 1986 to allow suburban communities, in the transit taxing district, to opt-out of the Metropolitan Transit Commission system, collect their property tax dollars directly, and operate their own transit services. MVTA, Southwest Transit, Plymouth Metrolink, and Maple Grove Transit are the most notable ones. Minnetonka also opted out but stayed with MTC/Metro Transit for service provision. Technically the opt-outs became obsolete in 2001 when the transit funding source was changed from property taxes to the motor vehicle sales tax (MVST). However, they had become so well established at that point they continued to operate while collecting a certain share of the MVST from the regional pot, which I believe is distributed through the Met Council. This has led to some disagreement from the cities about whether the opt-outs should be eliminated or have their share of funds cut. Opt-outs provide a smaller percentage of the total ridership than the percentage of funding they receive. Hence, passenger subsidies for the opt-out services are higher than those for Metro Transit. Some say this is due to opt-outs spending more for luxury transit vehicles and fancy stations. The opt-outs point out that they operate longer routes due to their suburban locations, and that the nicer amenities are necessary to attract choice riders. Suburban local routes also have lower ridership, than city routes, due to the wide spacing and low population density in the built landscape. As far as funding goes, IMO there is a strong anti-transit sentiment in the Twin Cities area, and MN in general. "Transit should pay for itself!" "Why are we talking about adding additional money to run transit when we already have a light-rail train that goes nowhere with nobody riding it!!??" - Former Sen. Dick Day, 2008 The only dedicated sources of transit funding are the 1/4 cent metro area sales tax for expanding the transit system, and the MVST, which fluctuates from year to year and is a pain to budget with. The other big local source is the state's general operating fund. As one former Met Council employee put it, "The equivalent of going on our hands and knees to the the legislature each year to ask for money to operate service." As one can imagine the legislature this year, which wants to cut cut cut, will not look favorably on something like transit service, that it sees as a waste of tax money. Incidentally the governor recently vetoed all of the budget bills the legislature sent him so it looks like government shut down and special session time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted May 31, 2011 Report Share Posted May 31, 2011 Updates: 26 new GILLIGs for Metro Transit Central Corridor LRT construction is well underway. University Avenue is torn up for most of the stretch from Minneapolis to St. Paul. Washington Avenue on the U of MN campus is now closed from River Road to Oak or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted June 2, 2011 Report Share Posted June 2, 2011 Some MTS buses (Anoka Cty and SW Transit) have showed up on the Transport Max auction site. 1509, 1510, and 2112 - 2001 Bluebird 25' Transhuttles with Cummins 175 ISB engines and Allison 300 Transmissions. 1512, 1514, 2102 and 2103 - 2001 Bluebird CSRE 35' with Cummins 260 ISB and Allison 300. 6060 - 1998 Gillig Phantom 40' with Detroit Diesel Series 50 and Allison B500R (ex-Metro Transit bus) 5102 (102) - 2001 Chance Coach AH-28 American Heritage Streetcar 28' with Cummins ISB 225 and Allison B300R. 5601 (601) - 2001 New Flyer Invero 40' with Cummins ISB and Allison B400. The Bluebirds and Gilligs are the Anoka County buses and the Chance AH-28 and New Flyer Invero are SW Transit buses. https://www.transportmax.com/publicAuctionList.do The auctions end tomorrow, and some of them are quite high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted June 2, 2011 Report Share Posted June 2, 2011 Some MTS buses (Anoka Cty and SW Transit) have showed up on the Transport Max auction site. ... The Bluebirds and Gilligs are the Anoka County buses and the Chance AH-28 and New Flyer Invero are SW Transit buses. ... The auctions end tomorrow, and some of them are quite high. The only one that looks high at the moment is the Chance American Heritage Streetcar, which here are considered junk. A Gillig Phantom for $1.50? Here, Pace gets $1,000 to $1,600 from the scrap yard per Orion I. I was also surprised that an Invero was already on the block, and opening up the "Out of Service" report (they have the wrong mime type associated with it) indicates that the only problem is an 8 foot scrape on the side (shown in the image; see the bottom of the page for links). If Minnesota has enough capital money to throw that away for $2100, Illinois certainly doesn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anfboymn Posted June 3, 2011 Report Share Posted June 3, 2011 I saw Metro Transit #3350 parked outside the South Garage this morning. I want to say it's a new bus awaiting entry into service? Looked to be brand new and did not any advertisements on it. Sorry if this has already been discussed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted June 3, 2011 Report Share Posted June 3, 2011 I saw Metro Transit #3350 parked outside the South Garage this morning. I want to say it's a new bus awaiting entry into service? Looked to be brand new and did not any advertisements on it. Sorry if this has already been discussed! Nice! I think that's the first of the 25 D60LFRs coming in this year. So I guess they'll be numbered 3350-3374. Was it the same style as the other ones or does it have the new chunky roof style? Bye-bye to all 3000 series artics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 I saw what looked to be like a new D60LFR on the 552 this morning. If it is one of the new ones, I guess South is finally getting LFR's! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.