Favorite type of current fleet bus

[Danielsmusic]

3rd: (Tie) 7500s NABI & 6000s NABI (Pace)

How do you like the 7500s?! They're terrible!

[busfan4022]

How do you like the 7500s?! They're terrible!

Performance wise.

But they still look good and sound good, especially zooming down LSD. :(

[Danielsmusic]

Performance wise.

But they still look good and sound good, especially zooming down LSD.

They certainly don't FEEL good when you're driving and riding down LSD. I especially hate riding in the rear section. I've only driven a 7500 on LSD twice, but both times it was absolutely terrible.

[qwantae]

How do you like the 7500s?! They're terrible!

Yeah, I'll defineltly go for MAN Artics (Except Seattle's 7300s), I do like the Seattles though but I just dont care for their engine, they are slower. The 7100s are much faster, like the engine, and the best Artics that CTA has also,its just the sad situation now that they're all retired from All U.S. cities that had them. As for the NABI Artics, I like the high floors like Washington Metros. The 7500s gives me a headache with that shaking like the 30ft Gillig Phantons!!

[busfan4022]

They certainly don't FEEL good when you're driving and riding down LSD. I especially hate riding in the rear section. I've only driven a 7500 on LSD twice, but both times it was absolutely terrible.

Not all are like that though. I have only had probably two problems with them, one was very bumpy in the back (which was only 1 time), and the doors in the back not working right (happened a lot), but even that problem seems to be getting fixed. I don't know it's just probably me? I always ride in the back, and I'm never scared of anything. I guess I just haven't run into as many problems as some of the other people on the forum. Or is it that 103rd buses are better maintained, because of lighter loads (assuming you rode NP's NABIs)?

[BusExpert32]

I've only driven a 7500 on LSD twice, but both times it was absolutely terrible.

You've driven a Nabi? Are you a bus operator for the CTA then?

[jajuan]

Not all are like that though. I have only had probably two problems with them, one was very bumpy in the back (which was only 1 time), and the doors in the back not working right (happened a lot), but even that problem seems to be getting fixed. I don't know it's just probably me? I always ride in the back, and I'm never scared of anything. I guess I just haven't run into as many problems as some of the other people on the forum. Or is it that 103rd buses are better maintained, because of lighter loads (assuming you rode NP's NABIs)?

Both of these problems mentioned with the NABI artics I've only really experienced on NP's Artics. For some reason I haven't experienced them popping up on 103rd, 77th, or Kedzie's (original allotment) NABIs.

[Danielsmusic]

You've driven a Nabi? Are you a bus operator for the CTA then?

No, I am not. I just happen to have a very, very irresponsible friend who works at NP. Both times I've driven have been deadheading up north during the AM rush. I also drove the 7100s a few times because my uncle used to work as an operator. For a bit of time, he was out of NP. He let me deadhead the 135 back to Wilson/Ravenswood a few times.

[Danielsmusic]

Both of these problems mentioned with the NABI artics I've only really experienced on NP's Artics. For some reason I haven't experienced them popping up on 103rd, 77th, or Kedzie's (original allotment) NABIs.

YES!!! I've certainly seen some issues with the 7500s at 103rd, but they were easily-fixable issues. The only time I've encountered major problems have been on the original NP NABIs.

[jajuan]

YES!!! I've certainly seen some issues with the 7500s at 103rd, but they were easily-fixable issues. The only time I've encountered major problems have been on the original NP NABIs.

Yes of course there have been issues at 103rd, but they have been small compared to North Park.

[geneking7320]

This is probably the wrong thread but since it's about the CTA's NABI artics I'll say it here.

I rode a #147 from Madison and State to Rogers and Paulina [last stop prior to Howard Station].

The ride was so smooth I couldn't believe it! If my hat had a brim I would have tipped it to the driver as she somehow avoided many of the bumps on the route. :D

[Guest]

My favorites in order.....

1.Nova Classics/PACE/All other bus systems

2.Flxible 6000/CTA

3.TMC RTS/CTA/All RTS buses

4.New Flyer HF Artics/40ft./AC Transit/MTC/L.A.

5.Gillig Phantoms/PACE/AC Transit/San Diego Transit

6.Ikarus 416/Pace/San Diego Transit

7.NABI 35ft. 6600s/PACE/RMTD

8.Neoplan 40ft. L.A.

9.Orion 35ft/40ft./PACE

10.NABI Artics/CTA

Favorite Retired......

1.GMC 5307/CTA

2.GMC RTS/Milwaukee MCTS

3.GMC 5301-03/CTA

4.MAN Americana/CTA

5.MAN Artic/CTA/Seattle

6.Flxible New Looks

7.Flyer D901/CTA/AC Transit

8.Neoplan 30ft./RMTD

Least favorite transits....

Crown Ikarus Artic/MCTS

Optima Opus

New Flyer 5800/CTA

Orion VI/All system models

Nova LFS/All system models

AC Transits Flyers had Cummins diesels and a/c unit in the rear similar to the GMC fishbowl. It may surprise some that the Orion 40ft. was at the the bottom of my list considering thats the model I drive at Pace but I think the models that I chose before it are much better looking and the engine types that are used make them more preferable for me. The New Flyers currently being delivered to CTA really havent made my list yet. Im sure I raised a lot of eyebrows listing the NABIs in here but I dont list them by performance but by design. They dont have such a bad low floor look to them. The Pace 6600s make my list because they are a good looking suburban/small transit system type bus.

[qwantae]

My Favorites in Order Are:

1. Nova Classics/ PACE along with GM/MCI/Nova Classics/ All systems includes Canada.

2. TMC RTS /CTA along with GMC/ Nova RTSs in all systems (My hometown Detroit DDOT)

3. Orion V/ All Systems includes TTC & Orion I, VIs, VIIs/ All Systems

4. NABI 436HF Artics/ MDTA/ WMATA

5. Flxible Metros/ CTA/ Others with Double Front door.

6. Ikarus 416 / Pace/ SEPTA

7. New Flyers D40HF/ TTC/ MUNI & D40LF/ CTA 5800s and 900s.

8. Neoplan 40ftHF / SEPTA/ All Calif cities.

9. Opimas Opus/ CTA 500s/ Hammond

10. Renault Agoras and PR100-180s/ Paris RATP

11. Nova Low Floors/ All systems

12. Van Hool A300s/ AC Transit and WMATA

Favorite Retired ones:

1. GMC RTS/ Hammond/ DDOT/ All other cities

2. GMC New Look/ CTA/ NYCTA/ Grand Rapids MI GRATA

3. GM/ MCI Classics/ DDOT/ Utah TA/ NYCTA/ SMMBL/ Grand Rapids MI Rapid

4. Flxible 870s/ MDTA/ NJ Transit

5. MAN Americana/ CTA/ Seattle/ NORTA/ Minneapolis Metro Transit

6. MAN Artics/ CTA 7100s/ Seattles

7. Flyer D901s/ CTA/ MUNI/ TTC/ AC Transit/ Sam Trans

8. Crown Ikarus Artics/ MCTS/ TTC/ Tri-Met

9. Neoplan Penniliners 40-60 Ft/ PAT/ DART

10. Blue Bird 30ft/ Muskegon MI MATS

But for CTAs Current Fleet after TMCs 4400s/ Flxible 5300s Retirement:

1. Nova LFs 6400s

2. Flxible 6305-6329

3. New Flyer DLF 5800s and 900s

4. Optima 500s

[MetroLINK9013]

My favorite CTA buses are:

1. New Flyer D40LF's

2. Nova LFS'

3. TMC RTS

Top 3 Pace Buses:

1.Orion VI

2.Orion I

3. Nova Classic's

James Roach

[TMC-RTS-08]

My favorites in the CTA are the following:

1. TMC 4400 series

2. Nova 6400 series

3. Flxible 5300 series

4. Flxible 6000 series

5. New Flyer 1000 series.

I like the New Flyers, but there all too common these days all over the country. My least favorite buses are Gilligs of any types, Phantom and Advantage. At least CTA doesn't use those.

My current favorite modern bus is the Nova LFS, if one would count new buses currently being made. At least the front end has a curve. My second favorite after the RTS buses.:)

[geneking7320]

My favorites in the CTA are the following:

1. TMC 4400 series

2. Nova 6400 series

3. Flxible 5300 series

4. Flxible 6000 series

5. New Flyer 1000 series.

I like the New Flyers, but there all too common these days all over the country. My least favorite buses are Gilligs of any types, Phantom and Advantage. At least CTA doesn't use those.

My current favorite modern bus is the Nova LFS, if one would count new buses currently being made. At least the front end has a curve. My second favorite after the RTS buses.

I've seen many Gilligs but have not ridden any [in any transit market]. What do you dislike about them?

Gene King

[Tcmetro]

Here are my favorite current CTA buses (I have decided not to include Flxibles or TMC's because i've never rode them and they will retire soon):

1) Nova LFS

2) NFI D/DE40LF

3) NABI 60-LFW

4) Optima Opus

When those DE60LF's come they will probably be my number 1 or 2.

[MVTArider]

My favorite types of current bus fleets in the CTA/Pace is:

5300/6000 Flxibles based on the small amount of time I was able to spend on them.

Orion VI, yeah they have limited seats but the one I was on sounded good and rode pretty well.

Based on looks I also like the Pace MCI classics. I want to ride one next time I'm in town.

(Note, this list is subject to change as I have not been on all types of CTA buses recently.)

Off topic, My favorite types of current fleets for the Twin Cities are:

4400/4600 MVTA New Flyer D40LF's, really fast on the highway

4300 MVTA Gillig Advantages

3000 Metro Transit New Flyer D60LF's

3100 Metro Transit New Flyer D60HF's

3200 Metro Transit New Flyer D60LFR's

My favorite type of retired fleet here is the small group of 7000 series 1985 MVTA (ex County Connection) Gillig Phantoms. They always ran nice and I loved the Detroit Diesel sound in them.

[Guest]

I've seen many Gilligs but have not ridden any [in any transit market]. What do you dislike about them?

Gene King

I like the Gillig Phantoms, I spent lots of time riding them when I lived in San Diego, riding SD Transit. Their first order were #500-544 later they recieved #300-339 then #1200-1279. I also rode some in Oakland California/AC Transit. I did ride the Pace Gilligs when they were in service but only once, #8609.

[Tcmetro]

Too bad Oakland doesn't have Gillig's anymore. They sold some to MUNI and some to Bear Transit and Emery-go-Round, and the UC Berekley Shuttle. AC Transit wants to get rid of the rest of their New Flyers and NABI's for Van Hools.

I know this post is already OT, but here are some SD Photos, featuring C40LF, Orion 5, Gillig Phantom and EZ Rider: http://www.subchat.com/buschat/read.asp?Id=105059.

[Guest]

Too bad Oakland doesn't have Gillig's anymore. They sold some to MUNI and some to Bear Transit and Emery-go-Round, and the UC Berekley Shuttle. AC Transit wants to get rid of the rest of their New Flyers and NABI's for Van Hools.

I know this post is already OT, but here are some SD Photos, featuring C40LF, Orion 5, Gillig Phantom and EZ Rider: http://www.subchat.com/buschat/read.asp?Id=105059.

Im heading to San Diego and Los Angeles in August. Will take lots of pics and video to bring back.

Favorite current bus:

Nova Classics, Pace

NABI 35ft. Pace/Rockford Mass Transit

Im sure that choice raised some if not a lot of eyebrows!

[MVTArider]

Im heading to San Diego and Los Angeles in August. Will take lots of pics and video to bring back.

Favorite current bus:

Nova Classics, Pace

NABI 35ft. Pace/Rockford Mass Transit

Im sure that choice raised some if not a lot of eyebrows!

Hope you have a good time. Hey, if you ride on a CompoBus let us know how they are. (They are LA Metro Rapid right?) I like the look of the 35ft NABI's but I cannot comment until I have ridden one.

BTW I forgot to include the MVTA's 4121-4126 New Flyer D35LF's in my list for favorites :)

[artthouwill]

My favorites are as follows

1. MCI 102D3/Pace. What can I say? I love motorcoaches

2. Nova Classic/Pace. As close to a motorcoach ride as a transit bus can get

3. NABI/Pace. If you can get past the suspension, a very nice looking and riding bus

4. Orion I/Ikarus 416/Pace. I love the tinted windows.

5. Orion VI/Pace

6. NF/CTA

Riding Minneapolis Gillig Phantoms were not fun. I didn't like them at all, but I rode an AVis rental busand it was very smooth, so imagine my surprise when I found out it was a Gillig (high floor). I guess that certain specs could make or break a bus for me. I love RTS buses, but hate the CTA version. I loved the Flxs when Pace/RTA had them, but loathe the CTA versions, especially the 5300s.

[Guest]

Hope you have a good time. Hey, if you ride on a CompoBus let us know how they are. (They are LA Metro Rapid right?) I like the look of the 35ft NABI's but I cannot comment until I have ridden one.

BTW I forgot to include the MVTA's 4121-4126 New Flyer D35LF's in my list for favorites

Thank you!, Im going to try to get whats left of the New Flyers in SD and L.A. and some of the bus fleet in L.A., particularly the NABIs, NF, and the SMMBL Classics. I also plan to ride the Red Line from end to end, also take a ride on the SD Trolley. Im also going to try to find a bus museum in the Los Angeles area. I visited one in Perris,Calif. last year, I found out there is another one in L.A.

[TMC-RTS-08]

I've seen many Gilligs but have not ridden any [in any transit market]. What do you dislike about them?

Gene King

To me and other people they're like the Airbus of the transit bus manufacturing industry. They are rapidly gaining marketshare and bids because of low prices and subsidies.

I have yet to ride a Gillig either, but sooner or later I'll ride one.