qwantae Posted January 12, 2008 Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 Just for fun, Which buses is your favorite 3 current bus fleets for CTA and Pace and what type of buses do you wish that they have or would get in future? My Favorites are: CTA: 4400s TMC for first, 6400s Novas for second and 5300s Flxible. I wish that CTA would have MCI Classics/VanHools/ Orion Vs-VIIs/ Nova RTSes with Rear Wheelchair door like NYCMTA. Pace: 2390s Nova Classics, 8800-2378 Orion I and 6000s Orion VIs I wish that they have Gillig Advantage LFs, Neoplan Low Floors like Pittsburgh PAT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cta_44499_FG Posted January 12, 2008 Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 Just for fun, Which buses is your favorite 3 current bus fleets for CTA and Pace and what type of buses do you wish that they have or would get in future? My Favorites are: CTA: 4400s TMC for first, 6400s Novas for second and 5300s Flxible. I wish that CTA would have MCI Classics/VanHools/ Orion Vs-VIIs/ Nova RTSes with Rear Wheelchair door like NYCMTA. Pace: 2390s Nova Classics, 8800-2378 Orion I and 6000s Orion VIs I wish that they have Gillig Advantage LFs, Neoplan Low Floors like Pittsburgh PAT. 1st- 6000 series Flxible Metros 2nd- 5300 series Flxible Metros 3rd- 5800 series New Flyers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted January 13, 2008 Report Share Posted January 13, 2008 I sort of like the El Dorado EZ Rider II, because they seem the right size for what Pace is trying to do in areas such as North Shore. The paint's a bit garish. As to getting new buses, Orion VII Next Generation, but that doesn't seem to be happening here for a long time. Also, I still think Orion should figure out how to put louvers over the vents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jajuan Posted January 13, 2008 Report Share Posted January 13, 2008 1st: New Flyers 1000s 2nd: TMC 4400s 3rd: Cummins powered Metros 6305-6329 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pace2322 Posted January 14, 2008 Report Share Posted January 14, 2008 For pace my are the 2300 Orions, 2390s novas, 6900s mci then 6000s orions. For cta 5300s,6000s.4400s, and the novas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
real cta fan Posted January 14, 2008 Report Share Posted January 14, 2008 My fav CTA bus models and why - Nova 6400s: The different shape of this series - New Flyer 1000s: The enginge sound and power - RTS 4400s: For the classic busses they are Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted January 14, 2008 Report Share Posted January 14, 2008 I like the Nova's the best. I have never rode the TMCs and Flxibles so I want to ride them next time I go to Chicago. I find the Optimas kind of neat, and the NABIs are interesting to me, because they are the only non-New Flyer artics, besides Van Hool. I have yet to ride a NABI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busfan4022 Posted January 15, 2008 Report Share Posted January 15, 2008 CTA: 1.New Flyer: 5800 series 2.Flxible Metro 6000 series (non-cummins.) 3.NABI 7500 series --- PACE: Orion I Nova Classic --- And I wish CTA would get some MAN NL222s. D: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jajuan Posted January 15, 2008 Report Share Posted January 15, 2008 CTA: 1.New Flyer: 5800 series 2.Flxible Metro 6000 series (non-cummins.) 3.NABI 7500 series --- PACE: Orion I Nova Classic --- And I wish CTA would get some MAN NL222s. D: I checked out some pics of some NL222s and it would be nice if the CTA could get some. So reminicent of the Americanas, only with a low floor design Too bad MAN doesn't operate in the states anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danielsmusic Posted January 15, 2008 Report Share Posted January 15, 2008 I checked out some pics of some NL222s and it would be nice if the CTA could get some. So reminicent of the Americanas, only with a low floor design Too bad MAN doesn't operate in the states anymore. Transit agencies sometimes import buses, but that would definitely not work for the MANs. I think we have to face the fact that the only major players are New Flyer and Orion. This is such a sad time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUSANGEL#1 Posted January 15, 2008 Report Share Posted January 15, 2008 My favorite dream fleet would be 6000s, MAN-Americanas(4000s), and M.A.N Artics(original 7000-7100) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusHunter Posted January 15, 2008 Report Share Posted January 15, 2008 My favorite dream fleet would be 6000s, MAN-Americanas(4000s), and M.A.N Artics(original 7000-7100) I would say the #6000's for CTA as a first pick for the deep roar of the engine (especially the cummins buses #6305 - #6329) also because these are going to be most likely the last high floor buses in CTA's fleet and they are Flxibles, the last of a long line of them dating back to the late 50's/early 60's in Chicago. There is alot of history there and it will be a sad day when these are retired On a happier note as a second pick I'd have to say the CTA hybrid's #800's and #900's because these kind of buses are the future in America and it gives you hope of a bright future in transit in the decades to come. For pace I would have to say the Nova Classics because they are a high floor bus with luxurious amenities and they look like they are a tough "raze h#ll" kind of bus. I think what gives it that look are the heavy metal exteriors that remind me of the old fishbowl buses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw4400 Posted January 15, 2008 Report Share Posted January 15, 2008 I like the Nova's the best. I have never rode the TMCs and Flxibles so I want to ride them next time I go to Chicago. I find the Optimas kind of neat, and the NABIs are interesting to me, because they are the only non-New Flyer artics, besides Van Hool. I have yet to ride a NABI. Better be coming soon, Tcmetro. The Flxibles(5300's) will soon be all scrapped, and the TMC's are next to be scrapped at around the conclusion of this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busfan4022 Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 I checked out some pics of some NL222s and it would be nice if the CTA could get some. So reminicent of the Americanas, only with a low floor design Too bad MAN doesn't operate in the states anymore. I found a pretty cool clip of a NL 222 on youtube. They sound something similar to the Americanas, boy do I sure do miss riding them on 103rd's routes. ._.! Transit agencies sometimes import buses, but that would definitely not work for the MANs. I think we have to face the fact that the only major players are New Flyer and Orion. This is such a sad time. Although I must say, imo, New Flyer's buses are improving from buses like the D901, just look at the 5800 series. They maybe worn out, but they sure do go fast. Orion on the other hand, hasn't been doing so well as in terms for bus design. Half-Rear windows, indented windshield, and lazy sounding Orion VI's isn't what Orion used to be. Now the buses look like a bad mixture of Nova LFS and Flxible Metro buses. At least you can count on MAN to retain some of it's originality- *punched in the face* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwantae Posted January 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 I checked out some pics of some NL222s and it would be nice if the CTA could get some. So reminicent of the Americanas, only with a low floor design Too bad MAN doesn't operate in the states anymore. I am planning on going to the Maudi Gras in New Orleans, and I believe that NORTA is the only U.S. Transit system left with few MAN Americanas, I was told by my cousin who just moved here from N.O., so Im goin to ride them with Orion Vs. I wish that CTA would get some Renault PR100-180s and Agora Low Floors, they are my favorite buses in Europe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIPTA42 Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 How long ago did your cousin move? NORTA's Americanas were replaced by Orion Vs in the late 1990s. You might still be able to catch an ex-SEPTA Neoplan, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jajuan Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 How long ago did your cousin move? NORTA's Americanas were replaced by Orion Vs in the late 1990s. You might still be able to catch an ex-SEPTA Neoplan, though. Right every bit of info I could find about the city transit systems that had Americanas besides Chicago indicated that the Americanas were retired in just about all. CTA was just about the last in the country to still have Americanas from the info I could find, retiring them as you now in April 2004. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamir4317 Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 I found a pretty cool clip of a NL 222 on youtube. They sound something similar to the Americanas, boy do I sure do miss riding them on 103rd's routes. ._.! Although I must say, imo, New Flyer's buses are improving from buses like the D901, just look at the 5800 series. They maybe worn out, but they sure do go fast. Orion on the other hand, hasn't been doing so well as in terms for bus design. Half-Rear windows, indented windshield, and lazy sounding Orion VI's isn't what Orion used to be. Now the buses look like a bad mixture of Nova LFS and Flxible Metro buses. At least you can count on MAN to retain some of it's originality- *punched in the face* I found a clip of the MAN SL200 139. It's transmission noise sounds like the articulated & americana. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3puPqKf1iY...feature=related I also found a clip of a New Flyer that sounds MAN-esque http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLa1um_WvvQ...feature=related Boy I miss MAN. I wish CTA's new buses had their engine noise. *sniff* What would it take for them to come back to the states? MAN, if you can't come back to the states, then give us that engine, please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 What would it take for them to come back to the states? MAN, if you can't come back to the states, then give us that engine, please?They would have to reopen their U.S. plant, and have U.S. final assembly and 60% U.S. parts to meet Buy America Act requirements for buses purchased with FTA funds. It would have to be profitable for them to do so. Part of the problem in the late 1980s was the relationship of the dollar to the Deutsch Mark, which hit MAN harder since it used more European parts (apparently including the engine) than other manufacturers. The situation of the dollar vs. the Euro is much worse today, and even makes NABI somewhat uncompetitive (since Hungarian money is pegged to the Euro). Daimler in effect stayed in this market by acquiring Orion's then parent, instead of trying to build a Mercedes bus here. I also wonder if you could get "that engine" again, with more stringent air pollution requirements, and the sound being affected by more advanced transmissions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwantae Posted January 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 I found a clip of the MAN SL200 139. It's transmission noise sounds like the articulated & americana. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3puPqKf1iY...feature=related I also found a clip of a New Flyer that sounds MAN-esque http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLa1um_WvvQ...feature=related Boy I miss MAN. I wish CTA's new buses had their engine noise. *sniff* What would it take for them to come back to the states? MAN, if you can't come back to the states, then give us that engine, please? Thats the reason why I like the 5800s New Flyers better than those Boring 1000s, because 5800s have part of those MAN engine noise, the way they whistles while that accelerates and come to a stop. I agree, I like the MAN Americana s as my favorite CTA buses, especially retired bus. Those were the best that CTA ever had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jajuan Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 Thats the reason why I like the 5800s New Flyers better than those Boring 1000s, because 5800s have part of those MAN engine noise, the way they whistles while that accelerates and come to a stop. I agree, I like the MAN Americana s as my favorite CTA buses, especially retired bus. Those were the best that CTA ever had. The 1000s aren't really that boring. The sound of the engine is still similar enough to be Americana-esque. The current low emissions standards at the CTA just makes them a little quieter is all. A small sacrifice to be able to breathe, with my being asthmatic. I absolutely loved the Americanas and still think they were the best bus in Chicago to this day. But their diesel fumes really stunk. The 1000s have a more powerful engine sound in my opinion, given they still have a growl despite the newer transmissions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danielsmusic Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 Thats the reason why I like the 5800s New Flyers better than those Boring 1000s, because 5800s have part of those MAN engine noise, the way they whistles while that accelerates and come to a stop. When my nephew was little, he used to call the Americanas "the bus that says/goes 'fe'". He used to love the sound. The names he had for the buses were: Americana - "the bus that says/goes 'fe'" MAN artic - "the big bendy express bus" Flxible 5300 - "the ainken-danken bus" - probably because the buses waddle a little bit, and they remind him of an oompa-loompa or something. Fishbowl - "the green bus" TMC - "the roundy bus" Flyer - "the rhhmmmmmmMMMMMMMM bus" - because the noise the Flyers made when they accelerated. He probably would have thought the same thing about the 5300s if he hadn't refused to ride the "ainken-danken bus". He told me he refused to ride the 5300s because he was afraid that one would fall over and kill him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busfan4022 Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 The 1000s aren't really that boring. The sound of the engine is still similar enough to be Americana-esque. The current low emissions standards at the CTA just makes them a little quieter is all. They aren't really THAT quiet, but I just hate how it sounds when they first pull off. It's kinda annoying. >_< When my nephew was little, he used to call the Americanas "the bus that says/goes 'fe'". He used to love the sound. The names he had for the buses were: Americana - "the bus that says/goes 'fe'" MAN artic - "the big bendy express bus" Flxible 5300 - "the ainken-danken bus" - probably because the buses waddle a little bit, and they remind him of an oompa-loompa or something. Fishbowl - "the green bus" TMC - "the roundy bus" Flyer - "the rhhmmmmmmMMMMMMMM bus" - because the noise the Flyers made when they accelerated. He probably would have thought the same thing about the 5300s if he hadn't refused to ride the "ainken-danken bus". He told me he refused to ride the 5300s because he was afraid that one would fall over and kill him. I lol'd. I used to think the same thing about the Flxibles too when I was little, but instead I was scared it was going to tip over when it made a turn. Dx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danielsmusic Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 I used to think the same thing about the Flxibles too when I was little, but instead I was scared it was going to tip over when it made a turn. Dx My nephew never worried about that because he refused to get on a Flxible at all (except for the ones that ran on 16 through 1991). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CircleSeven Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 Let's See..... 1st: 6000s Flxible Metros 2nd: 1000s New Flyers 3rd: (Tie) 7500s NABI & 6000s NABI (Pace) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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