Pace 6600 Nabis

[Guest]

Where are the 35ft. 6600s split up, aside from 6604-6612 from Academy where are the remainders assigned?

[pace]

6600-6603 North Division

6604-6612 Academy I know the split up is very confusing

NO bus number ends in 13 primarily for superstitous reason (6613)

6614-6623 Fox Valley

6624-6628 Heritage Division (Joliet) 6627?

6629-6649 River Division (Elgin)

6650-6651 West Division

6652 River Division (Elgin)

6653-6660 South Division

6661-6664 River Division (Elgin)

6665-6675 Heritage Division (Joliet)

6676?

6677-6678 South Division

6679 West Division

6680-6681 Heritage Division (Joliet)

6682-6684 North Division

I know the split up is very confusing. West should have more coming in from either Elgin or Joliet.

[Guest]

6600-6603 North Division

6604-6612 Academy I know the split up is very confusing

NO bus number ends in 13 primarily for superstitous reason (6613)

6614-6623 Fox Valley

6624-6628 Heritage Division (Joliet) 6627?

6629-6649 River Division (Elgin)

6650-6651 West Division

6652 River Division (Elgin)

6653-6660 South Division

6661-6664 River Division (Elgin)

6665-6675 Heritage Division (Joliet)

6676?

6677-6678 South Division

6679 West Division

6680-6681 Heritage Division (Joliet)

6682-6684 North Division

I know the split up is very confusing. West should have more coming in from either Elgin or Joliet.

Thanks very much! :)

[pace]

As far as why they are split up at almost every division I don't know.

[Guest]

As far as why they are split up at almost every division I don't know.

I was curious to know where all the buses were assigned. Pace does assign differently than CTA

[Busjack]

6614-6623 Fox Valley REPLY: Wrong. Most of these are in Lisle. pace 2322 reported that Aurora kept 2, and based on observation one was 6614, and IBS indicates 6618. All the rest are in Lisle.

6652 River Division (Elgin) REPLY:Wrong again: Lisle

6676 REPLY: Lisle again

I know the split up is very confusing. West should have more coming in from either Elgin or Joliet. REPLY: Why?

This proves the point that one may know what buses are coming in, but not which ones are leaving until you see them in their new assignment. Aurora certainly couldn't justify having both the 6600s you claim it has (even though your lineup would have been mostly correct in 2005), and also 2600-2631 and 2701-2703.

[pace]

Well I did know Lisle was part of pace but I forgot about Bolingbrook and all of those metra feeders, so I just assumed Fox Valley - but I wasn't sure since Fox Valley mostly has 2600's but I knew they have at least a couple of them.

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And as far as west having more 6600's I knew because I talked to a couple of west drivers and they said that more were coming in to replace the 2200's. They also said they were eaiser and faster to drive.

[Busjack]

I was curious to know where all the buses were assigned. Pace does assign differently than CTA

Not that it is differently, but Pace has had different sizes of equipment.

In the age of the Orion I (roughly the 1990s), the big divisions had 40 foot buses, and the smaller municipal systems had 35 foot ones. Wilmette was originally a municipal system, until Pace North Shore took it over. Admittedly, Waukegan and Joliet had some 40 footers. Contractors got the leftovers, although the leftovers were contemporaneous with the older equipment at some locations (i.e. 8793-881xs at Rosemont while West still had 874x-8792; x indicates approximate number). Most of the 40 footers were assigned as fairly consecutive series, except for the 8873-8922 series, which was spread around and somewhat of an oddball, as those were the last of the nonaccessible buses.

Feeders were mostly school buses, but the 2500s replaced some of them, and also were used on new feeder routes, such as the Shuttle Bugs. The Nova Classics were received based on federal grants for the now dead Metra midday bus routes (835, 960, 961), and the 636 and 637 expresses (636 is now dead, and 637 uses a regular bus).

After that, there were several waves of replacements:

• The 2420-2453 group of 40 and 35 foot buses basically replaced the oldest equipment at Waukegan and South, although it also resulted in about 10 Waukegan 2300s going elsewhere.
  
• The 6000 series Orion VIs mostly replaced 8700s and 8800s (to about the 885xs, but not all of them) in place, but were not enough to make the system all accessible at all times, although Pace announced that all weekend routes were accessible.
  
• With the receipt of the 6162s (white NABI 40 footers) in 2003, there seemed to be an effort to consolidate types at garages, with South sending all of its Orion VIs to NW (much to pace2322's chagrin), and West sending 8 to NW. Although NW then had the oldest buses, it didn't get any NABIs.
  

With regard to the 6600s, theoretically 6600-6684 replaced 2000 to 2084. While, for the most part that happened, the contractor buses were not replaced. South got 6653-6660, and all of Elgin's buses, in both the 2000 and roughly 2287-2292 and 2378 ranges, were replaced with 6600s. The Elgin 1992 ones went on to other places, and most are now with contractors.

Now, it appearing that the 6600s are misfits (no more seats than a 2600), they are being sent all over the place, especially since both Aurora and Highland Park exchanged their 6600s for 2600s. Since we don't know the extent of the current deliveries of 2700s, and where most of them (other than about 9 accounted for at NW, FV, and Niles) are going, there might be some substance to the driver rumor that they will be displacing more 6600s. We'll have to wait to see, or monitor Webwatch.

Since you are interested in the Nova Classics, I noted the reason they were first acquired. After that use waned in the Northwest Division, its buses were transferred to cover 767, 877, and 888, which Pace took over from a contractor that had been running motor coaches. With South no longer needing them for that use when it got the MCIs, they were transferred to North Shore. It seems like North Shore and Southwest now use them in ordinary service (as mentioned after 835 was killed in SW's case).

The only thing that is consistent is that the contractor on the [now Academy] routes got the leftover equipment contemporaneous with the older equipment at some other division (i.e. Academy, Northwest, North Shore, and North still run a sizeable number of Orion Is). How long that lasts if the funding debacle is finally solved so that Pace can contemplate replacing the 2300s is up in the air. Would Pace request proposals for 40 footers, or just exercise its options for EZ Riders and keep shifting buses around? There must have been a reason why Pace took options on up to 222 EZ Riders.

The other thing I can consistently say is that North Shore doesn't seem to get complete series of full-size buses any more, but gets what it needs (such as a few white NABIs from elsewhere, and 7 blue NABIs unannounced). It didn't originally get any 6600s, then had some swapped in, and now, swapped out.

[Guest]

Not that it is differently, but Pace has had different sizes of equipment.

In the age of the Orion I (roughly the 1990s), the big divisions had 40 foot buses, and the smaller municipal systems had 35 foot ones. Wilmette was originally a municipal system, until Pace North Shore took it over. Admittedly, Waukegan and Joliet had some 40 footers. Contractors got the leftovers, although the leftovers were contemporaneous with the older equipment at some locations (i.e. 8793-881xs at Rosemont while West still had 874x-8792; x indicates approximate number). Most of the 40 footers were assigned as fairly consecutive series, except for the 8873-8922 series, which was spread around and somewhat of an oddball, as those were the last of the nonaccessible buses.

Feeders were mostly school buses, but the 2500s replaced some of them, and also were used on new feeder routes, such as the Shuttle Bugs. The Nova Classics were received based on federal grants for the now dead Metra midday bus routes (835, 960, 961), and the 636 and 637 expresses (636 is now dead, and 637 uses a regular bus).

After that, there were several waves of replacements:

• The 2420-2453 group of 40 and 35 foot buses basically replaced the oldest equipment at Waukegan and South, although it also resulted in about 10 Waukegan 2300s going elsewhere.
  
• The 6000 series Orion VIs mostly replaced 8700s and 8800s (to about the 885xs, but not all of them) in place, but were not enough to make the system all accessible at all times, although Pace announced that all weekend routes were accessible.
  
• With the receipt of the 6162s (white NABI 40 footers) in 2003, there seemed to be an effort to consolidate types at garages, with South sending all of its Orion VIs to NW (much to pace2322's chagrin), and West sending 8 to NW. Although NW then had the oldest buses, it didn't get any NABIs.
  

With regard to the 6600s, theoretically 6600-6684 replaced 2000 to 2084. While, for the most part that happened, the contractor buses were not replaced. South got 6653-6660, and all of Elgin's buses, in both the 2000 and roughly 2297-2292 and 2378 ranges, were replaced with 6600s. The Elgin 1992 ones went on to other places, and most are now with contractors.

Now, it appearing that the 6600s are misfits (no more seats than a 2600), they are being sent all over the place, especially since both Aurora and Highland Park exchanged their 6600s for 2600s. Since we don't know the extent of the current deliveries of 2700s, and where most of them (other than about 9 accounted for at NW, FV, and Niles) are going, there might be some substance to the driver rumor that they will be displacing more 6600s. We'll have to wait to see, or monitor Webwatch.

Since you are interested in the Nova Classics, I noted the reason they were first acquired. After that use waned in the Northwest Division, its buses were transferred to cover 767, 877, and 888, which Pace took over from a contractor that had been running motor coaches. With South no longer needing them for that use when it got the MCIs, they were transferred to North Shore. It seems like North Shore and Southwest now use them in ordinary service (as mentioned after 835 was killed in SW's case).

The only thing that is consistent is that the contractor on the [now Academy] routes got the leftover equipment contemporaneous with the older equipment at some other division (i.e. Academy, Northwest, North Shore, and North still run a sizeable number of Orion Is). How long that lasts if the funding debacle is finally solved so that Pace can contemplate replacing the 2300s is up in the air. Would Pace request proposals for 40 footers, or just exercise its options for EZ Riders and keep shifting buses around? There must have been a reason why Pace took options on up to 222 EZ Riders.

The other thing I can consistently say is that North Shore doesn't seem to get complete series of full-size buses any more, but gets what it needs (such as a few white NABIs from elsewhere, and 7 blue NABIs unannounced). It didn't originally get any 6600s, then had some swapped in, and now, swapped out.

The Nova Classics would fit right in with our routes at Academy. I for one would definitely welcome them. They are just about in the life expired column for a transit coach but they would serve a good purpose except for the lightly used Route 326, the remaning 5 routes we operate would make good use for the Novas especially Route 606 which has a heavy ridership load at times between Rosemont and Woodfield Mall. Route 616 might be another good route for Novas and certainly Route 600 because of the Express service from Rosemont to Schaumburg and vice versa. 696 and 699 can continue using the Nabis. Although assigned, Route 699 dosent need 40 footers. The Classics are just that! Classic! They still represent the days of the old Fishbowl buses, they still have that nostalgic look to them and I think they should be kept around for little while longer. IMO, I still consider them part of the fishbowl group, they are the last of the GMC Fishbowls! They havent died yet!

[qwantae]

6650-6651 West Division

6679 West Division

I know the split up is very confusing. West should have more coming in from either Elgin or Joliet.

I was going to say that I've never seen any of 35ft NABI on any West Routes, did West just got them just recently for a replacement of 2200s Ikarus 416 or what routes do they run on? And how many left of Ikarus 416 so far this year?

[qwantae]

The Nova Classics would fit right in with our routes at Academy. I for one would definitely welcome them. They are just about in the life expired column for a transit coach but they would serve a good purpose except for the lightly used Route 326, the remaning 5 routes we operate would make good use for the Novas especially Route 606 which has a heavy ridership load at times between Rosemont and Woodfield Mall. Route 616 might be another good route for Novas and certainly Route 600 because of the Express service from Rosemont to Schaumburg and vice versa. 696 and 699 can continue using the Nabis. Although assigned, Route 699 dosent need 40 footers. The Classics are just that! Classic! They still represent the days of the old Fishbowl buses, they still have that nostalgic look to them and I think they should be kept around for little while longer. IMO, I still consider them part of the fishbowl group, they are the last of the GMC Fishbowls! They havent died yet!

I agree that Academy does deserve some Nova Classics for those routes especially love to see them on 606 all day, 715 will also be a good route for them. Now Im enjoying riding the Nova Classics on the Southwest Routes, It fits great for the Southwest region but I think Academy should trade in some of their 6600s and 2300s for Novas at Southwest. I grew up with 1986 GM Classics in Detroit until retired in 2002 and 1990 MCI Classics in Grand Rapids, Michigan until 2003 when it sadly retired and ship them back to Quebec RTC for a second hand. The Classics are the real buses, I wish that they are still around and make them. Hopelly Pace will keep them for the Olympics 2016. The Nova Classics are my favorite canadian/ east coast style buses. I still call the classics the Fishbowls, they still have the nostalgic look to them. And by the way, I have over 60 of MCI/ Nova Classic paperbuses with all cities that has or had them including 2 Pace- one with new logo in blue and old logo.

[Guest]

I agree that Academy does deserve some Nova Classics for those routes especially love to see them on 606 all day, 715 will also be a good route for them. Now Im enjoying riding the Nova Classics on the Southwest Routes, It fits great for the Southwest region but I think Academy should trade in some of their 6600s and 2300s for Novas at Southwest. I grew up with 1986 GM Classics in Detroit until retired in 2002 and 1990 MCI Classics in Grand Rapids, Michigan until 2003 when it sadly retired and ship them back to Quebec RTC for a second hand. The Classics are the real buses, I wish that they are still around and make them. Hopelly Pace will keep them for the Olympics 2016. The Nova Classics are my favorite canadian/ east coast style buses. I still call the classics the Fishbowls, they still have the nostalgic look to them. And by the way, I have over 60 of MCI/ Nova Classic paperbuses with all cities that has or had them including 2 Pace- one with new logo in blue and old logo.

I would like to see the Classics around for a bit longer but in reality I dont think they will be around by the time the Olympics come, If we win it of course!! I would love to get a chance to drive one to see what its like. I rode them only twice on the 270 Milwaukee. I dont know if NW still has theirs. I found out today at Academy we lost Orion #2373 and #2376. Orion #2374 is down for a while with a busted tranny. This morning I was assigned a back up driver although I didnt get an assigned run I had to drive a replacement spare to Rosemont to exchange with another driver. I drove Nabi #6606 suprisingly it was a good bus. When I got to Rosemont this morning I made the bus transfer and brought back Orion 35ft #2289.

[qwantae]

I would like to see the Classics around for a bit longer but in reality I dont think they will be around by the time the Olympics come, If we win it of course!! I would love to get a chance to drive one to see what its like. I rode them only twice on the 270 Milwaukee. I dont know if NW still has theirs. I found out today at Academy we lost Orion #2373 and #2376. Orion #2374 is down for a while with a busted tranny. This morning I was assigned a back up driver although I didnt get an assigned run I had to drive a replacement spare to Rosemont to exchange with another driver. I drove Nabi #6606 suprisingly it was a good bus. When I got to Rosemont this morning I made the bus transfer and brought back Orion 35ft #2289.

When did you rode the Novas on #270, Northwest Div currently doesnt have them, but they should get a few of those, It would be a good fit for that route, 250 Dempster and 208 Golf. Is Orion #2378 still running, I hope?

[Guest]

When did you rode the Novas on #270, Northwest Div currently doesnt have them, but they should get a few of those, It would be a good fit for that route, 250 Dempster and 208 Golf. Is Orion #2378 still running, I hope?

Wow! The last time I rode a Nova Classic, back around 1997. Since then I havent really seen much of them. I did see them a couple of times on the 332 Route at Rosemont since I started at Academy. But I dont see them that often probably because there arent that many of them. Orion #2378 is still running out of NW, I saw it a few days ago on 270. Its a probability we will get #2378 in the future at Academy because of the equipment shifting going on. Our Orions are really starting to show their wear and tear. It may not be long before some of our Orions are sent to the shredders. There was even talk about the possibility of the Orion low floors coming to Academy, I hope that dosent happen.

[Busjack]

6648 is also now at West.

It looks like Elgin is losing from 6651 backward. We'll have to see how far that goes, as Webwatch indicated that Elgin has about 10 2700s at a moment. If it were a complete swap, like at Aurora, it looks as though 28 buses would be needed, but how many buses were ordered is still unknown. The 2008 proposed and final budgets have different numbers. Also, the 2008 Pace budget indicated 13 2200s left, and a number of them still appear on Webwatch.

[Guest]

I was in Lisle recently and I noticed a lot of Nabi 6600s operating in that area. Does anyone have an updated assignment roster of the 6600s ?

Academy/Pace as of 01/09

#6604-6612

#6631,6632,6634,6635,6641,6642,6645,6646,6664,6681.

[New Flyer]

6600-6603 North Division

6604-6612 Academy I know the split up is very confusing

NO bus number ends in 13 primarily for superstitous reason (6613)

6614-6623 Fox Valley

6624-6628 Heritage Division (Joliet) 6627?

6629-6649 River Division (Elgin)

6650-6651 West Division

6652 River Division (Elgin)

6653-6660 South Division

6661-6664 River Division (Elgin)

6665-6675 Heritage Division (Joliet)

6676?

6677-6678 South Division

6679 West Division

6680-6681 Heritage Division (Joliet)

6682-6684 North Division

I know the split up is very confusing. West should have more coming in from either Elgin or Joliet.

This is the correct list from Academy

6604-6612 6631-6632 6634-6636 6641-6642 6645-6646 6664,6681

[New Flyer]

This is the correct list from Academy

6604-6612 6631-6632 6634-6636 6641-6642 6645-6646 6664,6681

Pace West has 6637,6643-6644 6647, 6650-6651 6671,6679

[Guest]

This is the correct list from Academy

6604-6612 6631-6632 6634-6636 6641-6642 6645-6646 6664,6681

Correction, We dont have 6636, we have 6635. I know there are some assigned to Westmont/First Student.

[ctaboy]

i only know CTA bus garages,not PACE.

[Guest]

i only know CTA bus garages,not PACE.

Thats good to know!!!!!

[Busjack]

To update this, I went bushawking today (even though I could have taken a chance on the new WebWatch) and basically the 6600s we thought were elsewhere, but didn't turn up where we thought, are on the First Student-Westmont (Lisle, Clarendon Hills) contracts:

6633, 6636, 6649, 6683.

That would be in addition to what they already had (6614-6623, 6652, 6676 from Aurora).

Webwatch seems to indicate that some Joliet ones went to West, but I'll wait for Monday to confirm.

[Guest]

To update this, I went bushawking today (even though I could have taken a chance on the new WebWatch) and basically the 6600s we thought were elsewhere, but didn't turn up where we thought, are on the First Student-Westmont (Lisle, Clarendon Hills) contracts:

6633, 6636, 6649, 6683.

That would be in addition to what they already had (6614-6623, 6652, 6676 from Aurora).

Webwatch seems to indicate that some Joliet ones went to West, but I'll wait for Monday to confirm.

I believe more of them will eventually go to Academy in the near future as our Orions are now on their last legs.

[Busjack]

I believe more of them will eventually go to Academy in the near future as our Orions are now on their last legs.

Except, of course, that's why First got them (especially with 2272 and 2288 apparently being out of service).

Looks like Pace is praying for that stimulus money quick. Of course, if First then gets 2700s, and you get their 6600s.... But that wouldn't be "in the near future."

[Busjack]

I surmised that Joliet would lose 3 buses as a result of the restructuring. According to WebWatch, 6627, 6628, and 6680 are now at West.