Late Retirement

[BUSANGEL#1]

Well now its February and we have more than enough flyers to replace the entire flex53 fleet. Why are over 100 still around. The CTA is wasting money. January 2008 was the retirement period and they refuse to let go of those raggedy, dirty fuel buses. But yet they want to retire the TMCs before their retirement year. Hmmm, something is strange about this. If the 5300s stay around, say about 3 months, I wonder when the 6000s will retire. Maybe around 2020!

[Kevin]

Who said the 5300s would be retired by January 2008?

The 4400s and 5300s, both of which have exceeded their useful life, are being retired simultaneously. Individual buses are retired based on their condition, not on their series.

[Busjack]

Who said the 5300s would be retired by January 2008?

In effect, the propaganda apparatus of the CTA did.

See these Press Releases:

By the end of option 1: 5/10/06 That would have been bus 1429 (plus the 20 hybrids).

Certainly by the end of option 2: 11/08/06. That would be bus 1629, and we are reportedly a few short of that.

Of course, either times change or the Press Releases mean nothing.

However, having received about 600 New Flyers (plus some scrapping of 5300s when the last 50 NABIs were received), enough has been received to replace 470 Flxs. There may be a need for more buses for X routes and 3 track, but the CTA said the 5300s would be gone by now.

[jajuan]

In effect, the propaganda apparatus of the CTA did.

See these Press Releases:

By the end of option 1: 5/10/06 That would have been bus 1429 (plus the 20 hybrids).

Certainly by the end of option 2: 11/08/06. That would be bus 1629, and we are reportedly a few short of that.

Of course, either times change or the Press Releases mean nothing.

However, having received about 600 New Flyers (plus some scrapping of 5300s when the last 50 NABIs were received), enough has been received to replace 470 Flxs. There may be a need for more buses for X routes and 3 track, but the CTA said the 5300s would be gone by now.

Yes. That is true. And Kevin, you gave some info in the bus fleet info pages based on the CTA's information. By both accounts, They definitely should be gone by now.

[Danielsmusic]

Yes. That is true. And Kevin, you gave some info in the bus fleet info pages based on the CTA's information. By both accounts, They definitely should be gone by now.

What one also must consider is that both reports are a year-and-a-half old, meaning that CTA certainly could've changed their plan since the reports were released.

Also, from what drivers at 103rd (a garage with both types) have told me, the 4400s tend to break down more than the 5300s. Apparently, the TMCs tend to overheat a lot.

[qwantae]

Well now its February and we have more than enough flyers to replace the entire flex53 fleet. Why are over 100 still around. The CTA is wasting money. January 2008 was the retirement period and they refuse to let go of those raggedy, dirty fuel buses. But yet they want to retire the TMCs before their retirement year. Hmmm, something is strange about this. If the 5300s stay around, say about 3 months, I wonder when the 6000s will retire. Maybe around 2020!

I think that 4400s should stick around until at least 2010 or later, and 5800s until the Olympics 2016. I love 5300s better than 6000s. but 5300s has got to go, at least we still got 6000s (Flxible Metros).

And other question: How come are we not getting anymore Hybrid buses?

[Danielsmusic]

I think that 4400s should stick around until at least 2010 or later

Um, no. The TMCs are projected to last till early 2009 at the latest. Only a few of them can serve at decent speed, and the mid-life rehab pretty much neglected everything but the heating/air conditioning.

and 5800s until the Olympics 2016.

According to my NP driver friends and one or two NP drivers on this site, the 5800s will probably start retirement next year.

I love 5300s better than 6000s. but 5300s has got to go, at least we still got 6000s (Flxible Metros).

I agree 100%. I just hope that a 5300 is saved by CHBM or CTA.

And other question: How come are we not getting anymore Hybrid buses?

WE ARE!!! We're ordering New Flyer hybrid artics! We decided on what type of hybrid motor we want long ago.

[Busjack]

I think that 4400s should stick around until at least 2010 or later, and 5800s until the Olympics 2016.

You obviously look at buses, but don't ride them. Even though rebuilt, apparently the 5800s are not what they once were. Do you really want to ride a bunch of 21 year old hulks that break down to the Olympics? Not to mention the maintenance costs CTA is trying to reduce. Do you own a 1986 car and still like it?

[sw4400]

You obviously look at buses, but don't ride them. Even though rebuilt, apparently the 5800s are not what they once were. Do you really want to ride a bunch of 21 year old hulks that break down to the Olympics? Not to mention the maintenance costs CTA is trying to reduce. Do you own a 1986 car and still like it?

Most likely the 5800's will be retired well before 2016, and WELL before that, the TMC's. But a 21 year old bus still on the street is not unlikely, Busjack. Remember the Fishbowls? Some of them were 23 years old when finally retired in 1996.

I'm going to make a prediction on the 5800's.... 2010-2011 retirement year. I've ridden them from time to time on #11, and most still have the giddy up that the 1000's have right now.

[New Flyer]

You have to also remember that the Flex, and TMCs came into service at the same time. The TMCs were delayed because of problems with the front doors. Also not all the TMCs were rehabbed, plus they never ran right after the air conditioners were put in. They began to have electrical problems which caused a couple to burn up. The last one happenning a few years ago on Blue Island.

[qwantae]

You obviously look at buses, but don't ride them. Even though rebuilt, apparently the 5800s are not what they once were. Do you really want to ride a bunch of 21 year old hulks that break down to the Olympics? Not to mention the maintenance costs CTA is trying to reduce. Do you own a 1986 car and still like it?

Have I disrespect you yet? For your information, I own an 2005 Mitsubushi Galant I just dont drive it because of the Gas Prices, but Its not my fault that I like "Old style" buses. I can go to Canada to ride a Fishbowl if I have to, people have different opinions, Yes I ride them everyday- so what? Im not going to hate old buses because of breakdown or anything. I've seen bunch of 1000s and 7500s breakdown everyday, whats the difference? So Im not giving up old buses and just go on and love new buses that I dont like but I have no choice to ride them.

[Busjack]

For your information, I own an 2005 Mitsubushi Galant I just dont drive it because of the Gas Prices... I've seen bunch of 1000s and 7500s breakdown everyday, whats the difference?

Two misconceptions:

• Personally I don't care if you use the car or bus. My only point is that you prefer a 3 year old car over a 21 year old one.
  
• Even if new buses have breakdowns, that isn't a justification for keeping one for 21 years, especially since the 5800s have had a history of engine compartment fires (although rmadison can probably give a more accurate number of how many are already out of service, for this or other reasons).
  

[Danielsmusic]

Have I disrespect you yet? For your information, I own an 2005 Mitsubushi Galant I just dont drive it because of the Gas Prices, but Its not my fault that I like "Old style" buses. I can go to Canada to ride a Fishbowl if I have to, people have different opinions, Yes I ride them everyday- so what? Im not going to hate old buses because of breakdown or anything. I've seen bunch of 1000s and 7500s breakdown everyday, whats the difference? So Im not giving up old buses and just go on and love new buses that I dont like but I have no choice to ride them.

A couple things:

1. At least fifteen times as many TMCs break down as the 1000s. You don't always see the TMCs breaking down because about 10% of them are in such bad condition that they can't leave the garage in the morning.

2. While you may like older buses, saying that they're going to be around for so long is a. completely incorrect; and b. illogical/unreasonable. CTAs old buses are in awful condition, and CTA simply cannot keep them on the street. I completely understand your desire to keep seeing and riding old buses, but you can't just say that CTA is wrong for retiring them. If the CTA starts to keep buses for this long, CTA will cease to exist (and you won't be riding ANY buses then.)

3. Managing a bus fleet is not about opinion, it's about fact.

[Danielsmusic]

You have to also remember that the Flex, and TMCs came into service at the same time. The TMCs were delayed because of problems with the front doors. Also not all the TMCs were rehabbed, plus they never ran right after the air conditioners were put in. They began to have electrical problems which caused a couple to burn up. The last one happenning a few years ago on Blue Island.

Two things:

1. I think (but am not sure) that all the TMCs that continued in service were rehabbed. I could be wrong on this one, but I think they were.

2. A few TMCs have burned up more recently, but not while in service. One of my NP friends says that, while he was leaving the garage last year, his TMC caught fire. The fire was put out very quickly, and service wasn't interrupted because my friend was doing night runs.

[cta_44499_FG]

Two things:

1. I think (but am not sure) that all the TMCs that continued in service were rehabbed. I could be wrong on this one, but I think they were.

2. A few TMCs have burned up more recently, but not while in service. One of my NP friends says that, while he was leaving the garage last year, his TMC caught fire. The fire was put out very quickly, and service wasn't interrupted because my friend was doing night runs.

One of my last runs at North Park I wall pulling a TMC out (can't remember which one)...it smoked like a cyclone from the tailpipe...man! Ok, nothing too out of the ordinary. Left the garage, hit outer LSD, I get to about Irving Park when I notice its getting a little cloudy in my bus. WHAT THE? So I pulled off the drive at Belmont and had to call it in.

[qwantae]

Two things:

1. I think (but am not sure) that all the TMCs that continued in service were rehabbed. I could be wrong on this one, but I think they were.

2. A few TMCs have burned up more recently, but not while in service. One of my NP friends says that, while he was leaving the garage last year, his TMC caught fire. The fire was put out very quickly, and service wasn't interrupted because my friend was doing night runs.

Yes Daniel, I believe you about the fire, I remember seen a few TMCs were burned down sitting at 77th yard with the one back around 2003. And I remember it was about around the late 90s that I've saw the first one burned down sitting at the same place, do you or anyone remember the number were those Burned down TMCs and how many total ones now? About 4?

I remember back in September 2006, I've seen a burned down #5301 getting towed from 103rd to 77th Yard Via Stony Island/ 91st.