Routes Assigned Artics

[Danielsmusic]

I know that almost any NP, 103rd, Kedzie, or 77th route will be spotted running artics at some point. But what routes are actually designated for artics? Some, like the 6 or 147, are really obvious; some are not at all clear, like the 26, which seems to have artics one day and none the next. This is the list I have, but please feel free to make corrections:

Kedzie

50 not priority

52 not priority

82

120 not priority

122 not priority

124

134

151

156

168

North Park

92 (school trips)

X98

125

135

145

146

147

148 not priority

151 not priority

152 (school trips)

103rd

2 not priority

14

26

X28 not priority

121 not priority

123 not priority

169

192

77th

2

3

X3

4

X4

6

14 (some trips)

[Busjack]

The impression I got was that 124 was mostly Hybrid. What actually is the proportion?

[busfan2847]

The impression I got was that 124 was mostly Hybrid. What actually is the proportion?

Weekdays the 124 is always 40' (usually Hybrids & New Flyers). At weekends when the 156 is not running it is artics (definately in summer - not sure winter).

Kedzie artics also appear on 7 and 126 both not priority.

Last time I saw a 168 it was a hybrid.

[New Flyer]

Some of the assignments are based on buses available for service. Nabis are not allowed on lower Wacker Drive because their to wide and not enough clearance overhead so that would include all undergrounds except the 123 which runs above ground, and the #11 because the streets are to narrow, other than that they do what they have to, to meet schedule.

[sw4400]

and the #11 because the streets are to narrow, other than that they do what they have to, to meet schedule.

Not entirely true, New Flyer. I have seen and rode a NABI on #11, although it's been a LONG time since seeing one on Lincoln. But that alone tells me that they must be able to run on the route if only just one or two was assigned there on some occasions.

[trainman8119]

Weekdays the 124 is always 40' (usually Hybrids & New Flyers). At weekends when the 156 is not running it is artics (definately in summer - not sure winter).

Very rarely do I see an artic on the 124. Weekends are almost exclusively hybrids. The only time I have seen an artic on the 124 is during something like the air show, and even then it is extremely rare.

Over the past month or so, 124 has been about 85-90% hybrids.

[Busjack]

Nabis are not allowed on lower Wacker Drive because their to wide and not enough clearance overhead

Neither would disqualify an articulated, per se, because all CTA buses except the Optimas are 102 inches wide, and other types of buses have equipment on the roof (unless you are saying that 5800s, 6400s, and hybrids are also disqualified). There may be other maneuverability problems on the lower level, although it would seem easier to maneuver a 30ft-30ft combination than a 40 foot unbendable bus.

[Danielsmusic]

Weekdays the 124 is always 40' (usually Hybrids & New Flyers). At weekends when the 156 is not running it is artics (definately in summer - not sure winter).

I always see NABIs on the 124 on the weekdays, too.

[Danielsmusic]

There may be other maneuverability problems on the lower level, although it would seem easier to maneuver a 30ft-30ft combination than a 40 foot unbendable bus.

In my experience, tight turns on fast streets are easier with 40 footers. The thing with the artics is that the back doesn't turn, it swings. Because Lower Wacker is so narrow, there is some concern about the rear swinging into the concrete sides or another lane. When I've been on artics on the Lower Wacker routes, the drivers have moved very slowly.

[Danielsmusic]

Very rarely do I see an artic on the 124. Weekends are almost exclusively hybrids. The only time I have seen an artic on the 124 is during something like the air show, and even then it is extremely rare.

Over the past month or so, 124 has been about 85-90% hybrids.

I see artics on the 124 every day during the week.

[rmadisonwi]

Articulated buses generally do not operate on the #124 except during periods of special events.

I highly doubt that you see artics "every day during the week" on that route, especially if you're referring to recent weeks.

[Danielsmusic]

Articulated buses generally do not operate on the #124 except during periods of special events.

I highly doubt that you see artics "every day during the week" on that route, especially if you're referring to recent weeks.

No, I certainly do see them. Now that I think about it, there are usually no more than three a day. However, I DO see them.

[rmadisonwi]

I checked the 124's buses for the last week, and saw no Artics as having logged on as a 124.

Where do you see these buses? Keeping in mind that the #123 (103rd Garage) does often run with artics. Especially if you see "no more than three a day," as the 124 doesn't have more than four buses on the route at any given time.

[Danielsmusic]

I checked the 124's buses for the last week, and saw no Artics as having logged on as a 124.

Where do you see these buses? Keeping in mind that the #123 (103rd Garage) does often run with artics. Especially if you see "no more than three a day," as the 124 doesn't have more than four buses on the route at any given time.

Well, one of my friends drives the 124, and he backs me up on this.

[Danielsmusic]

You know, nothing's getting accomplished in this. I see what I see, and you hear what you hear. Whatever. We disagree, and that's it. I don't think this is going anywhere, so let's not argue about this. Next time I can, I'll take a pic of an artic on the 124 during the week. I'll post it. However, without evidence, neither of us should continue this argument.

[trainman8119]

You know, nothing's getting accomplished in this. I see what I see, and you hear what you hear. Whatever. We disagree, and that's it. I don't think this is going anywhere, so let's not argue about this. Next time I can, I'll take a pic of an artic on the 124 during the week. I'll post it. However, without evidence, neither of us should continue this argument.

This is more than someone hearing what he is hearing. This is someone who has inside info and documented info, and offered an alternative as to what you may have seen. Face it, 124 has not had artics on it. My guess is that you won't be able to take a pic, since there won't be a pic to take !!!!

As for your friend, ask him (her) when the last time he (she) drove an artic on that particular route.

[BusExpert32]

Where do you see these buses? Keeping in mind that the #123 (103rd Garage) does often run with artics. Especially if you see "no more than three a day," as the 124 doesn't have more than four buses on the route at any given time.

Well, it's not three per day, but he could be seeing at least one 7500 that keeps showing up due to how short a route the #124 can be, as it only operates up to four buses.

[Danielsmusic]

Well, it's not three per day, but he could be seeing at least one 7500 that keeps showing up due to how short a route the #124 can be, as it only operates up to four buses.

I checked the schedule. You're right. There's one bus I keep seeing over and over again. Sorry for the confusion. And, for whoever asked (I don't remember who), my friend drove an artic on the 124 last week.

[Busjack]

I'm not from Chicago (However I'll be visiting in the near future), so what routes get NABIs on weekdays and weekends?

To put the response in a more logical thread, look above.

Basically, though NABIs are most seen on Lake Shore Drive express routes (6, 14, 135, 136, 144, 145, 146, 147, maybe 148). They may be on some local routes, but that is now predominantly 156, as they have become less frequent on other local routes as apparently their dependability has become questionable..

Look at the CTA Bus Schedules and pull down a schedule of interest. While some of the routes run NABIs on weekends, that is less likely.

You can probably get a better idea by going to the Bus Tracker map, plug in the available routes from what is indicated above, and look for buses in the 7500-7725 range.

[rmadisonwi]

Your best bet for an artic on weekends is the 146 or 147.

They do find their way onto other routes, but not as often.

[jajuan]

I'll agree that 146 and 147 are your best bets for artics on the weekend are 146 and 147. You may also seem them on the 14 on the weekend, though this route tends to have up to half NF 1000s on the weekends from what members who live near this route on the south side have mentioned of their observations.