Jump to content

The Wave Part 10: From DC Union Station to Silver Springs


Recommended Posts

On Saturday, I was on my way to Washington DC for a 3 night stay. I have to say, I really liked the trip there, and I managed to get plenty of shots of the bus and rail system in Washington DC. This thread will focus more on the buses, the rail thread will come eventually

 

This bus is part of the DC Circulator system, buses which arrived last year to the system. This is run by DC Transit, in partnership with WMATA, DCDOT, and First Transit (yeah, sounds like a lot)

 

20267340123_a915cc3646_b.jpg2015 New Flyer Xcelsior "XDE40" 2016 on the Union Station-Georgetown Route (DC Circulator) at North Capitol Street/Massachusetts Avenue NW by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

Now here are some WMATA buses

 

20888362605_62412ed2c2_b.jpg2008 NABI 60-BRT CNG 5414 on the X2 at H Street/7 Street NW by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

Now, I stayed at a hotel in the community of Silver Springs, which has a metro station and multiple bus routes. The 70/79 were the only two from the city that took me there. I took the 80 first, from Union Station to Chinatown, then the 79

 

20700307590_6a4cbc3065_b.jpg2001 New Flyer C40LF 2338 on the 80 (Washington Metrobus) at H Street/7 Street NW by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

The 79 is a MetroExtra route, which is a limited stop service. MetroExtra buses have a different color scheme from the regular metrobus routes

 

20895591701_da87aeb6e0_b.jpg2009 New Flyer DE42LFA 6441 on the 79 (Washington Metrobus) at Georgia Avenue/East-West Hwy by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

Bus Service is $1.75 for the local/limited bus routes which are pretty nice, considering the price in NYC. However you need the smarttrip card for transfers. Otherwise, you do not get any transfers. The cards cost $2.

 

And here we meet the first of the Suburban bus systems. Ride On is based in Montgomery County Maryland, spanning most of the county. Some WMATA routes also operate in the county as well. 

 

20700382368_fba68158ec_b.jpg2014 Gillig Advantage Low Floor Diesel 5085 on the 18 (Ride On Montogmery) at East-West Hwy/Georgia Ave by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

Here are more Metrobuses and Ride-On buses

 

20895590891_2748527a07_b.jpg2010 New Flyer DE42LFA 6510 on the 70 (Washington Metrobus) at Georgia Avenue/East-West Hwy by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

20888360165_b4c0909f9b_b.jpg2012 New Flyer Xcelsior "XDE40" 7217 on the 70 (Washington Metrobus) at Georgia Avenue/East-West Hwy by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

20878675402_cb447273d2_b.jpg2012 New Flyer Xcelsior "XDE40" 7217 on the 70 (Washington Metrobus) at Georgia Avenue/East-West Hwy by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

20888368435_1fd73382f2_b.jpg2014 Gillig Advantage Low Floor Diesel 5085 on the 28 (Ride On Montogmery) at Georgia Ave/East-West Hwy by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

20888367675_7032381388_b.jpg2009 Gillig Advantage Low Floor Diesel 5014 on the 28 (Ride On Montogmery) at Georgia Ave/Blair Mill Rd by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

20878683302_05d427edf4_b.jpg2009 Gillig Advantage Low Floor Diesel 5014 on the 28 (Ride On Montogmery) at Georgia Ave/Blair Mill Rd by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

20700296030_94992f63d1_b.jpg2009 Gillig Advantage Low Floor Diesel 5014 on the 28 (Ride On Montogmery) at Georgia Ave/Blair Mill Rd by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

20878673492_03a72cdb4f_b.jpg2012 New Flyer Xcelsior "XDE40" 7211 on the S4 (Washington Metrobus) at Georgia Avenue/ Bonifant Street by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

20878672612_644bc34834_b.jpg2001 Orion V Diesel 5592 (Ride On Montgomery) Not In Service by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

20862078926_308f4604ee_b.jpg2012 Gillig Advantage Low Floor 5362 on the 9 (Ride-On Montgomery) at Georgia Avenue/Colesville Road by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

20265749464_be6f563414_b.jpg2010 New Flyer DE42LFA 6532 on the S2 (Washington Metrobus) at Georgia Avenue/Wayne Avenue by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

20895584181_9e98fdd790_b.jpg2010 New Flyer DE42LFA 6532 on the S2 (Washington Metrobus) at Wayne Avenue/Dixon Avenue by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

These buses are Neoplan Articulateds, which are going to be replaced soon. I'm glad I had the chance to take shots of these buses, although I didn't get to ride them.

 

20700366468_b990886e15_b.jpg2002 Neoplan AN460A 5311 on the 70 (Washington Metrobus) at Wayne Avenue/Dixon Ave by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

20700365718_2f5cee7ae6_b.jpg2002 Neoplan AN460A 5311 on the 70 (Washington Metrobus) at Wayne Avenue/Dixon Ave by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

20265761354_3f0fc42618_b.jpg2009 New Flyer DE42LFA 6441 on the 79 (Washington Metrobus) at Wayne Avenue/Dixon Avenue by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

There will be a new Transit Center to consolidate all the buses that currently stop near the Silver Spring Metro Station (which are a lot, and they stop all over the place)

 

20878667382_46614d2e64_b.jpgFuture Silver Spring Transit Center by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

20700303130_624d644283_b.jpgFuture Silver Spring Transit Center by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

20878666312_a915c55f22_b.jpg2009 Gillig Advantage Low Floor 5334 on the 12 (Ride-On Montgomery) at Wayne Avenue/Colesville Road by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

20265744094_fd74052002_b.jpg2002 Orion V Diesel 5617 (Ride On Montgomery) Not In Service by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

20701599959_74b91af317_b.jpg2013 Gillig Advantage Low Floor Diesel 5034 on the 8 (Ride On Montogmery) at Georgia Ave/ Colesville Road by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

20700302070_37851dddf6_b.jpg2013 New Flyer Xcelsior "XDE40" 7235 on the Z8 (Washington Metrobus) at Colesville Road/Georgia Ave by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

20267324053_2c57d76298_b.jpg2013 Gillig Advantage Low Floor Diesel 5034 on the 8 (Ride On Montogmery) at Colesville Road/ Georgia Avenue by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

20895594171_b28a4c8de0_b.jpg2008 New Flyer DE42LFA 6354 on the Q4 (Washington Metrobus) at Wayne Avenue/ Ramsey Avenue by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

20862070386_bf0232890e_b.jpg2012 Gillig Advantage Low Floor 5364 on the 16 (Ride-On Montgomery) at Colesville Road/Ramsey Avenue by BM5 via Woodhaven, on Flickr

 

Here's a video to end it 

 

 

 

More to come, so stay tuned. Thanks for watching!

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Great assortment!

But jeebus, those "bare-bones" Gilligs!  2014 buses with the same look as HF Phantoms.  For all the talk about DC metro area being so affluent, their transit systems sure don't reflect it.  Would have expected something closer to MTA fleet choices.

Those 29-footers must be a tight squeeze with everyone sitting above the engine because of the second door.  Cuts around 6 seats out because of 2 ADA on other side.

The Neoplans you highlighted are about the same age as the Bee-Line ones, right?  Any comparisons to make even though you didn't ride them?

Looking forward to seeing more!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great assortment!

But jeebus, those "bare-bones" Gilligs!  2014 buses with the same look as HF Phantoms.  For all the talk about DC metro area being so affluent, their transit systems sure don't reflect it.  Would have expected something closer to MTA fleet choices.

Those 29-footers must be a tight squeeze with everyone sitting above the engine because of the second door.  Cuts around 6 seats out because of 2 ADA on other side.

The Neoplans you highlighted are about the same age as the Bee-Line ones, right?  Any comparisons to make even though you didn't ride them?

Looking forward to seeing more!

Well, the Small buses are because the suburban transit systems don't garner much ridership, especially since WMATA runs in the same areas as well. Those gilligs are ideal for those transit systems, which don't get high levels of ridership. 

 

The Neoplans there look somewhat better maintained than Bee-Line's buses. They sound better than some of Bee Line's units too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thought that was the case with using 29-footers, and it looked like the one route was a "free" route anyways, so it does make sense.  Personally, I hate 29s, with the only saving grace being rapid acceleration.  Too many times get caught next to/close to someone with a soap/running water "allergy" up top, plus it's a bit tight getting in/out.

 

Also figured the Neoplans would be as you describe them.  Didn't occur to me until after reading your response to factor in the milder climate compared to NY as a possibility for that.  Given that Neoplans are a bit on the "problem child" side for maintenance, it's sort of amazing that these TAs get as many years service out of them as they do.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.