East New York

21 hours ago, Lil 57 said:

Happens a lot on the SIM1 and SIM10 routes. A couple weeks ago, I remember seeing four Jamaica Bound Q60 buses bunching near the QC Mall.

It happens on all routes at times. Especially during peak periods.

23 hours ago, XcelsiorBoii4888 said:

I thought the main goal with all these deliveries was to uniform the depots so they don't need as many different parts. 

It is, however about 2 years ago now when I said the fleets would become uniform in the future! it was inevitable that New Flyer begin to spill into other depots one day. Once the orders started going 60/40 NFI/Nova it was only a matter of time. 

23 hours ago, Cait Sith said:

If that were the case, Jamaica wouldn't be getting XD40s.

Remember the post I referenced (from above) before all this fleet consolidation? This works because there’s no problem with a depot like JA having multiple bus types because of the location and the fact that all of their buses can be maintained at East New York or ZA (in the case of the LFS). They don’t even do major maintenance on the NG’s anymore at all. They go to EN along with all South Queens Bus Company Depot NG’s as well now. They can also be maintained at GA. On top of that the new JA will have a much larger store room. The RTS’ are on their way out the door, and this is only the beginning. We will see more depots with “dual fleets” in the future. However they will be based logistically. 

This also still works with the borough uniformity. Remember when I said Queens would be the acception because of Bus Company alone. Along with Stengel there are already a lot of Xcelsiors in Queens. Once the New JA opens I see them having up to 3 types of buses, which will likely include hybrids. 

23 hours ago, S78 via Hylan said:

Some garages are doing that, but there’s nothing wrong with a depot having two separate fleets as opposed to say, four or more like UP had a one point.

All of them are doing it with the exception of CFM’s for the most part. It’s based on the side of the depot store rooms, and overall fleet location and logistics.

23 hours ago, MysteriousBtrain said:

It still is the case for the most part. Jamaica got their XD40s more to replace the RTS faster. It can be possible that the XD40s and the oddball NGs would also help out as when JA is complete with reconstruction it can take a handful of CS's fleet when the depot closes for the LGA airtrain.

And to replace the NG’s as well.

22 hours ago, FLX9304 said:

You will still need a third TA Depot in Queens. You cannnot give up the TA routes to the nearby CP. 

Buses can however be housed at CP or another Bus Co. depot if need be. We are going to be tight on space until the new Jamaica opens. Some buses however will remain at Jamaica as I am being told the depot will not shut down all at once. It will be phased out for the new one as not to disrupt operations in the way we have in the past with a complete closure. The new depot will begin construction while the old one is still there. I will get more into that soon.

22 hours ago, XcelsiorBoii4888 said:

There's gonna be an overlap since there's more Xcelsiors in the local fleet than Novas, but I'm saying with this order it would've made sense parts wise to take care of S.I, and shut them up for a while local fleet wise. 

But as Btrain said, other depots are more familiar with the NGs even though the 7000s are basically the same just diesel versions. 

There’s actually quite a few differences. There is overall commonality, but underneath they are fundamentally different. The E10’s (commonly known as 3G/4G’s) share some body panels, lights, and subsystems with the NG’s but that’s about all. They have different engines, powertrains, exhaust systems, windows, doors, different sized rear doors, different HVAC’s, different brakes, and totally different maintenance programs. 

These buses can essentially go anywhere. Since SI is a high mileage depot, I see them being transferred out at some point anyway. The could however die there. We will just have to wait and see and there are no current plans to move them that I know of.

2 hours ago, JeremiahC99 said:

Wouldn’t a more logical solution for the mileage issues and spare factor problems be to give about 10 of those new LFS buses to Castleton and give the buses they grabbed from Yukon (8252-8259) back to them, so they can have great extra LFS buses be new buses. That way they can have the original 68 2015-16 LFS buses they were allotted (8184-8251), plus the 10 they would get, for a total of 78 buses. Yukon would get back 8252-8259 from Charleston and Castleton for a total of 66 old LFS buses and get 67 new ones for a total of 133 new ones. More specifically:

8184-8251, 10 new LFS (78) Castleton 

8252-8317, 67 new LFS (133) Yukon (this Depot would be 100% LFS for the non-express Fleet. The NGs would go to the mainland to retire older buses).

If 8126 is repaired and returned to service from its accident, like what happened with NG 4619 after its accident, it would be returned to Charleston to make 64 needed buses again:

8120-8183 (64) Charleston 

 

With these assignments, there would be better service, especially at Yukon, since local service will no longer be covered with Hybrids with loads of mileage, routes crossing the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and the newly-raised Bayonne Bridge would be served by diesel buses, which could be better for these operations than Series-hybrids. Castleton would get an extra few buses for additional service.

 

Also, any plans for installing bike racks on the new scheme buses for routes crossing bridges with no pedestrian walkways?

No, there’s a lot more to it that what it looks like from the surface. Just let MTA handle all that. The could decide to just swap NG’s with some on the mainland, or just get rid of them all together. Last plans I checked they were supposed to get rid of them the NG’s on the island all together. When the first assignments came down it didn’t make any sense to me because it didn’t really allow for displacement of the NG from the depot, only from the S79. 

With these new assignments it makes much more sense and follows what I was told about the island being hybrid free. I’m being told the next wave for SI will be electric buses, and they won’t be getting any of the new hybrids either.

This revised actually is now nearly identical to what I said it should be. I however had Jamaica in the mix as well. But it makes sense for them to get XD’s right now. 

Lets not forget we will also have the last 96 XD40’s off the current order to be assigned to Depots after L train. This time next year we have hybrids beginning to come in, and if BAE doesn’t get it together the writing is on the wall. After L shuttle there will be quite a few moves, swaps, and retirements.

Lets just let it play out and talk about it all as we get the information or as it happens. 

17 minutes ago, The Real said:

Remember JG is getting 8 of them for the L Shuttle work, so it was probably bought over there for familiarization.

Yeah it was supposed to but never made it. Was promptly reassigned and sent to UP. I figured it was because it was the weekend and there wouldn't be as many people there anyway so it would have just been sitting, when it could be in service.

I'm trying to pull up the details for the contracts. It appears as it was definitely a split award, but I'm not sure exactly how it was divided up.

On 10/20/2018 at 11:03 AM, XcelsiorBoii4888 said:

I don't wanna post this in the Advocacy Group because idk if it's a good idea, but yesterday in the Staten Island express group page, someone posted video of about 50+ buses waiting to get into the tunnel during the PM rush, stuck in standstill traffic. 

Would it be possible to build a yard for Staten Island buses (and possibly express buses around the city), to house buses midday so drivers can pick them up in the city and return them to their respective depots in the PM rush? Would that also cut down on gas and how the run pays? I don't want drivers salaries getting cut, but at least it would be more efficient in terms of mileage. 

I already know a few express buses stay at Quill during the day, but whatever buses drivers pick up at the depot during the PM rush, they can pick up at this yard in the city. Where in the city would they build this? There's a piece of land by the UN that was being talked about if Manhattanville were to close, but since its not, maybe that? Or maybe build a something similar to the old Edgewater Depot on a giant pier? On the Upper West Side since most buses start at 57th. 

Drivers can report to Staten Island, and then they can travel in groups of 50+ on say 3-4 buses. I'm guessing they would have to report earlier to get on the bus, and then when they're in the city, they'll have a place to lounge at that yard until the start of their trip. Also, since there would be limited buses heading into the city coming from Staten Island, could perhaps the ferry help transport those buses to the city using the boats that used to carry cars to carry those buses and drivers? It would be strictly MTA buses so safety wouldn't be a concern. I don't know weight limits on those boats but I'm just throwing something out there.

I don't know the traffic conditions for the Bronx and Queens, but maybe them and Ulmer Park can do the same in terms of having drivers all head into the city in say 1 or 2 buses? 

Anyone can help clarify if its possible or not.  

More than a few actually stay at Quill. For all the others, they lay over at other places in Manhattan. Operators with split shifts or that have runs that aren’t interlined with off peak runs return to their respective depots. 

16 hours ago, Lil 57 said:

Question: Do Subway Shuttles have a schedule? Or do they just show up whenever they want? 

16 hours ago, trainfan22 said:

They have the same schedule as the trains do, but B/O don't follow it cause obviously the bus can't keep up with the train schedule.

Subway shuttles actually do not have base schedules at all. Operators have a report time and they line up. Buses pull off as they fill if. If one does not fill up by a certain time, dispatch will send it out anyway so there isn’t any major gaps in the line. They are the ones who say when the next bus pulls off, and it is at their sole discretion. Notice there is always a dispatcher at the front of the line for any and all subway shuttles.

7549 was assigned to JG but there’s no sense in it going there over the weekend so I’m not sure why it was assigned there in the first place.

7549 is at the service center and will be going to JG tomorrow to start driver/maintenance  training if all goes as planned. 

Quill is next. 

5531-5534 to GH

2 hours ago, Future ENY OP said:

Ulmer Park on the clock for new delivery.. Very nice. 

Lord knows I love the smell of a brand spanking new bus that’s never seen service! 😍

Correct @Cait Sith

Ladies and gentleman, it has begun. 

Brand new 2019 model year NovaBus LFSA's 5531-5534 are officially assigned to GH, and pending delivery. We have a few others pending as well, but someone dropped the ball on this bus renumbering. 5535, 5536 and quite a few others need to be changed immediately as they are now officially in the way. smh

And yes I said 2019!

****

5443 to MQ

7533, 7534, 7550 NFI to UP

20 hours ago, Q43LTD said:

The M60 began service in 1992, if I'm not mistaken. 

That is correct. It began out of Bronx Division OF, fall pick 1992 between LGA and 125th & Lenox. It was extended to the west side in '94 when the new RTS' came in. A year later it was re-routed to Broadway. 

Here's a fun fact. The MetroCard pilot began in October 1994 on the Bx55, and focused on  transferring to the IRT at 149th - Gd. Concourse. They then immediately changed plans to retrofit the rest of the MaBSTOA fleet, then citywide to TA over the next year or so.

On 10/8/2018 at 8:53 PM, Ultimategamer12c said:

Umm I'm so confuse rn with the XD40 orders aren't those topose to be FP units ? That means FP would either get 7500 -7507 from JA instead of getting 7540 -7547 cause I'm guessing it will 7520-7539 for GA  but anyone can correct me if I'm wrong 

see my comment below please

On 10/8/2018 at 8:58 PM, MHV184 said:

I noticed that Quills order has been giving to I believe JA since they have a bus that belongs to MQ. Correct me if I'm wrong.

If you all are not keeping up with the conversation, please go back and review previous pages, or reference the first page of this thread. Some of you (basically the same users) continue to be clueless as to some of what's going on and I'm not understanding why. Topics like XD40 assignments have been discussed almost every other day, and the disposition of almost everything going on in the system generally is on the first page as well.  

On 10/9/2018 at 11:40 PM, Around the Horn said:

With the 2015 order, depots received buses in batches of ten. Buses were purposefully delivered out of numerical order to keep the buses within the assigned number ranges.

It seems this time that they're building them in number order and just assigning buses randomly as they come in in packs of 15-20...

That 2014-2015 order was random as well when it comes to delivery just like all the others. The assignments however were pretty much complete when the buses came in. They didn't get anything in batches of 10, and buses are not delivered in high numbers like that from the manufacturer anyway.

What you are likely referring to and thinking of is the odd batch 7140-7150, which was sent to UP out of sequence. That was actually 11 buses, which were built with the first 20 buses off the line, and therefore are 2014 models actually.They didn't get those all at once tho. 

10 hours ago, RSMG106 said:

I just hope the MTA doesn't accept the Prevost X-345s as the next express bus order. The design is great, and I know there are a lot of people who likes theses buses, but it lacks a retarder, only has one standard engine, the Volvo D13, and it doesn't have the modern style feel like Low floor for ADA accessibility. The buses are great, but doesn't have these key features

 

Fuel economy is what it boiled down to for the last order. The Prevost is more fuel efficient than the classic and contemporary D-Series models. This time around, it will end up being based on the features mentioned above. They do however have a retarder as do all transit buses, and most all heavy duty vehicles.

I see MCI, and Alexander-Dennis as our next OTR coach manufacturers. 

As far as Quill. They do not have 5440, 5441, or 5443 just yet. They are all at the Nova Service center.

That was a typo thank you. I meant 1103 and 1105 weren't there yet. 1105 is on TA property, but hasn't made it to the depot yet at last check.

On 10/12/2018 at 11:00 AM, Novabus 5000 said:

1036 to WF. 

5326 & 5327 to WF.

On 10/12/2018 at 3:47 PM, Novabus 5000 said:

1036 to WF. 

5326 & 5327 to WF.

We got you bro! Not to mention 1036 has been up there for a week lol. 

On 10/12/2018 at 8:00 PM, UTC Bus Roster said:

We already have these.

FYI, Gleason has 1073-1103, 1105, as well as 1025-1026 & 1030-1035 which will eventually go back to West Farms.

JG does not have 1103 nor 1105. They haven’t arrived just yet. 

On 10/12/2018 at 11:19 PM, Orion6025 said:

? I just checked the system to make sure and i'm seeing 1100-1102, 1106 registered to Gleason. It's possible we're using different sources?

 

never mind we're definitely using different systems. I'm only referencing depot rosters

What systems are y’all using??? Lol

23 minutes ago, Cait Sith said:

CHA?

You mean Charleston?

He listed it there....

He's talking about delivery order. CH is either 3rd or 5th. I have to double check.

11 minutes ago, BM5 via Woodhaven said:

You know what I meant (the regular SBS stops).

There were some buses running as M34s during the event. Perhaps they changed it after the event ended (which made sense). Also, yes, I don't dispute that they were shuttles (because they just went from Javits to Penn). However, those buses for whatever reason were appear on bustime as M34s, even with the destination signs saying 'SUBWAY SHUTTLE'. 

I'm still a bit confused as to what you are saying though. Some buses were running as M34's?? What I am not understanding is how buses would show up on BT as the M34 if they were shuttles. Doesn't really make sense seeing as the GPS is tied into the farebox and destination code. 

What day and time was this?

On 10/6/2018 at 9:36 PM, BM5 via Woodhaven said:

Likely the extra M34 bus service the MTA said they would provide.

 

However, now that it's nighttime, they're signing the buses up as 'SUBWAY SHUTTLE' , and going from 12th Avenue straight to 8th Avenue, and then end at 7th Avenue. There's less than a handful of M34s on the entire route, making local stops. Nice one MTA.

Making local stops???? There are no local stops and the one's that were shuttles weren't the M34. They were shuttles lol.

1 hour ago, trainfan22 said:

Earlier around 2PM their was three B60 bunched up Bridge Plaza bound in Cararsie.. first time seeing the 60 bunched in threes,  it was basically midday too which made it even more odd.

That's actually pretty common seeing as they run every 10 minutes at that time, and the run is pretty long. The construction in the Canarsie area is what tends to buch them right now. Other than that, the leader/follower system has B60 buses back-to-back at most times of the day. 

Take this very moment for example, there are a few back-to-back headed in both directions now. 

Good evening everyone. The first page has received it first full update in about 6-7 months. Please take time and review it from top to bottom as almost everything has changed, and new information has been added. It is not complete just yet, and have to new things that I want to add in and discuss. Sometime this month or next I will start an official thread on the pending   Train Shuttle service. 

After that, I will be starting a thread on the Jamaica Terminal reconstruction project. Slightly behind schedule, the final design is planned for completion in the fall of 2019, with construction and relocation to temporary bus stops to begin in October of 2019. MTA plans for the construction to be complete by may 2020, with operations fully restored to the new terminal for Summer pick.

In the meanwhile, it's time for the fall DOB review.

In progress/pending deliveries:

LFS - QV,and YU are up first for delivery beginning in February.

LFSA - GH is pending delivery immediately.

XD40 - Delivery to UP, MQ, and 1 unit to JG for training and qualification are up next.

XDE40 - Last Allison unit (9504) said to be an audit bus. BAE unit 9505 was delayed for delivery to GA more than once now. Hybrid evaluation is scheduled to be complete, with production models beginning production in exactly 1 year. This means BAE has some immediate catching up to do. With buses now scheduled for delivery this week, the competition may finally begin.

XD60 - It is now time for the next wave of Xcelsior artics to come rolling in. Fleet assignments are now pending for FB and OF depots. In the interim, Flatbush and Hale will be getting units for training and qualification. Flatbush will be converting to an all XD60 fleet. Hale will still have 10 older artic buses, and it is unclear if they if Nova's will remain. It makes sense for them to transfer 10 4700 series buses to Hale, and send the remaining LFSA's to the Bronx. The Bus Company lot will begin deliver soon as well, and loaned buses will transfer back to Transit. At that time, we will go back over the original  base XD60 assignments, and discuss the implementation of artics at EN, and the B82+ conversion. For information about the progress and status, please see the first page of this thread.

Grand Avenue depot will keep 1 artic on hand for training, and qualification, pending the new crosstown SBS, and possible artic runs on the L train shuttle as they will have buses newly available from Bus Company.

XN60 - Delivery to both JG and WF will continue through December. JG has begun a rotation of loaned of buses back to The Bronx, which will continue this week. All of JG's batch buses should be in by the end of next month.

*Next up on the list is electric bus status. For the most part, MTA has approved both test models with the acception of the Proterra Deceleration (brake) tests.  In order for a bus to be fully qualified under the New Bus Evaluation program, the manufacturer has to successfully demonstrate that all parameters have been passed, and the bus is either ready to go, or will be ready to go by the time MTA would like to introduce it into service. As the initial part of the evaluation is over, MTA has to now decide if they want to split the order for 45 standard buses, or award to a sole manufacturer. Due to the current satisfaction levels, I see a split award with options on the horizon. This however has yet to be determined. 

As we move into phase 2 of this evaluation, current plans call for MTA to continue extensive evaluation of the buses, while drafting up the final specifications for the production order. At this time it is unclear if the evaluation will be extended in light of a new Proterra demo, and additional decel testing. The timeline calls for the first production buses to begin rolling off the line in just over 8 months now in June of 2019. 

*The quite some time there was a lot of speculation on what the next order of articulated buses would be. Would they be hybrid? Would they be electric? Could it be both? It's still somewhat unclear, but I was able to confirm electric buses for the time being. 

As of right now, the design and specifications for the buses are underway. Final design is said to be complete by January 2019. ruray Award planed by February with production to begin immediately. There will likely be 4-5 pilots, with an accelerated delivery schedule. According to my sources the buses will be XE60's, and delivery is scheduled for all 15 buses by January 2020. This means the buses will not be available at the start of the M14SBS and  train shuttles. Originally MTA planned on having hybrids as an order of XDE60's to be tacked on to the artic option order in a similar fashion to how the XDE40's came to be.  10 of which were converted to hybrid options over diesel. More details coming soon.

Express Bus Update: MTA is now in the evaluation process for the next orders of express buses. These will be the last diesel express buses ordered, and has been a very stiff competition that will come down to overall usability. I am told we will in fact order up to 37 Double Decker buses according to the current plans. It aslo appears that we can expect D45 CRT's in the near future as well. The next order is still up in the air, and could go either way. MTA is currently reviewing proposals from Alexander-Dennis, MCI, and Prevost. The final decision os expected by April 2019, with pilot delivery by next fall.

As always, any and everything is subject to change without notice. 

Later on today I will also be starting Borough redesign threads to address everyone's concerns, opinions, and ideas for the future of NYC Buses.

13 minutes ago, limitednyc said:

are u saying u are still waiting for the the xd40's revisions to be finalized ? if so i'm sorry.

Yes. As of right now the depot assignments are the same, we are just waiting on the revised fleet numbers for each depot. The first page will be updated before the end of the day. I'm going to leave the XD60 assignments temporary until Bus Co.'s batch comes in, at which time I will start changing the assignments back to what they should be.

I am also being told 6126-6129 will also serve as the pilots for said batch. Currently awaiting confirmation.

6 minutes ago, MHV184 said:

Do you believe some of the NG's from Staten Island or Bronx might get transferred to MV these upcoming months since MV is short on busses at the moment? 

I think I've said that like 3 times now including in the post you just quoted.... lol

2 minutes ago, Just New York said:

The 70xx are diesel not hybrids 

To add on to this, they are also not NG's. lol

1 minute ago, limitednyc said:

when is the the first page going to be updated with the revised  xd40  assignements  and with the nova assignedments.

Ok..... Im going to need for you all to start going back and reading before you just jump in and post. I'm saying the same things over and over. 

On 10/6/2018 at 8:44 AM, MHV184 said:

Ok so it's not confirmed that Manhattanville might receive these displaced NG's from Bronx and Staten Island things might change throughout the coming months.

Yes it is confirmed. I however think MV could have borrowed a few new XD40's, but replacing them with NG's is best for now. Some of the GenII OG's are going to Bus Co. anyway.

On 10/6/2018 at 1:55 PM, Future ENY OP said:

Ulmer Park and East New York are the only 2 depots in the Brooklyn Division that don’t want any NG’s in their depot. Looks like that’s gonna change at least for Ulmer Park. When they always run short of buses Flatbush and Fresh Pond are lending their NG’s to Ulmer Park. 

It’s about time that Ulmer Park get on board with the NG’s. 

They don't want any and won't be getting any. They will take NG's from EN and fight tooth and nail before they take NG's. Why would it change for UP now?? They don't need any.

On 10/6/2018 at 11:38 AM, King Transit said:

I don't live in Staten Island , but my concern with Castleton is that they drive their buses to the ground like the MTA ordered toy buses. I was suggesting to not give them these cuomofied LFS'(40fts)

Yeah, It doesn't work like that. Staten Island has the highest average speed of all the boroughs which means the buses have to be maintained on a different schedule than all the other buses. MTA wants all the series hybrids out of Staten Island, and have for quite some time now. 

23 hours ago, trife86 said:

Anyone know what the changes in the 2018/19 Nova will be compared to the currently running 15/16s

There are quite a few differences. In addition to what was mentioned above the cameras, a few components and options, destination signs, and seating configuration IIRC.

22 hours ago, Ultimategamer12c said:

And speaking of Which sinse more XDE40s will come for next next year I heard FP will get the orders of XDE40s  which should push out all old gens and maybe next gens too and FLat Bush on the other is getting XD60s so the lfses should be gone I dont know if they would want more Next gens but I will have to see

Yes FP will get hybrids, and Grand is getting artics.

2 hours ago, R179 8258 said:

So ENY maybe getting NGs ???? As well at Ulmer Park ???

Why would EN and UP be getting hybrids? No one ever said that so I don't know why it's even a topic. Neither of those depots want them and they will never be assigned on any basis other than temporary anyway even if they did have some. Both depots would rather have RTS. EN doesn't even want the hybrids they have now, they want 9500's.

East New York and Ulmer are getting brand new XD40's anyway. The depot assignments haven't changed.... 

1 minute ago, T J Trainman said:

Ulmer Park can’t have hybrids until the depot gets battery chargers for the hybrids first. 

They aren't battery chargers. Only electric buses have battery chargers.

The hybrids need to be maintained with battery conditioners. They can actually go to any depot in the system, including CNG depots. All they have to do is go to a CFM like East New York which currently has NG's and OG's from every borough and bus company in the shop right now.

What I said it should have been in the first place! lol Minus only Jamaica Depot.

No point in sending diesels when there are plenty of NG's free, and new Hybrids will be coming in next year. In addition, MV will get electric buses at some point in the near future anyway.  

More OG's will also go Bus Company until they retire. I'm going to start updating the first page soon, and now we are just waiting on the new XD assignments which are just fly-by-wire right now.

Aver evaluating 7523 for a few trips on it's first day of service, along with 7667, and 7487 before it, my preliminary take is much better that I initially expected. These are now my favorites out of the XD40's. 

The LBSS has finally been tuned just right for NYC operations. These buses take off much faster and are rivaled only by a few 4800 series buses at East New York Depot. These buses also feel a lot more solid, and ride a lot smoother. I also love the fuel-saver feature, which actually works great for a city like New York where we have idling laws, and MTA requires operators to shut buses down on layover. With the Xcelsior, if the bus is idling for 15 minutes, it will automatically shut itself off.

Overall, my favorite Xcelsiors have been the CNG's and the hybrids. I am patiently awaiting delivery of 9505 to GA. This bus has been delayed a couple times. It was supposed to be delivered to GA yesterday, but the bus never made it. It is now pending delivery to GA as soon as MTA signs off on it. Note these BAE powered buses were already supposed to be in service to begin side-by-side evaluation with the other units. As of now, the Allison units have been doing pretty well with the exception of some minor maintenance issues with 9502. 

I've always been a fan of the Luminator destination sign, and that's what my RTS has. However, I am really digging the reliability of these Hanover Multi-color signs. The ODK may not be as fancy as Luminators, but the programming and hardware is quite solid. 

All the Proterra buses have Luminator test signs. If MTA is satisfied with how they operate they will then be willing to let them bid on contracts again. In case anyone did not know, MTA has a settlement agreement in place with Luminator. Any signs that need to be replaced will be replaced with Spectrum/Titan combos. For example, if a front sign goes out on a C40LF, it will be replaced with a Spectrum, and not a Titan.  Hence all the C40LF's that have Spectrum front signs now. 

In other news, all the Proterra buses now have the new rear doors installed, however they have not been running in service due to one issue. The buses have passed every MTA evaluation test except the Deceleration Test. Also known as the break test, this is to test the stopping distance, and stopping power of the bus. At this time it is not up to MTA specifications, therefore Proterra will work with MTA to find a solution.

In the meanwhile, we have an unplanned test demo on the horizon. Now known as 0021, a new Proterra is said to soon make its way to our city to undergo evaluation by the MTA. Information on this new project is limited at this time. From what I understand, we now operate test buses with the "Prodrive" electric system, and 0021 will feature the 'Duodrive" system. As soon as I can confirm, and have more information I will be sure to post. In the meanwhile, the newly released Proterra specs are now available if you all want to look at the technical side of things. The first page of this thread will be updated accordingly.

https://www.proterra.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Catalyst-40-ft-Spec-Sheet-Sept-2018.pdf

On 10/3/2018 at 5:38 PM, King Transit said:

I'm sorry , just to go off topic...

It should be about time for East New York to get at least 30 2018 XD40 wrapped SBS'. Because of all the complaints of transit fans saying that when waiting they have to wait about 9 to 15 minutes for each of these buses on the B82 +SBS. That route is longer than the B46 +SBS. 

 

Not off topic at all. This is the thread for these types of discussions. However transit fans rarely dictate service patterns or marketing plans unless it beneficial to all sides. If customers demand changes, then they will be looked into.

7525, 7529 to GA. 

Did a few trips on 7523 on its first day of service and I must say overall I am impressed with this batch of XD40’s. From the suspension, to the amazing take-off right down to the feel of it. It’s much more solid than the previous 7000’s, and much faster.

As of right now, the ONLY XD’s that can keep up with the new ones are 4818-4820 and 4824. I will discuss the new LBSS and what’s so special about the ones mentioned above in detail in the Fleet & Depots thread. 

1 hour ago, trainfan22 said:

I have the worst luck with the B15, EVERY TIME I ride that got damn route from New Lots station it's always bunched up. Today I get off at New Lots and see on Justine that I just missed four bunched up B15 and the next bus was a half hour away, I said screw it and got back on the train.

That's my home line. Almost every run is leader/follower, and its gets bunched a lot due to traffic. This is why I recommend that anyone who uses BusTime get Bus Tracker for Android or Bus NYC for iOS. I like to use Bus NYC, and I track my bus well before I'm anywhere near it. 

For example, If I'm getting on an  from say Broadway Junction, I will check the details before I even get on the  train. I plan out my trips to the T because I don't like waiting for buses or trains. Here and there when "ghost runs" are out and not trackable is when things can get frustrating. You know there should be a bus coming but BusTime says the next is twice as far away. When that happens I just cheat and see if there's anything out not publically trackable.

However, since everyone can't do that, I recommend using BusTime in conjunction with Google Transit and you have a much greater chance of not having to wait for anything. At one time I would just go about my day and not check any schedules. Seemed like when I did it that way I missed the B15 at New Lots every single time. Now I can't remember the last time I waited.