MTA Bus Operations: Fleet & Depots

[East New York]

Playing a little bit of catch up here.

 

I also heard it was also because of problems with the tag axles, as some of the parts/the entire tag axle is not from Meritor, but from a 3rd party associated with MCI. There have been instances with the tag axles falling out, and the suits were not happy with that when they went to check those buses out at Charleston.

 

It's part of the reason why you hear the loud banging in the interior at the very rear of those MCIs sometimes.

 

I wouldn't say that just yet. It's being said that the Q53 is staying at CP till 2017, and LGA recently had their lot expansion construction to accommodate more buses. If/when the QM24/25 goes to CP, they'll have more than enough room for those artics. We'll find out what the fate of the Q53 will be once December comes through.

 

As for artics on the Q8, they better test it first, because 101 Avenue can be very hellacious when it's backed up.

 

 

Interesting. I knew the tag's were definitely an issue, but I know none of the detailes. I haven't talked to the MCI rep for MTA since APTA. I was told that was an issue addressed by MCI, and for the last procurement it came down to fuel economy. I know for a fact that New Flyer will be directly involved when it comes to the next Express order, so this will be very interesting! 

 

They could. Just wipe out parking on that whole block and you're set. The entrance to the parking lot leads to both Linden & New Lots, so traffic won't be impacted coming out from there.

 

...and they finally opened the Burger King there. Surprised the hell out of me while I was walking to UPS earlier today lol

 

Now you know as soon as they get rid of all the parking everyone will cry! lol

 

On second thought, we know the B35 and B8 are being considered for artics. What about running them on the Fort Hamilton school trippers?

 

Currently, 10 or 12 40 footers (8 B16s and 2 B63s) serve each period (8,9 and 10-all the seniors who leave 7th pile on to the 1:26 B16)

 

Could they decide to just run 7 artics(5 B16s and 2 B63s) instead? It frees up 12 regular ones.

 

The only way I can see them showing up on other routes are interlines possibly. But anything can happen with the MTA.

 

 

as  of  2/9/2016 

 

how   99   orion   and   how may  rts are left.  does  any know  how many  of  414  nova  been deliverd.

 

 

About 680 RTS's left

[B46 via Utica]

Interesting. I knew the tag's were definitely an issue, but I know none of the detailes. I haven't talked to the MCI rep for MTA since APTA. I was told that was an issue addressed by MCI, and for the last procurement it came down to fuel economy. I know for a fact that New Flyer will be directly involved when it comes to the next Express order, so this will be very interesting! 

 

 

 

Now you know as soon as they get rid of all the parking everyone will cry! lol

 

 

 

The only way I can see them showing up on other routes are interlines possibly. But anything can happen with the MTA.

 

 

 

 

 

About 680 RTS's left

 

Do you an official date of when all the RTS's are going to retire?

[MysteriousBtrain]

Do you an official date of when all the RTS's are going to retire?

There is no confirmed date. They will all be retired when they are not needed anymore.

[Around the Horn]

There is no confirmed date. They will all be retired when they are not needed anymore.

ENY said in another thread that the last one will be gone by 2019

[East New York]

Do you an official date of when all the RTS's are going to retire?

 

 

There is no confirmed date. They will all be retired when they are not needed anymore.

 

 

That was the best way to sum it up! lol ^^

 

Buses are retired when they need to be, and since nothing to date has lasted longer than a GM platform, it's going to be when MTA no longer has a use for them.

 

The ONLY reason MTA wants to retire the buses that are up next to go is because the wheelchair lifts have been cycled so may time that they are no longer reliable. The front suspensions are also not in the best shape on many of the 9600's and some of the other buses. For that reason, only 5105-5249 (The True 1999 series buses) are the ones pretty much guaranteed to survive the next few years.

 

 

 

On another note, I need to clear up something else. This is the last time I will say any of this, and from today forward, any chalenges to my posts or information will be ignored. Among other MTA related subjects, I'm sick and tired of people arguing with me about which buses are actually 1998's and which are 1999's. Last time I checked, I've been to Flatbush, Ulmer Park, Quill, and was just at East New York a few days ago.

 

The last RTS bus with a 1998 build plate was manufactured in December of that year, and it is 5104. 5105 was manufactured in January of 1999.

 

However, the "model year" of 4900-5249, and the second 9656 are in fact 1999. Not only do I have the complete production run documents of all RTS buses from GMC through MTS, I have taken shots of of buildplates, and have the official documents from MTA. You all do know who I am right? Did you know that my LinkdIN is indorsed by executives at Daimler, Luminator, and the MTA Department of Buses? Did you know I have Darryl on speed dial? Did you all know that I have consulted directly with 14 of the top 20 largest transit agencies in the country? Did you know last month I celberated my 18th year as a MCI parts customer?

 

I have posted 32 exclusives since 2008, and even had New Flyer AND SEPTA call me, as well as contact NYCTF (Harry) to find out where I heard they would be awarded a C40LF contract from MTA. Remember, thats the bus that was discontinued and I told everyone it would be resurrected just for the MTA because neither the Xcelsior of LFR were qualified, and we would NEVER see an LFR on the property because NFI was prepping the enrer the Xcelsior into the BTE program and no one believed me??? No One! Not even New Flyer actually thought MTA would do it, and when it did happen, Dante (AKA East New York) was notified before they were. #Message 

 

if anyone wants to argue with me you better jump on an RTS, and if you cant fine one, I can make it happen for you. I did present the RTS at APTA in case you didn't know.... I did in fact create the base specs that were sent to MTA by MTS for the Extreme and Express. Trevor Logan did infact assist me with the process and crrated all the official documents, as well as the MTS website when they were in talks with MTA and 20 other agencies.

 

I'm also the one who mediated the official bid starting process between MTS and CTA. That contract was ultimately awarded to NovaBus even though MTS was the lowest bidder, and New Flyer was the second highest bidder. Did you know that? Did you know that I gave a few ENY employees their first on-board tour of 7090 before she went into service? Remember those super hot exclusive pics Shane (CaitSith) got of the bus? I was his escort into the depot.

 

The Public Information ACT is also your friend if you want to do some fact checking on me! Everything I post, has or will EVENTUALLY become public record. Even if the information changes as we know is possible at anytime. 

 

So until you actually work in the Transit industry, for MTA, or have your LinkdIN indorsed by some one of substance within it, stop with the bullsit because I'm tired of it, and it still doesn't change the fact that East New York was a name given to me. I'm not trying to be cocky, but it's 2016 now and my flawless 8 year record in this industry speaks for itself.

 

Enough with the bullshit! I'm far from perfect, and do not know everything, nor do I pretend to. I do however know my industry, work in it, and want everyone who wants to opposed me for whatever trivial reason yo know, that any challenges to my information will be ignored for 2016 and beyond. If you have a legitimate question, or don't understand anything then please feel free to ask away. Other than that, stop playing yourself.

 

This also goes for like 2 people who USED to work for the MTA. Key words: Used to. 

 

Any questions? Can we finally put this to rest, or do I have to revisit these old topics every 2-3 years???

Edited February 13, 2016 by East New York

[Around the Horn]

Wow New Flyer and SEPTA called you! That must have been awkward...

[East New York]

Wow New Flyer and SEPTA called you! That must have been awkward...

 

 

Akward is an understatement!! How about paranoid??!! LMAO!! 

 

I was like, "yep, I'm finished!" If New Flyer is calling me I must be dead wrong! It was hard enough for me to believe that the C40 would be ressurected for MTA, but for NFI to reach out an say they knew nothing of the actual award I thought I was set up! lol

 

I thought I was in the process of the biggest information failure in the history of NYCTF! Then the contract finally was made public, and the C40 was ressurected....

 

SEPTA was pissed!!!!!! Fot that reason, they immediately went to Nova.

 

I could then exhale, and I immediately took 6 months off from here! lol. I was over all the drama surrounding those orders.

[BDNQ2345]

When is the next batch of xd40 coming out

[Metro CSW]

When is the next batch of xd40 coming out

Patience, dude lol. It may take a few months. Edited February 13, 2016 by Metro CSW

[BDNQ2345]

Ok

[B22viaAtlanticAv]

That was the best way to sum it up! lol ^^

 

Buses are retired when they need to be, and since nothing to date has lasted longer than a GM platform, it's going to be when MTA no longer has a use for them.

 

The ONLY reason MTA wants to retire the buses that are up next to go is because the wheelchair lifts have been cycled so may time that they are no longer reliable. The front suspensions are also not in the best shape on many pf the 9600's and some of the other buses. For that reason, only 5105-5429 (The True 1999 series buses) are the ones pretty much guaranteed to survive the next few years.

 

 

 

On another note, I need to clear up something else. This is the last time I will say any of this, and from today forward, any chalenges to my posts or information will be ignored. Among other MTA related subjects, I'm sick and tired of people arguing with me about which buses are actually 1998's and which are 1999's. Last time I checked, I've been to Flatbush, Ulmer Park, Quill, and was just at East New York a few days ago.

 

The last RTS bus with a 1998 build plate was manufactured in December of that year, and it is 5104. 5105 was manufactured in January of 1999.

 

However, the "model year" of 4900-5249, and the second 9656 are in fact 1999. Not only do I have the complete production run documents of all RTS buses from GMC through MTS, I have taken shots of of buildplates, and have the official documents from MTA. You all do know who I am right? Did you know that my LinkdIN is indorsed by executives at Daimler, Luminator, and the MTA Department of Buses? Did you know I have Darryl on speed dial? Did you all know that I have consulted directly with 14 of the top 20 largest transit agencies in the country? Did you know last month I celberated my 18th year as a MCI parts customer?

 

I have posted 32 exclusives since 2008, and even had New Flyer AND SEPTA call me, as well as contact NYCTF (Harry) to find out where I heard they would be awarded a C40LF contract from MTA. Remember, thats the bus that was discontinued and I told everyone it would be resurrected just for the MTA because neither the Xcelsior of LFR were qualified, and we would NEVER see an LFR on the property because NFI was prepping the enrer the Xcelsior into the BTE program and no one believed me??? No One! Not even New Flyer actually thought MTA would do it, and when it did happen, Dante (AKA East New York) was notified before they were. #Message 

 

if anyone wants to argue with me you better jump on an RTS, and if you cant fine one, I can make it happen for you. I did present the RTS at APTA in case you didn't know.... I did in fact create the base specs that were sent to MTA by MTS for the Extreme and Express. Trevor Logan did infact assist me with the process and crrated all the official documents, as well as the MTS website when they were in talks with MTA and 20 other agencies.

 

I'm also the one who mediated the official bid starting process between MTS and CTA. That contract was ultimately awarded to NovaBus even though MTS was the lowest bidder, and New Flyer was the second highest bidder. Did you know that? Did you know that I gave a few ENY employees their first on-board tour of 7090 before she went into service? Remember those super hot exclusive pics Shane (CaitSith) got of the bus? I was his escort into the depot.

 

The Public Information ACT is also your friend if you want to do some fact checking on me! Everything I post, has or will EVENTUALLY become public record. Even if the information changes as we know is possible at anytime. 

 

So until you actually work in the Transit industry, for MTA, or have your LinkdIN indorsed by some one of substance within it, stop with the bullsit because I'm tired of it, and it still doesn't change the fact that East New York was a name given to me. I'm not trying to be cocky, but it's 2016 now and my flawless 8 year record in this industry speaks for itself.

 

Enough with the bullshit! I'm far from perfect, and do not know everything, nor do I pretend to. I do however know my industry, work in it, and want everyone who wants to opposed me for whatever trivial reason, that any challenges to my information will be ignored for 2016 and beyond. If you have a legitimate question, or don't understand anything then please feel free to ask away. Other than that, stop playing yourself.

 

This also goes for like 2 people who USED to work for the MTA. Key words: Used to. 

 

Any questions? Can we finally put this to rest, or do I have to revisit these old topics every 2-3 years???

Lol this is the second or third I saw you post you history on the forums.  iI would just direct the haters to the last time you did just. or copy and paste it...

Haters gonna  hate right?

Anyways keep up the good work man and thanks for sharing the info.

[East New York]

When is the next batch of xd40 coming out

 

 

Patience, dude lol. It may take a few months.

 

 

I've actually been meaning to post it in the title thread. Always remember to go back a few pages, because I did post this info. This is the official schedule is as of my last briefing, and I actually want to thank you for bringing it up. I was supposed to put in in the title post of this thread, and is subject to change if MTA ops for any spec changes or any unforseen incidents (like the XD60 introduction to MTA Bus). I will make the updates momentarily. This is an updated version of my previous post with NFI and Nova information now included.

 

 

60 buses scheduled to begin delivery/production April-June (XD40)

120 buses between July-September (XD40)

220 buses between October-December (XD40 and LFS)

20 buses between January and February 2017 (LFS)

Edited February 13, 2016 by East New York

[East New York]

Lol this is the second or third I saw you post you history on the forums.  iI would just direct the haters to the last time you did just. or copy and paste it...

Haters gonna  hate right?

Anyways keep up the good work man and thanks for sharing the info.

 

I have more than 8,200 posts my man! Half the stuff I posted I can't even remember where it is! lol. I have to dig sometimes.

 

People seem to forget that I post this information because you all enjoy this stuff. I get it by default just because of what I do, and what I love. I've made many great friends and contacts from every bus manufacturer and supplier in the business. I don't have to share anything, at all, ever.

 

I could have just sat back on the sidelines and watched 90 buses from 3 (local) manufactures be awarded, and New Flyer deliver a discontinued bus and said ha! I told you so. Instead, I got as exited as the next person. This was a huge deal and unprecidented within the Department of Buses. I knew everyone would love knowing that buses they way they knew in New York was about to shake up.

 

Buses were my thing from the age of 3. By the age of 6, my Great-Grandmother who is now 92, nicknamed me Transit Headquarters. I was raised in Detroit Diesel facilities, and started maintained buses with SMART (SEMTA at the time) mechanics at the age of 12.

 

I was the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority's Junior Motor Coach Operator of the year at age 13, because I knew more than every driver I was introduced to. They made a huge deal about it, gave me a driver uniform and a mechanics uniform, published my story in the local news paper, and the transit circular. They topped off the celebration by giving me my first RTS model Bus Bank as a gift. Slowly, other drivers would start to give me their buses they got from work to start my personal fleet.

 

I was driver trained on the Flxible, RTS, Classic, and New Look (Fishbowl) by the time I was 15. I then started a model bus re-selling busines, cementing what wiould be a long partnership with MCI as my exclusive wholesale supplier. I was invited to ROADEO's, and able to ride AATA, SMART, and DDOT all free by the time I was 16. I used to loooooooooooove growing up in a place where Fishbowls were king and the RTS was the new kid on the block. I would always see buses testing on Woodward Avenue before they would be delivered all over the country, and production was shifted into the hands of TMC.  

 

On that very emotional day for me, I vowed to keep in contact with everyone down in the desert from TMC to Nova and beyond. My mind was also made up. New York City was the only place for me.... The Greatest city in the world had the best maintained GMC/TMC/Nova RTS fleets in existance. That's where I needed to be. MTA pretty much welcomed me with warm arms after they learned about me, and what I was about. My brother was also an operator out of ENY Depot for 13 years. At age 24 I was given the nick-name Little East New York. I joined NYC Transit formums shortly there after. 

 

At age 28, I presented the Millennium RTS to the world at APTA 2011, in an attempt to breath life into the most reliable platform ever made. I was then apointed the position of Administrator here at NYC Transit Forums.

 

On my 29th Birthday, The MTS owner, and and the Maintenence director who has been with the RTS project since presented a package put together by myself and Trevor Logan, Jr., an industy guru and insider since who motivated me to be who I am. The MTA was exited about the RTS Extreme Low Floor, as they previously tested the bus in a 2 day stealth-mode evaluation out of ENY Depot. Nobody knew about this, not even myself. They liked the 42.5 foot high floor express concept, however the exact words from Operations Planning were "I would rather cut express bus service before I introduce 42.5 footers on a line." That meant the RTS High Floor in NYC was dead immediately. After the January 11, 2012 meeting, MTA sent both myself and MTS the required specs as they were officially interested in the RTS and planned on evaluating the bus extensively as soon as possible. The rest of the bus world was literally sitting in the wings waiting for the MTA.  More than 20 agencies were interested in testing a demo as soon as the first MTA spec'd bus was manufactured. It had an all new front end that was kept under tight wraps, and the final design selected was actually designed by Trevor Logan himself believe it or not.

 

The specs called for 8 pilot buses to test for 6 months. Then the first production run called for 22 buses. After those buses were approved, MTA would either reject or proceed with the order. MTA would then play with different seating options and one Allison/Carrier/Luminator bus was planned, as all base options included ZF Transmissions, ThermoKing HVAC's, and Hanover destination signs . The last 60 production buses would then officially qualify the RTS, and the next planned demo was all electric.

 

MTS however could only afford to build all 90 buses at once, or risked running into bankruptcy as all the other agencies wanted to start ordering buses with the same MTA specs once the bus was qualified. It had already made the Altoona Hall of fame as the best bus they ever tested to date. This was their direct words. "We absolutely loved that thing." However, it had a defective 3rd party engine fan, which would be replaced by an in-hoise unit. To date, the MTS RTS has been the most reliable RTS made to date. None of the buses inservice since 2006 have needed any type of overhaul. 

 

This effectively put the RTS on ice until more funing could be identified by MTS. To this day MTA maintains they want the nex generation RTS bus, but will not bend an inch on wanting the bus delivered as stated above.

 

After all that, I took an extended vacation, and was relieved of Admimistrator duties. I did not plan on coming back at all, however, at the request of several members, and MTA personnel, I am back as a Senior Moderator. 

 

Last month on my 33rd birthday I celebrated my 18th year as a valued MCI Parts customer, placing a historic order for 12 bus models, which would total up to my 107th bus model (105 RTS', 2 MCI) manufactured by them. I was also given 2 free limited edition New Orleans APTA wrapped models as gifts. 

 

So now that everyone knows Dante (AKA East New York), please know that I do this for you, and NOT myself..... I have nothing to prove. Please appreciate what is posted on this forum, and know that I am by no means obligated, and sometimes yelled at by the MTA for posting before they would have liked the information to be public.

 

You all are the reason I am here. I have taken 2 leaves of absence from this forum. Please don't make me feel like posting is a chore.

 

Now lets have some drama free discussions about the things we love, and prepare for more than 3,600 new buses over the next few years!!

Edited February 13, 2016 by East New York

[T J Trainman]

Well said!!

[MysteriousBtrain]

I may be a bit young, but I have an idea of how hard you work ENY. For many years, you probably tried your best to find out more about any form of contract to date, subway or bus, whether you wanted to or not. It feels like you have to be here because posters here are too dependent on you. I applaud you for your hard work and hope that one day, I can be able to be at or near your level someday.

[Eric B]

You were likely the one who mentioned a few years ago someone actually considering bringing back the fishbowl, but it was like a secret. I wonder what ever came of that, and who it was. I'm sure it has fallen by the wayside by now,right?

[tlcohen]

Dante,

 

Please keep up the great posting. It's the only place we can get the latest, on NYC bus orders.

 

Thanks for all of your work, and info.

[Around the Horn]

To ENY, respect for all you do! Ever since I had first read one of your posts, I have wanted to work in transit in some capacity (working my way up to an Assistant General Manager or General Manager position is my dream- also working for SEPTA is another one). Every time you post something new, it rekindles that fire and makes it burn even brighter.

 

Keep it up, my man!

 

Oh and BTW,if I ever make it that far I promise you right now, that I will keep all of you updated on anything that crosses my path. Right now its finish my last year of high school and move on to college hopefully getting an internship and then a job...

Edited February 13, 2016 by Around the Horn

[Cait Sith]

As of this morning, we have an LFSA Demo at Zerega.

[T J Trainman]

Is the LFSA A diesel?

[Jdog14]

Is the LFSA A diesel?

Looks like it

[B22viaAtlanticAv]

As of this morning, we have an LFSA Demo at Zerega.

Okay, bring on them Gen 4 LFSA

with or without the rear window? 

Edited February 16, 2016 by B22viaAtlanticAv

[MysteriousBtrain]

Does the demo look like SEPTA produced it or are we back to rear windows?

[LegoBrickBreaker101]

Any pics?

[Cait Sith]

Is the LFSA A diesel?

 

Yes

 

Okay, bring on them Gen 4 LFSA

with or without the rear window? 

 

↓

 

Does the demo look like SEPTA produced it or are we back to rear windows?

SEPTA-Style, if that's what yall want to call it. No rear window.