Governor Cuomo Announces Significant Upgrade of MTA Bus Fleet, With More Than 2,000 New State-of-the

[Around the Horn]

Well this was a surprise...

 

 

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the MTA would add 2,042 state-of-the-art new buses to its transportation fleet over the next five years. The Governor, joined by MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas Prendergast and MTA New York City Transit President Ronnie Hakim, introduced the next generation vehicles to the public, as well as previewed enhanced amenities like USB charging ports and Wi-Fi. The new buses, which will replace nearly 40 percent of the MTA’s current fleet and represent a $1.3 billion investment of Capital Program resources, will begin hitting streets next month.
    “We’re reimagining the MTA to improve services for all New Yorkers,” said Governor Cuomo. “Today’s world demands connectivity, and we’re meeting that challenge with state-of-the-art buses and a major overhaul of the MTA’s fleet. This upgrade will create a stronger, more convenient and more connected mass transit system for years to come.”

    Mayor Bill de Blasio: "More New Yorkers than ever use our public transportation system to move through our city, and these essential upgrades will improve commutes for millions of our residents. Internet access has become a necessity, not a privilege-- and from charging ports to WiFi, this new MTA fleet will provide critical tech services that New Yorkers depend on each day. The Governor and MTA should be commended for making this investment in our city's transportation system."

    The buses, which will have a distinct new look and feel, are a vital part of the state’s efforts to significantly transform and modernize the MTA, its infrastructure, and its fleet to meet the growing demands of the 21st century. The state is contributing $8.3 billion to help fund the MTA’s $26.1 billion 2015-19 Capital Program.

    All new buses will include added amenities designed to dramatically improve the overall customer experience, including the charging ports and free Wi-Fi hotspots on all rides. A new pilot program to install digital information screens on 200 buses will begin this year, providing customers with the most up to date information available on upcoming stops, available transfers, weather, and other information.
    The Governor has called on the MTA to accelerate the deployment of new technology on city buses to improve the passenger experience and enhance a system that is more than a century old.

    By 2020, 2,042 buses will be equipped with Wi-Fi hotspots. Seventy-five of the first new buses will make their debut in the 2nd and 3rd quarter of this year in Queens, and over the next two years another 70 buses will begin operating in Brooklyn, 209 in the Bronx, and 18 in Manhattan. The remaining new buses will be assigned to various routes throughout the five boroughs from 2018 through 2020. Additionally, the MTA is in the process of upgrading existing busses with Wi-Fi and USB charging ports. By the end of 2017, all express buses will be retrofitted with Wi-Fi and USB charging ports.
    “Wireless connectivity is prevalent in the lives of our customers. More and more people are using Wi-Fi enabled devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets and e-book readers on a daily basis and the MTA can accommodate this growing trend by introducing high-speed connectivity and charging ports on-board MTA buses," MTA Chairman and CEO Tom Prendergast said. “We are fully committed to meeting Governor Cuomo’s challenge head-on to ensure the entire MTA is focused on delivering improvements to the people who rely on us every day.”

"Our new buses will also have a new look and new energy to convey this dynamism as we bring rapid improvements to our customers," MTA President Hakim said. “More than 2 million people depend on New York City buses on its busiest days, and as the Governor has made explicitly clear, we must enhance our transit system to improve everyone's daily experience."The Wi-Fi will provide a new level of connectivity to New Yorkers, bringing ease and convenience to those working, reading emails, or checking in on their social media accounts without impacting their cellular data plans. The number of USB ports on buses will range from 35-55, depending on the make and model, and will be conveniently located throughout the bus

Digital information screens will also provide customers with travel information to reduce anxiety about missing stops and better enable customers to plan and arrive at their destinations on time. Buses will have two to three LCD screens mounted inside the bus, displaying everything from automated stop announcements, available transfers at each stop, news, weather and advertising as well as real-time communication from the bus command center.
With nearly 8.7 million travelers per day, these upgrades are part of a robust plan to fully transform the MTA into an innovative, state-of-the-art system with improved customer service and first-class amenities.

The first 75 buses slated to roll out this year are being manufactured by New Flyer Industries, which is planning to open a new facility Western New York in November 2016 to assemble major components on these buses, bringing 30 new jobs to New York.

Here are the renderings from the governor's Flickr

 

[trainfan22]

That XD60 with the Metrocard bus Scheme! 

 

I don't think the USB ports on buses will last long, only a matter of time until people put gum inside them.

 

That and people stealing phones from people and running off the bus with them.

[MTA Bus]

Please tell me that paint scheme is for real. I approve of it 100%.

[LOQV]

I can't wait to operate one of those new buses.

[MHV9218]

Please tell me that paint scheme is for real. I approve of it 100%.

 

White doors makes me think wrap, but man, still a big change. If it's paint, even cooler. I was wondering when the white and blue we've had for a good twenty years would come to an end, and it looks like we're near it. I'll miss it, but these official NY colors look cool.

[Around the Horn]

White doors makes me think wrap, but man, still a big change. If it's paint, even cooler. I was wondering when the white and blue we've had for a good twenty years would come to an end, and it looks like we're near it. I'll miss it, but these official NY colors look cool.

Same.

 

I just hope that they keep depot logos and keep the New York City Bus branding or bring back the New York City Transit Authority branding. You could put it on the black under the windows behind the rear door (the way the NGs had it as delivered)

[BDNQ2345]

White doors makes me think wrap, but man, still a big change. If it's paint, even cooler. I was wondering when the white and blue we've had for a good twenty years would come to an end, and it looks like we're near it. I'll miss it, but these official NY colors look cool.

Facts. I hope it happen. 

[Metro CSW]

100% approve. R.I.P. Blue stripe

[MHV9218]

I just hope that they keep depot logos and keep the New York City Bus branding or bring back the New York City Transit Authority branding. You could put it on the black under the windows behind the rear door (the way the NGs had it as delivered)

 

Actually, I'd guess that's the last thing that sticks around. Maybe we'll get MTA Regional Bus or just MTA, but the NYCB and MTAB distinctions are heading away, and NYCTA is sadly long gone.

[Cait Sith]

The scheme....I'll believe it when I see it.

[RailBus63]

Aren't these XD60 buses already arriving in the blue and white? 

[Around the Horn]

The scheme....I'll believe it when I see it.

Prendergast said the first bus is coming next month (the new 5364?) so we'll see then...

[7LineFan]

Not a fan of the I Love NY logo on this scheme. To me it clashes visually with the rest of the bus.

 

Other than that, solid like but not love, will probably grow on me with time.

[MysteriousBtrain]

This could be a wild guess, but besides the upgrades that are being implemented in these buses, I feel the bus redesign could have something to do with the MTA bus merger. I don't see "(New York City) bus" next to , proving that both MTA bus companies can combine as these buses go out.

[Cait Sith]

Aren't these XD60 buses already arriving in the blue and white? 

 

That's my thing, I'll believe it when I see it!

 

Although, we haven't received a new bus past 5374 in about two weeks. So it could be a sign of the scheme change.

 

Prendergast said the first bus is coming next month (the new 5364?) so we'll see then...

 

Well, it's not a new 5364, it's just being upgraded with newer components and such.

 

Someone said that bus was back already, but who knows.

[LTA1992]

The scheme....I'll believe it when I see it.

Apparently, this specific bus has been at the vendor for the past two weeks. So this may be why.

[Around the Horn]

Apparently, this specific bus has been at the vendor for the past two weeks. So this may be why.

Really? 5364 is at the one near JFK? (I have an idea... )

[MysteriousBtrain]

That's my thing, I'll believe it when I see it!

 

Although, we haven't received a new bus past 5374 in about two weeks. So it could be a sign of the scheme change.

I believe that up to 5375 is on MTA property. I noticed it just sitting in zerega not long ago (unless it made it to JFK now).

 

 

 

Well, it's not a new 5364, it's just being upgraded with newer components and such.

 

Someone said that bus was back already, but who knows.

I'm not saying if I believe this new scheme and the upgrades are real or not, but the bold right here could mean it is getting all the new tech stated for service like automated announcements and USB ports since they quality as "newer components".

[LTA1992]

Really? 5364 is at the one near JFK? (I have an idea... )

I'm just passing off information from a guy whose more adept at keeping track of these things. The subway is where my expertise lies.

[B22viaAtlanticAv]

Really New scheme?   Don't get me wrong it looks nice and all  giving the amount buses we have but, Service still sucks.Bad enough people got to pay higher fares and have long wait times now they get to see "Fancy" Buses flag them as the stand for another 20 minutes for the next bus which also crowded. I'm sorry but i would've like the money spent on Improving bus service where possible you know just my opinion... 

[Cait Sith]

Apparently, this specific bus has been at the vendor for the past two weeks. So this may be why.

 

A member on here (a JFK operator) spotted the bus sometime last week near the depot with another bus(as it left to get upgrades for all the components the failed the pilot test phase). It's possible that it went back.

[bobtehpanda]

Really New scheme?   Don't get me wrong it looks nice and all  giving the amount buses we have but, Service still sucks.Bad enough people got to pay higher fares and have long wait times now they get to see "Fancy" Buses flag them as the stand for another 20 minutes for the next bus which also crowded. I'm sorry but i would've like the money spent on Improving bus service where possible you know just my opinion... 

 

Stickers are super cheap, service restoration costs a couple hundred thousand to millions of dollars at times.

[East New York]

Same.

 

I just hope that they keep depot logos and keep the New York City Bus branding or bring back the New York City Transit Authority branding. You could put it on the black under the windows behind the rear door (the way the NGs had it as delivered)

I have now been able to confirm branding for the future as the merger continues. Details coming this eve in the Merger Thread.

[Cait Sith]

As for the whole Wi-Fi and USB charging port thing....

I'll only agree with it if it's only exclusive to the express buses....local buses? Hell no! We got way too many vandals and farebeaters.

[B46 via Utica]

Hope to see these on the B46 since it's supposed to become SBS the new paint scheme is lit or better yet they can go to baisley depot now of they can improve bus service.